Call to Action – Lead in Drinking Water
Take action on lead in drinking water today! No fooling, the Senate Ways & Means Committee will hear public testimony on April 1st regarding E2SHB 1139, taking action on lead in drinking water. Washington State PTA would like you to “take action” by signing in as “Pro” before noon on April 1 on this important bill.…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
2021 Focus on Advocacy – March 29 Report
Budgets released, different approaches for K-12 Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Last week the Senate and House Democrats released transportation, operating and capital budgets, starting with transportation on Monday; the House capital budget Wednesday evening; the Senate operating and capital budgets on Thursday; and the House operating budget on Friday. The Senate…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
Stabilizing K-12 Funding a Priority This Session
Last fall members adopted a position in support of preserving K-12 education funding under the pandemic. At issue was a possible $9 billion budget deficit that could lead to reduced state funding and mid-year cuts. Fortunately, the state’s economy is recovering and a third infusion of federal stimulus funds is forthcoming. Lizzy Sebring asked Senate…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
2021 Focus on Advocacy – March 22 Report
Revenue forecast up, budgets to be released this week Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org As anticipated, the March 17 revenue forecast presented by state chief economist Steve Lerch was positive – for the 2019-21 biennium, the forecast was increased by $1.34 billion and for the 2021-23 biennium it increased by nearly $1.95…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA asks for changes to “transpo fix” bill
Speaking with concerns about E2SSB 5128, the bill designed to preserve transportation funding despite reduced ridership this school year, parent advocate Heidi Bennett urged House Education Committee members to reject language that would require districts to use federal ESSER funds to backfill state funding rather than support student learning recovery programs. Listen to Heidi here.…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA Supports Graduation Flexibility
SHB 1162 would allow students to graduate with 20 credits, as long as the student had completed the 17 core credits and 3 personal pathways credits related to their high school and beyond plan. The bill also would create a new graduation pathway option – the performance exhibit. Michelle Nims voiced WSPTA support for the…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA Supports school-based health centers
Heidi Zamora had her testimony ready to go when SHB 1225 was heard in the House policy committee but, unfortunately, the committee ran out of time for all the speakers. She had a chance to dust it off and speak in favor of the Legislature adopting this bill, which would create a grant program to…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
Closing the digital divide, one device at a time
Last fall, WSPTA members voted into the Top 5 a position in support of closing the digital divide, creating affordable and accessible connectivity, and making sure students had access to developmentally appropriate devices. Advocate Heidi Bennett urged members of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee to adopt E2SHB 1365 as a good first…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA speaks out on lead in drinking water
After passing the House by a 94-4 margin, the Senate education committee heard public testimony on E2SHB 1139, taking action on lead in drinking water. Speaking for Washington State PTA was Gwen Loosmore, who urged committee members to protect student health, ensure sufficient funding for school districts, and pass the bill. Listen here.
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA supports funding flexibility
Vancouver parent Heather Lindberg testified in support of SHB 1208, LAP funding flexibility, before the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee on March 12. Lindberg asked the committee to pass the bill and move it quickly to the Governor’s desk to create predictability and stability for school districts that are starting budget preparations for…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative