WEA continues its significant efforts on behalf of Wyoming students, education staff, and the state as a whole. Several education-related issues are still working their way through the Legislature, though the number of remaining anti-public education bills are substantially fewer than in previous years.
There is of course work still ahead for both legislative bodies, including coming to an agreement on school finance recalibration and the state budget. Regarding the latter, the difference between the Senate and the House is $170 million. The most significant funding differences are related to the University of Wyoming, SNAP education and SUN bucks, the Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Public Media and Wyoming Public Television, as well as technology for state agencies.
HB178 – Public Unions Transparency and Dues Withdrawal Limitations
The intent behind this dangerous bill is to break up associations and unions, impeding public education staff voices through their association while continuing to allow wealthy special interests (such as insurance companies and large financial institutions) to continue dues deduction and political efforts. The Senate Judiciary Committee heard the bill Thursday afternoon. WEA and other advocates presented significant testimony and highlighted that the bill suffers equal protection issues (basically, that similarly situated individuals and organizations must be treated the same). Because the legislature carved out public safety associations from the bill, it appears to be in direct violation of this constitutional protection. The bill now moves to the full senate for debate.
This bill is incredibly harmful. We encourage you to contact your Senator and ask them to vote NO on House Bill 178.
SF81 – Recalibration
The House Education Committee will hear the bill Friday at noon. As it sits now, the bill does not require school districts to join the state insurance plan, but it does continue an actuarial study to determine the true impacts and potential costs of such a proposal. Funding for districts’ insurance costs will be allocated per the number of FTEs in year one; in the second year, districts will be reimbursed only for those FTEs that participate in the districts insurance plan.
While the bill silos instructional resources, it allows for block grant funding for all of the other components. Coupled with the significant increase in funding, this is of particular importance to our education support professionals (ESPs). While some positions are delineated in the model, others are not. There has been concern that our ESPs may be getting left behind in the current format of the bill. However, there are important features worth noting, which should provide some comfort to our ESP members. For example, transportation is reimbursable at 100% of costs from the federal government. The significant funding increase coupled with the remaining block grant format – for those positions not considered instructional – still allow districts to make determinations on where those block grant dollars go.
To be fair, there are unfunded mandates, including SROs and nutrition. With expanded reserves and the increase in resources provided in the bill, districts should have no difficulty funding the positions needed for a comprehensive education program that provides resources for ESPs as well as instructional staff. WEA expects the decision from the Supreme Court to remedy the unfunded mandate of SROs and food service, opening even more dollars for our ESPs.
We welcome you to contact your House Representative to support the Senate version of the recalibration bill, and feel free to advocate for a return to the block grant model. We know that this bill isn’t perfect, but this is a significant effort that moves us in the right direction. It’s the closest we have been to a constitutionally compliant school funding bill in more than 15 years!
HB10 – Sexually Explicit Materials in Libraries
This bill and its bringer, Rep. Ann Lucas of Laramie County, continue to attack Wyoming’s librarians and educators. While the bill no longer allows for the criminal prosecution of teachers or librarians, the bill will still result in a book ban and will specifically target our LGBTQ+ students. The Senate Judiciary Committee proposed a number of amendments; of those that were adopted, one allowed county commissioners to opt-out of the legislation. No such provision was provided for Wyoming’s public schools, despite the fact that every school district has a policy to address this issue including challenge options, public comment, and opportunities for community members to guide discussions on library issues. HB10, which WEA opposes, now moves to the House floor.
In solidarity!