Wyoming Education Association

Summer 2018

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Voting For Your Interests - What does it mean? Legislative Action This year's elections carry critical weight for educators, students, and families in Wyoming. Whoever is elected will determine the landscape of education in the coming years. In the last two elections, many legislators have been elected who claim to support public education in Wyoming, only later to bow to the pressure of party leaders who demand they vote to cut education funding. It's critical that Wyoming voters know all they can about those whose names are on the ballot. When you consider who you will choose in the upcoming election, it's important to know what that candidate stands for, how that candidate will be held accountable to the promises made once elected, and if an incumbent, how he or she voted while in the legislature. Too many times in our state, voters choose based only on a party affiliation without really knowing whether that candidate is qualified, has an agenda, or where that candidate stands on the issues that are important to the voters. Below are some tips to help you become politically active and informed for this election cycle. PERSONALLY INFORM YOUR LEGISLATOR: There are many ways you can learn about a candidate's position on matters critical to education. The first and maybe the most obvious way is to meet with your local legislators. Wyoming has a "citizen legislature," which means that your legislators live and work in your community year-round. Why not invite a legislator to have a cup of coffee and share your story as an educator in Wyoming? If you see your senator at the hardware store, ask if he or she has a moment to talk about what your classroom is missing after the recent budget cuts and what will happen if more cuts are made. Members of the Wyoming legislature rely upon the education community to help them understand the impact and effect of its decisions. It's our duty to inform legislators at every possible opportunity. If they don't hear from us, they will certainly hear from those clambering to cut education spending – and who do not know the full impact of the decisions made in Cheyenne! Another way to keep in touch is to write original, heartfelt emails. Use specific examples of how cuts impact the services you provide to the students in your community. Be honest and accurate, and focus on how the funding reductions impact students. Remember, the legislators who represent your community are supposed to be responding to the needs of your community – is your local school an important part of your community? Remind your legislator of that! Host a house party and invite your neighbors, friends, and community leaders to meet the candidate. If you do this, be sure to have prepared some questions on note cards that those attending can ask. Give the candidate time to talk on the issues for a few minutes, and then allow some time for a question and answer session. An hour is usually enough time to do this, and it will go a long way both in informing the voters in your area and helping the candidate get out the message. This fight is not just our fight – it impacts the entire community. Get your neighbors involved, the parents of your students, your friends. Most of the schools in Wyoming are in small towns, and often the school is the heart of that community. Make sure the people representing you in Cheyenne understand the importance of the school and the need to keep it funded. A clear message to them should be that if they don't want to fund your school, your community will elect someone who does support your school. REVIEW AND KNOW YOUR LEGISLATOR'S VOTING RECORD Another important way to understand where your legislator's interests lie is to look at the voting records on the Legislative Services Office (LSO) website. Just search "Wyoming LSO," and you will get to the website. From there, look at 2018 Bills, find the bill Tammy Schroeder WEA Government Relations Director tschroeder@wyoea.org 3

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