WSPTA Testifies in Favor of SB 5217
On Monday, Martin Luther King Jr., Day, it was fitting for Dr. Gwen Loosmore to testify in favor of SB 5217, urging legislators to adopt a common sense approach to reduce and prevent gun violence. The issue remains one of WSPTA’s top legislative priorities this session.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Call to Action – Focus on Dismantling Racism
Dear Washington State PTA Member, On this day when we honor the work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., WSPTA recognizes that racism is not new and has harmed communities of color for centuries. In October 2021, our membership overwhelmingly voted to not only take a stand against institutional racism, but to take…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2022 Focus on Advocacy – January 17 Report
And … they’re off! Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org As expected, legislators “virtually” convened on January 10 for the start of what is shaping up to be a fast and flush short session. While some lawmakers made the trek to Olympia, committee hearings are being conducted virtually, and floor action is limited…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Take Action Now – Just 90 Seconds to Help Pass Simple Majority for Bonds
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…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2022 Focus on Advocacy – January 10 Report
2022 Session Starts under Virtual Protocols Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Get your computers out, turn your light filters on, and update your virtual platform subscriptions. For the second year in a row, the Legislature will begin a formal regular session using protocols that allow only a few legislators to be on…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Take Action: Ask U.S. Senators Murray and Cantwell to Increase Funding for Statewide Family Engagement Centers
Contact U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell today to request robust funding for the FY2022 Statewide Family Engagement Centers(SFEC) program. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) are currently circulating a bipartisan letter internally through the Senate, asking representatives to join them in seeking robust funding for the program. The FY2021 level…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2021 Focus on Advocacy – April 26 Report
And … that’s a wrap! Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org The Legislature is expected to adjourn “sine die” April 25 by midnight. Over the past week, there was a lot of action, including the release of the compromise, agreed-to two-year operating, capital, and transportation budgets. Once released from a conference committee, the…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA hosts “back to school” webinar with OSPI, DOH, and Governor’s office
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, Deputy Secretary for COVID Response Lacy Fehrenbach, and Governor’s K12 Policy Advisor Maddy Thompson joined WSPTA members April 22 to discuss school under COVID, including what the current situation is and what to expect for next fall. Listen to the 90-minute webinar here.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2021 Focus on Advocacy – April 19 Report
All that’s left is for the lady to sing… Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Only one week remains in the 67th legislative session, and there is actually a lot that’s left to do before that famous lady sings the final song: budgets, the climate commitment act, a capital gains tax, and a…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2021 Focus on Advocacy – April 12 Report
Act Now: write your legislators and preserve K-12 funding Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org This is the week that budget negotiators will begin working what is called the “differences list,” which is exactly what it sounds like – a list of differences between the House and Senate budget proposals. Negotiators will start…
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Advocacy
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Legislative