1. 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…

2. 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)

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

4. 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!)

5. 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

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

7. Right now, we can: Text ourvoice to 41411 for updates
Call the Legislative Hotline at 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

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