This Friday is Fiscal Committee Cutoff
Friday, February 28th is the last day to read in fiscal reports in house of origin. This means, any bill that has not passed out of a fiscal committee by the cutoff is considered “dead” and will not continue this session, with a few exceptions. View the full legislative calendar.
Bills to Support in Week 7
Sign-in PRO by 12:30 pm TODAY!!
To sign on, click the bill links below, click on "testify" and then click on "I would like my position noted for the legislative record."
SSB 5123 — Expanding protections for certain students to promote inclusivity in public schools.
➜ Sign in PRO by Monday, Feb 24 • 12:30 pm
SCPTSA Says: As student civil rights are under attack at the Federal level, definitions and protections at the state level become even more important.
SSB 5186 — Concerning local funding for school district facilities.
➜ Sign in PRO by Monday, Feb 24 • 12:30 pm
SCPTSA Says: Across the state we keep seeing bonds fail because of the need for a super majority. Support schools statewide, and allow a majority of voters voting to authorize school district bonds.
SSJR 8200 — Amending the Constitution to modify local funding authority for school district facilities.
➜ Sign in PRO by Monday, Feb 24 • 12:30 pm
SCPTSA Says: Here in Seattle we are grateful to be able to pass our levies, but across the state school districts rely on bonds to be able to pay for school construction. Support this change otherwise the State Constitution to allow districts to pass bonds with a simple majority.
Please help email Chair Ormsby TODAY!
HB 1569 and 1795 are at-risk for not making the fiscal cutoff deadline on Friday.
HB 1569 — Increasing tax exemption transparency and accountability.
SCPTSA says: Our state is struggling financially, and it is time for our legislators to examine the tax exemptions alongside the spending. Some of these exemptions have been in place for close to 100 years, with no sunset date. The amount of revenue we do not bring in due to exemptions exceeds the amount that we spend. Even though 31 Representatives, including Appropriations Chair Ormsby, co-sponsored this bill, it has not yet had a hearing.
➜ Please email Timm.Ormsby@leg.wa.gov TODAY and ask for 1569 to get a hearing and pass out of Appropriations this week.
HB 1795 — Addressing restraint or isolation of students in public schools and educational programs.
SCPTSA says: Isolation of students (solitary confinement) causes lifelong harm. The Washington State Special Education Advisory Council recommends that isolation be banned, that chemical and mechanical restraint be banned, and that restraint be reduced in Washington’s schools. While Seattle Public Schools bans isolation of students, this practice persists across the state.
➜ Please email Timm.Ormsby@leg.wa.gov TODAY and ask for 1795 to get a hearing and pass out of Appropriations this week.