Thank you PTA for showing up to Focus Day! I think our legislators heard us loud and clear.
The day may be over, but the work is not.
I need you all to do two more things for this year's Focus Day to be complete.
1) Please tell us which legislators you met with (not everyone had a chance to get or fill out the yellow form), and what they said. Your general recollections are fine if you don't remember the specifics. We want to get a sense of what to expect from them this session, and you may have heard something that we haven't. I would love to see all of these recollections written where we can all read and comment on them. Perhaps either this blog, or the WA State PTA Facebook page?
2) Please send the legislators you met with today a "thank you" note, reminding them of your conversation and of our top five advocacy issues. This is crucial to the advocacy efforts of PTA as the relationships we build and our strength in numbers are our biggest weapons.
I would also welcome your comments and ideas for improvement on this year's Focus Day.
Thank you again for showing up,
Jason Rothkowitz
WA State PTA Focus Day 2013 Co-Chair
jason.rothkowitz@lwptsa.net
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
A message from State PTA- The Eventbright address for the GA Building is Incorrect!
A Message from Washington State PTA:
Thank you for registering for WSPTA's Focus Day 2013! Check in will begin at 9:30 am in the General Administration Building. The location of the General Administration Building is 210 11th Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98511. There are public parking lots on the Capitol Campus and nearby in the business district. The Dash shuttle is free and helpful if you park further out from the Capitol. Below are three links that will be very helpful as you plan your visit.
The agenda for the day is:The agenda for the day is:
State capitol directions and parking information page:http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Parking.aspx
Dash shuttles can help you get around the capital:
Campus map:
9:30 a.m. – PACKETS AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP. General Administration Building Auditorium.
10:15-10:45 – Welcome … TIME TO FOCUS TRAINING. How to speak to your legislator; who to talk to; where to go. General Administration Auditorium
10:45-noon – Meet with legislators and deliver postcard messages. Or …
11 a.m. A discussion on Positive Behavior Interventions and Support in the General Administration Building Auditorium
11-11:25 a.m. What can we expect on funding: A small-group discussion with legislators on the McCleary ruling and paying for HB 2261/basic education funding plan. (Chairs of Senate Ways and Means and House Appropriations will join us along with other education leaders). O’Brien 102, briefing room. (Note: Limited capacity)
11:30- 11:55 a.m. What can we expect on policy: A small-group discussion with legislators about strategies to close the opportunity gaps and improve outcomes for all students. (Chair of the House Education Committee and the House leader on education and opportunity will join us). O’Brien 102, briefing room. (Note: Limited capacity)
Noon to 1 – Under the Rotunda. Leaders join us to discuss their thoughts on passing HB 2261/basic education funding back in 2009 and what their thoughts are going forward, especially in the context of the McCleary ruling.
1-2:30 p.m. -- Meet with legislators and deliver postcard messages. Or …
Join us in the General Administration Building for an update on the McCleary lawsuit and discussions on the policies behind WSPTA’s 2013 platform.
Event notes:
LUNCH: For those who have pre-ordered box lunches, they will be available for pickup at 11 a.m. in the General Administration Auditorium.
CIVIC INVOLVEMENT: The GA building events are sponsored by Randy Dorn and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. These are informational events around civic involvement and are not lobbying events. The small-group discussions are sponsored by Rep. Marcie Maxwell. They are intended to foster communication and promote civic involvement.
ADVOCACY: The Rotunda event is a citizen’s lobbying event, as are the office visits. Please do share your thoughts and please do speak up for funding and policies that will help all children reach their potential.
Be sure to wear your PTA blue!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Final Agenda
McCleary/2261/Fund Ed First – the money talk
11:00 – Senator Andy Hill, Chair Ways and Means
Representative Ross Hunter, Chair Appropriations
Representative Cathy Dahlquist
Senator Rosemary McAuliffe
Representative Susan Fagan may pop over. Has a committee hearing
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Closing the opportunity gaps – the policy talk
11:30 – Representative Santos and Representative Maxwell
Note: Senator Litzow will not be in Olympia, and the rest of the education senators had conflicting committee meetings. Senator Litzow is interested in trying to set up a webinar to connect with PTA members and I will pursue that with his staff.
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Rotunda (Ramona will introduce legislators, give information about them)
12:05 – Welcome – Novella Fraser WA State PTA President
Perspective of House and Senate leaders
12:10 – Representative Pat Sullivan, House Majority Leader
12:15 – Senator Rodney Tom, Majority Coalition Senate Leader
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Perspectives of those working on closing the gaps
12:20- Representative Eric Pettigrew – D caucus leader, reform legislation
12:25 – PTA (member TBD)
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Perspectives of the budget writers
12:30 – Representative Ross Hunter, Chair House Appropriations
12:35 – Senator Andy Hill, Chair Ways and Means
Closing
12:40 – Representative Marcie Maxwell, House lead on education and co-leader of Quality Education Council
12:45 – What's next for PTA? (Member TBD)
Goodbye – Shelley Kloba WA State PTA Legislative Director
Note:
Some legislators may drop by. Ramona will introduce them so we can all say thanks
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