Government for the People – Not Teachers Unions
Idaho taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to fund union politicking or activism.
Email Governor Little and tell him to support HB 516.
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There’s a line between teaching and campaigning.
Across Idaho, taxpayer-funded school systems are being used to support far-left teachers unions, giving them more control over classrooms and more clout in politics.
That includes:
- Government payroll systems collecting union dues from teachers' paychecks
- Public dollars paying for time spent on union activism
- Taxpayer resources supporting organizations engaged in political advocacy
HB 516 draws a clear boundary:
Government should not fund teachers union operations.
Where your tax dollars are going
Public reporting shows that our tax dollars are quietly subsidizing teachers union activity:
- Idaho school districts collect over $1 million per year in union dues through taxpayer-funded payroll systems
- A portion of that money flows to national organizations engaged in political activity
- In the 2024 general election, 93% of Idaho teachers union political spending benefited Democrats
- Dozens of districts pay teachers to perform union work during the school day - not classroom instruction
This isn't speculation. It's documented.
This isn’t about teachers.
HB 516 protects teachers – and taxpayers.
HB 516:
- Does not ban teachers unions
- Does not limit teachers’ right to organize
- Does not reduce classroom funding
It simply says:
- Teachers unions should collect their own dues
- Union work should be paid for by unions – not taxpayers
- Political activity should not be subsidized by public schools
That’s neutrality. Not punishment.
Idaho voters agree
Polling shows that a majority of Idaho voters support:
- Ending taxpayer funding of teachers unions
- Ending government collection of union dues
- Limiting taxpayer-funded union release time
This isn’t extreme. It’s common sense.