Tell the Senate to vote NO on HB 173!

The Senate Education Committee has dismantled the comprehensive and collaborative approach built into House Bill 173 by the House of Representatives. With HB  173, the House approached remedying funding shortfalls facing education by:

1) targeted reductions: these were implemented through the health care reimbursement plan

2) revenue diversions: these were implemented through diversions from severance taxes and LSRA refuels

3) increased revenue through taxation: this was implemented by the "penny for education" tax in House Bill 173.

The Senate Education Committee, through the first round of amendments, has removed the "Penny for Education," eliminated the severance tax revenue diversions, increased classroom size, and effectively reduced teacher salaries by moving them outside of the block grant. While the amendment provides a raise to educator salaries, the rate established is well below the actual salaries paid, which are needed to attract and retain qualified candidates. Coupling this with moving those salaries outside of the block grant and eliminating dollars from health insurance reimbursement is a hefty cut for starting educator salaries.

The WEA can no longer support House Bill 173. The bill has become a thinly-veiled attempt at ratcheting down funding for education under the premise of ensuring that funds equate to "what is actually happening on the ground." What is happening "on the ground" in education is the result of poor planning and underfunding. Continuing to rob our education system of vital resources will worsen the situation on the ground, in a perpetual cycle of less funding, more strain, and—ultimately—poor experiences and outcomes for students and poor working conditions for education employees.

Click the "Start Writing" button to be taken to the next screen, where you will be provided additional information and talking points to support you in writing a letter that you can send to all members of the Senate with the click of a button.

If you need assistance understanding the full impact of this legislation, or drafting a letter to elected representatives, please contact WEA Government Relations Director Tate Mullen at tmullen@wyoea.org or (307) 286-3096.