WSPTA Testifies – Senate committee hears Youth Tip Line bill
Speaking in favor of SSB 5327, WSPTA member Tanya Aggar told Senate Ways & Means Committee members that stopping the silence could save lives. The Senate bill would create an anonymous youth tip line for reporting concern for self-harm or harm to others. Hear Tanya’s testimony here.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2021 Focus on Advocacy – February 15 Report
Ding, ding, ding – that’s the sign of the first cutoff! Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Monday, February 15, marks the first cutoff of the session, signaling the Legislature is one-third of the way through this 105-day session. Most committees finished up their work by Friday, February 12, while a few will…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Advocates for Lead-Free Water
Gwen Loosmore spoke in strong support of HB 1139, taking action to address lead in drinking water, in the House Education Committee on January 26. The bill is scheduled for a vote in the House Education Committee and likely will move to the House Appropriations Committee for further debate.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Supports Enrollment Stabilization bill
President Janice Kutzera weighed in Tuesday, February 9, in support of HB 1476, a bill to stabilize K-12 funding gaps due to enrollment decline in the majority of the state’s school districts. Listen here to President Kutzera. In addition, here is the short House Appropriations staff briefing on the bill.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Advocates for Choice in Social Studies Courses
Given only one minute to testify, WSPTA member Brian Duncan asked House Education Committee members to carefully consider HB 1396, which would limit student choice regarding social studies courses. Written testimony was also submitted. Hear Brian’s remarks here. Parent members who had signed in to speak on HB 1404 (highly capable students) and HB 1444…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Measure to lower passing bonds to 55% gets hearing
The Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee heard SB 5386 and SJR 8204, a policy bill and constitutional amendment request that would lower the threshold to pass bond measures to 55 percent. Michelle Nims, former WSPTA president, testified in support of a simple majority for bonds, sharing a personal story on the Everett School…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Speaks on Digital Equity
Washington State PTA continues to testify in favor of solutions that bridge the digital divide and lead to improved and equitable access to broadband infrastructure. Hear Nancy Chamberlain testify on HB 1460 in the House Finance Committee. Legislators have several competing ideas on broadband solutions; WSPTA will continue to monitor and speak out for students…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA seeks amendment to benefit parents and students on College in the High School
HB 1302 would allow 9th graders to earn college credit for taking a College in the High School course. Currently, 9th graders may take the course but aren’t eligible to earn college credit. This bill would change this. After reviewing, WSPTA decided to ask for two amendments to strengthen the bill regarding notification, clear guidance…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2021 Focus on Advocacy – February 8 Report
Cutoff week expected to be a busy one Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org This week is expected to be quite busy, as policy committees schedule bills for public hearings and votes in advance of the February 15 deadline for bills to be out of policy committees. Friday marks the last day for…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Weighs in on Universal Broadband – Part 2
Sharing WSPTA’s digital equity position adopted last October at the Legislative Assembly, Nancy Chamberlain addressed the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee February 3 on SB 5383, a bill that would authorize public utilities and ports with retail sales for broadband, but only after a private company does not object to the expansion project. Chamberlain…
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Advocacy
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Legislative