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March 31, 2017

Double Parent Testimony for Family Engagement and Social Emotional Learning

Jessica Garcia testifies in support of SHB 1618: Engagement Coordinators Bellevue parent, Jessica Garcia, reprised her testimony in support of the family and community engagement bill, SHB 1618, March 30, but this time with the Senate budget committee. Jessica shared the difference a person equivalent to the FACE coordinator defined in the bill helped the…
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Category: Advocacy , Education , Family Engagement , Legislative

March 30, 2017

Breakfast After the Bell – Action Needed Today! *URGENT*

One of Washington State PTA’s top priorities is passing “Breakfast after the Bell” legislation this session. The bill would require schools with at least 70% poverty to offer breakfast to all students after the bell rings. You know that hungry children can’t learn – this bill will go a long way to helping students focus…
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Category: Advocacy , Health & Well-being , Legislative

March 27, 2017

Northshore WSPTA Volunteer Testifies on 2017-19 Biennium Budget

Nancy Chamberlain testifying on sufficient, sustainable, and equitable education funding. OLYMPIA – March 27 – WSPTA volunteer and mother of two, Dr. Nancy Chamberlain, testified in front of the House Appropriations Committee on HB 1067, which focuses on the 2017-19 fiscal biennium operating appropriations. She explained the mission of Washington State PTA and the vision of…
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Category: Advocacy , Education , Legislative

March 27, 2017

WSPTA Board Member Testifies for Social Emotional Learning

WSPTA Area D Vice President, Amanda Shipman testifies in favor of a SHB 1377 supporting social emotional learning. OLYMPIA – March 27 – Yakima parent and WSPTA Area D Vice President, Amanda Shipman, testified in favor of SHB 1377; a bill designed to support student social emotional learning and collaboration among school psychologists, social workers,…
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Category: Advocacy , Health & Well-being , Legislative

March 23, 2017

Legislative Session: Week 12 Events Report

Below is next week’s schedule and testimony opportunities.   3/27 @ 1:30pm: Early Learning & K-12 Education (Senate) – SHR 1, JACB  SHB 1377 – Public Hearing – Improving students’ mental health by enhancing non-academic professional services. 3/27 @ 3:30pm: Appropriations (House) – HHR A, JLOB  HB 1067 – Public Hearing – Making 2017-2019 fiscal…
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Category: Advocacy , Education , Legislative

March 23, 2017

WSPTA Testimony in Favor of College Bound Scholarship

Parent advocate, Heidi Bennett, testifying in favor of expanding the College Bound Scholarship. Thursday, March 23 (Olympia) – Long-time parent advocate Heidi Bennett spoke to the Senate Higher Education Committee in favor of expanding eligibility for the College Bound scholarship in HB 1512. “I’m also a first generation college graduate who relied on state aid…
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Category: Advocacy , Education , Legislative

March 21, 2017

WSPTA Legislative Consultant Testimony

Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, providing testimony on SB 5048.  Tuesday, March 21 (Olympia) – Washington State PTA (WSPTA) Legislative Consultant, Marie Sullivan, spoke during the Senate Ways & Means hearing on SB 5048. She walked the Senate through WSPTA’s legislative platform and tied into the association’s over-arching mission and values. Sullivan then spoke about how that’s…
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Category: Advocacy , Legislative

March 13, 2017

Levy Cliff Bill Causes Flurry of Last Minute Activity

In a surprise move March 8 before the 5 p.m. deadline, Senate Republicans brought a bill that would extend current local district levy authority through January 1, 2019. The expanded levy authority and linked levy equalization was put in place in the 2010 session, with the thought that the Legislature would have fully funded K-12…
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Category: Advocacy , Education , Family Engagement , Health & Well-being , Legislative

March 9, 2017

Senate Advances Bill to Extend Levy Cliff to 2019

As its last bill of the March 8 cutoff, the Senate Wednesday night passed an amended bill on the “levy cliff” (ESB 5023), with all members voting in favor; with the exception of Republican Senator Michael Baumgartner of West Spokane. The Senate ran their version of the bill so they could change the title to…
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Category: Advocacy , Education , Legislative

January 15, 2017

2017 Session Starts with Pomp, Work Sessions and Hearings

The 65th Washington State Legislature kicked off a 105-day session January 9, swearing in 18 new House and 12 new Senate members, one of the largest freshman classes for both chambers in many election cycles. The Senate is controlled by a Republican majority of 25-24, while the House majority is 50 Democrats to 48 Republicans.…
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Category: Advocacy , Education , Family Engagement , Legislative