SB 5572 and HB 1329 Are Out of the Ways and Means Committee!

We are on our way! SB 5572 and HB 1329, the Access to Quality Child Care Workforce Act, are out of the Ways and Means Committee! Please take a moment to thank your representatives for supporting our bills.  

The bills will now go to the Rules Committee, then on to the Floor!  There are three ways to thank your representatives: by e-mail using this action alert, by telephone using the Legislative Hotline, or by web using the legislative website at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx (follow the links to representatives after entering your home address). 

The Legislative Hotline can be accessed Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM  or on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  The number is 1-800-562-6000.

Thank you for your help and hard work in getting the bills on their way. 

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Thank You for Getting SB 5572 and HB 1329 Out of the Ways and Means Committee!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Thank you for your help and hard work in getting the SB 5572 and HB 1329 out of the Ways and Means Committee and on their way to the Rules Committee and the Floor. These bills will help the people who provide the care decide what's fair and have a voice at the early care and learning table.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
March 05, 2009


Background Information

The Access to Quality Child Care Workforce Act will create a new model of collective bargaining for child care center owners, teachers, and workers to bargain with the state to improve the quality of child care for families. As early care and learning experts, we want to be a part of the solution to our state's child care crisis.

  • The Act will give the early care and learning workforce a voice.  The people who provide the care should help decide what's fair and should have a voice. This is the ultimate industry incentive that will attract top-quality workers to our field. Having a voice at the table on state-funded mandates, subsidy rates, and quality rating will improve the quality of child care.
  • The Act will stabilize the early care and learning workforce. Passage of these two bills will help attract and retain a quality, stable workforce - an important first step to improving the quality of child care and early learning. We want opportunities to grow as professionals and the Act will help us attract and retain quality child care teachers and staff.
  • The Act will improve the quality of early care and learning for our state's children. Quality child care is critical to lifelong learning. The first step to improving the quality of care is to reduce high turnover rates that erode the continuity of care, provide professional development, and support the bonds children form with teachers at their most critical learning state and brain development.