Idaho Education Association members issued a vote of no confidence in Idaho Gov. Brad Little over the weekend after he signed House Bill 516, the union-busting legislation attacking the right of educators to organize and advocate in their workplaces, into law on April 10.
The action was part of IEA’s Delegate Assembly, the union’s annual two-day business meeting.
During more than an hour of debate, the delegates overwhelmingly supported the motion. The discussion also included the possibility of revoking the governor’s Champion of Education award, which was presented to him by the union in 2024. Delegates compared Gov. Little’s actions on education-related legislation in recent years, including signing Idaho’s first voucher scheme into law in 2025, to the support shown by the award’s other recipients. Previous awardees include former Idaho Rep. Julie Yamamoto (2023) and Quinn Perry, former deputy director of the Idaho School Boards Association (2025). Members presented the 2026 Champion of Education award to Idaho Rep. Jack Nelsen on Saturday.
“The governor should not share this award with people who truly champion education and our members,” said IEA member Peggy Hoy.
Little has enjoyed a positive relationship with IEA members, including endorsements and door-to-door campaigning during his gubernatorial races in 2018 and 2022.
“Our members have spoken clearly,” said IEA President Layne McInelly. “They are angry and frustrated with the governor. They feel his choice to sign House Bill 516, when there were so many reasons to veto it, is a betrayal of his claims to be a supporter of Idaho’s educators and public schools.”
Little signed House Bill 516 despite recognizing the new law could lead to discrimination against union members. More than 1,000 Idahoans called and emailed the governor’s office urging him to veto the bill. Public education stakeholders and supporters also publicly and privately urged him to reject the bill.
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