Washington Capitol Press Corps
Discover how Washington’s Capital Press Corps informs the public, covers state government, and strengthens democracy.
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1. Introducing Mike Hoover: Your Soon to Be Favorite Parliamentarian
Meet Parliamentarian Mike Hoover and learn the basics of the legislative process with a simple, clear introduction to how laws work.
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Unit
Environment & Energy (2026)
Explore environment and energy policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
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Multiple Videos
Anatomy of a Committee
Learn how legislative committees work in Washington State and why they are key to researching, debating, and shaping laws.
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Documentary
The Pink Tax: WA Students Push For Pricing Equity
Follow WA students advocating for pricing equity and tackling the pink tax through the legislative process.
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Documentary
Starcia
Explore Starcia’s journey from addiction and crime to redemption in this Emmy Award-winning documentary.
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Meeting leg.wa.gov
Take a tour of leg.wa.gov and learn how to find bills, calendars, and ways to engage with Washington State’s legislature.
Public Programs Manager – Civic Skills
Ecological programs manager, Brianna Klein helps extend environmental awareness and ecological literacy across the community.
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Connection to Place – Civic Skills
Author Sheryl Harmer uses empathy to connect to place and gain perspective. She shares how this is essential for democracy.
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Unit
Housing (2026)
Explore housing policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
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Multiple Videos
Unit
Party Conventions Unit
In this jigsawed activity, students compare and contrast the conventions, determining who is involved in each event and investigating...
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Multiple Videos
The Law – Civic Skills
Attorney Rich Lumley uses critical thinking and empathy in law as he researches, negotiates, and encourages understanding.
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Washington’s Legislative Branch
This legacy video explains: How does Washington State’s legislative branch function? And how does it differ from the U.S. Congress.
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15. The Floor: Big Changes Happen
Learn how major changes can happen to bills on the floor and how amendments can shape outcomes in Washington State.
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Floor Debate – Tech For Teens
See how tech bills for teens fared in Washington State floor debates and why some passed while others failed.
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Documentary
Supreme Justice
Explore Washington’s Supreme Court through the landmark Gardner v. Loomis case in this Emmy-winning documentary.
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Teaching – Civic Skills
Teacher James Nau fosters civic collaboration amongst his students and introduces them to the tools to connect and contribute.
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6. What is a Lobbyist?
Learn what a lobbyist is and how they influence the legislative process in Washington State.
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Community Based Florist – Civic Skills
Florist Katie Watkins uses her business to support the local economy. She fosters civic connection and stewards community connection.
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Unit
Agriculture & Natural Resources (2025)
Explore agriculture and natural resource policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
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Multiple Videos
Prosecutor vs. Public Defender?
Learn the roles of prosecutors and public defenders and how they work together in Washington State’s justice system.
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Ballot Hand Recounts
See how WA State's ballot recall is resolved through the 2024 Lands Commissioner race mandatory recount, and the oversight involved.
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Unit
Early Learning & Human Services (2026)
Explore human services policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
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Multiple Videos
Unit
Transportation (2025)
Explore transportation policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
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Multiple Videos
What Is The Most Powerful Branch?
Explore which branch of government is most powerful and how checks and balances work in Washington State.
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Planting Trees – Civic Skills
Fulton Bryant Anderson plants urban trees to build community and grow environmental stewardship amongst neighborhoods.
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Unit
Transportation (2026)
Explore transportation policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
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Multiple Videos
Documentary
Mariachi Huenachi
Follow immigrant students overcoming challenges through music in Wenatchee’s Mariachi Huenachi program.
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4. The Three Branches
Learn how the three branches of government work together through checks and balances in Washington State.
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Voter’s Pamphlet and Video Guide
Learn about informational resources provided to voters prior to elections, and how that information is gathered and validated.
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Reading the Bill and the Bill Report
Learn how to read bills and bill reports in Washington State, including revisions, summaries, and key legislative details.
17. Concurrence & Dispute
Learn how concurrence and dispute resolve bill differences between chambers in Washington State.
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Documentary
Isidore Starr: Leading a Revolution in Civics
Explore Isidore Starr’s impact on civics education and his legacy as a leader in law-related education.
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2024 Elections: What’s at Stake
Review the 2024 state of Washington races post the August Primary Election, and pre the November Election, to understand election dynamics.
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Looking up a Bill
Learn how to find Washington State bills by number, topic, sponsor, or pre-filed status using the legislative website.
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Community Safety (2025)
Learn where Community Safety Committee leadership stands on issues of police accountability and addressing misinformation on social media.
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Multiple Videos
Time Management – Tech For Teens
Learn how time management, floor strategy, and party priorities shape which Washington State bills get a final vote.
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Creating Vibrant Parks – Civic Skills
Former Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams preserved vibrant parks through civic engagement, listening, and clarity of mission.
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Unit
How a Bill Becomes a Law in Washington State
In 9–10 class periods, students explore lawmaking in WA, issues they care about, legislative action, civic engagement, and bipartisanship.
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Multiple Videos
SERIES
Leg.wa.gov Navigator
These handy explainer videos will help you navigate Washington state's legislative website - leg.wa.gov
Multiple Videos
Re-Wire 2026 Legislative Session Preview
Preview the 2026 legislative session with insights from the ReWire conference on budget, policy, and key issues.
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Unit
Law & Justice (2026)
Explore law and justice policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
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Multiple Videos
Lobbyists in Washington State
Learn how lobbyists function in Washington State, including the role they play in the legislative process and how they are regulated.
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Legislative Committees
How do legislative committees shape lawmaking in Washington State? Learn how bills move, change, or die in committee.
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Unit
Legislative Committees
Understand the role of legislative committees, how they are structured, and how power and perspective can shape policy.
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Multiple Videos
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Elections Explained
Learn how elections work in Washington State - Each video can stand alone, and is accompanied with a lesson plan, or view as a series.
Multiple Videos
9. Rules Committee
Learn how the Rules Committee controls which bills reach the floor in Washington State’s legislative process.
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Superior Court – WA Courts
Learn how Superior Courts handle major criminal and civil cases in Washington State’s judicial system.
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Prime Sponsorship
Learn how prime sponsors support bills in Washington State and why strong backing is key to passing legislation.
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Conference Committees
Learn how conference committees help resolve differences between House and Senate bills in Washington State.
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Political Campaigns
Learn what it takes to run for office in Washington, from campaigning and fundraising to serving the public.
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Secretary of State
Learn the role of Washington State’s Secretary of State and how the office oversees elections and public records.
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Environmental Education – Civic Skills
Artist Tony Angell focuses on pathways for youth to explore and develop their personal and civic connection to the environment.
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Unit
State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections (2025)
Learn about committee leadership and where the two parties stand on two important policies regarding partisanship and elections.
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Multiple Videos
Unit
Early Learning & Human Services (2025)
Explore youth care policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
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Multiple Videos
How to Become a Precinct Committee Officer
How to become a Precinct Committee Officer - There are many vacancies and you are needed!
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Unit
Higher Education & Workforce Development (2025)
Explore higher education and workforce policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
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Multiple Videos
3. What is the Legislature?
Learn what the Washington State Legislature is, how it works, and how sessions and bienniums are structured.
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Signing up to Testify
Learn how to sign up to testify on a bill and share your voice in Washington State’s legislative process.
11. What is an Amendment?
Learn what amendments are and how changes like strikers and substitutes shape bills in Washington State.
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WA Republican State Convention
Explore and influence of party conventions, how they are structured, and the role of delegates in shaping the electoral process.
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The Initiative Process
Learn from UW Law scholar, Hugh Spitzer, how WAs initiative process works, and the benefits and potential pitfalls of the initiative process
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The Rules Committee
Learn how the Rules Committee decides which bills reach the floor in Washington State’s legislative process.
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Superintendent of Public Instruction
Learn the role of Washington State’s Superintendent of Public Instruction and how OSPI supports public schools.
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Unit
2026 Tech For Teens – Legislative Branch Explained
Follow real WA bills on AI and social media to see how ideas become law—from hearings to debate, votes, and the governor’s desk.
Multiple Videos
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On The Issues – Q&A
Legislative Pages research current issues legislative committees are working on and bring those questions to committee leadership.
Multiple Videos
Unit
Health Care (2026)
Explore healthcare policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
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Multiple Videos
WA Top Two Primary
Learn how Washington State's Top Two Primary works, the different scenarios that can play out, and how political parties strategize to win.
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Lieutenant Governor
Learn the role of Washington State’s Lieutenant Governor and how this office fits within the executive branch.
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District & Municipal Courts – WA Courts
Learn how district and municipal courts handle lower-level cases in Washington State’s court system.
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2026 Short Session Look Ahead
Get ready for Washington State’s 2026 short session and learn how the biennium shapes legislative priorities and timelines.
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18. Final Step: The Governor’s Desk
Learn what happens at the governor’s desk and how bills are signed, vetoed, or become law in Washington State.
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Documentary
Finding Common Ground
Examine different ways that tribal nations, the Washington State government, and other stakeholders have come together to navigate conflict.
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7. Policy Committees
Learn how policy committees work in Washington State and how bills move through hearings and executive sessions.
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Unit
Civil Rights & Judiciary (2025)
Explore civil rights policy debates in Washington State during the 2025 legislative session.
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Multiple Videos
Curating Public History – Civic Skills
Curator Todd Clark centers Native voices in public history while prioritizing truth-telling and diversity in the exhibits he curates.
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16. The State Budget(s)
Learn about Washington State’s three budgets and how lawmakers plan and fund government priorities.
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SERIES
Executive Branch Explained
Learn how WA’s elected officials manage education, finances, land, insurance, and oversight—shaping daily life and public accountability.
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Multiple Videos
Labor Council COPE Convention
Candidate Endorsements: how do they really work? Understand the role that the unions can play in an election.
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Unit
Education (2025)
This 20 min lesson explores where the Majority and Minority Parties stand on two policies regarding Early Learning and K12 Education.
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Multiple Videos
Documentary
Coming Together Again: Therapeutic Courts in WA
Explore therapeutic courts in Washington State and how they support recovery and reduce recidivism.
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Participating in the Legislative Process
Learn how Washington residents can influence lawmaking through testimony, advocacy, and connecting with legislators.
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The State Budget(s)
Learn about Washington State’s three budgets—Operating, Capital, and Transportation—and how they reflect government priorities.
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SERIES
Documentaries
Documentaries to help students understand how their state government works by taking a deeper look into issues affecting the state.
Multiple Videos
The Washington State Constitution
Learn how Washington’s Constitution shapes state government and what makes it unique among U.S. state constitutions.
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Documentary
A Question of Faith: Washington’s Electoral College
Explore Washington’s Electoral College and how electors choose the president in this Emmy-winning documentary.
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Institutional Mission – Civic Skills
Director Bob Davidson centered the Seattle Aquarium on a clear mission, helping to lead the institution through years of community growth.
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SERIES
Legacy Videos
Some legacy educational modules explaining the different aspects of the Legislative Branch and Washington State Government.
Multiple Videos
How to Find Videos on TVW.org
Learn how to search for Washington State legislative videos on TVW.org and find bill hearings step by step.
Unit
Consumer Protection & Business (2026)
Explore consumer protection and business policy debates in Washington State during the 2026 legislative session.
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Multiple Videos
State Auditor
Explore the role of Washington’s State Auditor and learn how audits provide oversight and accountability in state government.
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Professional Sports – Civic Skills
In his work for the Seattle Kraken, Kyle Boyd leverages hockey to build community, promote health, connection and civic life amongst youth.
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Organizing – Civic Skills
Riley Irish organizes for health equity. They build community leadership and partner for meaningful change.
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Pre-Legislative Session Class Primer
Prepare your students to follow and engage in the legislative process with this two day pre-legislative session primer.
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Multiple Videos
Coffee and Connections – Civic Skills
Annette Heide-Jessen uses her coffee shop for civic connection, gathering neighbors and supporting entrepreneurs.
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Public Testimony
Learn how public testimony works in Washington State and how citizens can share their voices during legislative hearings.
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Candidate Filing Week
Learn how candidates get on the ballot and how WA's SOS office ensures the process is equitable and fair for both candidate and voter.
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How To Get Legal Advice?
Learn how to get legal advice in Washington State and understand your right to an attorney in civil and criminal cases.
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Unit
Health Care & Wellness (2025)
Explore healthcare policy debates in Washington State and how lawmakers address access and affordability.
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Multiple Videos
Five O’Clock Bill
Learn what a “5 o’clock bill” is and how deadlines, debate, and strategy shape Washington State’s legislative process.
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