The final full week of the 2026 Budget Session couldn’t go by without continued focused on public education and school funding.
The big news: this is the first time that the Legislature has passed recalibration since 2010!
As for what happened during the week, the only significant change from prior recalibration updates is that Rep. Heiner proposed an amendment that threw the certainty of the bill’s passage into question. The amendment was an adjustment to the Regional Cost Adjustment (RCA), which provides an equalization of funding for districts depending on certain variables. In Teton County, one of the most significant variables for them and their consideration is the cost of living for our education staff. Those costs are extraordinarily high, and many education professionals cannot afford to live in the communities where they work. With his amendment, this would be the only district to face a loss of revenue.
Though it passed, legislators offered a considerable number of additional amendments to the recalibration bill. One of those brought by Rep. Yin would put the RCA as it was originally proposed when the bill came to session. This amendment passed, the bill then unanimously passed concurrence, and it now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
Next week, we’ll share with you a more detailed exploration of recalibration legislation and the impact on education professionals, students, and our public schools.
HB178 – Public Unions Transparency and Dues Withdrawal Limitations
This bill eliminates WEA members’ ability to pay their dues through payroll deduction, under the incorrect issue of taxpayer dollars being used for deductions. It passed the House (despite several legislators committing to a ‘no’ vote, which changed upon a roll-call vote), then headed to the Senate.
This is a national bill meant to destroy labor organizations while benefiting specific political and private business interests, including out-of-state anti-public education organizations like Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and the Freedom Foundation. AFP endorses many Wyoming legislators, and the prospect of continued endorsements in future elections was a contributing factor to some legislators’ votes. Additionally, AFP is funded by the billionaire Koch Brothers, who have provided funding in support of voucher bills, curriculum control, and efforts to defund public education.
The bill robs our state’s hard-working teachers and laborers of the ability to determine how and where they can spend their money. It has significant equal protection issues and risks retirees’ ability to maintain access to affordable dental, vision and hearing insurance. The bill had several proposed amendments, including one (which ultimately failed) to remove the exemption for firefighters. That exemption is not just the cause and concern for equal protection issues but serves as a rallying cry for all unions and associations: “An injury to one is an injury to all.”
Sen. Barlow brought forth a well-reasoned compromise amendment, which then ultimately led the bill’s supporters in the Senate to tacitly reveal the actual intent of the legislation: to destroy our association. The Barlow amendment failed, and the bill passed its third and final reading.
But there is hope! WEA is asking our members, our advocates, and our fellow union and association members to reach out to Gov. Gordon and ask him to veto HB178. You can call his office at 307.777.7434 or email him at governor@wyo.gov.
Other Education-Related Bills and Next Steps
While this session has seen fewer education related bills than previous years, there were still deeply concerning bills left at the beginning of this week. Among those were HB10 (Sexually Explicit Materials in Libraries), HB159 (Safeguarding Personal Expression at K-12 Schools), HB157 (Protection of Parental Rights Cause of Action), and HB127 (Voter Approval for Recreation Mill Levy). All of these bills were killed.
As this year’s legislative session concludes, members of both chambers will potentially return next week in case there is a need for a veto override vote as well as to pass the motion to close the legislative session. Additionally, the Joint Education Committee will meet to discuss potential interim topics. Typically, this list is filled with anti-public education proposals; however, there is currently nothing that raises significant alarms. We will continue to monitor and inform our members and education advocates along the way.
Thank you to everyone who took action this legislative session and during the interim. Your actions and your voice are absolutely vital to every part of this process. In solidarity!