Make Your Voice Heard This Legislative Session

The Legislative Session starts Monday, Jan. 10 and things are already moving fast. Here are this week's bills of interest, as compiled by SCPTSA Legislative Chair Samantha Fogg:

Jan. 12 | 10:30 a.m., Senate Early Learning and K12 Education Committee
SB 5595 Concerning prototypical school formulas for physical, social, and emotional support in schools. Sponsors are Sen. Wellman (41st) and Sen. Claire Wilson (30th)

SB 5563 Concerning enrollment stabilization funding to address enrollment declines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Sponsors are Sen. Wellman (41st) and Sen. Hasegawa (11th)

SB 5497 Extending voting authority to student members on the state board of education. Sponsors are Sen. Claire Wilson (30th) and Sen. Nobles (28th)

SB 5581 Addressing pupil transportation allocations. Sponsors are Sen. Wellman (41st) and Sen. Nobles (28th)

Jan. 13 | 1:30 p.m., House Education Committee

Jan. 14 | 8 a.m., Senate Early Learning and K12 Education Committee
SB5537 Changing compulsory school attendance requirements for children five, six, and seven years of age. Sponsors are Senator Wellman (41st) and Senator Claire Wilson (30th) 

You can view the full draft list of SCPTSA legislative priorities compiled thus far in this document.

Make your opinion known through written testimony, by phoning in your testimony to the Legislative Hotline: 1.800.562.6000 or by signing into the bill online and clicking pro or con. If you would like to coordinate your testimony with SCPTSA, contact Samantha Fogg at samantha.fogg@scptsa.org

Please remember that youth can testify too! Further, in Seattle Public Schools, if you give two days notice, students may have one excused absence per semester for civic engagement. (See page 7 in this document for details.) Students can also submit testimony in writing.
Your voice matters!

Join the WSPTA for Focus on Advocacy Week, January 17-21, as we share our platform with our legislators in Olympia.

In the grassroots spirit of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Monday, January 17, we will kick off the week by meeting with state representatives and senators. We will provide you with the tools and information you need to ensure that PTA is loud and proud that day.

WSPTA will be asking members to act virtually throughout Focus on Advocacy Week. Each day will focus on an important part of the WSPTA platform.

Schedule for Engagement (topics are subject to change as the date gets closer):
  • Mon, January 17 – Call to Action: Focus on dismantling racism
  • Tue, January 18 – Call to Action: Focus on equity
  • Wed, January 19 – Call to Action: Focus on mental health & wellness
  • Thu, January 20 – Call to Action: Focus on preserving funding
  • Fri, January 21 – Call to Action: Focus on safety and emergency preparedness

The best way to participate is by subscribing to the WSPTA Action Network so that you receive the daily calls to action for this week and periodically throughout the legislative session. You will be provided with easily customizable messages that the action alert system will automatically send to your legislators. It is easy to do and only takes a few minutes!