2021 Focus on Advocacy – March 15 Report
Governor orders more in-person learning this school year Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Perhaps the most interesting thing that happened this past week was Governor Jay Inslee’s announcement Friday, March 12, that through an emergency proclamation to be issued this coming week, all schools in Washington must offer the opportunity for in-person…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Supporting digital equity remains WSPTA priority
Last fall, members adopted a position to close the digital divide, improve affordable connectivity, and provide developmentally appropriate devices to students. Nancy Chamberlain shared the overall goal with the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee here, while Tori Emerson shared a more localized story with committee members, heard here. The bill they were testifying on…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA advocates for suicide prevention
Speaking in favor of 2SSB 5327, establishing a confidential youth tip line, Tanya Aggar shared some heartbreaking stories about youth suicides from the past week with the House Children, Youth and Families Committee. “Youth suicide is preventable, and the goal is zero. No more deaths,” said Aggar. Her testimony can be found here.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA supports college credit bill
Speaking on behalf of Washington State PTA, parent advocate Natalya Yudkovsky asked the Senate education committee to pass SHB 1302 from committee. The bill would extend the opportunity for 9th graders to earn college credit when taking College in the High School courses. Also, at the request of WSPTA, bill sponsor Rep. April Berg, D-Everett,…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2021 Focus on Advocacy – March 8 Report
Legislature passes half-way mark Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org With an eye towards the March 9 deadline for bills to be passed out of the chamber in which they started, legislators spent the past week meeting in caucuses and conducting floor action. Both the House and Senate met on Saturday; the House…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2021 Focus on Advocacy – March 1 Report
Floor action to dominate legislative work Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Following the fiscal cutoff on February 22, Washington state legislators turned their attention to floor action in a virtual world. In both the House and Senate, a limited number of lawmakers and staff are present. Most discussion is conducted with a…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2021 Focus on Advocacy – February 22 Report
Governor signs stimulus bill, fiscal cutoff looms Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org On Friday, February 19, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law ESHB 1368, putting $2.2 billion into play across the state for activities related to economic and small business recovery, reopening schools, rental assistance, and COVID-related contact tracing, testing, and vaccinations.…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA asks committee to pass lead in water testing bill
When the House Appropriations Committee heard testimony on HB 1139, taking action to address lead in water, Washington State PTA was there in full support. Hear Susan Baird-Joshi ask lawmakers to pass the bill and ensure districts have sufficient funding to complete any needed remediation. “Our children matter, and their health matters. Please pass this…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA supports broadband infrastructure expansion
Continuing to speak in favor of bills that would expand broadband infrastructure across the state, Nancy Chamberlain asked House Capital Budget committee members for an amendment to ensure projects tapping public funds consult with school districts as part of their overall expansion plan. Listen here.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
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.
Category:
Advocacy
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Legislative