Week Four: Big 3 Bills Continue to Advance
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Click here to see the week four bill tracker. Last week the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee advanced three bills related to special education funding, Materials, Supplies & Operating Costs (MSOC), and student transportation. SB 5187 would direct OSPI to update the student transportation funding formula (report due June 1,…
WSPTA Testifies: Establishing a Statewide Network for Student Mental and Behavioral Health
Advocacy in Action! Dr. Gwen Loosmore, long-time WSPTA Advocacy Committee member, testified in favor of SB 5126, establishing a statewide network for student mental and behavioral health at the January 29th Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education committee meeting. With student mental health at the top of WSPTA’s priorities again this year, Gwen welcomed the…
Gov. Bob Ferguson creates rapid response team to support children facing separation
Last week, National PTA released a statement on the importance of protecting children regardless of immigration status. The following is the text of a press release published this week by the Office of Washington Governor Bob Ferguson. January 27, 2025 Executive Order brings agencies, schools together to support kids separated from parents or caregivers OLYMPIA…
Big 3 bills heard in Senate Ed, Special Education bills to be heard this week
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org You can access the Week 3 Bill Tracker here. The Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee heard testimony on four bills related to what is being informally called “The Big 3.” These bills seek to close the funding gaps that have widened in three specific basic education and constitutionally protected areas:…
Pomp, Ceremonies, Committees and an Inaugural Ball Kick off 105-day Session
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Newly elected state House of Representative members and Senators were sworn in at opening ceremonies in the House and Senate on January 13, the first day of this long session. On Tuesday, former Governor Jay Inslee, who had served three terms (12 years), addressed a joint session of the House and Senate…
69th Legislature Convenes January 13 Amid New Faces, Projected Deficit
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org The Washington State Legislature convenes Monday, January 13th for the first year of the 2025-27 biennium and a 105-day session that is scheduled to end April 27, 2025. Legislators must adopt two-year budgets for operating, capital, and transportation, based on updated revenue forecasts and changes to caseloads since they left town in…
Focus Day
What is Focus on Advocacy Day? We need WSPTA leaders and members to meet with their state representatives and senators to share the PTA mission and priorities. Let’s make sure the PTA voice is loud and proud on this day! You will be provided with everything you need to know in order to schedule and…
2024 Legislative Assembly Recap
WSPTA held its 46th annual Legislative Assembly on October 26-27, 2024. It was an incredible weekend where members from across the state came together to learn, debate, and vote on the new legislative priorities WSPTA will focus on for the next two years. In addition to the issues the delegates ranked as the top five,…
2025 Legislative Session Preview: Legislator Panel
Please note new date – Thursday January 9, 2025 Join Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan and leaders of the Washington State Legislature for a discussion about priorities during the 2025 Legislative Session. Confirmed speakers coming soon. Register below
What to expect in the 2025 Legislative Session
Join WSPTA Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan for an overview of what to expect in the 2025 legislative session, including post-election changes in the legislature, known session protocols, and how to best engage with the 2025 legislature during this long session.