Every Child. One Voice.

WSPTA - Top 5 Legislative Priorities for 2017

• Social Emotional Learning
• Amply Fund Basic Education
• Closing the Opportunity Gap
• Standards for Para-Educators
• Breakfast After the Bell

Northwest Harvest WA Hunger Facts

• Since the start of the recession in 2008, Washington has cut more than $12 billion in discretionary spending from our state's operating budget, all in the areas of public safety, higher education and basic needs services. 1 in 5 Washingtonians relies on their local food bank.
• Washington is the 23rd hungriest state in the nation.
• 1 in 5 kids in Washington state lives in a household that struggles to put food on the table.

Breakfast After the Bell
Washington State currently ranks 45th for utilization of the federal school breakfast program and currently, only 1/3 of eligible children have access to this program.

• Supports legislation instituting and funding a Breakfast After the Bell Program in high needs schools.
• Initiate policies that encourage early adoption of Breakfast After the Bell Programs at the district level.

Two bills in the legislature, both:

• passed the house
• currently stuck in the senate K-12 education committee.


HB 1551 - Creating a competitive equipment assistance grant program to enhance student nutrition in public schools.

• Sponsored by Gael Tarleton
• http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1551&Year=2017
• On Thursday, - Public Hearing - Creating a competitive equipment assistance grant program to enhance student nutrition in public schools.

​HB 1508 - Promoting student health and readiness through meal and nutrition programs.

• Sponsored by Noel Frame
• http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1508&Year=2017
• Student meals & nutrition Creates a mandatory Breakfast after the Bell program in schools with 70% of students eligible for Free & Reduced Price Meals, starting in 2018-19 school year. Includes grant program and some BAB lighthouse projects to serve as resources.
• Begins to eliminate lunch co-pays, starting in 2017-18 year with goal or eliminating them completely by 2020-21 school year through state payments.

From Northwest Harvest: This is a comprehensive school nutrition package that includes the following:

• Improves access and participation in school breakfast by requiring high needs schools to make breakfast available during the school day, just like lunch.
• References a budget request to restore $500,000 to WSDA's Farm to School and Small Farms Direct Marketing programs, helping Washington farmers grow sustainable businesses by selling their locally grown food to restaurants, hospitals, schools, senior centers, and other institutions.
• Refers to a capital budget request to provide grants for schools to equip and remodel their kitchens to cook fresher, more nutritious meals from scratch Phases in the elimination of the co-pay for school lunches for all public school students, pre-K-12.  

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Contact members of the SEL/K-12 Committee

Here are the names and contact information for Senators on the SEL/K-12 Committee.

Zeiger, Hans (R) Chair
109 Irv Newhouse Building
(360) 786-7648

Fain, Joe (R)   Vice Chair
309 Legislative Building
(360) 786-7692

Rolfes, Christine (D) Ranking Minority Member
233 John A. Cherberg Building
(360) 786-7644

Billig, Andy (D)
412 Legislative Building
(360) 786-7604
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Mullet, Mark (D)
415 Legislative Building
(360) 786-7608

Rivers, Ann (R)
204 Irv Newhouse Building
(360) 786-7634
​
Warnick, Judy (R)
103 Irv Newhouse Building
(360) 786-7624