Email your Representatives and the House Appropriations Committee and let them know that they must put HB 1310 on the agenda and pass it out of committee before cut off!
WHAT IS HAPPENING
House Appropriations has removed HB 1310 from their agenda, meaning Chair Ormsby is killing this bill. 1310 is Representative Pollet's OSPI request bill to fund Special Education.
House Leaders had told us that they would add significant funding for Special Education this session but Representative Stonier's bill (1357) fails our students and does not provide a significant increase in funding for Special Education.
In order to fulfill their claims that they will add significant funding, our legislature must:
• Eliminate the Cap
• Significantly increase the multiplier
• Address Safety Net
• Provide training on inclusion for more than 25 schools.
We cannot continue to fail to fund a basic education for some students solely based on the fact that they are disabled.
If the House moves forward with 1357, they would only be increasing funding for Special Education statewide by $100 million. This is much less than Senate bill 5362 which would provide $500 million, and far, far less than the $670 million in 1310.
House leadership told us last year that they needed to address funding for Special Education during the long session. This is the long session.
Ask them to live up to their promises to support all students in accessing basic education — including students with disabilities.
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timm.ormsby@leg.wa.gov, mia.gregerson@leg.wa.gov, nicole.macri@leg.wa.gov, travis.couture@leg.wa.gov, april.connors@leg.wa.gov, joshua.penner@leg.wa.gov, joe.schmick@leg.wa.gov, april.berg@leg.wa.gov, steve.berquist@leg.wa.gov, brian.burnett@leg.wa.gov, michelle.caldier@leg.wa.gov, lisa.callan@leg.wa.gov, chris.corry@leg.wa.gov, julio.cortes@leg.wa.gov, beth.doglio@leg.wa.gov, mary.dye@leg.wa.gov, joe.fitzgibbon@leg.wa.gov, michael.keaton@leg.wa.gov, mari.leavitt@leg.wa.gov, debra.lekanoff@leg.wa.gov, deb.manjarrez@leg.wa.gov, matt.marshall@leg.wa.gov, strom.peterson@leg.wa.gov, gerry.pollet@leg.wa.gov, skyler.rude@leg.wa.gov, cindy.ryu@leg.wa.gov, larry.springer@leg.wa.gov, monica.stonier@leg.wa.gov, chipalo.street@leg.wa.gov, my-linh.thai@leg.wa.gov, steve.tharinger@leg.wa.gov
Chair Ormsby and Members of Appropriations,
Last year House leadership told us that significant investment in Special Education would come during the long session, but 1310, the only House Bill that addresses all 3 levers — the cap, the multiplier, safety net — and supports inclusion and accountability has been removed from the agenda for Appropriations.
I am writing to ask that you fulfill your promise of significant investment in Special Education and put HB1310 back onto the agenda for Appropriations and pass it out before cutoff.
For far too long, Washington has failed to live up to its paramount duty for some students, solely based on the fact that they are disabled. A budget expresses our values and you must honor the values espoused in our state constitution, and amply fund a basic education for all students, including those with disabilities.
1356 adds a mere $100 million statewide, but in Seattle alone our state fails to meet its obligations to students who qualify for Special Education by $74 million.
Pass 1310 out of Appropriations before the 5PM on Friday.
Thank you for your prompt attention,
[ insert your name ]