Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1349911
15 Many leaders in our Association and members across Wyoming have made a big investment of time and energy into these little postcards. eir hard work is paying off. During committee meetings and on the House and Senate Floors, Lawmakers have repeatedly mentioned the "mail about education funding" they have received. During a House Education Committee meeting on February 25, Representatives Cathy Connolly and Steve Harshman commented on the campaign, as did Majority Floor Leader Rep. Albert Sommers. "I think we all appreciated the cards we got," said Rep. Sommers. "It's nice to get handwritten notes. You know, we don't get that very oen anymore." "e statewide postcard campaign has been successful," says WEA President Grady Hutcherson, "because our members know that the time has come to tell lawmakers that their constituents won't abide by kicking this can down the road any longer. People in this state value education. Parents, business owners, all kinds of people in Wyoming are ready to come together to solve this for our kids." In February, the House Education Committee met for a special presentation from Professor Robert Godby, a member of the Economics Department at the University of Wyoming. Professor Godby provided an in-depth presentation on a detailed survey of Wyoming residents asking, given the budget crisis, how Wyoming residents thought the Legislature should address these issues. Several options were presented, including raising taxes, spending down the LSRA account, cutting K-12 funding, and cutting other services. e survey findings show that the most significant concern of Wyoming citizens is implementing cuts to K-12 education. is approach garners the least support. Additionally, cutting K-12 education funding resulted in the steepest drop-off in support for lawmakers, with overall approval rates dropping approximately 10% if cuts were to be made to education versus no action being taken to resolve Wyoming's budget crisis. ese findings reinforce what many engaged WEA members—and other community allies of education across the state—have been telling Wyoming lawmakers all along: Our students are our priority. "ese postcards have been a great start. It's been a good way to get lawmakers' attention," says President Hutcherson. "But, I do hope that our members—and all supporters of public education—know that we have a long road ahead of us to secure a stable source of funding for Wyoming schools. It's never too late to get involved and reach out to our legislators. is is only the beginning." From left: ACEA members Mariah Learned and Paige Gustafson host a postcard writing party in their local. 2017. Worth Every Penny postcards delivered to the Capitol. March 2021. Rep. Steve Harshman holds up a stack of Worth Every Penny postcards he's received during a House Education Committee meeting. February 25, 2021. Because of the rapidly evolving nature of the legislature, WEA legislative action opportunities change frequently. Reach out to WEA Government Relations at tmullen@wyoea.org to learn more about how you can get involved. Sign up for Legislative Updates from WEA at www.wealegislativeinfo.com.