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the legislative session 

During the legislative session families, self advocates, and allies visit the capitol to meet with their legislators to advocate for their needs. Now anyone can testify, attend hearings, sign in to support or oppose bills and lobby their legislators from the comfort of their own homes. Visit TVW to watch the legislative session live.
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how does the legislature work?


​HOW DOES THE BUDGET WORK?​
A picture of Senators Randall, Rolfes and Robinson
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​It can be difficult to follow every bill and the budget during the session. To help make the session easier to navigate The Arc and their allies created  The Legislative Notebook. This notebook contains....
  • One-page information sheets on the issues of importance
  • Budget charts and other data charts
  • Budget requests from Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
  • One-page Fact Sheets on each DDA service
  • Summaries of Reports to the Legislature
  • List of all Legislators and their contact info
  • Who’s on which Committees
  • Priorities Lists from various Community Organizations
  • and so much more!
Every year In December before the session starts the Legislative Notebook meeting is held to showcase the bills many will be trying to get passed during session. Visit the Arc of Washington State website attend the next Notebook meeting and view current the Legislative Notebook.

 HOW TO ADVOCATE DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION


Attend Advocacy Days
Every Wednesday  during the legislative session the disability community have their lobby days. 
These hybrid events focus on important topics that change weekly. The virtual morning session is spent hearing stories and gaining information to share with legislators. The afternoon is left open so people can visit with their legislators to advocate for change.  Those who plan to attend must sign up weekly to receive an event invite.
Visit the Advocacy Days Website to sign up, view previous day sessions, watch stories and discover helpful resources.
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Meet With Your Legislators
Legislators spend the session passing laws that will effect their voters. The people who advocate the hardest have a better chance of having the bills they support passed. It's important they hear from people in the disability community so they understand what support is needed. Anyone can meet with their legislators by calling their office or emailing their legislative aide to make an appointment. 

​Testify at a Hearing
Anyone can sign up to testify at a hearing. You can testify in person or virtually. 

Support, Oppose or Create A Bill
​​Any citizen can create a bill to fix any problem they see in their community. Once there is a bill, it must go through the legislative process before it becomes a law. Legislators look at how many voters support or oppose a bill before making their decisions. You can help get a bill passed or stopped by showing up to the hearing, testifying or signing into support or oppose a bill. 

other ways to advocate


​Attend Monthly Meetings to Meet Other Advocates 
People First logo

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People First of Pierce County 
​Meetings:  2nd Wednesday  at 2pm
Click this link to join the monthly meeting!  
By Phone: 1-253-215-8782


SAIL (Self Advocates In Leadership)
Meets 2nd Tuesdays 1 to 4pm
​Click here to join the monthly meeting
Office of Developmental Disabilities Ombuds written under a Picture of the capitol building


Ready Set Advocate! 
2nd and 4th Wednesdays 

Join Tim McCue from DD Ombuds and other community advocates twice a month to learn how to be a better advocate 

Click here to join the meeting
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