Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Last week I met with Seattle Public School students, parents and educators who were in Olympia for the #BillionDollarBakeSale to advocate for fully funding our public schools. As the mom of two elementary school kids, this is personal to me. Simply put, the status quo is unacceptable. That’s why I’m proud to cosponsor these bills to:
- increase funding for special education (HB 1310 & HB 1357)
- increase funding for maintenance, supplies, and operating costs (HB 1338)
- increase funding for school bus transportation (HB 1579) and,
- raise the local levy cap and increase the state property tax limit (HB 1356)
I’m also proud to cosponsor HB 1284 which would close a business & occupation (B&O) tax loophole that could pay for any one of these priorities. It is clear that we need reforms to our state’s regressive tax code to pay for a world-class public education system for all.
Join Us at Government at Your Grocery Store – THIS Saturday!
Page Spotlight: Damian
My office had a blast sponsoring Ballard High School student and Magnolia resident Damian last week as a page here in the Legislature. Pages spend their week learning about the legislative process while distributing materials throughout the capitol campus, assisting offices, delivering messages, working on the chamber floor, and carrying the flags at the opening of each day’s legislative session.
Do you know a 14–16-year-old who is interested in learning more about the Legislature? Page applications are still open! Learn more about the application process and how to apply, as well as scholarship availability, on the Legislative website.
You’ve heard from me, now let me hear from you! You can always schedule a meeting with me, send me an email, or call my office to share your questions or comments on this session. Hearing from you is critical to my work here in Olympia.
State Representative Liz Berry
36th Legislative District