Deadline: January 18, 7:00 am
Washington state requires a super-majority of 60% to pass school bonds, one of only 11 states that requires more than 50% of the vote. This extra requirement has cost school districts billions of dollars in funds and puts our students’ safety at risk from buildings that are overcrowded, unsafe due to age, earthquakes, and air quality hazards (including COVID), or are outdated to accommodate 21st century needs. Out of the 130 school bonds that ran between 2017 and 2020, only 15 districts failed to reach 50% but over 115 districts (88%) achieved a simple majority vote (50% +) but not the super-majority required.
House Bill 1226 would start the process to amend our state constitution and allow a simple majority (50%+) vote to authorize school construction bonds. Washington state PTA has a resolution and a long history of supporting “Simple Majority for Bonds”. Let’s make sure that all school districts can pass their construction bonds with a majority of voters.
Here’s what to do before 7:00 am on January 18:
- Click on this link and follow the prompts to select “Pro”, write your name, and add “Parent Advocate” in the Organization space.
- Fill in the rest of the information.
- Confirm you aren’t a robot and click on “Submit Registration.”
And that’s it! The process will take less than 90 seconds to complete. Our voices matter, and it matters to our legislators when they see parent support!
Thank you,
Lizzy Sebring, WSPTA Advocacy Director