The big news: The Idaho House of Representatives passed an anti-union bill that specifically targets the Idaho Education Association and its everyday business.
• The bill is House Bill 745, and the vote was 45-23.
• The bill now moves to the Senate. IEA members should learn this week which Senate committee will hear the bill.
What lawmakers said: The debate on the House floor was short.
• Rep. Judy Boyle (R-Midvale), the sponsor of the bill on the House side, said the bill will prevent $1.2 million in taxpayer funds from going to unions. When introducing the bill into committee last week, Boyle could not explain where the $1.2 million number originated.
• Rep. Clint Hostetler (R-Twin Falls) spoke in support of HB 745: “I think this is a great bill. I think the sponsor, I think here in a red state, conservative state, this is an easy bill to get done. Taxpayer dollars belong in schools for the children, for the purpose of learning — not for the association, let alone the NEA, which spends most of their money going towards very leftist candidates and ideologies, not to mention they’re one of the largest contributors of the Democrat Party, if not the biggest contributors of the Democrat …” Hosteler was cut off when another lawmaker raised a point of order.
This Is Why May Matters
House Bill 745 is a prime example of why IEA members launched the May Matters campaign last year. Without a pro-public education majority in the Idaho Legislature, IEA members and their allies will face an endless stream of bad bills that erase local control, erode rights, and impose outside interests on Idaho schools and communities. Your participation could make all the difference — several key races come down to fewer than 300 votes.
• Rep. Soñia Galaviz (D-Boise), a member of the Boise Education Association, spoke about being raised a union member and pointed out the benefits of keeping unions in schools. “When we talk about protecting the taxpayer dollar, I want to make sure that we understand that what teachers’ associations do for the taxpayer that saves us money is important: professional development, mentoring new teachers, mediation, intervening when there is a conflict in the school building, helping teachers navigate what their rights are, and protecting the school district. All of that is provided for free to the school district.”
What IEA is saying: “This isn’t the outcome we wanted, but it is also expected,” said IEA Associate Executive Director Matt Compton. “In past years, several anti-union bills have made it through the House before failing to make it through the Senate. With IEA members’ help, we can maintain our track record of defeating bad legislation that affects not just IEA, but all of our union brothers and sisters.”
What the bill does: The bill has an extensive list of provisions that will severely limit the way IEA members communicate, organize and do business.
• Fight this bill with our comprehensive guide to HB 745.
• You’ll find information about what the bill does, as well a flyer you can use in your schools and communities.
• Share the guide with your friends and family members, too — there is an action form they can use to contact legislators.
Stay tuned: Check social media and IEA Reporter for updates. IEA will also be texting members with urgent updates.
