Advocacy

Your voice has power. Advocacy is at the heart of everything the PTSA does. Whether you want to contact a lawmaker, attend a school board meeting, or learn how local laws affect your child, you're in the right place. Explore our resources below and join us in making a real difference. Let’s work together to build a brighter future for all of our students!

RLC PTSA welcomes your questions, comments, and ideas around Advocacy issues. Email rlcptsa@gmail.com to learn more.

Advocate With PTA

For more than 100 years, PTA has advocated for the health, safety, welfare, and education of all children and youth and provided support to members so that they can speak with a powerful voice and be a relevant resource for parents. From the beginning, PTA has advocated for a strong public school system to ensure equity and opportunity for all children. PTA has never lost sight of this goal and continues to flourish as an advocacy group operating at the national, state, and local levels - often within a school community, and in partnership with educators, legislators, and policy makers. – Excerpt from the WSPTA Advocacy Handbook

Local Level

RLC PTSA Advocacy Chair: OPEN
Riverview PTSA Council Advocacy Information
- Riverview PTSA Council Advocacy Chair: OPEN

State Level

Washington State PTA Advocacy Director: Megan Larkin
- Email Megan Larkin
Washington State PTA Advocacy Information
Legislative Assembly: October 16-17, 2026
Focus on Advocacy Program / Focus Day: TBD
- WSPTA leaders and members meet with state legislators to advance PTA priorities.
Subscribe to: WSPTA Action Network Group

National Level

National PTA Vice President of Advocacy,
2026-2029: Rachel Burke (IN)
- Email Rachel Burke
National PTA Advocacy Information
Legislative Conference: March 1-3, 2027

PTA Legislative Priorities

The Top 5 Legislative Priorities for 2025-26 are:

Closing the Funding Gaps
Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis
Addressing Funding, Inclusion, and Supports in Special Education
Preventing and Reducing Gun Violence and Suicide
Expanding School Construction Funding Options

2025-26 Also Supported Issues:

Increasing Education Equity by Closing the Digital Divide
Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Climate Change
Restoring Funding for Education and Wrap Around Supports

To learn more about each of these priorities: Priorities Handout

Connect With & Get To Know Your Government Representatives

The Representatives below serve the Riverview School District on the Local, State, & Federal Level.
Note: Information is sourced from individuals’ or organizations' websites and is accurate as of August 2026.

Local Leadership:

City of Carnation
- City Council
- Mayor Jim Ribail

City of Duvall
- City Council
- Mayor Amy McHenry

Riverview School District School Board
- Community Site: Calendar, Meetings, etc.
- Meet the Board of Directors
- Email the School Board of Directors

State Leadership:

Governor Bob Ferguson

Washington State Legislature: Senate and House of Representatives.
The Riverview School District is a split legislative district. Find your district & elected leaders: District Finder.

DISTRICT 12 (mostly Carnation)

Senator Keith Goehner
- Committees: Housing, Transportation, & Local Government
- Email: Keith Goehner
- Website: Keith Goehner
- Address: 331A Irv Newhouse Building PO Box 40412 Olympia, WA 98504
- Phone: (360) 786-7622
Representative Brian Burnett
- Committees: Early Learning & Human Services, Appropriations, Community Safety, Civil Rights & Judiciary
- Email: Brian Burnett
- Website: Brian Burnett
- Address: 410 John L. O'Brien Building P.O. Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504
- Phone: (360) 786-7954
Representative Mike Steele
- Committees: Capital Budget, Consumer Protection & Business, Education
- Email: Mike Steele
- Website: Mike Steele
- Address: 425A Legislative Building PO Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504
- Phone: (360) 786-7832

DISTRICT 45 (mostly Duvall)

Senator Manka Dhingra
- Committees: Law & Justice, Ways & Means, Environment, Energy, & Technology
- Email: Manka Dhingra
- Website: Manka Dhingra
- Address: 239 John A. Cherberg Building PO Box 40445 Olympia, WA 98504
- Phone: (360) 786-7672
Representative Roger Goodman
- Committees: Early Learning & Human Services, Community Safety, Civil Rights & Judiciary
- Email: Roger Goodman
- Website: Roger Goodman
- Address: 436B Legislative Building PO Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504
- Phone: (360) 786-7878
Representative Larry Springer
- Committees: Appropriations, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Finance, Rules
- Email: Larry Springer
- Website: Larry Springer
- Address: 132E Legislative Building PO Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504
- Phone: (360) 786-7822

State Education Agencies:

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: Website
- Superintendent Chris Reykdal
Washington State Board of Education: Website

Federal Leadership (8th District):

Each state elects two senators to the United States Senate for staggered 6-year terms. Senators represent the entire state. Washington’s senators are:

US Senator Maria Cantwell
Website: https://www.cantwell.senate.gov
Next Election in 2030

US Senator Patty Murray
Website: https://www.murray.senate.gov
Next Election in 2028

The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the U.S. House of Representatives for a two-year term. Representatives are also called congressmen / congresswomen.