The House and Senate released their 2010 supplemental operating budgets Tuesday, Feb. 23. We are in the process of reviewing them and will post more detailed information as soon as we can.

Here is a page with the links to the 2010 Supplemental Operating Budget proposals: http://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/default.asp

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Four scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each will be awarded to eligible members, spouses/partners, and children or dependents of qualified AFT Washington members.

Deadline: Applications must be received in the AFT WA office by Wednesday, March 31, 2010.

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The 2010 legislative session is the second year of the state's two-year budget cycle. Considered a "short" session, it begins January 11 and is scheduled to end March 11, 2010. The state will be grappling with a $2.7 billion budget deficit for 2010.

AFT Washington spearheaded a number of collective actions during the session to help protect quality education -- from early learning through college -- from more budget cuts. It is critical that local members get involved in the mobilization effort. Together, we can make our voices heard.

If you have any questions, please contact Richard Burton, AFT Washington Political Organizer, at rburton@aftwa.org or 206-225-0621.

2010 Legislative Mobilization Plan (A summary of the six components of our plan.)

 

The following links provide tools you can use for contacts with legislators:

Sample Letter to Legislators About Higher Ed Budget Cuts

Sample Letter to Legislators About Budget Cuts to K-12 Schools

By Amy Kinsel, Professor of History, Shoreline Community College

The cruel irony of last year’s legislative session is that Washington State deeply cut funding to higher education just as enrollment skyrocketed.  As unemployment grew last year, many Washingtonians decided to enter or return to college, only to find that they were being asked to pay more for less. (read full article)

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WSLC Reports Today
Almost daily reports from the Washington State Labor Council includes legislative, local, and national news.

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1-866-99-AFTWA or 1-866-992-3892

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