Washington State Legislature is in the final stretch! It’s been a tough session so far, with lots of proposed cuts to crucial education programs. It’s crunch time now, our legislators and leadership need to hear from us now more than ever.
About what, you say? State Need-Based Grants. thasswassup.
The House has proposed to cut Washington’s need-based grants by $6 million. The Senate has committed to keeping them, but has made funding for these grants contingent on Washington passing new sales taxes. These are small taxes on consumer goods which are likely to fail because they are unpopular. This is unacceptable. Washington’s legislators MUST prioritize funding for need-based grants. Here’s why:
-Washington State has over 73,000 college students receiving some form of need-based grant or work study money, which is roughly 2/3rds of all students across the state.
-34% of money awarded through state need-based grants are given to students of color.
-Without these crucial grants and low-interest loans, students will be forced to take on more debt from private banks, work more hours, or drop-out of college.
Washington Student Association cooked up a recipe that gives you all the facts on need-based grants. Study up on the ingredients, then e-mail your representatives today and tell them to FULLY FUND state need grants and support a budget this session that includes NEW REVENUE.
Here are your key representatives:
Speaker of the House:
Frank Chopp: chopp.frank@leg.wa.gov
Senate Ways and Means Committee Leadership (who delegate the ca$h)
Margarita Prentice: prentice.margarita@leg.wa.gov
Rodney Tom: tom.rodney@leg.wa.gov
Karen Fraser: fraser.karen@leg.wa.gov
House Ways and Means Committee Leadership
Kelli Linville: linville.kelli@leg.wa.gov
Mark Ericks: ericks.mark@leg.wa.gov
Pat Sullivan: sullivan.pat@leg.wa.gov