Why WEA-PAC Matters

Hello again,

If you haven't been approached yet about joining WEA-PAC you will be soon. WEA-PAC is the political action arm of the WEA, set up to promote candidates and legislation that support education here in Washington State. Some things to know about WEA-PAC:

• In the 2004 and 2006 elections, WEA-PAC supported 12 new pro-education candidates. Without their support the Simple Majority proposition for school levies would have died in the legislature, like it did for the previous 25 years.
  
  Why that matters for Medical Lake: We have a maintenance and operations (M&O) levy coming up this February. Given the state of the economy, 60% would be an almost impossible hill to climb, but with the Simple Majority we have a much, much better chance.
  
  
• Without WEA-PAC supported candidates, the COLA plus .5% would not have happened. How much has your pay increased this year?
  
  Why that matters for Medical Lake: Last year a beginning teacher made $32,746; this year it's $34,426, a $1,680 difference. Similarly, for those of you at the very top cell of the salary grid, last year you made a base salary of $61,720; this year it's $64,887, a $3,167 increase. Without action in Olympia, that wouldn't have happened.
  
  
• WEA-PAC has had much success that directly affects you, such as salary increases, I-728 funding, Pro-Cert improvements, pushing for enhanced retirement, maintaining funding for National Boards, full day kindergarten, and additional funding for health benefits.
  
  Why that matters for Medical Lake: With the National Boards project we're getting started, that $5,000 increase will really make a difference. 2/3 of our members pay out-of-pocket for health insurance; getting the state to pick up more of those costs is just like a COLA. With our poverty numbers we're still a far shot away from getting full-day K for our elementaries; it's legislative funding that will help us get there.

Joining WEA-PAC costs $2.25 a month--$27 for the year--and it can make a great difference for us right here at home. Please consider joining; it's an easy way to be involved.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via the Association email to the right, or call my cell.

With thanks,

--Ryan--