Legislative Advocacy

Get involved with the Legislative Advocacy Committee:

As part of the California PTA, the Franklin PTA is a key member of the oldest, largest advocacy organization in the state. Every year, our local, regional, statewide and national governments make decisions that affect our children. Through our Legislative Advocacy committee, we take an active role in helping lawmakers make their decisions on laws that impact the education and welfare of children and families, in Santa Monica and beyond.

We work directly with local parents, the Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs, the 33rd District PTA, California PTA, National PTA, and local, regional, and state elected officials to help propose and enact legislation for the good of families and children.

Recent efforts by the advocacy committee include:

  • Successfully lobbying for Santa Monica Measure SM, a ballot measure passed by voters that ensures sustainable funding for the Santa Monica school district

  • Mobilizing voters to influence state officials to endorse SB 793, a statewide ban on flavored tobacco products approved by the California legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

  • Sponsoring SB 328, a research-backed measure preventing middle schools from beginning before 8 AM and high schools from beginning before 8:30 AM. Initiated and driven by PTA, the law was passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Newsom

Each year, Franklin PTA legislative advocates join other school advocates, regional and statewide PTA leaders, and government staff and elected officials in the statewide, CAPTA Legislation Conference. Held in Sacramento, LegCon is a 2-day event that explores in detail the issues of immediate concern for legislative advocates across the state.

There is always a new issue before local or state government that affects children and families. Whenever these issues arise, PTA is there to advocate for the voices of families and children to be heard. We help inform parents about important issues, connect with elected officials to help their decision-making, and play an important role in the voting process to ensure the promise of democracy is fulfilled.