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…
Category:
Advocacy
,
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…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
Tip of the Week – February 24
3 Considerations When Applying for the Leadership Service Award The Leadership Service Award program (formerly known as the Leadership Academy program) was created to honor and acknowledge PTA leaders across the state. Not sure this is really worth your time and effort? Here are some things you might consider: Being acknowledged for the extremely important…
Category:
Leadership
March 2022 – Executive Director Message
Dear Members, In January, I wrote about a few of Washington State PTA’s nonprofit partners, those organizations that we rely upon for the support and services they provide. This month I will share with you a bit about our vendor partners. Our reliance on our vendor partners is different but no less critical. Our vendor…
Category:
Leadership
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.
Category:
Advocacy
,
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…
Category:
Advocacy
,
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.
Category:
Advocacy
,
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…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
Tip of the Week – February 17
4 Reasons Why Recognition is Important Awards of Excellence. You have put such hard work into the communications, programs, meetings, etc. for your PTA. Some PTAs are still struggling. By applying for one of these awards, you are sharing your lessons learned, programs that work, ways to conduct business, and so much more. Applying for…
Category:
Leadership
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.
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative