2013 Regular Session Victories
April 29, 2013 - Washington House Democrats
Education – Early Learning through Higher Education Integrating early learning (HB 1723) – Creates a framework for developing an integrated, high quality early learning continuum for low-income children ages birth to 5. Reforming Working Connections Child Care (SB 5595) – … Continue reading
House budget proposal best for schools
April 10, 2013 - Washington House Democrats
The state will step up to its responsibility to educate public-school students and will make sure college graduates are ready for high-demand jobs under the budget proposal released by the House Democratic majority on Wednesday. The budget proposal authored by … Continue reading
Senate Budget: Bad for Kids, Families, and Our Future
April 8, 2013 - Washington House Democrats
Top 10 Reasons the Senate Budget is bad for Kids, Middle Class Families and Our Future 15 NEW tax loopholes; zero eliminated – The Senate plans to add 15 new tax breaks while not eliminating even one existing corporate giveaway.
Investing in today’s kids pays off for our state – and our country
April 4, 2013 - Rep. Ruth Kagi
The opportunity gap is growing. Seventy-five percent of Washington’s young adults aged 17-24 are ineligible to serve in the military. Why? Too many do not graduate from high school, have criminal records or suffer from obesity. We need our young … Continue reading
Rep. Farrell guest column in the Seattle Times on Working Connections Child Care
March 28, 2013 - Rep. Jessyn Farrell
Expand early learning by fixing the state’s Working Connections Child Care program The state’s Working Connections Child Care program needs reform, writes guest columnist Jessyn Farrell. EDUCATION and jobs. These two issues have been discussed extensively in the Washington state … Continue reading
Kids to get “early start” on school success under Senate-bound bill
March 7, 2013 - Washington House Democrats
Already a leader in the field of early learning, Washington state would take a giant step toward preparing all kids for success in kindergarten and beyond under far-reaching legislation headed for the state Senate. House Bill 1723, by Rep. Ruth … Continue reading
Rep. Kagi discusses early learning on KUOW’s The Conversation
February 15, 2013 - waldrefj
What’s up with early learning funding here in Washington, and how do we measure up against other states? Why should the state invest in early learning programs? Rep. Kagi talks with KUOW’s Ross Reynolds on The Conversation, and mentions her … Continue reading
Rep. Roger Freeman sworn into office
January 15, 2013 - mcvicara
On January 14th, Representative Roger Freeman took the oath of office and was officially sworn in to serve the citizens of the 30th legislative district in the Washington State Legislature. “I am excited to represent the people of the 30th … Continue reading
Rep. Roberts talks working families
January 15, 2013 - toyrabOver the summer, State Representative Mary Helen Roberts traveled to Denver to attend the National Conference of State Legislature’s Opportunities for Working Families Leadership Forum. During the forum, four legislators from three states were interviewed on the challenges facing working … Continue reading
Kagi retains leadership of House Early Learning and Human Services committee
December 18, 2012 - Rep. Ruth Kagi
Rep. Ruth Kagi (D – Shoreline) has been reappointed to chair the House Early Learning and Human Services committee for the 2013 session. Since first coming to the state legislature in 1999, Kagi’s focus has been on improving early learning … Continue reading
Maxwell receives committee assignments, re-elected to leadership post
December 12, 2012 - Rep. Marcie Maxwell
Rep. Marcie Maxwell (D-Renton) received her committee assignments this week for the 2013 legislative session. Maxwell will serve on the coveted House Appropriations Committee where decisions on budget allocations are made. Maxwell will also serve on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education … Continue reading
Roberts takes on new role in Olympia
December 11, 2012 - toyrab
State Representative Mary Helen Roberts (D-Lynnwood) received her committee assignments for the upcoming legislative session when the House Democratic Caucus released their committee structure this morning. Rep. Roberts, a longtime advocate for reforming the state’s criminal justice system, will serve … Continue reading
Education: Going from fully funded to fully functional
December 4, 2012 - mcvicaraIn this video, Rep. Larry Seaquist shares his ideas on how to fully fund K-12 education, early learning, and higher education in Washington state.
Kagi preschool-to-kindergarten measure heads to governor’s desk
March 6, 2012 - waldrefjOLYMPIA – Early learning advocates cheered when it was announced in December that our state would receive a $60 million Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant. Yesterday, the legislature gave final approval to a measure that will enable … Continue reading
And the winner is…
December 16, 2011 - mcvicara
House Democrats applaud the news announced today that Washington state will receive $60 million in early learning grant dollars from the federal government. Check out the details on our blog.
