In 2025, Section 522 in the ESB Senate Bill 5950 was cut, resulting in the loss of over $800,000 in state funding to all eight of the Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) in Washington. These budget cuts have created immense challenges in addressing our operating costs and providing scholarship opportunities for all Washington DECA members.

In the 2025-27 biennium, Washington state’s approved budget allocates roughly $33.6 billion to $33.7 billion for K-12 education. The $800,000 we are asking for would make up around 0.0024% (or 1 out of 41,520) of that total budget.

In the 2024-2025 year, Washington DECA proudly provided $239,025.45 in DECA conference scholarships, a significant portion of our organization's revenue. Without this crucial state funding, we have now lost the ability to invest heavily into these scholarships. Moving forward, we may have to increase membership fees and conference costs to keep this organization running if our funding isn't reinstated soon. This can take away opportunities from thousands of members across the state.

To testify to the importance of this funding, Washington DECA state officers will be headed to the State Capitol on February 23, 2026. Without your quantifiable support, our legislators may not be able to see the true scale of this matter.

Your signature matters. Please sign this petition to help Washington DECA continue to provide unique, hands-on learning opportunities to over 17,000 students in Washington.