New Faces, New Budget: What to Expect in the 2023 Legislative Session
On January 11, 2023 our WSPTA Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan chaired an interactive discussion about 2022 election results, known and predicted session protocols, changes to committee assignments, and how to best engage with the 2023 legislature. You can watch the New Faces, New Budgets: What to Expect in the 2023 Legislative Session on our Viemo page.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
68th Legislature Returns to Olympia January 9th
68th Legislature Returns to Olympia January 9th Prepared by Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org After two years of remote legislative sessions, all 147 legislators will return to Olympia January 9th to begin a 105-day session where the main bit of business is passing two-year spending plans for operations, construction, and transportation. All the rest is just gravy.…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2022 Focus on Advocacy – March 7 Report
Into the home stretch Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org The 60-day session is set to end by midnight, Thursday, March 10. Legislators appear to be on track to meet that deadline, with budget negotiations continuing through the weekend. Last week was a flurry of bill action and some late nights for both…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Call to Action – SB 5078: Prevent and Reduce Gun Violence and Suicide
Dear Washington State PTA Member, Preventing gun violence and suicide is a top-five legislative issue for Washington State PTA. Deaths from suicide and firearms are preventable, and common-sense legislation is part of the answer. We can reduce the risk of mass shootings with appropriate restrictions on the ownership of the most-deadly weapons. Please customize and…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2022 Focus on Advocacy – February 28 Report
Into the home stretch Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Last week saw the release of five 2022 supplemental budgets, all on Monday, February 21: the House and Senate operating budgets, House capital budget, and both House and Senate transportation budgets. While there are several similarities, the budgets took different approaches to some…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Provides Testimony to the House Capital Budget Committee
DaleAnn Baker is a professional engineer and parent advocate in the 10th legislative district. She’s also the author of the WSPTA-adopted position on school safety and emergency preparedness. Listen to DaleAnn’s thoughtful testimony here before the House Capital Budget Committee on February 25, 2022. The bill is scheduled for a vote on Monday, February 28.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies on Multiple Bills
On Tuesday, February 22, Advocacy Director Lizzy Sebring urged members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee to pass HB 1590, a bill that would stabilize state and local funding losses due to enrollment decline. Listen to Lizzy here. Funding was included in both the Senate and House budgets to support stabilization. Speaking in favor…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies in Favor of E2SHB 1162
On Monday, February 21, past-president Michelle Nims spoke in favor of adding a performance exhibit as a graduation pathway to demonstrate proficiencies that align with the student’s High School and Beyond Plan. Listen to her testimony today in favor of E2SHB 1162 here.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2022 Focus on Advocacy – February 21 Report
It’s “budget release” week! Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Buoyed by another positive revenue forecast on February 16, lawmakers began releasing their budgets last week. It started last Thursday with the Senate 2022 supplemental capital budget, continued on Sunday with the Senate 2022 supplemental transportation budget, and culminated with releases of 2022…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies in Support of HB 1611
Parent Rene Price shared with the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee her support for HB 1611, universal screening of students for highly capable programs. Listen here. Joining her on the panel was WSPTA Advocacy Committee member Austina deBonte. Listen to Austina here.
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Advocacy
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Legislative