When using taxpayer dollars all of us want that money to be put to work in ways that best benefit our society. This is why tax resources should be spent on improving classrooms and student outcomes, not used as a means for promoting government union political ambitions. That's why it is exciting to see a new proposal to stop tax dollars from being used to subsidize the activities of teacher unions.
Idaho Representative Judy Boyle has recently proposed House Bill 98. This proposal would ensure that taxpayer money doesn’t pay for things that are outside the focus of improving education. Government officials would not be allowed to use school district funds, staff, or equipment to support teachers’ union activities.
This bill is an outgrowth of work previously discussed in another post on this blog. We noted that taxpayer dollars should be spent on things that truly benefit our communities: education, infrastructure, and public services. HB 98 puts the philosophy into practice.
The bill prohibits public officers from using taxpayer dollars to promote teacher unions through various means, whether deducting union dues from people's wages or using district funds for union-related activities. It is important to note that this legislation does not restrict teachers' ability to unionize or be involved in union activities, it simply ensures that these activities will not be financed by the taxpayer. Teachers can still do work on behalf of their union, but they must now do so on their own time and with their own personal finances.
HB 98 signals a real move in the right direction to ensure that taxpayer dollars aren't used to subsidize the activities of teacher unions.