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.
Category:
Advocacy
,
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…
Category:
Advocacy
,
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
,
Legislative
2022 Focus on Advocacy – February 7 Report
Half-way there: legislature winnows bills Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org February 3 marked the first deadline for bills to remain under consideration this session. Bills that cleared this hurdle and were sent to a budget committee have until the end of the day February 7 to pass out of those committees, so…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA Advocate Testifies
Speaking in favor of a bill that would phase in funding to support additional school nurses, counselors, psychiatrists and social workers, WSPTA Advocacy Committee member Mike Uehara-Bingen urged legislators to pass SHB 1664. Listen to Mike’s testimony here.
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
Testimony by WSPTA Advocates
Monday, January 31, was a big day for testimony on Washington State PTA’s legislative priorities, spanning topics of enrollment stabilization, increasing school staffing, and funding school seismic safety upgrades. Listen here as WSPTA parent advocates spoke in favor of these bills: Natalya Yudkovsky on SB 5563, stabilizing funding due to enrollment decline (listen here); Heidi…
2022 Focus on Advocacy – January 31 Report
Whose bills are on the chopping block? Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org During 60-day sessions, deadlines to move legislation out of policy and fiscal committees are compressed. February 3 represents the day bills need to pass out of policy committees to remain under consideration this session. While there are always exceptions, some…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
Building for the Future: Greener Buildings Secure Communities and Climate
Have you ever had an older car and finally purchased a new car and been amazed at the difference in safety and comfort in the new car? Much the same can be said for the improvements in energy technology in the last ten years now available for school building upgrades and new schools. National PTA…
Category:
Advocacy
2022 Focus on Advocacy – January 24 Report
Senate and House advance improved school staffing bills Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Student mental health and the lack of school nurses and other professionals focused on student social and emotional health has been the topic of work sessions, public hearings, and executive action during the first two weeks of this 60-day…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative