Legislative News

A new page has turned in our government tale. What is the story that will unfold? We will have to follow the story to see what takes place in each chapter. Any good reader has tools that they use to help them to be able to understand the story that they are reading.

Teachers work to give their students the tools that they need on their reading journey. So, just like a good teacher, I wish to give you some tools to use as your follow our government's story over the next year.

As educators, most of us are members of the National Education Association. Their website is a good place to start. Their website has an Action Center which can be found at this website: Action Center | NEA. At this website, you can sign up to receive updates on a weekly basis on legislation that affects education in the United States. You can also see the bills in Congress that the NEA supports and opposes. You will be able to read about the bills and determine your personal stance on those bills.

A second place that you can follow is the U.S. Department of Education's website: Home | U.S. Department of Education. By following this link you can find out what actions are being taken by the Department of Education at the federal level.

A website that I have used to see just what bills affecting education have been introduced in Washington and what is happening with them. Search Bills in Congress - GovTrack.us

By checking in with this website periodically, I can see that at this moment, Feb. 2, 2025, the 119th Congress has issued 118 bills that have to do with education. Now, on average, there are about 5,000 bills introduced each congressional session and only about seven percent of those will actually be signed into law. Two of those bills most concerning at the moment are H.R. 369 introduced on January 13th by Rep. David Rouzer and H.R. 899 introduced on January 31st by Rep. Thomas Massie, both having to do with eliminating the Department of Education. At this website, you can click on the link for a certain bill and be able to read the full text as introduced, you can see who introduced the bill as well as those members who co-sponsor the bill, plus you can see the prognosis percentage for each bill.

Another site that I have come across, but has some good information is the ExcellenceinEd website. News & Views - ExcelinEd In Action. Here you can follow what is happening in states across our nation. You can also find links to podcasts to listen to and learn about legislative bills to watch in this coming year.

These are just a few of the websites that can help you to find out what is happening in the next chapter of our government's story regarding education. I hope these will help you to be more informed of what is going on in Washington and what is important to each of us as individuals and as DKG sisters.

Now that I have given you some tools to find out what is happening in education in Washington, I want to give you information in regards to the next step. Just how do you use your voice to advocate on behalf of a legislative bill? The website for the Senate will give you opportunity to send a direct message to the Senators who represent us. U.S. Senate . Here you can follow what is happening as well as find the website for our two senators here in Ohio. You can even find the address of their local offices along with the phone number, should you wish to call them directly.

1. Jon Husted. Initial Page - Senator Husted

2. Bernie Moreno Initial Page - Senator Bernie Moreno

Now, for the House of Representatives, you can find the direct links to any of the fifteen elected officials for Ohio. Representatives | house.gov

Now you may ask, just who represents me, where I live? This website link will take you directly to who represents your district. All you have to do is to type in your address and the information will come up as to who represents you. Ohio Senators, Representatives, and Congressional District Maps - GovTrack.us . From there you can learn all about your representative and how to contact them so that you can share with them your thoughts.

I know that this has been a lot of information to present to you. Each of us have the power to be an advocate for what is important in education. We need to come together and be heard both at our state level and at our national level. It has been my goal to empower you to be a voice that is heard and to be more aware of what is happening and how it affects us in the classroom, both teachers and students.

I have had a song on my mind ever since I began this Legislative Liaison trek.

Just one voice, reaching out can share the thoughts and wishes of us who know what is important to teachers in and out of the classroom.

Stay tuned for next month! We will look at our Ohio legislation in regards to education. I will share with you how to keep up with what is going on in Ohio and just who do we share our opinions with in regards to the legislation. Have a great March and keep on advocating!!!