Size Counts

From the PSE of Washington Spring Newsletter:  

Regardless of what hat you're wearing, 2012 will be a pivotal year for working families, public workers, union members, and taxpayers. PSE continues to build power in many ways, including our COPE voluntary political contribution program. 241 members from 73 PSE chapters currently contribute to COPE.

From an email that WEA president Mary Lindquist sent out at the end of last month:  

I am so excited I wanted to send you a quick note before it reaches you. We have achieved a WEA-PAC milestone this year and in the last few days surpassed 30,000 members! I remember asking WEA members to join WEA-PAC every year because their membership expired every year. Well, those days are behind us (for now) and our success with payroll deduction has been amazing. We've grown by more than 3,400 members this year alone. We've grown because members like you have asked colleagues to join WEA-PAC all across the state. Our success translates into our ability to support pro-public education and pro-union candidates.

The WEA has more classified members who are involved politically than the PSE does.  This is a fact, and not open to debate.  This being how it is, when certain lobbyists step up to the table in Olympia and say that they are The Union representing classified employees in Washington State, my legislative friends need to know that they are full of crap.

Read more here, if any.

An Open Letter to Certain Conservative State Legislators

Hi friends,

Does the WEA trend to the left politically? Yes, we do.

Historically, has the WEA Political Action Committee (WEA-PAC) endorsed more Democrats than Republicans? Surely, we have.

But do you really think it helps to not even attempt to engage?

Take, for example, a local incumbant legislator here in the Spokane area who I have emailed 6 times (twice each at three different email addresses, including that of his campaign manager), asking for a time where he'd be willing to meet with us to talk about education issues. I also attempted two phone calls to this fellow. None have been returned.

I say this out of love, truly. When we start rolling out the candidate recommendations later this week there are going to be some glaring and gaping holes in certain legislative districts, and it would sound much, much better to the voters if I said, "We chose a different directions" as opposed to "The Representative refused to meet with us." One puts the onus on us. The other puts it squarely on you.

Your pal,

Ryan

Read more here, if any.

College Students Getting Riled Up Over Budget Cuts

The Evergreen Committee for Full Funding at Evergreen State College is off to a good start with their blog, and Tacoma Community College has Stop the Cuts. I wish them both well this coming legislative session, and I love the image of those most effected by the cuts (the students) making their voice heard.

The way things are going every CC, College, and University in the state should be mobilizing RIGHT NOW to get a defense going. Talk to your friends and neighbors, set up email chains for your local legislator, and think about how to present your best story in a positive way that shows the value of your school.

And if you're a teacher who has the ability to join the WEA Political Action Committee, do it.

It's Ragnarok, folks. If you're not worried, you're not paying attention.

Read more here, if any.