Photo courtesy of the WA Capitol
Thank you for sharing this journey with us!
Hello wonderful fellow advocates,
What a journey this Legislative Session! The dust is still settling, especially on the Millionaire's Tax, but what we do know is that our fight for our children’s education is far from over. We live in tumultuous times, but our continued collective action does make a difference, however slow and small it may seem now.
Within these tumultuous times comes a State Legislature that faced very difficult choices this session and a state budget that once again does not perform Washington’s paramount duty enshrined in Article IX of our state constitution to, “make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex.”. Education funding took a back seat to broader social programs even with the passing of a 9.9% tax on income over $1million. Our children deserve a fully funded education and yet school districts around the state are still struggling. This isn’t bad school management, it is systemic and detrimental to the future of our children and Washington. Schools in Seattle and our own community at Fund SPS are facing trying circumstances; Fund SPS will be stepping back due to our own community’s shifting budget priorities.
We are incredibly proud of the connections we have forged within Seattle and communities around the state. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey, there are too many to name them all, but thank you to the mighty crew of the North Beach Elementary community, All Together for Seattle Schools, the Washington State PTA, Billion Dollar Bake Sale, and the many, many schools we’ve spoken to across the state. Meeting and collaborating with fellow advocates has been a true joy. Our shared unity for all of Washington’s children is strong. It is our hope that we can continue these connections in the next phase of our journey.
We deeply appreciate you sharing your voice for education funding and learning with us as we’ve moved through this advocacy process. Please stay engaged and connected! Our strength comes from our collective desire to invest in the future of Washington and our children.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for being part of our journey!