Wyoming Education Association

Fall 2017

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19 Action Revenue Committee Report The Joint Interim Revenue Committee (JIRC) met September 11 and 12 in Buffalo. Tammy Schroeder, WEA Government Relations Director, presented the committee with revenue-related information from the recent WEA education funding poll. Three areas were highlighted: that voters across the political spectrum are willing to pay more in taxes if it goes to K-12 funding, that a variety of tax increases are acceptable ways to close the K-12 funding gap, and that 80% of the voters say that K-12 funding should not be cut. Generally, the information was well-received by the committee. Senator Cale Case expressed interest in a tax on wind energy, and Senator Ellis expressed concern that a sales tax may be a burden for those in poverty. The results of the survey can be found on the WEA website here: wyoea.org/files/2017/08/2017-WEA-Polling-Results.pdf The JIRC is working hard to find a solution to the state's funding woes. They have expressed deep concern for K-12 education funding, and realize the need for a stable revenue stream. Please take the time to reach out to the committee members and let them know you appreciate their hard work. The committee members' names can be found on the Wyoming legislative website (legisweb.state.wy.us/), under the Interim Committee Activities tab. Finding a solution to the budget shortfall will not be easy, and it is going to take all of us working together to do it. The Legislative Services Office (LSO) will be drafting legislation addressing some of the committee's interim topics; WEA will watch these bills closely and notify members of their activity through the WEA Legislative Updates: wyoea.org/2017-legislative-updates Tammy Schroeder, Government Relations Director Ag Board Committee Meeting At a recent Joint Agriculture Committee meeting, WEA testified to remind the Committee of its fiduciary duty to maximize the revenue generated from school trust lands. These lands, sections 16 and 36 in every township, were set aside in trust for the school children of Wyoming as a condition of statehood. Unlike other state lands, school trust lands must be managed to maximize revenue for the operations of schools. At this meeting, the discussion involved "stranded" school trust lands – those that are inaccessible because they are in a federal wilderness area, in a wilderness study area, or are in a sensitive habitat study area. The Trust Land Management Office is proposing a system to exchange these lands with the federal government for land which will better meet the trust obligation. WEA meets regularly with the Office of State Lands and Investments, attends State Land Board and Agriculture Board meetings, and closely follows the activity on school trust lands to send a strong message to the trustees that school trust lands must be managed in a way to generate the most money possible for Wyoming schools. Tammy Schroeder, Government Relations Director

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