2024 Legislative Assembly Recap
WSPTA held its 46th annual Legislative Assembly on October 26-27, 2024. It was an incredible weekend where members from across the state came together to learn, debate, and vote on the new legislative priorities WSPTA will focus on for the next two years. In addition to the issues the delegates ranked as the top five,…
Washington State PTA Opposes Initiative 2109
Washington State PTA, founded in 1905, is the oldest and largest volunteer child advocacy association in the state with a longstanding history of support for the health, safety, well-being, and education of children and youth. Washington State PTA has been advocating to amply fund public education since at least 1982. Washinton State PTA opposes Initiative…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
FAQs on Opposing Initiatives 2109 and 2117
The WSPTA Board of Directors voted at its June meeting to oppose Initiatives 2109 and 2117, based on positions previously adopted by its members. Below are some FAQs to help PTA leaders and members understand the rules for taking positions on ballot measures and the member-adopted positions which served as the foundation for formally opposing…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Notes from the Capitol: Here’s what WSPTA asked our U.S. representatives
WSPTA advocates Heather Gillette, Angela Steck, Nigar Suleman, and Danica Noble meet Senator Patty Murray’s aide Abby Laver. By Nigar Suleman, Federal Legislative Committee Note: This is part 2 of 2 blog posts covering WSPTA’s experience at the 2024 National PTA Legislative Conference. You can read part 1 here. On the morning of March 6,…
WSPTA Delegation Makes an Impact at the 2024 National PTA Legislative Conference
By Nigar Suleman, Federal Legislative Committee Note: This is part 1 of 2 blog posts covering WSPTA’s experience at the 2024 National PTA Legislative Conference. Washington State PTA was well represented at this year’s Legislative Conference (LegCon) and Hill Day hosted by National PTA in Washington D.C. from March 5 to March 7. Our delegation…
Ask WSPTA: Advocacy vs. Lobbying
What’s the difference between advocacy and lobbying? Advocacy is the act of speaking for, in support of, or to plead a cause on behalf of others. For example, PTAs advocate when they inform members or decision-makers on a topic of concern. Lobbying is attempting to influence a specific decision. For example, an activity is lobbying when it involves asking…
And that’s a wrap!
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org The second year of the 64th Legislature adjourned about 6:45 PM on Thursday, March 7th, after a record-setting number of bills were pre-filed and introduced on January 8th and a super-fast 60 days of session. Legislators also added more spending for the 2024 supplemental operating, capital, and transportation budgets, passed many…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2024 Bill Status Reports
Each week, WSPTA Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan assembles a list of bills and upcoming events that are associated with our legislative priorities. We will update this page regularly during the 2024 Legislative Session with Marie’s updates. Reports will be updated every Monday morning. Week 1 – January 8 to January 12 Week 2 – January…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Parental Rights and Public Education
Advocacy in Action! WSPTA President Angela Steck shared comments on Initiative 2081, concerning parental rights relating to public school education, at the joint meeting of the House Education and Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education committees on Wednesday, February 28. Angela noted that WSPTA had a long history of supporting the health, safety, and welfare…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Less than two weeks to go in 2024 legislative session
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org As reported last week, the House and Senate began releasing their respective 2024 supplemental operating, capital and transportation budget proposals following the February 14th revenue forecast. During the week, budget committees in both chambers heard public testimony on the various proposals and made some changes to the operating budgets during committee…
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Advocacy
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Legislative