Washington Legislators Propose Bill to Make OSPI Governor Appointed Position

Washington Legislators Propose Bill to Make OSPI Governor Appointed Position

UPDATE: 2/8/22

Looks like this bill is D.O.A.!!!

Hi Julie,

Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to SB 5820 “Appointing the superintendent of public instruction.” This bill did not come up for a vote in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee before the required deadline and is therefore unlikely to pass this year.

Thanks,

Senator Derek Stanford


CALL TO ACTION!

The Democrats want to make the Washington OSPI a Governor-appointed position to take away more power from “we the people.” OSPI Chris Reykdal stated in his press conference a couple of weeks ago that a bill is expected this legislative session that would make the OSPI a governor-appointed position and that he is in favor of this.

Of course he is.

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Well, the wait is over, friends! That bill was introduced on January 12th by Senators Carlyle and Hunt.

SB-5820 states:

“The superintendent is appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate and must be paid a salary fixed by the governor”

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This idea was proposed in the Senate in 2011 and then OSPI, Randy Dorn said: “. . . this isn’t a new idea. I’ve been a legislator, and every governor I’ve known has wanted more power. They’ve tried to abolish offices. That is not in our Constitution. Ours is direct election by the citizens of this great state.”

We believe it is important for the OSPI to remain an elected official, answering to the voters of Washington. And unless the Constitution has changed since this 2011 statement (it hasn’t) then this position must remain an elected position.

It is our hope that this will be a bipartisan issue and it will die a quick death in the legislature. However, anything is to be expected these days. That means we need to step up and TAKE ACTION! This bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 8:00 AM. You can COMMENT on this bill, you can send the committee your POSITION of OPPOSITION on this bill and you can also sign up to TESTIFY.

To note your position or testify click HERE: CSI (wa.gov)

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Select Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee for 1/21/22 at 8AM

You can then select to testify remotely, have your position noted for the committee or testify in writing. If you choose to testify remotely, please prepare a statement beforehand so that you sound articulate and knowledgeable about the issue when you speak. It can be intimidating to give a testimony, so being prepared will definitely help you!


Conservative Ladies of Washington

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