Public education is a civil right! Washington Constitution: “It is the paramount duty of the state 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.” McCleary decision: State must comply with the Constitution and fully fund K-12 basic education by Sept. 1, 2018 2017 legislative session: Competing budgets from House and Senate…

House Democratic budget Raises base pay for ALL K-12 employees Protects voter-approved educator COLAs Protects voter-approved smaller class sizes Protects local school levy funding Protects our collective bargaining rights (TRI pay)

Senate Republican budget Limits educator salaries Eliminates voter-approved COLAs Eliminates voter-approved smaller class sizes Limits collective bargaining rights Limits local school levies

Health care is a problem Health care costs are rising Neither budget increases health care funding for K-12 employees – which means we will pay more out of pocket Both budgets increase health care funding for legislators (and they already get more than we do!)

Message to legislators Protect smaller K-12 class sizes (I-1351) and COLAs (I-732) Increase health care funding for educators (parity with legislators) Maintain local levy funding Protect educators’ collective bargaining rights

What are we going to do together? Attend a union general membership meeting Building-level action State-level action

Right now, we can: Text ourvoice to 41411 for updates Call the Legislative Hotline at 800-562-6000 and leave a message Visit the OurVoice blog: washingtonea.org/ourvoice/ Visit OurVoice on Facebook: facebook.com/OurVoiceWEA/ Post to social media using #WAedu and #WAleg

Senate Republican budget Eliminates voter-approved COLAs Eliminates voter-approved smaller class sizes Limits collective bargaining Limits local school levies