Focus on Advocacy
PTA Making a Difference
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org
Parents and students will descend on Olympia today to meet with their state legislators during the annual Washington State PTA Focus Day. Members also will hear from Senators and Representatives over the lunch hour and will participate in a march around the capitol grounds in support of closing K12 funding gaps.
If you weren’t able to travel to the state capitol, you are still encouraged to meet with your legislators – either back in district for a town hall or coffee – or to arrange a virtual meeting. Legislators welcome connecting with constituents, and virtual meetings are a great way to share your thoughts with your House and Senate members.
Governor Bob Ferguson offered his first State of the State address on Tuesday, January 13th. In his speech to a joint session of the House and Senate, he acknowledged the challenges facing the state, but declared his optimism based on Washington’s history and the heart and spirit of Washingtonians.
To read more about his address, and other updates from our Legislative Consultant, Marie Sullivan, head over to our blog.
Also check out week 2 bill schedule.
Protect K-12 Funding in the 2026 Legislative Session
The 2026 legislative session runs from January 12 to March 12. Lawmakers need to hear from us NOW about the critical funding challenges facing our schools. Despite promises of full education funding, school districts across the state are facing significant budget gaps.
What We’re Asking Legislators to Do:
Avoid any cuts to school district funding and keep promises made in the 2025 session
Reinvest K-12 funding lost to enrollment decline back into districts to stabilize schools
Close the MSOC gap (Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs) so funding reflects actual costs and keeps pace with inflation
Prioritize K-12 education in all budget decisions
We need your voice…it only takes a few minutes! Action Alert: Protect K-12 Funding in the 2026 Legislative Session. Together we can protect and strengthen Washington’s public schools. Subscribe to the WSPTA Action Network to receive action alerts during the legislative session.
Legislator Meeting Summary Form
Are you or someone you know meeting with legislators? Please fill out this quick form to help the WSPTA Advocacy Committee stay up to date: 2024-2026 WSPTA Legislator Meeting Summary Form – Fill out form
Help Us Plan for Future Events!
We are gathering feedback on WSPTA Legislative Assembly, and we’d love to hear from every member, whether you attend the event every year or have never attended. Your thoughts help us understand what worked, what didn’t, and how we can improve Legislative Assembly to better serve our members in the future.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by January 29. The more people who participate, the better. Please spread the word and share the survey with your PTA members.
