On The Issues – Transportation Curriculum

During the 2024 session, Legislative Pages (students ages 14-16) had the opportunity to
interview legislators from both the Majority party and the Minority party about issues of interest.
In this lesson, students will learn about where the Majority Party, currently the Democrats, and
the Minority Party, currently the Republicans stand on two important Transportation Policies:
safety and sustainability on public transportation and treaty obligations to remove culverts
prohibiting fish passages.

Essential Questions

  • How do the beliefs of those in the majority party differ from those in the minority party?
  • To what extent is there bipartisanship in the Washington State Legislature?
  • How does the Transportation committee balance budgetary concerns with public policy needs?

20 minute Transportation Lesson Plan

On Transportation
The Legislature passes three different budgets each year: the Operating Budget, which concerns the functioning of all government agencies and programs, the Capital Budget, which concerns the construction of new items in Washington State, and the Transportation Budget, which concerns road maintenance and construction, the Washington State Patrol, park and rides, busses, ferries, etc. Transportation is incredibly important and interesting as its work crosses over into many different arenas in the state legislature, from Law Enforcement to Climate Change. Washington State Senators Liias and King, take questions from Senate and House Legislative Pages Langley Foster, and Immanuel Robertson- Stewart asking about improving the transportation system and sustainability at the same time, and how do citizens who don't feel safe on public transportation contact their state legislators? 00:00 Sustainability 03:14 Safety LESSON PLANS: 20 min Lesson Plan on Transportation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jGsSXNmRWmFHcj4aH7I_NRZwHtAv94dk/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. Why does Senator King think there has been a decrease in ridership? 2. According to the Senators, what should transit be doing to improve safety? 3. Why do the Senators suggest that constituents should start with the local authorities? 4. Why do you think there are multiple levels of government? Using safety on public transportation as an example, what are the benefits and drawbacks? 5. What does Senator Liias think is the most important thing to focus on in the transportation realm? 6. Have you heard about Move Ahead Washington? If so, what have you learned? If not, why do you think that is the case? 7. What does Senator King think are the most important elements of the transportation system? 8. How are the needs of the Westside of the State similar to the needs of the Eastside of the State? How are they different? 9. How are Senator Liias’ and Senator King’s opinions different from one another? 10. What aspects of the budget would you like to examine to develop your own opinion on this topic? On The Issues Playlist: • On The Issues 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

The Legislature passes three different budgets each year: the Operating Budget, which concerns the functioning of all government agencies and programs, the Capital Budget, which concerns the construction of new items in Washington State, and the Transportation Budget, which concerns road maintenance and construction, the Washington State Patrol, park and rides, busses, ferries, etc.

Transportation is incredibly important and interesting as its work crosses over into many different arenas in the state legislature, from Law Enforcement to Climate Change.

Washington State Senators Liias and King, take questions from Senate and House Legislative Pages Langley Foster, and Immanuel Robertson- Stewart asking about improving the transportation system and sustainability at the same time, and how do citizens who don't feel safe on public transportation contact their state legislators?

00:00 Sustainability
03:14 Safety

LESSON PLANS:
20 min Lesson Plan on Transportation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jGsSXNmRWmFHcj4aH7I_NRZwHtAv94dk/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. Why does Senator King think there has been a decrease in ridership?
2. According to the Senators, what should transit be doing to improve safety?
3. Why do the Senators suggest that constituents should start with the local authorities?
4. Why do you think there are multiple levels of government? Using safety on public transportation as an example, what are the benefits and drawbacks?
5. What does Senator Liias think is the most important thing to focus on in the transportation realm?
6. Have you heard about Move Ahead Washington? If so, what have you learned? If not, why do you think that is the case?
7. What does Senator King think are the most important elements of the transportation system?
8. How are the needs of the Westside of the State similar to the needs of the Eastside of the State? How are they different?
9. How are Senator Liias’ and Senator King’s opinions different from one another?
10. What aspects of the budget would you like to examine to develop your own opinion on this topic?

On The Issues Playlist:

• On The Issues 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 UEw3NUY4RTJydjRTQS1oVWh5X2JSNFREb0M1ajZid1p3SC41NkI0NEY2RDEwNTU3Q0M2
The Legislature passes three different budgets each year: the Operating Budget, which concerns the functioning of all government agencies and programs, the Capital Budget, which concerns the construction of new items in Washington State, and the Transportation Budget, which concerns road maintenance and construction, the Washington State Patrol, park and rides, busses, ferries, etc. Transportation is incredibly important and interesting as its work crosses over into many different arenas in the state legislature, from Law Enforcement to Climate Change. Washington State Senators Liias and King, take a question from House Legislative Page Leah Noble asking how the State plans to comply with the mandate from the US Supreme Court regarding treaty rights and fish passages? LESSON PLANS: 20 min Lesson Plan on Transportation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jGsSXNmRWmFHcj4aH7I_NRZwHtAv94dk/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. Why is reaching compliance financially challenging? 2. How do the Senators suggest that the State should work with the Tribal Nations? 3. What solutions do the Senators suggest? How are they similar? How are they different? 4. Why would it be important to also include cities and other municipalities in this discussion about fish passages? 5. What other stakeholders would you need to talk to in order to form your own opinion on this topic? On The Issues Playlist: • On The Issues 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

The Legislature passes three different budgets each year: the Operating Budget, which concerns the functioning of all government agencies and programs, the Capital Budget, which concerns the construction of new items in Washington State, and the Transportation Budget, which concerns road maintenance and construction, the Washington State Patrol, park and rides, busses, ferries, etc.

Transportation is incredibly important and interesting as its work crosses over into many different arenas in the state legislature, from Law Enforcement to Climate Change.

Washington State Senators Liias and King, take a question from House Legislative Page Leah Noble asking how the State plans to comply with the mandate from the US Supreme Court regarding treaty rights and fish passages?

LESSON PLANS:
20 min Lesson Plan on Transportation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jGsSXNmRWmFHcj4aH7I_NRZwHtAv94dk/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. Why is reaching compliance financially challenging?
2. How do the Senators suggest that the State should work with the Tribal Nations?
3. What solutions do the Senators suggest? How are they similar? How are they different?
4. Why would it be important to also include cities and other municipalities in this discussion about fish passages?
5. What other stakeholders would you need to talk to in order to form your own opinion on this topic?

On The Issues Playlist:

• On The Issues 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 UEw3NUY4RTJydjRTQS1oVWh5X2JSNFREb0M1ajZid1p3SC4yODlGNEE0NkRGMEEzMEQy

Want to give your students a deeper dive into the Legislative Committee process?

One Class Period Legislative Committees Lesson Plan

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