Lobby Day 2024 participants gather for a group photo in the Idaho Statehouse rotunda.
Registration is open for IEA’s annual Lobby Day event Jan. 19-20, when dozens of Idaho Education Association members from across Idaho talk to key education policymakers about IEA’s legislative priorities.
The two-day event — traditionally held every year around the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday — is perhaps Idaho’s most important day of advocacy for public education. It’s a unique opportunity for Idaho policymakers to hear directly from energized educators about the support they need to create the free and equitable public schools that Idaho students deserve.
“There’s little question that our members are this union’s most effective advocates for Idaho’s students, their educator colleagues and public education,” said IEA President Layne McInelly. “They are Idaho’s most important education experts and their influence on the education policy debate is critical.”
REGISTER FOR IEA LOBBY DAY 2025
Lobby Day participants must be members of IEA’s Political Action Committee for Education (PACE), which includes a minimum of a $24 annual donation or $2 monthly donation to the fund. Due to the popularity of the event, limits on the number of participants are necessary.
Lobby Day festivities begin with a Sunday evening Lobby Day training by IEA staff and leadership, followed by a dinner often attended by education policymakers. Gov. Brad Little and key education allies in the Legislature are regular attendees.
WATCH THE VIDEO: MEMBERS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF IEA LOBBY DAY
Then, on Monday, Lobby Day participants fan out across the Statehouse to continue the conversation with lawmakers about IEA’s top legislative priorities.
“Lobby Day makes a huge difference for IEA’s effectiveness in its advocacy for its members and public education — both friend and foe take careful note of our members in the Statehouse corridors,” McInelly said. “If you’d like to have an impact on education policy this winter, join us.”