Author: ccrowe

2024 Champions for Education and Justice

Elections | 09/29/2024
Post author Liz Trautman
Liz Trautman Government Affairs Director, Stand for Children Washington
Stand 2024 General Endorsements

Our endorsement list consists of candidates running for office in Washington who will focus on what’s right for young people rather than what’s politically popular, with the goal of making lasting change for children and families statewide.
Through our endorsement process we identify candidates who share our vision of building systems that are just, equitable and student-centered. Our endorsed candidates may not agree with us 100% of the time, but they share our values, listen to their constituents, and use data to make informed decisions.

A Stand for Children Washington PAC endorsed candidate is someone who:

  • Supports investments to give districts critical Ninth Grade On-Track resources that are proven to increase statewide graduation rates. 
  • Supports policies that ensure high schoolers get credit for the college-level work they are doing in dual credit programs.
  • Believes that kids are kids, and that youth need community support, educational opportunity, and a meaningful second chance – not just punishment – when they make mistakes.

Statewide Races and Ballot Initiatives

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Chris Reykdal

We must retain a leader who seeks to equip every student in Washington with the tools to succeed, including continued expansion of the proven Ninth Grade Success Initiative and strengthened opportunities for all students to earn college credit while in high school.

Vote No on I-2109

Initiative 2109 proposes to repeal Washington State’s capital gains tax, which is a source of funding for public education and childcare, cutting more than $2.2 billion. The capital gains tax cut would benefit fewer than 4,000 of the wealthiest people in our state, while leaving our schools struggling to repair buildings and families unable to access crucial early education and childcare resources.

Learn more

Legislative Races

Look up your legislative district

Eastern Washington

3rd LD (Spokane)
Marcus Riccelli (D), State Senator

Central Washington

12th LD (Monroe, Chelan, Wenatchee)
Mike Steele (R), State Representative Pos. 2

15th LD (Yakima)
Chris Corry (R), State Representative Pos. 1

16th LD (Walla Walla)
Skyler Rude (R), State Representative Pos. 2

Northwest Washington

10th LD (Whidbey Island, Camano, Stanwood)
Dave Paul (D), State Representative Pos. 2

23rd LD (Bremerton, Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island)
Greg Nance (D), State Representative Pos. 2

38th LD (Everett)
Julio Cortes (D), State Representative Pos. 1
Mary Fosse (D), State Representative Pos. 2

39th LD (Marysville, Snohomish, Concrete)
Carolyn Eslick (R), State Representative Pos. 2

Olympic Peninsula

24th LD (Jefferson & Grays Harbor Counties, Sequim, Port Angeles)
Adam Bernbaum (D), State Representative Pos. 1

Puget Sound Region

5th LD (Issaquah, Sammamish, Kent)
Bill Ramos (D), State Senator
Victoria Hunt (D), State Representative Pos. 1
Lisa Callan (D), State Representative Pos. 2

11th LD (Renton, Tukwila)
Steve Bergquist (D), State Representative Pos. 2 

22nd LD (Olympia)
Jessica Bateman (D), State Senator

27th LD (Tacoma)
Laurie Jinkins (D), State Representative Pos. 1
Yasmin Trudeau (D), State Senator

28th LD (Tacoma, University Place, Lakewood)
T’wina Nobles (D), State Senator

30th LD (Federal Way)
Jamila Taylor (D), State Representative Pos. 1

37th LD (SE Seattle)
Chipalo Street (D), State Representative Pos. 2 

41st LD (Mercer Island, Bellevue)
Tana Senn (D), State Representative Pos. 1
Lisa Wellman (D), State Senator

43rd LD (Seattle)
Shaun Scott (D), State Representative Pos. 2

45th LD (Kirkland, Redmond)
Larry Springer (D), State Representative Pos. 2

46th LD (NE Seattle)
Darya Farivar (D), State Representative Pos. 2

47th LD (Kent, Covington, Auburn)
Debra Entenman (D), State Representative Pos. 1

48th LD (Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond)
Vandana Slatter (D), State Representative Pos. 1

Southwest Washington

17th LD (Skamania County, Camas, Vancouver)
Paul Harris (R), State Senator*
Marla Keethler (D), State Senator*
* Stand has made the unusual decision to issue a dual endorsement in this race, on the strength of Paul Harris’s legislative record and commitment to educational success and Marla Keethler’s expertise in developing and implementing equitable policies at the local level. Both share core values with Stand.  

Terri Niles (D)
District 17, State Representative Pos. 2

18th LD (Battle Ground)
Adrian Cortes (D), State Senator
John Zingale (D), State Representative Pos. 2

48th LD (Vancouver)
Monica Stonier (D), State Representative Pos. 2

You’ve read our endorsement list, now what? 

In an arena dominated by political partisanship, we strive to remain non-partisan and student-focused. Reach out to the candidates in your district to find out where they stand on the issues you care most about and the solutions to make it happen.

October 28th: Last day voters can register or update their mailing address online or via mail. 

November 5th: Last day voters can register or update their mailing address in-person

Effective January 1st, 2022, if you were convicted of a felony in Washington State, another state, or in federal court, your right to vote will be restored automatically as long as you are not currently serving a sentence of total confinement in prison.

Will you support our electoral efforts with a $10 donation? 

Lessons Learned from Youth Media Trainings

Uncategorized | 08/23/2024
Post author Ciarra Crowe
Ciarra Crowe Marketing and Communications Manager

For three weeks the Debt Free Youth Justice Coalition hosted youth media trainings in collaboration with the Juvenile Law Center. The series featured weekly sessions for youth to develop new media skills and the confidence to tell their stories. Over 80 youth registered for the series and those who attended asked various questions, such as, “How can I reduce the risk of being biased or being misquoted or misinterpreted?” during our Writing an Op-Ed training. 

Our Media 101 training was a great foundational training where youth could learn why people choose to tell stories in the media and examples of how other youth have had their stories told by reporters were shared. These stories can educate the general public about various issues and they can change public perception of these issues, as well as put pressure on legislators to make changes. 

What’s important for advocates, parents, community members, and youth to remember is that telling your story can come in so many different ways. Because one op-ed you write, one interview with a reporter, or reel on Instagram, that one thing doesn’t wholly define you and it shouldn’t wholly define you. 

As the adage goes, “closed mouths don’t get fed.” We can’t have tuition funded, food scarcity made obsolete, and mental health services made available. We can’t have gun protection, safety, etc. if we aren’t vocal about how these topics impact.

Because legislators, elected officials, etc. they’re people too, so they’ll enact policies that benefit issues that they think are prevalent and relevant. Or they have a close friend or relative who tells them what’s important, so that’s what issue they champion. So they need to hear from us, they need to know “this is a critical issue that impacts my life” and one way to paint that picture is by sharing your experience or your story. 

You don’t have to write an autobiography or make a documentary about your life. You can share an anecdote about a particular instance or how something has made you feel. Even sharing your reaction to a piece of legislation. 

But the important thing all youth should take away from these trainings is feel empowered to not be silent. You don’t need to fit in a box. You don’t need to be on the evening news. You don’t need to be quoted in the Seattle Times or all this stuff to be relevant (or to matter). 

Social media is the new currency and these spaces are here to stay. Lean into what you and your friends do best. Lean into each other’s stories, and amplify each other’s lived experiences. So what if the media doesn’t initially pick up something you think is really important? These institutions are, at times, losing credibility, trust, and viewership. So you can build your own credible space. You are the only truth-teller of your story, your experience, your feelings, and your thoughts. Any and all of these things could inspire your friend or a classmate.

So my biggest takeaway and advice is to not be silent, even if other people aren’t around to listen. We need your voice and your passion for wanting our communities to change. We need your hope, your optimism, your anger, and your frustration. 

People say the kids are the future, but we also look up to them. We look up to your ability to say it like it is. To be unique, to call out adults and call out the system. And I hope the youth trainings are only the beginning, that they may only be a catalyst for more youth to speak up and for the adults in the room to encourage the youth in our lives to gallantly speak their minds.

Examples of youth stories shared in the media

Comment below with an outlet that you think does a great job covering youth voice. What type of youth content do you like to read?

If you want help drafting an Op-Ed or a Letter To the Editor, or if you have an idea for a piece, reach out to us at [email protected]!

The Process of Policies: An Overview of School District Policymaking  

Dual Credit Equity | 08/21/2024
Post author
Stand for Children

By Aseela Galeeb 

Introduction 

Equity policies in school districts are designed to make sure that all students have equal access to educational opportunities. These policies aim to address racial, socioeconomic, or other disparities, so that all students have the support they need. In this article, we will dive into the process of policymaking in Washington school districts and explore how policies are advocated for and instituted. 

Who is in Charge of Equity Policies?

The chain of command when it comes to school districts may be confusing to the public, because there are so many key actors and groups. The Washington Office for the Superintendent of Public Instruction, or OSPI, explains on their website, “OSPI does not have authority over school operation; this is the direct responsibility of the school district. OSPI provides support and information.” 

Essentially, principals manage individual schools, with guidance from the school board, which hires and supervises the superintendent. The school board oversees districts at the local level, while OSPI supports those districts by sharing policies, research, and communication tools. At each of these levels, district staff are instrumental in supporting students and providing services. 

A school board, as mentioned above, is the entity responsible for setting district policies. On the Washington State Legislature website, it states that “each common school district board of directors shall be vested with the final responsibility for the setting of policies ensuring quality in the content and extent of its educational program and that such program provide students with the opportunity to achieve those skills”.

The Role of Students

Many school boards have student representative positions. For example, Lake Washington School District has two positions on their board for students. Taran Srinivasan was a previous LWSD student representative, and I reached out to him to ask about the policy process within the board, as well as his role. 

“Policies are usually initiated by different stakeholder groups that recognize potential problems through research or collecting data,” Taran explained. “These stakeholders could be students, admin, board members, the superintendent, or outside groups.” 

If the policies are strong enough, then a committee is created for it, made up of different members of the district community. These members will discuss the policy and send their ideas to the board. The board will hold a study session on the committee’s ideas and formulate their relevance and discuss, or add to the policy. “If all goes well, then it moves to the public board meeting where they vote on it.” 

When I asked Taran about what his position entailed, he said, “My role as a student representative was to gauge the impact of the policy on students and give my input on it during the study session and board meetings.” Though the students in this role do not get a vote on the board, their input and opinions are incorporated into the overall process. 

Conclusion

If you’re a student interested in policymaking within your school district, there are many ways for you to get involved. Aside from applying to be a student representative, you can also join and form advocacy groups at your school, organize awareness campaigns, arrange petitions, attend school board meetings, and educate yourself on policy issues in your district. 

Students play a crucial role in advocating for policies, especially when it comes to equity policies, which are essential for creating a fair educational environment. 

Aseela Galeeb is a graduate of the Lake Washington School District and is an incoming first year college student obtaining two degrees in Policy and Communications. She is a Guest Contributor for Stand WA.

Protect Our Schools: Vote No on I-2109

Elections | 08/21/2024
Post author Liz Trautman
Liz Trautman Government Affairs Director, Stand for Children Washington

As we approach the upcoming election, we want to bring your attention to a critical issue on the ballot: Initiative 2109. Voting no on I-2109 is essential for the future of public education, childcare, and early learning in Washington State.

What is Initiative 2109?

Initiative 2109 proposes to repeal Washington State’s capital gains tax, which is a significant source of funding for public education and childcare, cutting more than $2.2 billion. The capital gains tax cut would benefit fewer than 4,000 of the wealthiest people in our state, while leaving our schools struggling to repair buildings and families unable to access crucial early education and childcare resources.

Increased Burden on Schools
School districts already facing budget shortfalls would be forced to secure other funding to cover essential repairs and keep schools safe. This would only place a heavier financial burden on local communities.

Your Vote Matters: Join Us in Voting No on I-2109

Your vote this November can save over $2.2 billion dollars that fund education and it can elect legislators who center the needs of children and young people in their decision-making. We must protect our schools and ensure that all children have access to quality education from early childhood to high school. Are you a parent? We’re hoping to get 100 parents to sign on and pledge to vote no on Initiative 2109.

view our 2024 endorsements

be a voter

In an arena dominated by political parties, we strive to remain non-partisan and student-focused. So we encourage you to reach out to the candidates in your district to find out where they stand on the issues you care most about and the solutions to make it happen. 

October 28th: Last day voters can register or update their mailing address online or via mail. 

November 5th: Last day voters can register or update their mailing address in-person

Effective January 1st, 2022, if you were convicted of a felony in Washington State, another state, or in federal court, your right to vote will be restored automatically as long as you are not currently serving a sentence of total confinement in prison.

Will you support our electoral efforts with a $10 donation? 

Exploring Dual Credit Access on School District Websites

Dual Credit Equity | 08/14/2024
Post author
Stand for Children

By Aseela Galeeb 

Imagine you’re a high school student, curious about your academic options as you begin the college process. Or, perhaps you’re a parent trying to help your child take advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. You’ve heard about dual credit programs and you know they can be a game-changer, so you begin searching on your school district’s website to find out more. 

But what if, after searching through endless links and PDFs, you come up empty-handed? That’s not just frustrating and confusing, but it can actually limit a student’s access to these programs. 

With this in mind, I decided to explore the dual credit equity information available on the second and third largest school districts in Washington State: Lake Washington School District-which serves cities east of Seattle such as Redmond, Kirkland, and Sammamish- and Spokane Public Schools- which serves the city of Spokane and the surrounding county. The opposing locations of these districts, as well as other factors discussed later, led to an interesting comparative study. 

By contrasting how these districts present educational resources online, I wanted to see how accessible this information really was. 

Lake Washington School District (LWSD)

In all honesty, the LWSD website was somewhat unfamiliar to me, even though I had recently graduated from the district. As with all internet searches, it’s best to go in with a goal, to avoid falling down a rabbit hole. My guiding question was about the district’s equity policy- does it include anything about equitable access to dual credit programs?

I clicked around for some time before finding what I needed. For example, the Equity & Family Engagement page led me to an “Equity Team Annual Report” PDF, which discussed anti-racism lessons, equity modules for teachers, and student affinity groups, but didn’t cover dual credit programs. The list of “More Ways to Graduation” featured a standard overview of programs and requirements, but had no mention of equitable access. I sifted through PDFs like “Academic Success Annual Report” and “LWSD Eligibility Changes”, as well as the 2019 Strategic Plan, where one of the district’s goals was to “increase dual credit course offerings”, but did not expand upon the point. 

Taking a different approach, I began filtering through the administrative policies, which had plenty of statements about student well-being, leadership organization, and course adoption procedures, but my goal was still out of sight. Even if this policy exists somewhere, in the depths of the LWSD website, if it isn’t prominently posted and easy to find, it’s almost as though it doesn’t exist at all. 

Spokane Public Schools

The Spokane Public School district’s Academic Acceleration policy was much easier to find. Within three clicks, I had on my screen a PDF which clearly stated a recognition of the importance of access to dual credit programs, as well as an automatic enrollment clause (a step that ensures students are placed in the next most advanced course, rather than opting in to it).

In comparing these two school districts, it becomes clear that there is a significant difference in the accessibility of information about dual credit programs. While LWSD’s website required extensive searching that led to limited results, Spokane Public Schools provided easily accessible information.

What are some reasons for this sharp contrast? In considering this question, I began with the demographics of each district. Both have about 29-30,000 students enrolled, but according to US News and World Report (a source that is popular for school comparisons and rankings), 6.3% of LWSD’s students come from an economically disadvantaged background, compared to 46% of Spokane’s students. As EducationWeek explains in this article discussing equity gaps in parental involvement in school, “there are still some important gaps between more and less advantaged communities when it comes to tech, including access to devices and reliable connectivity. What’s more, wealthier parents may be more likely to work a schedule that allows them to spend time helping their children”. While the exact reason for the difference in accessibility may be more complex, this stark divide between communities of varying levels of economic advantage must be highlighted in order to create changes. 

Key Takeaways

It is essential for school districts to prioritize the accessibility of information about equity in their services, because it plays an important role in supporting students and their families. By advocating for transparency online, we can ensure that all students can benefit from these programs.

Aseela Galeeb is a graduate of the Lake Washington School District and is an incoming first year college student obtaining two degrees in Policy and Communications. She is a Guest Contributor for Stand WA.

 If you are a high school student, recent high school grad, or if there is a student in your life who could be impacted by academic acceleration policies: do you know how to access dual credit in your system? Share your experience in the comments! 

Our 2024 Primary Endorsements 

Elections | 07/1/2024
Post author Liz Trautman
Liz Trautman Government Affairs Director, Stand for Children Washington
Stand 2024 Primary Endorsements

State legislators make critical decisions that impact the challenges children and families face on a daily basis, including decisions about school funding, student mental health services, childcare affordability, public safety, and more. Elections are our opportunity to decide who will represent us to make those decisions.

That’s why the Stand for Children Washington PAC interviews and endorses candidates running for office in Washington who will put policy above politics and focus on what’s right for young people rather than what’s politically popular. 

We prioritize endorsing candidates who can dig in and reach across lines of difference to find common ground and make changes that last. A Stand for Children Washington PAC endorsed candidate is someone who…

  • Will work towards ensuring students furthest from educational justice are served by the education system.
  • Knows we must invest in improving our statewide Ninth Grade On-Track rate to improve graduation rates.
  • Is committed to supporting policy changes that ensure students are earning and using credit for their dual credit classes.
  • Supports efforts to give youth community support, educational opportunity, and a meaningful second chance – not just punishment – when they make mistakes

Through our endorsement process we identify candidates who share our vision of building systems that are just, equitable, and student-centered. Our endorsed candidates may not agree with us 100% of the time, but they share our values, listen to their constituents, and use data to make informed decisions.

Will you support our electoral efforts with a $10 donation? 

PRIMARY ENDORSEMENTS

As the 2024 Primary Election approaches on August 6, 2024, the Stand for Children Washington PAC is proud to announce our initial list of endorsed incumbents who will be champions of young people in Washington state:

  • Julio Cortes (D), District 38, State Representative Pos. 1
  • Tana Senn (D), District 41, State Representative Pos. 1
  • Mike Steele (R), District 12, State Representative Pos. 2
  • Monica Stonier (D), District 49, State Representative Pos. 2

You’ve read our endorsement list, now what? 

In an arena dominated by political parties, we strive to remain non-partisan and student-focused. So we encourage you to reach out to the candidates in your district to find out where they stand on the issues you care most about and the solutions to make it happen. 

CHECK YOUR VOTER STATUS

October 28th: Last day voters can register or update their mailing address online or via mail. 

November 5th: Last day voters can register or update their mailing address in-person

Effective January 1st, 2022, if you were convicted of a felony in Washington State, another state, or in federal court, your right to vote will be restored automatically as long as you are not currently serving a sentence of total confinement in prison.

DONATE NOW

Recap & Reflection: 2024 Legislative Session

Uncategorized | 03/15/2024
Post author
Stand for Children

We did not let a short 60-day session shrink our ambition for system changes that will benefit young people in Washington. 

2024 Legislative Session Stats: 
  • 46 community voices testified 
  • $8.5m allocated to remove barriers and support students  
  • 76,800 Students impacted 
  • 150 Cookies shared (Making change one cookie at a time!)

We set out with clear goals  to advance ninth grade success and eliminate outlawed debt, while supporting partner priorities to advance racial justice and proven solutions that benefit kids. These goals resonated with legislators, activists, advocates, and community members who shared their voice this session in support of these and other critical priorities. Thanks to their voices and advocacy, the legislature passed SB 5974 and allocated $3M in the final budget for the Ninth Grade Success Initiative.

But despite the short session, we must keep a long memory – many important priorities were kicked down the road to next year, “when there’s more time.” We were disappointed to see some very innovative policies that would have made a difference in young peoples’ lives stall out. These policies include a number of youth justice proposals that would have acknowledged the science of brain development, and the harm done by past policies that were rooted in hyper-punitive, counterproductive narratives about young people. This article highlights why the instinct to build up punitive systems is harmful and unproductive if we truly intend to rehabilitate. Legislators also missed opportunities to put into law the state’s commitment to students at critical junctures, by not passing bills like Ninth Grade Success Initiative (SB 5408/HB 2053) or a bill to provide supports for chronically absent students and students with other barriers (SB 5850). 

As we wrap up this session, we are taking away key lessons for our collective work: 

  1. Now is the time to start organizing to hold each other and our lawmakers accountable for priorities deferred to the 2025 legislative session. At Stand, we do this in multiple ways: through our PAC’s endorsement process, through interim meetings and conversations, and by connecting those closest to an issue with the lawmakers making decisions about it. 
  2. Working in partnership and coalition is vital and helps us have stronger wins and to weather the disappointments. Our partners in this work challenge and inspire us daily to keep fighting for what is right and what will work to support students.  We must be crystal clear in our demands for youth justice to ensure young people stay out of the juvenile rehabilitation and criminal legal systems and stay in rigorous and enriching educational environments, and there is a lot of work to do to cut through the political rhetoric and educate lawmakers about what truly works to support young people. 
    • Our Debt Free Youth Justice coalition brought together more than 20 organizations, and dozens of directly impacted young people, to reduce the harmful impacts of the juvenile legal system.
    • Our High School Success Coalition collaborated on bills to support every student on their path to achieving a rigorous high school diploma and pursuing their dreams.
  3. We must make room for connection and healing. This work is hard, and isolating. The antidote is community connection. We will be looking for opportunities to connect with you throughout interim, virtually and in community. 

As a first step towards that connection, we want to hear from you! Please stay in touch and let us know what you are interested in connecting on, and issues that are arising in your community.

In closing, our work is not possible without your partnership. Thank you for standing with us, and standing with children, this legislative session and always. 

In partnership, 

Kia & Liz 

Legislative Roll Call: Week 8

Uncategorized | 03/1/2024
Post author Liz Trautman
Liz Trautman Policy and Government Affairs Director, Stand for Children Washington

This week is the next to last week of session – and today is a final cutoff date. All bills that aren’t considered “necessary to implement the budget” need to receive a vote from the full chamber by 5pm today. After today, legislators will turn their attention to finalizing the supplemental budget and passing bills considered necessary to implement that budget. In addition, there are three initiatives that the legislature will consider. 

The last day of session is known as “sine die” (latin for “without day” meaning they adjourn without a specific day to return), and will be March 7. 

Bill Updates 

This was a whirlwind week with Monday’s fiscal cutoff and today’s floor cutoff. Here’s a roundup of the bills we’ve been tracking and sharing with you this session: 

Prime Sponsor Rep. Slatter watches as Senator Randall speaks in support of HB 2214 on the Senate floor

  • SB 5904 (aligning and extending state financial aid timelines) – Passed the House 61-35
  • HB 2214 (auto-qualifying students receiving food stamps for the Washington College Grant) – Passed the Senate 28-20 
  • HB 2217 (to ensure more juvenile offenses are prosecuted in juvenile court) passed the Senate 29-20 
  • HB 2025 (to expand state work study for college access programs) is scheduled for a Senate floor vote today. 
  • HB 2065 (juvenile points retroactivity) did not advance out of Senate Ways & Means on Monday and is dead for this session. 

Ballot Initiatives

Six ballot initiatives were sent to the legislature this session. The legislature has decided to consider three of them and to send three to the ballot for voters to decide. They held hearings and committee votes this week on the three initiatives under consideration and will bring them to the floor for debate and vote next week. The three initiatives are: I-2081, concerning parental rights, I-2111, concerning personal income taxes, and I-2113, concerning vehicular pursuits. 

Budget update

Each chamber has passed their operating budget proposal and will now go into “conference” to reconcile the differences between the two proposals. Ninth Grade Success Initiative is funded in the Senate proposal, but not the House, and we are urging budget negotiators to retain the Senate number in the final budget. We expect the final proposal to be released Wednesday March 6th.

We want to hear from you! What questions, reactions, reflections, celebrations, and concerns do you have about the legislative session? Share your thoughts by Wednesday March 6th; we’ll publish a round up in our final roll-call edition next week! 

Thank you for your continued advocacy!

Sincerely, 

Liz Trautman
Government Affairs Director


Spokesman-Review OP-ED: Undoing the injustice of juvenile fines and fees

Current Events & News | 03/1/2024
Post author
Stand for Children

—-

In partnership with the Center for Children & Youth Justice, Rachel Sottile and Kia C. Franklin published an op-ed continuing our commitment to end all fines and fees imposed on youth in Washington.

Read the article here. To track progress on this effort, subscribe to our email list for updates!

READ THE ARTICLE

Legislative Roll Call: Week 7

Uncategorized | 02/23/2024
Post author Liz Trautman
Liz Trautman Policy and Government Affairs Director, Stand for Children Washington

This week marked the release of House and Senate budget proposals, and yet another bill cutoff – all bills that are not considered “necessary to implement the budget” needed to be voted out of a policy committee by Wednesday. 

Budgets Released

As usual, there are differences between the House and Senate proposals that will need to be ironed out “in conference.” Over the next two weeks, a small team of negotiators for each chamber will work on a negotiated final budget that reconciles the differences between the two. Our partners at League of Education Voters have put together a very comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the education budgets. We’ve pulled out a few highlights below.

We are thrilled to report that the Senate budget fully funds the Ninth Grade Success Initiative at $3 million. Unfortunately, the House budget does not include any funding; we are urging lawmakers to keep the Senate funding level in the final budget!

ItemGovernor’s BudgetHouse BudgetSenate Budget Advocacy Ask 
Ninth Grade Success Initiative Not includedNot included$3 million Match the Senate level!
Rally for College $3 million $3 million Not includedMatch the House level! 
SB 5904 to align financial aid timelines$1 million Not included $8.3 million Include some funding in the final budget 
HB 2214 to automatically enroll high school students receiving food benefits in WA College Grant  $239k $239k Not includedMatch the House level 
SB 5850 to address learning recovery and chronic absenteeism$0$0$2m Match the Senate level 
Legal financial obligation analysis Not includedNot included $165k Match the Senate level 
Audit of Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) facilitiesNot includedNot included $400k Match the Senate level 
Gender responsive programming in JRA facilities Not includedNot included$200k Match the Senate level  
Contracted security guards at Echo Glen $9.032m$17.934m$9.032mThis is a poor use of public funds. Encourage equal investment in youth-serving programs. 

Cutoffs Continue

SB 5974 to eliminate uncollectible juvenile court debt has cleared the last hurdle and was voted off the House floor 66-27 this week! It’s headed to the Governor’s desk for signature! 

Other bills we’re tracking that need to pass out of a fiscal committee by Monday 2/26:

  • SB 5904: aligning and extending state financial aid timelines
  • HB 2214: auto-qualifying students receiving food stamps for the Washington College Grant
  • HB 2065: juvenile points retroactivity)

And a few bills are waiting in the Senate Rules committee to be pulled to the floor for a vote (which they need to receive by Friday 3/1):

  • HB 2217 to ensure more juvenile offenses are prosecuted in juvenile court
  • HB 2025 to expand state work study for college access programs.  

Thank you for your continued advocacy!

Sincerely, 

Liz Trautman
Government Affairs Director


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