Idaho derails teachers’ unions’ taxpayer-funded gravy train
Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service/Getty Images
Individuals who knowingly violate this law can be fined up to $1,500, unless he or she is a re-offender, in which case the fine is increased to $2,500.
The bill was passed in a 59-10 vote in the state House, passed by the state Senate on April 1 in a 20-14 vote, and ratified by Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) on April 10. The law takes effect on July 1.
Little noted, “While local and state teachers’ associations do important work, they remain private organizations that currently receive taxpayer-funded support not extended to other private entities. House Bill 516a addresses that imbalance.”
The governor did, however, express some concern that the new law contains language that may “lead to increased scrutiny of a teacher’s actions purely based on their affiliation with their local association” and have a “chilling effect on school districts’ ability to collaborate with their local association on professional development and charitable work in the community.”
Layne McInelly, president of the Idaho Education Association, which endorsed Little ahead of the 2018 election, is less than thrilled about the new law.
McInelly claimed that the governor “ignored his better angels, signed this terrible bill into law,” and somehow left students and teachers “worse off.”
Maxford Nelsen, director of research at the Freedom Foundation, told Center Square, “By getting school districts out of this business of using taxpayer funds, collect union dues and prop up teachers’ union activity — that’s just restoring neutrality.”
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