We need your help, and it takes just 5 minutes!

We have moved quickly as parents to address the impending gap on funding available to Seattle Public Schools currently filled by existing levy funds. These funds are set to expire and if not extended, will leave our district short of funds to move forward with existing staffing levels next year. Earlier this week, the House passed Bill 1059 to extend the existing Levy authority one additional year to align with the State’s obligation to fully fund education by September, 2018. Now we need to encourage the Senate to do the same. We need to impress upon them the urgency and importance of doing so quickly, to avoid layoffs and program cuts across the State.

Please take 5 minutes to do one (or both!) of the following:

• The legislature responds to numbers. Email legislators outside of the 34th district. Our legislators are already on board with the extension. We need to educate and inform those outside of this area, especially those materially impacted by the loss of levy funds if the Senate doesn’t approve this bill.
• Legislators respond to voters. Forward, email, share this with anyone you know that lives in the districts below, especially if they have kids in schools that will be affected. Suggested script below.

Below, you will find contact info for the legislators we most need to reach. Together we can bridge the gap in funding until the legislature does their job to fully Fund Education for ALL Students in Washington. Thanks!

Key Senators to focus on, along with what they will lose:

• Senator Zeiger (Puyallup will lose nearly $9M)
• Senator Rossi (Bellevue will lose $10M, Lake Washington $4M, Redmond $4M)
• Senator Miloscia (Federal Way $8M, Auburn $7M)

Script for contacting your friends outside of the 34th:
As a fellow parent of a public school kid, I’m reaching out to you for help. The pending Levy Cliff that impacts your local school district’s ability to raise funds to pay teachers is expiring and will result in a loss of [$$$$$] to your school district if not extended one year. This extension has been passed through the House already; without Senate approval, local districts will have to cut staff to bridge this gap in funding. The first to go will be nurses, librarians, support staff and counselors. These people are vital to our children’s success in school, and we urge you and your fellow parents to reach out to your Senator, [INSERT SENATOR NAME] to ask for their support in a one-year extension on this levy, so that we can continue to teach our kids in a supportive environment.

You can contact your senator by email: [INSERT EMAIL] phone [INSERT PHONE] or via direct email: [INSERT LINK VIA WA.GOV SITE] ask them to move forward with House Bill 1059 and Senate Bill 5023.

For more on the bill: http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5023&Year=2017

Thanks!

A list of senators and their contact information.

Hans Zeiger
25th: includes Puyallup, Fife
360.786.7648
hans.zeiger@leg.wa.gov

Jan Angel
26th LD: includes Bremerton, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor, Lakebay, Purdy
360 786-7650
jan.angel@leg.wa.gov

Dino Rossi
45th LD: includes Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish, Woodinville, Duvall
360 786-7672
dino.rossi@leg.wa.gov

Maureen Walsh
16th LD: includes Walla Walla, Prosser, Horse Heaven
360 786-7630
maureen.walsh@leg.wa.gov

Mark Schoesler
9th LD: includes Ritzville, Pullman, Colfax, St. John, Asotin
360 786-7620
mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov

Phil Fortunato
31st LD: includes Enumclaw, Buckley, Bonney Lake, Auburn, Sumner, Edgewood, South Prairie, Wilkeson and Carbonado
360 786-7660
phil.fortunato@leg.wa.gov

Brad Hawkins
12th LD: includes Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Twisp, Winthrop, Leavenworth
360 786-7622
brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov

Randi Becker
2nd LD: includes Eatonville, Yelm, Orting, Graham, Roy, Rainier
360 786-7602 305
randi.becker@leg.wa.gov

Lynda Wilson
17th LD: includes Brush Prairie, Orchards, Cascade Park East (Clark County)
360 786-7632
lynda.wilson@leg.wa.gov

Curtis King
14th LD: includes Stevenson, White Salmon, Naches, Goldendale, Tieton, Roosevelt
360 786-7626
curtis.king@leg.wa.gov

Barbara Bailey
10th LD: includes Stanwood, Camamo Island, Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, La Connor
360 786-7618
barbara.bailey@leg.wa.gov