Dear friends and neighbors,
We are now more than one-third through this year’s Legislative Session and I’m focusing today’s newsletter on topics relating to our state’s students. Two of my committees this session focus on this work, as I serve on the Education Committee and the Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee.
Education has always had a special place in my heart. I attended Washington state public schools throughout my life and have previously worked as a preschool teacher and an administrative staff member at Western Washington University (WWU). I understand the challenges our state’s students face from a variety of perspectives, and now that I’m a legislator, it is my mission to close the opportunity gaps for students of all ages—from early learning through higher education and career pathways.
I also wanted to mention that the first cutoff of session is this Friday! Any bills that do not make it out of policy committees by then will not advance any further, though they will be automatically reintroduced next year. You can find the full 2023 session cutoff calendar here.
HB 1478, Establishing a Statement of Student Rights
In my previous newsletter, I mentioned my introduction of HB 1478, which will establish a statement of student rights for K-12 students in our state. This bill will require public schools to develop student-focused educational and promotional materials to incorporate the statement and include materials into civics instruction. I testified on this bill two weeks ago, and since then this bill has been passed out of the Education Committee and has been referred to the Rules Committee for review.
HB 1536, Clarifying Requirements for Withholding High School Diplomas
Last month, I introduced a bill that will make changes to the authority of school districts to withhold the diplomas of students that meet all requirements to graduate from high school, but owe debt to the district. By creating more access for students to receive their diplomas, I view this as an equity issue and a way to address workforce shortages by making it easier for people to move on to next steps from high school.
Public testimony took place on this bill one week ago and on Monday afternoon, this bill passed out of committee! I’ll be sure to keep you updated as this bill moves along.
Video Update
I recently sat down to explain both HB 1478 and HB 1536. Click here to hear more about how these bills will empower students and help them better understand their rights within public school institutions.
HB 1823, Modifying the Washington Student Loan Program
Last but certainly not least, I’d like to tell you about HB 1823, my most recent bill that was first read on Monday. It already had a public hearing on Tuesday and is scheduled for executive session on Friday. Yes, it’s moving quickly, and it’s an important issue.
In a nutshell, this bill will create a targeted approach for the Washington Student Loan Program to have a minimum life cycle of seven years, and limit loan interest rates for students to 1 percent or below for eligible participants to graduate students enrolled in specific fields of study.
I introduced this bill because when I worked at WWU, I heard countless stories from students about the challenges they faced in financing their postsecondary education. The ones that stuck with me the most are those that expressed a feeling that higher education was not for them—not because they didn’t want to engage in learning or that they couldn’t excel in the classroom, but because they didn’t think they could afford it. I’d like to commend the Legislature on making strides in creating access to higher education in this state through tools like the Washington College Grant (for undergraduates) and other grant programs. Washington is already a leader in postsecondary financial aid—creating access to thousands of students, improving the quality of life in our state, and strengthening our workforce.
HB 1823 will contribute to Washington’s financial aid landscape and build upon the work the Legislature did last session to establish a state low-interest student loan program. This bill is also personal to me. My wife and I both earned master’s degrees from the University of Washington. I stayed in Washington for graduate school in part because of the lower costs as an in-state student. But this still meant that I took out tens of thousands of dollars in loans to pay for tuition and living expenses during those two years. This was in addition to qualifying for work study and reducing my educational costs that way. I don’t regret my decision to go to graduate school for one minute but taking on that level of debt pushed back my family’s ability to start a family and purchase a home and I want to spare others from facing similar challenges. To see my public testimony on this bill, click here.
Save the Date!
Your 42nd Legislative District delegation consisting of Sen. Sharon Shewmake, Rep. Alicia Rule, and I will host an in-person town hall from 1-2 p.m. at Ferndale High School on Saturday, March 18. All the information and details will be announced soon, and a link will also be provided so you can submit questions in advance, but for now, mark it on your calendar!
Best wishes,
