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…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
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.
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Advocacy
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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…
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Advocacy
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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.
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Advocacy
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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…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
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.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies on SHB 1759
Past WSPTA President Michelle Nims spoke in favor of SHB 1759, a bill that would promote sharing information about secure storage of firearms and medications. Listen to Michelle’s testimony here.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2022 Focus on Advocacy – February 14 Report
3rd down on the 23rd yard line Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Tuesday, February 15, is the 37th day of the 60-day session and a major cutoff for bills to have passed out of the chamber in which they started. The schedule will continue to compress as the Legislature advances towards the goal…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Protect Your School’s Title 1 Status and Encourage Families to submit their 2021-2022 Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) Applications
Did you know that the percentage of Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) students qualifies your school and district for federal Title 1 funds, as well as, the Washington State Learning Assistance Program (LAP) and Washington High Poverty LAP benefits? Applications for this 2021-2022 school year will affect next year’s allocations. So, it’s critical for families…
Category:
Advocacy
WSPTA Testifies in Support of Simple Majority for Bonds
Parent Advocate Liz Nord shared her support for HB 1226, a bill that would authorize simple majority for bonds if Washington state voters approved a constitutional amendment in the next general election. Quite a discussion was had regarding the concept that HJR 4200 could run prior to the policy bill. Listen here. Unfortunately, the bill…
Category:
Advocacy
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Legislative