Ask WSPTA: Advocacy vs. Lobbying
What’s the difference between advocacy and lobbying? Advocacy is the act of speaking for, in support of, or to plead a cause on behalf of others. For example, PTAs advocate when they inform members or decision-makers on a topic of concern. Lobbying is attempting to influence a specific decision. For example, an activity is lobbying when it involves asking…
And that’s a wrap!
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org The second year of the 64th Legislature adjourned about 6:45 PM on Thursday, March 7th, after a record-setting number of bills were pre-filed and introduced on January 8th and a super-fast 60 days of session. Legislators also added more spending for the 2024 supplemental operating, capital, and transportation budgets, passed many…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
2024 Bill Status Reports
Each week, WSPTA Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan assembles a list of bills and upcoming events that are associated with our legislative priorities. We will update this page regularly during the 2024 Legislative Session with Marie’s updates. Reports will be updated every Monday morning. Week 1 – January 8 to January 12 Week 2 – January…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Parental Rights and Public Education
Advocacy in Action! WSPTA President Angela Steck shared comments on Initiative 2081, concerning parental rights relating to public school education, at the joint meeting of the House Education and Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education committees on Wednesday, February 28. Angela noted that WSPTA had a long history of supporting the health, safety, and welfare…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
Less than two weeks to go in 2024 legislative session
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org As reported last week, the House and Senate began releasing their respective 2024 supplemental operating, capital and transportation budget proposals following the February 14th revenue forecast. During the week, budget committees in both chambers heard public testimony on the various proposals and made some changes to the operating budgets during committee…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Save the School Construction Assistance Program
Advocacy in Action! WSPTA Advocacy member Susan Baird-Joshi thanked House Capital Budget members for the $55 million investment for indoor air quality, the continued support for the Small District Modernization and Tribal Compact grant program, and the incremental increases to activities that support urgent and emergency repair. Watch Susan here Sharing the WSPTA’s disappointment with…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Dual and Tribal Language Education
Advocacy in Action! In a bill-packed day, WSPTA Advocacy member Danica Noble testified in favor of 3SHB 1228, building a multilingual, multiliterate Washington through dual and tribal language education. Danica shared her students’ experiences with a dual language program and encouraged the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee to pass the bill so that…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Urging Further Education Investments
Advocacy in Action! WSPTA President Angela Steck testified during the Senate Ways & Means meeting on Monday, February 19 on the proposed 2024 supplemental operating budget, SSB 5950. While the Senate proposal supports a small increase in special education, additional transportation funding for McKinney Vento students, and an increase in ratios for paraeducators, Angela expressed…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
More deadlines hit session, while the latest revenue forecast and Senate budgets are released
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Week Six of the legislative session was a busy one. Bills continued to meet their demise with the February 13 5 PM cutoff for bills to pass out of the chamber in which they started. The Senate finished their work a little early that day, adopting “the Evergreen State” as the…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Dual Credit Programs & Graduation Requirements
Advocacy in Action! WSPTA Advocacy Committee member Natalya Yudkovsky testified in support of HB 1146, requiring school districts to provide information about dual credit programs and any financial assistance available to reduce dual credit and exam costs for students and their families. In addition to supporting the bill in the Senate Early Learning & K-12…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative