Speaking out for students: Legislative session 2022
Washington’s educators are speaking out for our students’ needs from early learning to higher education to make sure our state lawmakers take action to address inequities and resource gaps. The 2022 legislative session is a short session that will take place virtually, and WEA members across the PK-12 and higher ed spectrum will be sharing our stories and making student needs heard.
Top priorities: student mental health and educator retention
The pandemic has laid bare the yawning gaps that our students have long struggled with. Most urgently, our students are facing more widespread and more acute mental and behavioral health challenges which our schools are not equipped to address. WEA members are calling for increased funding for nurses, social workers, counselors, and psychologists. Already, Governor Inslee has included this funding increase in his proposed budget and in an accompanying billwhich will be heard in the Senate next week. OSPI’s bill to increase mental health staffing will be heard in the House education committee on Thursday. Take action now – share your story about why your students need more mental health supports. 
Educators have seen how staffing shortages have interrupted our students’ learning. While the stresses of pandemic teaching and learning have stretched educators to the breaking point, one step our state can take to help retain talented staff is making sure compensation keeps pace with rapid inflation. Lawmakers need to update the budgeted cost of living increase to help retain our educator workforce. WEA President Larry Delaney will share these priorities during budget hearings this Monday and Tuesday.
What to watch: Long-term care and revenue
WEA leaders also have our eyes on a few big issues moving in the 2022 session. First, the legislature is expected to take action to change Washington Cares, the state’s first-in-the-nation long-term care insurance program. Lawmakers have developed several bills to address challenges with WA Cares and WEA will be following them throughout session.
WEA also continues to address our state’s unfair and upside-down revenue system. We know the wealthiest Washingtonians aren’t paying their fair share to support our schools and other state services. We took a step forward by passing a capital gains tax in the 2021 session and we are working to retain that plus explore other tools to fix our broken tax code.
What to expect: WEA action in the 2022 session
WEA members plus our team of expert lobbyists will be testifying, tracking bills, and sharing educator perspectives with our lawmakers. The remote session makes it easier to testify and get involved! We will be providing weekly updates on key action in the legislature paired with action alerts for how you can make your voice heard. Make sure you’re following WEA Advocacy on Facebook and Twitter, plus subscribe to the Advocacy blog.
