Today is day 54 of the 2025 Legislative Session, with at least 51 days remaining in the regular session. We have fewer days ahead of us than behind us, although conversations about a special session are still on the table and yet to be determined. That determination will be made depending on when the House and Senate can agree to a budget that is (1) responsive to the state budget shortfall while also (2) funding any additional policies they want to pass this session by (1) accepting cuts to existing programs and/or (2) supporting a revenue/tax package. That's a lot to do in 51 days. We anticipate seeing a budget proposal from the House as early as next week, in advance of the Senate and the March 18th revenue forecast. All of these current unknowns will inform when and what the state budget will, and will not, include.

WSSDA's focus remains on its member-adopted priorities, namely for the two policy issues that still have a vehicle alive to follow and support: Special Education and Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs (MSOC). SB 5263, our best hope for special education funding at present, has been pulled from rules and is on the list for a floor debate. We anticipate seeing it debated next week. The Senate must pass it off the floor by the House of Origin cutoff on Wednesday, March 12th at 5 pm. Because the bill sponsor is also the floor majority leader, we anticipate it will continue to move.

At the same time, we are seeing the House and Senate vehicles for MSOC continuously reduce their funding levels. We know that MSOC is crucial for Washington schools as it directly impacts the quality of education and the learning environment. We must continue to remind our legislators that, although the acronym itself isn't very compelling, it represents access to essential learning materials, technology, and safe facilities. Keep communicating with your legislators that this funding keeps the lights on, doors open, and classrooms accessible for learning. Here is one example of how to communicate that message from Superintendent Goodpaster of Franklin Pierce School District and a comparison document of the current MSOC bills from our friend in education advocacy, Marie Sullivan.

The full Senate debated on and passed SB 5192 this week. The bill was amended to reduce the allocation from the original bill instead to an increase of $88.22 per student plus an additional $16.37 for students in grades 9-12. The bill faced criticism for not including an accountability amendment that would ensure schools use the funds effectively to improve student outcomes. Proponents argue that the funding increase is essential for addressing long-standing budget shortfalls and supporting educational needs, while opponents express concerns about the lack of oversight in how the funds will be utilized. We will continue to monitor this bill and share its progress. In the meantime, please communicate the urgency of MSOC funding by sharing the difference between this bill's current allocation and your actual needs with your legislators.

There are many ways to communicate your budgetary needs with legislators. Check out how Edmonds School District is taking that communication to the next level by clicking on the links to their budget tool in this communication to a legislator from their superintendent, Rebecca Miner.

Every time a sale is postponed, rural schools lose ground. Our tax base is small. Unlike urban districts, we don’t have a vast industrial or commercial sector to rely on. We have our forests. 

I urge you to honor the commitment to our communities by ensuring this sale moves forward. Let’s work together to find solutions that allow our forests and rural schools to thrive.

Thank you for your time and service to Washington’s trust land beneficiaries."

In Washington State, the Employment Security Department (ESD) administers the unemployment insurance (UI) program, which provides benefits to eligible unemployed individuals. To qualify for UI benefits, a claimant must meet specific criteria: they must have worked at least 680 hours during the base year, been separated from their job through no fault of their own or have quit for a valid reason, and must be able and available to work while actively seeking suitable employment. Additionally, claimants are required to complete a one-week waiting period before they can start receiving UI benefits. It is important to note that certain benefit payments are not charged to the experience rating accounts of employers who contribute to the UI program, which helps mitigate the financial impact on employers when their former employees receive these benefits.

Individuals are currently disqualified from receiving unemployment insurance (UI) benefits if their unemployment results from a strike or a lockout at the place of their last employment. However, this disqualification does not apply if the individual is not involved in, financing, or directly interested in the strike or lockout, and does not belong to a group of workers who are. The disqualification ends when the strike or lockout concludes.

SB 5041 has significant support from Senate Democrats and will likely pass off the Senate floor this week or next. WSSDA and WASA partnered to write this letter to all Senators expressing our deep concerns with the bill. The Seattle Times released this Op-Ed just yesterday, further elevating the problems this bill would create. The bill aims to modify the disqualification for striking workers in the following ways:

End of Disqualification: The disqualification for striking workers ends on either the second Sunday following the start of the strike (if not found illegal) or the date the strike concludes.

Repayment of Benefits: If a final judgment declares the strike illegal, any benefits received must be repaid by the workers. Additionally, if retroactive wages are paid for weeks during which the individual received benefits, the Employment Security Department (ESD) will issue an overpayment assessment to recover those benefits.

Waiting Period: A regular one-week waiting period applies after the disqualification ends before any benefits can be issued.

Employer Charges: For contribution-paying employers, benefits paid to striking workers will only affect the experience rating of the employer from whom the worker separated.

Removal of Lockout Disqualification: The disqualification based on a lockout of employees in a multi-employer bargaining unit has been removed, allowing those individuals to qualify for unemployment insurance benefits.

We will keep you informed on this bill's progress. Please let us know if you have further questions or other concerns that we can raise on your behalf (strategicadvocacy@wssda.org).

Legislator Town Hall Meetings (March 8-22)

Over the next two weeks, many legislators will return to their communities to host town hall meetings. Attending these meetings will allow constituents to communicate directly with their elected officials, ask questions, and clarify positions on current issues. This engagement keeps residents informed about legislative developments and gives them a chance to express their opinions, potentially influencing decision-making. Overall, participating in these meetings fosters networking, encourages civic engagement, and helps shape policies that affect the community while building relationships with legislators.

Discipline Rules

On January 17, OSPI filed the CR–102 to begin the permanent rulemaking process for student discipline rules. The proposed permanent rules and side-by-side of proposed changes are available to review prior to providing public comment in writing to StudentDiscipline@k12.wa.us by March 19, 2025. You may also attend an in-person public hearing listed below:

• March 11, 2025 @ 4:00 pm at Skyview High School (1300 NW 139th St, Vancouver, WA 98685)
• March 12, 2025 @ 4:00 pm at Todd Beamer High School (35999 16th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003)
• March 18, 2025 @ 4:00 pm at Columbia River Elementary School (9011 Burns Road, Pasco, WA 99301)
• March 19, 2025 @ 4:00 pm at Shadle Park High School (4327 N. Ash St, Spokane, WA 99205)

Find more information and materials on OSPI’s Student Discipline page.