Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/479293
SPRING 2015 | WEAnews 14 Action WYOMING LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Together We Succeed! The 2015 Legislative General Session is over. The Wyoming Education Association worked to increase funding for K-12 and for a better method of community college funding, while following 60 pieces of legislation. "Even though there were controversial issues, we continued to work well with legislators," said WEA Government Relations Director Ken Decaria. "Our interactions with legislators were open and positive. Even when we had different positions, the interactions were professional." Other issues that were important to the members of the Wyoming Education Association were discussed as well. Bills dealing with removing the budget footnote on science standards, worker's compensation for special education teachers, charter schools, and changes to the Hathaway Scholarship Program were debated and voted on. A bill that would have changed the continuing contract law was stopped. The WEA worked with partners in the community colleges to try to get a predictable funding model. The bill did not pass, but the Joint Appropriations Committee will review the funding model for community colleges to determine whether the model requires improvement or change. Their report will either recommend a new funding formula or recommend the structure of a task force to review the model. WEA will attend the JAC meeting to advocate for a better funding model. Decaria was the main point person on the WEA Legislative Action Team along with President Kathy Vetter, Executive Director Ron Sniffin, Professional Issues Director Kathy Scheurman, and Communications Director Coleen Haines. Through their efforts, this team lobbied on important issues of interest to members and monitored the progress of all pertinent legislation. The Legislative Action Team faced many challenges during this session, but overall it was one of great success. One important success was ensuring that an increase in funding the External Cost Adjustment for K-12 was passed. The Legislative Action Team worked full-funding of the ECA with our Education Coalition partners. Working together, the team and the rest of the Coalition talked to legislators about providing additional funding for the K-12 system. Although the session has come to an end, the work is far from over. A great deal of important work will happen during the interim, and the WEA Legislative Action Team will be following those discussions closely. A special committee will work on recalibration of the School Funding Model. This work will determine how schools are funded for the next 5 years. Additionally, the Select Committee on Statewide Education Accountability, along with the Advisory Committee, will continue working on education accountability. Offering many thanks to those that helped lobby on behalf of WEA and the issues it followed, Decaria concluded, "Our association would not have been able to achieve what we did without your help. Together we made a positive difference." If you have any questions regarding any legislation from this session or would like any further information, please contact WEA Government Relations Director Ken Decaria at kdecaria@wyoea.org. by Ken Decaria