It's Time to Do Some Cyber-Lobbying!

It's a big, big week for our legislative priorities in Olympia.

First, the bad news: HB2458, which would have added money to lower class size in grades K through 3, failed to make it out of committee. What we heard from our legislators was that it was just too expensive for now, but it's an issue that will certainly come up again in the full session next year.

The good news, though, is that our drive to restore the COLA that was cut in 2004 still has a good shot of making it through. The revenue forecast that was released on Friday doesn't help, but note that we still have a healthy state surplus, and a big part of that surplus is there because of the suspended COLA. Basically, it's our money that's floating their reserve.

What can you do? Please go here to send an email to your legislators and let them know that you support restoring the lost COLA this coming year. It's particularly important for us here in Eastern Washington to step up and let our legislators know what we want; if they don't hear from us, it's that much easier for them to vote no. The WEA form above is very easy and only takes a minute--give it a go!