Testimony – WSPTA Supports Gun Destruction Bill
With the lobbyist for the NRA sitting next to her, Seattle parent Kate Levin did a fabulous job of sharing why the Washington State PTA supports HB 1010, a bill that would allow the Washington State Patrol to destroy confiscated guns rather than requiring the patrol to store and then sell the guns. Levin made…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Board Position Statement – Sexual Health Education
The WSPTA board of directors adopted a legislative position at their winter board meeting concerning equitable access to consistent and comprehensive sexual health education across our state. Current legislation on this topic is pending in Olympia and the parent voice will be important as local implementation phases in. Local PTAs and councils are encouraged to…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2020 Legislative Session – Week 5 Recap and Look Ahead to Week 6
Lawmakers expect positive revenues February 19 Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Wednesday, February 19 is the next revenue forecast. Budget writers will meet to hear the most recent revenue projections for the 2019-21 and 2021-23 budget years. At this time, lawmakers are expecting a positive difference for the 2019-21 biennium, which could…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Call to Action: Prevent Gun Violence – Concerning High-Capacity Magazines
Dear Washington State PTA member, Please contact your legislators and help advocate to support of the Washington State PTA’s top 5 issue “Prevent Gun Violence”. High-capacity magazines are used in the nation’s deadliest shootings, and common-sense restrictions will keep our communities safer. Click here to view a message from National PTA President Leslie Boggs encouraging…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
It’s Time to Act Collectively For Our Children’s Safety
National PTA President Leslie Boggs speaks to WSPTA members This week WSPTA is asking you to join parent voices around the nation to take a stand against gun violence and high-capacity weapons. All children no matter where they live, learn and play, deserve a safe space to thrive. Please take the time to watch this…
2020 Legislative Session – Week 4 Recap and Look Ahead to Week 5
Friday cutoff first of many deadlines to March 12 session end Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Friday, February 7 was the deadline for policy bills to pass out of their respective policy committees. This first deadline usually catches most of the bills not destined to be awarded with enactment into law. The…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2020 Legislative Session – Week 3 Recap and Look Ahead to Week 4
20 days done, 40 to go Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Week 4 marks an important milestone in the 60-day session – the first cutoff. On February 7, bills with policy impact must pass out of the policy committee to remain alive. That means that most of the attention this coming week…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies on SB 6505, the OSPI Dual Credit Bill
Northshore parent Austina De Bonte testified on SB 6505, the OSPI dual credit bill on Friday, January 31, 2020. Austina shared that while we support SB 6505 we do have concerns due to the potential consequences for lack of additional funding for implementation. She spoke compellingly in support of removing barriers to accessing dual credit…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Family engagement critical to student success, Estep says
WSPTA Executive Director Andrew Estep shared WSPTA’s support for a workgroup focused on developing a framework and standards for family and community engagement in a Jan. 28 public hearing of the House Education Committee. The proposed substitute to HB 2631 would include parents representing specific segments of the student population and a member from WSPTA.…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA supports bill to consider work group on life-threatening allergy issues
Parent volunteer and school nurse Laura Peterson testified in the House Education committee Monday, Jan. 20, in support of a bill that would create a workgroup to improve the prevention and treatment of students’ life-threatening allergic reactions in K-12 settings. The workgroup also would recommend ways to reduce the waste of autoinjectors like Epi-Pens, and…
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Advocacy
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Legislative