On The Issues Participant Packets

On The Issues is a civics program produced by Teach with TVW, the education wing of TVW, Washington’s Public Affairs network. Each week throughout the 2025 Legislative Session Legislative Pages will research issues the legislators are working on and prepare questions to be brought to legislative leadership.

THIS WEEK’S RESEARCH TOPIC

State Government and Elections

The 2024 Election was historic with Washington surpassing 5 million registered voters for the first time. In order for this to happen, there needed to be a lot of organization at the state level. The Senate State Government and Elections Committee is in charge of passing laws to ensure that the state government runs smoothly, ethically, and efficiently.

Do some research to form a great question!

RESEARCH PACKET – State Government & Elections

MORE RESOURCES

Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) - The Legislative Process (2 min) Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) is your straightforward guide through the often confounding legislative process. Script: The Legislative Process is a series of steps that bills must go through to be enacted. Each step must be completed in a certain period of time. The Legislature is split into 2 chambers (Senate & House) In order to become law the exact same bill must pass both chambers in the exact same form (no changes) in the exact same session. This allows more elected officials to “perfect” a bill before it is passed The basic steps are: Policy Committee Fiscal Committee Floor Debate Then pass over to the other chamber to start again If the bill passes through the second chamber unchanged it goes to the Governor's desk who can sign it, veto it, or do nothing and allow it to pass into law without signature. Watch the entire Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) PLAYLIST HERE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDcy6Oz3plxQCqpfNUb2HGf Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens. Learn more at: https://www.teachwithtvw.org #TEACHwithTVW, #CapitolClassroom, #CONNECTS #waleg #youthvoice #civics101 #participate #nextgenerationleaders #civilengagement #civicengagement #legislativeprocess #socialstudies #APGov #debate

Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) - The Legislative Process (2 min)

Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) is your straightforward guide through the often confounding legislative process.

Script:
The Legislative Process is a series of steps that bills must go through to be enacted. Each step must be completed in a certain period of time.
The Legislature is split into 2 chambers (Senate & House)
In order to become law the exact same bill must pass both chambers in the exact same form (no changes) in the exact same session.
This allows more elected officials to “perfect” a bill before it is passed
The basic steps are:
Policy Committee
Fiscal Committee
Floor Debate
Then pass over to the other chamber to start again
If the bill passes through the second chamber unchanged it goes to the Governor's desk who can sign it, veto it, or do nothing and allow it to pass into law without signature.

Watch the entire Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) PLAYLIST HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDcy6Oz3plxQCqpfNUb2HGf

Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens.

Learn more at: https://www.teachwithtvw.org

#TEACHwithTVW, #CapitolClassroom, #CONNECTS #waleg #youthvoice #civics101 #participate #nextgenerationleaders #civilengagement #civicengagement #legislativeprocess #socialstudies #APGov #debate

YouTube Video UEw3NUY4RTJydjRTQ2NScjljb3JvYWZQR3dSQ194UUxxVC4xMkVGQjNCMUM1N0RFNEUx
We are fortunate to have one of the most transparent legislatures in the US The leg.wa.gov website lets us peek behind the scenes and access all sorts of documents, videos, meeting agendas and ways for the public to engage in the legislative process. This short Legislative Navigator video gives you a quick tour of what you'll find from the home page: • Where to look up a bill • The daily calendar • How the legislature is structured • How to visit the capitol More Learning resources: 📚Check out our other CIVICS CURRICULA for WA middle and high school teachers: https://www.teachwithtvw.org/lesson-plans/ ======================================= Other Teach With TVW Civics Videos ======================================= 🎬 Civics 101 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDcy6Oz3plxQCqpfNUb2HGf&feature=shared 🎬 Legislative Navigator https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SD-p5BHx443GTtGBp_DKQVT&feature=shared 🎬 Learning Modules - The Branches of WA State Government: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SBe_62ViakFyBCw4qah7eR7&feature=shared https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDnVbfKeRWogOX6zU5BWw6b&feature=shared https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCYOl5u2wu52tt3G7sEmNTG&feature=shared ======================================= Other Teach With TVW Civics Programs ======================================= 🙋Capitol Classroom - Bring the Legislative process into your classroom: https://teachwithtvw.org/civic-participation-in-the-classroom/ 🙋On The Issues - Youth bring the questions to WA state leadership: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCiQlpeW9JwnJepn87zNpDT&feature=shared 🙋TVW CONNECTS - WA students engage in live Q&A with political leaders and experts: https://teachwithtvw.org/tvw-connects-civic-engagement/ =========================== Subscribe and Follow Teach With TVW =========================== ➡YT: @teachwithtvw360 ➡Web: https://www.teachwithtvw.org ➡FB: @Teach with TVW ➡IG: @TeachWithTVW ➡X: @TeachWithTVW ➡LI: @TeachWithTVW QUESTION - Have a question about our lesson plans or online videos? Drop it in the comments! ⏰ Timecodes ⏰ Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens. #waleg #teachwithtvw #CapitolClassroom #CONNECTS #civics101 #legislativenavigator #ontheissues #electionsexplained

We are fortunate to have one of the most transparent legislatures in the US
The leg.wa.gov website lets us peek behind the scenes and access all sorts of documents, videos, meeting agendas and ways for the public to engage in the legislative process.

This short Legislative Navigator video gives you a quick tour of what you'll find from the home page:
• Where to look up a bill
• The daily calendar
• How the legislature is structured
• How to visit the capitol


More Learning resources:

📚Check out our other CIVICS CURRICULA for WA middle and high school teachers: https://www.teachwithtvw.org/lesson-plans/
=======================================
Other Teach With TVW Civics Videos
=======================================
🎬 Civics 101 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDcy6Oz3plxQCqpfNUb2HGf&feature=shared

🎬 Legislative Navigator https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SD-p5BHx443GTtGBp_DKQVT&feature=shared

🎬 Learning Modules - The Branches of WA State Government:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SBe_62ViakFyBCw4qah7eR7&feature=shared

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDnVbfKeRWogOX6zU5BWw6b&feature=shared

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCYOl5u2wu52tt3G7sEmNTG&feature=shared

=======================================
Other Teach With TVW Civics Programs
=======================================

🙋Capitol Classroom - Bring the Legislative process into your classroom: https://teachwithtvw.org/civic-participation-in-the-classroom/

🙋On The Issues - Youth bring the questions to WA state leadership: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCiQlpeW9JwnJepn87zNpDT&feature=shared

🙋TVW CONNECTS - WA students engage in live Q&A with political leaders and experts:
https://teachwithtvw.org/tvw-connects-civic-engagement/

===========================
Subscribe and Follow Teach With TVW
===========================
➡YT: @teachwithtvw360
➡Web: https://www.teachwithtvw.org
➡FB: @Teach with TVW
➡IG: @TeachWithTVW
➡X: @TeachWithTVW
➡LI: @TeachWithTVW

QUESTION - Have a question about our lesson plans or online videos? Drop it in the comments!

⏰ Timecodes ⏰

Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens.

#waleg #teachwithtvw #CapitolClassroom #CONNECTS #civics101 #legislativenavigator #ontheissues #electionsexplained

YouTube Video UEw3NUY4RTJydjRTQ2NScjljb3JvYWZQR3dSQ194UUxxVC41NkI0NEY2RDEwNTU3Q0M2
Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) - Policy Committees (3 min) Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) is your straightforward guide through the often confounding legislative process. Script: It’s the only time all bills have the same status All that has happened is that bills have been: “Introduced” Given a number Sent to a Policy Committee Policy Committees are organized by topic Members specialize on their areas of expertise within committees Committee members look at bills assigned to the committee and act on two phases: A Public Hearing - Interested parties from the public weigh in / testify on a bill Executive Session - is the term for when they vote on it to send it out of committee Committees vary in size. Watch the entire Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) PLAYLIST HERE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDcy6Oz3plxQCqpfNUb2HGf Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens. Learn more at: https://www.teachwithtvw.org #TEACHwithTVW, #CapitolClassroom, #CONNECTS #waleg #youthvoice #civics101 #participate #nextgenerationleaders #civilengagement #civicengagement #legislativeprocess #socialstudies #APGov #debate

Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) - Policy Committees (3 min)

Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) is your straightforward guide through the often confounding legislative process.

Script:
It’s the only time all bills have the same status
All that has happened is that bills have been:
“Introduced”
Given a number
Sent to a Policy Committee
Policy Committees are organized by topic
Members specialize on their areas of expertise within committees
Committee members look at bills assigned to the committee and act on two phases:
A Public Hearing - Interested parties from the public weigh in / testify on a bill
Executive Session - is the term for when they vote on it to send it out of committee
Committees vary in size.

Watch the entire Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) PLAYLIST HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDcy6Oz3plxQCqpfNUb2HGf

Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens.

Learn more at: https://www.teachwithtvw.org

#TEACHwithTVW, #CapitolClassroom, #CONNECTS #waleg #youthvoice #civics101 #participate #nextgenerationleaders #civilengagement #civicengagement #legislativeprocess #socialstudies #APGov #debate

YouTube Video UEw3NUY4RTJydjRTQ2NScjljb3JvYWZQR3dSQ194UUxxVC41MjE1MkI0OTQ2QzJGNzNG
Do you know what district you are in? And who represents you? Well, it's easy to find out on leg.wa.gov! This short video will walk you through the steps to find this information and more, including: • How to contact your legislators and their legislative assistants • Their background info • Committees they sit on • Bills they have sponsored • Their voting records More Learning resources: 📚Check out our other CIVICS CURRICULA for WA middle and high school teachers: https://www.teachwithtvw.org/lesson-plans/ ======================================= Other Teach With TVW Civics Videos ======================================= 🎬 Civics 101 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDcy6Oz3plxQCqpfNUb2HGf&feature=shared 🎬 Legislative Navigator https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SD-p5BHx443GTtGBp_DKQVT&feature=shared 🎬 Learning Modules - The Branches of WA State Government: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SBe_62ViakFyBCw4qah7eR7&feature=shared https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDnVbfKeRWogOX6zU5BWw6b&feature=shared https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCYOl5u2wu52tt3G7sEmNTG&feature=shared ======================================= Other Teach With TVW Civics Programs ======================================= 🙋Capitol Classroom - Bring the Legislative process into your classroom: https://teachwithtvw.org/civic-participation-in-the-classroom/ 🙋On The Issues - Youth bring the questions to WA state leadership: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCiQlpeW9JwnJepn87zNpDT&feature=shared 🙋TVW CONNECTS - WA students engage in live Q&A with political leaders and experts: https://teachwithtvw.org/tvw-connects-civic-engagement/ =========================== Subscribe and Follow Teach With TVW =========================== ➡YT: @teachwithtvw360 ➡Web: https://www.teachwithtvw.org ➡FB: @Teach with TVW ➡IG: @TeachWithTVW ➡X: @TeachWithTVW ➡LI: @TeachWithTVW QUESTION - Have a question about our lesson plans or online videos? Drop it in the comments! ⏰ Timecodes ⏰ Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens. #waleg #teachwithtvw #CapitolClassroom #CONNECTS #civics101 #legislativenavigator #ontheissues #electionsexplained

Do you know what district you are in? And who represents you? Well, it's easy to find out on leg.wa.gov!

This short video will walk you through the steps to find this information and more, including:
• How to contact your legislators and their legislative assistants
• Their background info
• Committees they sit on
• Bills they have sponsored
• Their voting records

More Learning resources:

📚Check out our other CIVICS CURRICULA for WA middle and high school teachers: https://www.teachwithtvw.org/lesson-plans/
=======================================
Other Teach With TVW Civics Videos
=======================================
🎬 Civics 101 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDcy6Oz3plxQCqpfNUb2HGf&feature=shared

🎬 Legislative Navigator https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SD-p5BHx443GTtGBp_DKQVT&feature=shared

🎬 Learning Modules - The Branches of WA State Government:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SBe_62ViakFyBCw4qah7eR7&feature=shared

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDnVbfKeRWogOX6zU5BWw6b&feature=shared

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCYOl5u2wu52tt3G7sEmNTG&feature=shared

=======================================
Other Teach With TVW Civics Programs
=======================================

🙋Capitol Classroom - Bring the Legislative process into your classroom: https://teachwithtvw.org/civic-participation-in-the-classroom/

🙋On The Issues - Youth bring the questions to WA state leadership: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCiQlpeW9JwnJepn87zNpDT&feature=shared

🙋TVW CONNECTS - WA students engage in live Q&A with political leaders and experts:
https://teachwithtvw.org/tvw-connects-civic-engagement/

===========================
Subscribe and Follow Teach With TVW
===========================
➡YT: @teachwithtvw360
➡Web: https://www.teachwithtvw.org
➡FB: @Teach with TVW
➡IG: @TeachWithTVW
➡X: @TeachWithTVW
➡LI: @TeachWithTVW

QUESTION - Have a question about our lesson plans or online videos? Drop it in the comments!

⏰ Timecodes ⏰

Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens.

#waleg #teachwithtvw #CapitolClassroom #CONNECTS #civics101 #legislativenavigator #ontheissues #electionsexplained

YouTube Video UEw3NUY4RTJydjRTQ2NScjljb3JvYWZQR3dSQ194UUxxVC4yODlGNEE0NkRGMEEzMEQy
Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) - Floor: What is Decorum? (3min) Don’t want people attacking each other - fun to watch but it’s a bad thing Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) is your straightforward guide through the often confounding legislative process. Script: What is the Floor? Floor of Senate or House The chamber and everybody in it at the same time All 49 in the Senate and 98 members in the House - That's what the Floor is All sorts of rules, decorum to process. What is decorum? Rules on how members treat each other Speak to ideas not people, policies not personalities Meant to depersonalize conflict - Don’t want people attacking each other - fun to watch but it’s a bad thing Decorum also speeds up the process by avoiding distractions Not allowed to use each other's names but rather, ‘Gentle Lady from the 26th district’ etc. Don't want it to get personal No impugning motives Watch Entire Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) PLAYLIST HERE: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDcy6Oz3plxQCqpfNUb2HGf&feature=shared Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens. Learn more at: https://www.teachwithtvw.org #TEACHwithTVW, #CapitolClassroom, #CONNECTS #waleg #youthvoice #civics101 #participate #nextgenerationleaders #civilengagement #civicengagement #legislativeprocess #socialstudies #APGov #debate

Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) - Floor: What is Decorum? (3min)
Don’t want people attacking each other - fun to watch but it’s a bad thing

Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) is your straightforward guide through the often confounding legislative process.

Script:
What is the Floor? Floor of Senate or House
The chamber and everybody in it at the same time
All 49 in the Senate and 98 members in the House - That's what the Floor is
All sorts of rules, decorum to process. What is decorum?
Rules on how members treat each other
Speak to ideas not people, policies not personalities
Meant to depersonalize conflict - Don’t want people attacking each other - fun to watch but it’s a bad thing
Decorum also speeds up the process by avoiding distractions
Not allowed to use each other's names but rather, ‘Gentle Lady from the 26th district’ etc.
Don't want it to get personal
No impugning motives

Watch Entire Civics 101 in 120 Seconds (ish) PLAYLIST HERE: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDcy6Oz3plxQCqpfNUb2HGf&feature=shared

Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens.

Learn more at: https://www.teachwithtvw.org

#TEACHwithTVW, #CapitolClassroom, #CONNECTS #waleg #youthvoice #civics101 #participate #nextgenerationleaders #civilengagement #civicengagement #legislativeprocess #socialstudies #APGov #debate

YouTube Video UEw3NUY4RTJydjRTQ2NScjljb3JvYWZQR3dSQ194UUxxVC4wMTcyMDhGQUE4NTIzM0Y5
Passed in 2021, the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) requires the Washington State Government to implement changes that will reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted by 95% by 2050. Not without its detractors, the CCA will be at the forefront of most budgetary conversations around environmental legislation this year. Sienna Shadd asks Representatives Dye and Doglio about the Climate Commitment Act. LESSON PLANS: 20 min Lesson Plan on Housing and Homelessness: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ym9Loyg4p_0icVKmi3MiK4g9YiQQoI_e/view?usp=sharing OR – Give students a more comprehensive understanding of legislative committees with the 1 to 2 day On The Issues: Legislative Committees Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VCoZsUNe1TQQUZOIa3-uEbac47ALKmIcf-06iNCLWqs/edit?usp=sharing Discussion Questions: 1. Representative Dye talks about why there is little room to compromise on the CCA. What problems does she see with the Climate Commitment Act? Where does she think a solution to the climate crisis will come from? 2. Representative Doglio also talks about why there is little room to compromise on the CCA. What changes does she think could be made to the Climate Commitment Act? How does she think the CCA will help the climate crisis? 3. What do you think is the main difference between the representatives’ ideas on the CCA? 4. What follow up questions could you ask of Representative Doglio and Representative Dye to determine your own opinion? On The Issues Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCiQlpeW9JwnJepn87zNpDT&feature=shared Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens. Learn more at: https://www.teachwithtvw.org #TEACHwithTVW, #CapitolClassroom, #CONNECTS #waleg #youthvoice #civics101 #participate #nextgenerationleaders #civilengagement #civicengagement #legislativeprocess #socialstudies #APGov #debate

Passed in 2021, the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) requires the Washington State Government to implement changes that will reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted by 95% by 2050. Not without its detractors, the CCA will be at the forefront of most budgetary conversations around environmental legislation this year.

Sienna Shadd asks Representatives Dye and Doglio about the Climate Commitment Act.

LESSON PLANS:
20 min Lesson Plan on Housing and Homelessness:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ym9Loyg4p_0icVKmi3MiK4g9YiQQoI_e/view?usp=sharing
OR –
Give students a more comprehensive understanding of legislative committees with the 1 to 2 day
On The Issues: Legislative Committees Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VCoZsUNe1TQQUZOIa3-uEbac47ALKmIcf-06iNCLWqs/edit?usp=sharing

Discussion Questions:

1. Representative Dye talks about why there is little room to compromise on the CCA. What problems does she see with the Climate Commitment Act? Where does she think a solution to the climate crisis will come from?
2. Representative Doglio also talks about why there is little room to compromise on the CCA. What changes does she think could be made to the Climate Commitment Act? How does she think the CCA will help the climate crisis?
3. What do you think is the main difference between the representatives’ ideas on the CCA?
4. What follow up questions could you ask of Representative Doglio and Representative Dye to determine your own opinion?

On The Issues Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCiQlpeW9JwnJepn87zNpDT&feature=shared

Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens.

Learn more at: https://www.teachwithtvw.org

#TEACHwithTVW, #CapitolClassroom, #CONNECTS #waleg #youthvoice #civics101 #participate #nextgenerationleaders #civilengagement #civicengagement #legislativeprocess #socialstudies #APGov #debate

YouTube Video UEw3NUY4RTJydjRTQ2NScjljb3JvYWZQR3dSQ194UUxxVC4wOTA3OTZBNzVEMTUzOTMy

Comments are closed.