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Voice

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Our continued advocacy and a message from President Belton 1006 568 Sophia Lana Castro

Our continued advocacy and a message from President Belton

Thank You for Your Advocacy Efforts

We want to thank you for all of your efforts in our advocacy journey. From signing in PRO for SB 5828, signing-up for our newsletter, and attending our events. Our efforts definitely did not go unnoticed. You definitely made sure that your PLU story was heard and showed how important it is for every student in Washington to get a choice in what their college education experience is.

To share our gratitude for your advocacy efforts, we hope you will join the Student Advocacy Fellows on April 9th at 5:30 PM in the AUC, Scandinavian Cultural Center, to hear our legislative wrap-up and celebrate the great momentum we have built as we begin planning for the 2027 legislative session.

Update on SB 5828

Despite our incredible efforts from you, students, faculty, and our PLU community, SB 5828 did not pass the 2026 Legislative Session. While this was not the outcome we were hoping for, we will continue on with our advocacy efforts! We have the power and numbers, PLU’s community has not disappointed us, and we hope this provides us with a good trajectory for next year’s legislative session! Next year’s legislative session will be a longer session, and we are committed to continuing the fight for a new sponsored bill for next year!

A Message from President Belton

Please take a moment to watch this video message from President Belton regarding the results of this session and our path forward:

What Can You Do Now?

Next year, we will be going into a longer legislative session, and we will use it to our advantage! Here are some things you will be able to do while we prepare for next year’s legislative session.

  1. Follow us on instagram @studentvoiceplu – Keep up to date with what we have going on with our advocacy journey and prepare with us for next year.
  2. Keep the communication with your senators and representatives – keeping the communication and staying informed with what they have going on is important to your advocacy journey!
  3. Attend town halls and pre-session meetings, and spread the word that PLU values and supports the idea that every student in the state of Washington has the choice of where they obtain their post-secondary education.
  4. Apply to be a Student Advocacy Fellow! – We are looking for more fellows to continue our advocacy journey, and we want YOU to apply! You have already seen what we can do now, just as students, so consider becoming a fellow to be a part of the behind-the-scenes of PLU’s advocacy journey directly. If you are interested in applying, email MacKenzie Hines at studentvoice@plu.edu.
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SB 5828 Moves Forward After Whirlwind 24 Hours!

If you’ve been following our advocacy efforts, you know that as of last Thursday, SB 5828 had not yet been scheduled for a hearing in the House Appropriations Committee. With the legislative clock ticking, the future of this critical bill—which seeks to restore vital College Bound Scholarship and Washington College Grant funding—felt uncertain.

Then came Sunday night.

Late Sunday evening, we received word that SB 5828 was officially scheduled for both a public hearing and an executive session for Monday morning at 10:30 AM. This left us with an incredibly narrow window to mobilize and ensure the voices of PLU students were heard in the legislative record.

Power in Numbers: 600+ Sign-Ins in 90 Minutes

Despite the short notice, the Lute community showed up in force. In just about an hour and a half on Monday morning, over 600 supporters signed in PRO for the legislative record. This massive surge of support sent a clear message to the committee: financial aid for private, not-for-profit university students is a priority for Washingtonians.

Testimony from the Front Lines

During the Monday morning hearing, PLU President Allan Belton and a PLU student testified before the House Appropriations Committee. Together, they shared firsthand accounts of why the recent cuts to the College Bound Scholarship are so damaging. They emphasized that for many Lutes, these funds are the difference between staying in school and being forced to put their education on hold.

A Major Milestone: Unanimous Approval

We are thrilled to share that later on Monday, the House Appropriations Committee voted unanimously to pass the bill out of committee!

This is a significant victory, but the work is still not done.

What’s Next?

Now that SB 5828 has cleared Appropriations, it moves to the Rules Committee. From there, it must be “pulled” from Rules to be scheduled for a full vote on the House floor.

We will need your help again. Once the bill reaches the floor, we will be calling on you to contact your representatives. We need them to:

  1. Vote YES on SB 5828.
  2. Support any amendments that specifically fix and restore the cuts to College Bound funding.

Thank you for your incredible responsiveness and advocacy. Because of you, we turned a late-night update into a major legislative win. Stay tuned for more updates as we push to get this bill across the finish line!

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Despite our collective noise, SB 5828 has not been scheduled on the House Appropriations agenda 1024 571 mhines

Despite our collective noise, SB 5828 has not been scheduled on the House Appropriations agenda

The legislative clock is ticking loudly, and we are officially running out of runway.

Despite our efforts, SB 5828 has not been scheduled on the House Appropriations agenda. While the Senate included the bill in their budget on Sunday, they only funded it at the current, limited level. This falls short of our goal to restore the College Bound Scholarship to its original promise.

The Strategy Shift

If leadership isn’t hearing our call, we need our champion, Representative Sharlett Mena, to turn up the volume and demand that leadership schedules SB 5828 immediately. 

She has been a fierce advocate for our students, and now we need her to push this over the finish line in the House Appropriations Committee.

The Most Important Action You Can Take Right Now

Time is our biggest enemy. We have until March 2 to get this bill voted out of committee and on to the House floor for a vote before the session wraps up on March 12.

Email Rep. Mena

Send Representative Mena a “short and sweet” message. You can use the template below:

To: sharlett.mena@leg.wa.gov
From: [Your Email]

SUBJECT: URGENT: Please help get SB 5828 on Appropriations Agenda

Dear Representative Mena,

As a member of the PLU community, and with the March 2 deadline fast approaching, SB 5828 is currently not on the Appropriations Committee agenda. While it is encouraging that the Senate included the bill in their budget, it was only funded at the current, limited level. This does not fulfill the original promise of the scholarship that students rely on to pursue their degrees.

I am asking you to please use your influence to pressure Rep. Ormsby and Appropriations leadership to schedule a hearing and vote SB 5828 out of committee immediately. Time is running out. This investment is critical for student access and success across Washington.

Thank you for being a champion for the PLU community and for your persistence in getting this across the finish line.

Sincerely,

[Your Email]

Why this Matters

This is the final stretch. We’ve fought hard all session, but the next few days will determine whether we can make any fixes to College Bound. Your email is the catalyst needed to move this bill out of Appropriations and to the House floor.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our students’ futures. Let’s finish strong.

students stand together at lobby day
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Advocacy Update: Help Us Continue to Move SB 5828

It has been a whirlwind week in Olympia for our students and the future of the College Bound Scholarship. After more than 50 PLU students walked the halls of the Capitol this past Tuesday to share their stories, we have significant updates on our progress—and a critical deadline ahead.

The Latest from Olympia

Our advocacy is working, but the clock is ticking. Here is where SB 5828 stands:

  • The Win: The bill successfully passed out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
  • The Progress: Last night, the bill was pulled from the Rules Committee for a full floor vote.
  • The Hurdle: We are currently 98th on the agenda. To stay alive, the bill must be voted out of the Senate by the February 17 cutoff.

With the deadline this Tuesday and uncertainty about weekend sessions, we need to apply pressure now to ensure the Senate brings this to a vote.

Take Action: 2 Minutes to Make a Difference

We need you to send one simple, direct email to your Senator. This small action is vital to securing the full restoration of College Bound.

1. Find Your Senator

If you aren’t sure who represents your district, use the WA District Finder and enter your home address.

2. Send the Email

Once you have your Senator’s name, send a “short and sweet” message. You can use the template below:

Subject: Support SB 5828 – Restoration of College Bound

Dear Senator [Last Name],

As your constituent and a member of the Pacific Lutheran University community, I am writing to urge you to bring SB 5828 to the floor for an immediate vote.

This bill is vital to the future of our students. I ask that you please vote YES on SB 5828 to ensure its passage before the February 17 deadline. Specifically, I urge you to support the full restoration of the College Bound scholarship and reject any amendments that would further reduce or cut this critical funding.

Thank you for your time and for your commitment to Washington’s students.

Sincerely, [Your Name] [City/Zip Code]

Why this Matters

On Tuesday, our students highlighted the human impact of this scholarship. For many Lutes, College Bound isn’t just a “number” in the budget—it is the bridge to their degree. Now, we must ensure their voices result in legislative action.

Thank you for standing with PLU students and supporting this vital work.

PLU students tand on the steps for lobby day.
We Did That! Lobby Day Success & Your Next Steps 1024 571 Sophia Lana Castro

We Did That! Lobby Day Success & Your Next Steps

Lutes in Olympia! On February 10th, 53 PLU students headed to Olympia to show the power of collective voice. We spent the day championing the full restoration of the College Bound Scholarship and the Washington College Grant. From meeting directly with representatives to sitting in on floor sessions, our community showed the state exactly what PLU advocacy looks like.

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Students speak with Sen. Conway
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Students talk with Speaker Jinkins
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Lobby Day Photos

But the work doesn’t stop just because we’re back on campus. Whether you were on the bus or cheering us on from campus, here is how you can keep the momentum going:

📍 If You Missed Lobby Day (Or Didn’t Meet Your Legislators)

It’s not too late to make your voice heard! Legislators need to know that student financial aid is a priority for their constituents.

  • Find Your District: Use the Washington State District Finder and plug in your address (home or school) to see who represents you.
  • Send an Email: Get their contact info and send a brief, polite message.
  • The Big Ask: Tell them you are a PLU student and ask them to support SB 5828. Explain that this bill is vital to restoring the promise of the College Bound Scholarship for you and your classmates.

✉️ If You Met With a Legislator

First off, thank you for showing up! Personal stories are the most powerful tool we have. Make sure you follow up:

  • The “Thank You” Note: Find your legislator’s contact info and send a quick thank-you email today. You can find this at leg.wa.gov.
  • Make it Personal: Briefly remind them of who you are and why your story is unique to PLU. Personal anecdotes stick with legislators much longer than statistics.
  • The Double Ask: Explicitly ask them to support SB 5828. We need both to ensure a full restoration of the College Bound Scholarship!

Why this matters:

Washington College Grant and College Bound scholarships are the backbone of college accessibility. By taking five minutes to send an email, you are directly protecting the financial future of current and future Lutes.

students in front of the capitol holding PLU banners
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SB 5828 got a hearing Ways & Means—Sign In “Pro”

Good News: We secured a hearing in the Ways & Means Committee!

Thanks to your advocacy, SB 5828 has secured a hearing in the Ways and Means Committee this Thursday at 1:30 PM. Scheduling this hearing was a major hurdle; after the public hearing, the bill needs a committee vote by the February 9 deadline to move forward.

Senate Bill 5828 will restore the Washington College Grant and College Bound cuts made during the 2025 legislative session for students attending private, nonprofit universities like PLU.

We need you to sign-in Pro again

Since this is a new hearing, we have a fresh opportunity to show support. Please sign in PRO by Thursday, Feb 5, at 12:00 PM to maintain pressure. Any Washington resident can sign in, so please feel free to share this with your network.

How to Take Action (Less than 60 seconds)

Sign-in Pro on Senate Bill 5828

Deadline: Thursday, Feb 5, by 12:00 PM PST
If you are a Washington resident, you can officially note your support for the legislative record in under a minute.

  1. Select Agenda Item: SB 5828 College scholarships/private (25th on the list)
  2. Select Type: “I would like my position noted for the legislative record.”
  3. Select Position: “Pro”
  4. Identify Yourself: Fill out your info (List PLU under “Organization”).
  5. Submit: Complete the captcha, and you’re done!

Things are moving fast

Why this bill? While there is a hearing on the House companion bill (HB 2567) on February 4th, the Senate Bill is our priority, as it is the most likely vehicle to reach a full-floor vote before the February 17 cutoff.

Thank you for your continued support!

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Protect Student Financial Aid—Sign In “Pro” for HB 2567

We are calling on all students, alumni, supporters, faculty, and staff to take action in support of House Bill 2567. This critical legislation aims to restore and protect the financial aid that many PLU students rely on to complete their education.

Why This Matters

HB 2567 is the companion to Senate Bill 5828, which has already seen overwhelming support with over 3,000 “Pro” sign-ins. These bills work to ensure that Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship amounts for students at private, not-for-profit institutions like PLU remain equitable.

To keep this momentum going, we need the PLU community to show the House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Development Committee that this bill is a priority for our campus.

How to Take Action

Deadline: Wednesday, Feb 4, by 12:00 PM PST
If you are a Washington resident, you can officially note your support for the legislative record in under a minute.

  1. Go to the Committee Sign-In Page: Click here to begin.
  2. Select Agenda Item: Choose HB 2567 College scholarships/private.
  3. Select Type: Choose “I would like my position noted for the legislative record.”
  4. Select Position: Choose “Pro.”
  5. Identify Yourself: Fill out your contact information.
    Note: Under “Organization,” please list PLU or Pacific Lutheran University.
  6. Submit: Complete the “not a robot” check and click Submit Registration.

Stay Informed

While we focus on the House hearing this Wednesday, SB 5828 also needs to move forward. It is currently awaiting a hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which must occur before the February 9th deadline.

Your voice is a powerful tool in Olympia. Thank you for standing with our students and helping secure the future of financial aid for students who choose to attend schools like PLU.

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SB 5828: Bill Tracker Update

During this legislative session, our community has shown up in a big way. On January 15, during the public hearing for Senate Bill 5828, over 3,000 people signed in “Pro” and 23 individuals—including President Belton and eight courageous PLU students—testified to protect student aid.

Because of your voice, the bill successfully passed the Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee on January 22.

But the work isn’t done yet.

The Current Hurdle: Ways and Means

SB 5828 is now headed to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. We have until February 9 to get it scheduled for a hearing and voted out of committee. If it doesn’t move by then, the progress we’ve made could stall.

Why This Bill is a Must-Pass

In 2025, legislative cuts slashed financial aid for College Bound students at private, nonprofit schools like PLU by 50%. This hit our low-income, first-generation students and students of color the hardest.

The state has the funds to fix this. The Washington Education Investment Account (WEIA) has grown significantly and is designed specifically to fulfill the state’s promises to students. SB 5828 can ensure the state uses those funds to treat all Washington students fairly, whether they attend a public or private nonprofit university.

Take Action: Email the Committee

We need the Senate Ways and Means Committee to prioritize a hearing for SB 5828. Please take two minutes to email these key legislators today.

Click on each button to start an email with that legislator.

June Robinson (Chair)
Derek Stanford (Vice Chair)
Yasmin Trudeau (Vice Chair)
Chris Gildon (Ranking)
Nikki Torres (Asst. Ranking)
Steve Conway
Jamie Pedersen
Marcus Riccelli
Rebecca Saldaña
Claire Wilson
Lisa Wellman
Judy Warnick
Matt Boehnke

Example Email Template

Dear Senator [Legislator’s Last Name],

As a proud [Alumni/Supporter] of Pacific Lutheran University and a constituent in Washington, I am writing to urge you to schedule a hearing for Senate Bill 5828 in the Ways and Means Committee as soon as possible.

PLU has a long-standing tradition of preparing students for lives of service and leadership in our state. However, the significant cuts made during the 2025 legislative session have created an unnecessary barrier for the next generation of Lutes. Specifically, the decision to cut funding for College Bound students at private, nonprofit institutions in half was a devastating blow to our most vulnerable scholars—many of whom are low-income, first-generation students of color.

Why this matters to the community:

  • The Math Doesn’t Add Up: The Legislature could have achieved the same budgetary goals by reducing aid by a manageable $200 per student across the board. Instead, the burden was placed disproportionately on students at private, nonprofit schools.
  • A Broken Promise: These students chose PLU based on a commitment from the state. [Optional: Insert a brief sentence about how financial aid or your PLU education shaped your own career/pathway]. To pull the rug out from under them mid-degree causes irreparable harm to their career trajectories and our state’s workforce.
  • Available Resources: We do not have to choose between public and private sectors. The Washington Education Investment Account (WEIA) has grown significantly and is intended for exactly this purpose: ensuring the state keeps its promises through the Washington College Grant and College Bound programs.

Investing in PLU students is an investment in Washington’s future teachers, nurses, and civic leaders. I respectfully ask that you move SB 5828 forward to correct this inequity before the damage to these students’ futures becomes permanent.

Thank you for your time and your service to our state.

Sincerely,

[Your Name] [Your Class Year, if applicable] [Your Address/District]

Your Voice is the Difference

We still have a long way to go to fix these funding cuts, but if the first milestone taught us anything, it’s that the voices of Washingtonians are the most powerful tool we have. Legislators need to hear from the people living in their districts to understand that these aren’t just line items on a budget—they are the dreams and futures of our students.

Thank you for your continued time, energy, and commitment to the PLU community. Whether you are a student sharing your story, an alum giving back, or a supporter standing in solidarity, you are the reason we can keep fighting for fairness in student aid.

Let’s get SB 5828 across the finish line together.

Student smiles in the background with text how a bill becomes a law
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Understanding the Washington State Legislature: A Quick Guide

Advocacy efforts require a basic understanding of the Legislative process. This guide is designed to get you oriented within Washington’s State Legislature so you can advocate for PLU with confidence.

The Basics: How Washington is Structured

Washington is divided into 49 Legislative districts. Each district is represented by:

  • 1 Senator
  • 2 House Members (Totaling 49 Senators and 98 House members)

The “Part-Time” Reality: Our legislature doesn’t meet year-round. They meet for 105 days in odd-numbered years (long sessions) and 60 days in even-numbered years (short sessions). Because it’s part-time, most legislators have other jobs in the communities they represent.

Did you know?

The 2026 Context: We are currently in a two-year cycle called a biennium. After a long session in 2025, we are entering a 60-day short session in January 2026. During the “interim” months (when they aren’t in session), legislators build their priority lists and have more time to meet with constituents like you!

📍 Action Step: Find your district and legislators here.

The Journey of a Bill

Before a piece of legislation becomes law, it is called a bill. To pass, it must navigate a rigorous path through both the House and the Senate and be signed by the Governor.

In each chamber, a bill must pass through three specific committees:

  1. Policy Committee: Focused on the topic (e.g., Education).
  2. Fiscal Committee: Focused on the cost and budget.
  3. Rules Committee: Determines if the bill is ready for a full vote.

Essentially, a piece of legislation can be voted on up to eight times (or maybe more!) before it reaches the Governor’s desk. However, an individual legislator will likely only see a specific measure two or three times.

Who is in the Room?

Because Democrats currently hold a strong majority in both chambers, every committee is chaired by a Democrat and has a higher number of Democratic members. Each committee also has a “Ranking Member” from the minority party (Republican).

  • Policy Committees: Divided by topic (12 in the Senate, 14 in the House).
  • Fiscal Committees: 
    • Senate: Transportation; Ways and Means.
    • House: Transportation; Capital Budget; Finance; and Appropriations.

📍 Action Step: See which committees your legislators sit on here.

Timing is Everything: Cutoffs & The Calendar

The Legislature moves fast because of Cutoff Dates. These are strict deadlines for when bills must move out of committees and chambers. If a bill misses a deadline, it is considered “dead” (with very rare exceptions).

How the session “flow” affects you:

  • Committee Phase: Legislators are easier to reach. This is the best time for constituent meetings and testimony.
  • Floor Phase: Once they move to the floor to vote, legislators work long hours and often stop taking meetings. This is the time to “work the doors” in Olympia, send emails, or make phone calls.

Pro-Tip: All bills are required to have a public hearing in committee. This is your chance to provide testimony, sign on to indicate support, or express concerns via email.

📍 Action Step: View the current Cutoff Calendar here.

Photo of students wearing PLU gear, outside taking a group selfie.
Here’s How You Can Prepare for Lobby Day 1024 683 Sophia Lana Castro

Here’s How You Can Prepare for Lobby Day

What is Lobby Day?

We’ve been hyping up Lobby Day these past couple of weeks. But what is it exactly? Lobby Day is an opportunity for you, as students, to voice your concerns about cuts to Washington State financial aid and their impact on PLU students. This is where we, as student fellows, have planned for you to meet with your representatives to voice concerns for yourself, a roommate, a friend, or your classmates.

Why You Should Come to Lobby Day (and Why You Shouldn’t Be Nervous!)

Yes, talking to your representatives can seem scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Our representatives are human, and they are here to serve you! As part of the PLU community, you have the right to be heard, and we are making sure you feel 100% prepared.

We will provide you with clear talking points before you start, so you’ll never be at a loss for words. Plus, you will visit legislators in small groups, never individually. You will have others right there with you the whole time! And if you’re worried about class, don’t be! Faculty are supportive of this event and are ready to allow students to participate!

We’ve got the logistics covered, too! You don’t need to worry about driving or buying food, we are providing round-trip transportation, a lunch to keep you fueled, and a Lobby Day t-shirt. We’ll have all the materials you might need on hand. Just bring yourself and your passion, and we’ll handle the rest.

So, encourage your roommate, friends, and classmates to join us on Lobby Day. Let’s make our voices heard and protect financial aid, we are stronger in numbers!

Lobby Day Agenda: A Snapshot

Please note: This schedule is tentative pending the final legislative calendar

  • 8:00 AM — Meet on Campus & Load the Bus
  • 8:15 AM — Depart for Olympia
  • 8:45 AM — Arrive at St. John’s Episcopal Church (4 blocks from the Capitol)
  • 8:50 AM — Group Meeting & Briefing with President, Lobbyist, Student Advocacy Fellows
  • 9:15 AM — Head to the Capitol to meet with Legislators (Meetings or Committee Hearings)
  • 12:00 PM — Lunch Break
  • 1:00 PM — Return to Capitol (Meetings or Committee Hearings)
  • 4:00 PM — Depart for Campus

Did we convince you?!

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