2012 End of Session Report
The WEA Governmental Relations staff has completed the 2012 End of Session Report. This document provides further analysis into legislation that would affect education issues and educators considered during this year’s legislative session.
To read the full report, click here.
WEA-PAC Recommendations Underway
Seattle Education Association members held a WEA-PAC candidate recommendation forum for three open legislative seats. After the battles in Olympia this past session to protect health care and collective bargaining rights we know every election matters. SEA members spent their sunny Saturday interviewing 11 candidates at Blaine K-8 school in Magnolia. Candidates filled out WEA-PAC Candidate… Continue Reading
Gov. Gregoire calls for new K-12 revenue
Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed a state budget that, for the first time in three years, does not cut funding for K-12 schools or higher education. But Gregoire said the state needs at least $1 billion in additional revenue to fund schools in the future. “The reality is, we cannot live up to our responsibilities… Continue Reading
What’s in ESSB 5940, the K-12 health care bill?
WEA members and their allies fought for months against the proposed state takeover of K-12 health care. Besides being costly, the takeover would have eliminated local collective bargaining over health benefits. In the end, the Legislature approved ESSB 5940, which makes changes to the K-12 health care system but maintains bargaining rights and avoids a state… Continue Reading
Voters approve most school levies
School districts rely on local levies for about 20 percent of their funding. On April 24, voters in 12 of 13 districts approved maintenance and operations levies. (Most eligible districts ran their levies in February.) Thanks to the simple majority requirement approved by voters in 2007, the levy passage rate has increased. District Percent Yes… Continue Reading
