2019 Legislative Session – Week 3
Senate discusses levies, special education, health benefits, assessments Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org The Senate Ways & Means Committee kicked off the week with a work session on K-12 finance, changes to local levies, and special education funding. Segments are worth watching, and include OSPI, a school district panel of Seattle, Davenport…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testimony on HB 1139 regarding the teacher shortage
On January 24, 2019, Jen Flood, the advocacy chair for the Mercer Island Council PTA testified in favor of HB 1139 to the House Education Committee. HB 1139, Expanding the Current and Future Educator Workforce Supply, aligns with one of our top five legislative priorities, “Strategies to Address the Teacher Shortage,” as voted on by…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA is pleased to announce the 2019-2021 slate of officers and call for self-declared candidates
Governance. Powered by PTA. The 2019 Washington State PTA nominating committee hereby places the following names into nomination: The nominating committee has confirmed that all nominees have been a member of a PTA for at least 15 days prior to the election, and meet other requirements as stated in the WSPTA Uniform Bylaws. Respectfully submitted,…
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Governance
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Leadership
2019 Legislative Session – Week 2
66th Legislature kicks off with fast pace, bill hearings Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org As mentioned last week, it was clear the 2019 105-day session was going to be unusual, with nearly 300 bills introduced by the first day and some 750 bills by the end of the week. Budget committees started…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies on SB 5057 – Friday, January 18, 2019
On Friday, January 18, 2019, Corina Pfeil of Kenmore, WA testified on behalf of WSPTA in the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee in support of SB 5057, which would raise the age for sale of tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems (vaping devices) to 21.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA testifies on HB 1010 and SB 5153 – January 15, 2019
On Tuesday, January 15, 2019, two WSPTA members journeyed to Olympia on behalf of the children of Washington state. Dr. Gwen Loosmoore of Mercer Island addressed the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee on HB 1010 concerning the disposition of forfeited firearms by the Washington state patrol. Dr. Loosmoore shared that Gun Violence Prevention as…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies on HB 1109
On the opening day of the 2019 legislative session, WSPTA President Michelle Nims testified in front of the House Appropriations committee. President Nims thanked the legislature for its large investments in K-12 funding over the last several biennia and encouraged additional strategic investments to close the opportunity gaps facing students. She continued to share WSPTA’s…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Advocacy in Olympia – Show Up to Speak Up on Focus Day February 11, 2019
WEAR BLUE to show PTA unity! Thank you for stepping up to advocate for kids, in person, to legislators! Below are some links to assist you with planning, tips for parking, navigating the Capitol and meeting with legislators. The Focus Day program will begin at 9am in the social hall of the United Churches of…
2019 Legislative Session – Week 1
105-day session kicks off January 14th with ceremonies and bills Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org The 66th Legislature convened Monday, January 14, 2019, with Democrats holding majorities in the House and Senate and in the Governor’s Office. Monday kicked off with swearing in a large group of new members, with family and…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Bringing Your PTA Membership Goal to Life
For most people who made a New Year’s resolution this year, it likely won’t be long before it becomes a struggle to stay focused on their goal. So why bother committing to resolutions at all? Well, for one thing, people who explicitly make resolutions are ten times more likely to attain their goals than people…
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Membership