The National Education Association (NEA) has spent roughly $1.8 million working to oppose Proposition 1, Wyoming's ballot initiative to cut 50% of residential property tax on qualifying homes.
Altogether, the Wyoming Political Action Committee (PAC) that the NEA is funding — Vote No On Prop. 1 — has spent about $2.4 million opposing Proposition 1, which makes it one of the biggest-spending Wyoming-based PACs this cycle.
The NEA is the “Vote No” PAC’s largest source of funding.
The national group gave $400,000 to Vote No On Prop. 1 during the primary election cycle, plus another $5,195.57 worth of in-kind contribution by lending a fiscal impact analysis, Wyoming campaign finance reports show.
In the general election, NEA gave the Vote No PAC another $1.425 million, plus $1,442.33 in in-kind services.
Its total $1,831,638 contribution comprises about 79% of the Vote No PAC’s total donations, which ended just over $2.3 million for both primary and general election cycles.
‘Why Would They Care?'
Cheryl Aguiar, one of the original organizers of the Proposition 1 ballot initiative, questioned in a Thursday interview why an out-of-state group is so interested in it.
“Why would they care?” she asked.
The Wyoming Education Association, which is the state counterpart to NEA, advocates for more money for public schools, both to the Legislature and in litigation against the state.
Aguiar noted that the Legislature can’t gouge schools just because of Prop. 1 cuts, which she called “pocket change.”
The courts demand an equitable and adequate level of money for schools because of school-funding clauses in the Wyoming Constitution.
If property tax revenues shrink enough for a Prop. 1 success to hurt K-12 schools, then the Legislature would have to pull from other sources to make up the difference.
It doesn’t have the same constitutional constraints for other local services impacted by property tax revenues.
“The only thing I can think of, which is sort of dark I guess, and I hate thinking this way,” continued Aguiar, “it feels like they (outside forces) just don’t want the people to know they have any power.”
The people’s initiative could be seen as a power move, since cutting local services may — or may not — force the Legislature to downsize its own programs or projects to make up the difference.
Prop. 1 A ‘Win’ Regardless
Aguiar was optimistic on Thursday, however, saying whether Prop. 1 passes or not, it’s been “a win.”
That’s because the people’s initiative sparked intense conversation around residential property taxes, which soared after COVID, and likely buoyed other law changes toward property tax relief.
The Legislature has implemented a 25% cut up to the first $1 million of home value on most homes, a 4% annual growth cap, a 50% exemption for long-term homeowners over 65, and broadened its refund program.
If it passes, the 50% exemption would apply to primary home structures of people who have lived in Wyoming for at least a year, and in that home for at least six months.
There’s no cap, which is why the initiative would yield around 25% of its benefit to residents of ultra-wealthy Teton County.
NEA did not immediately respond to an email request for comment; its media line could not connect via call Thursday afternoon.
Kim Amen, who chairs the Vote No On Prop. 1 PAC and is also the president of the Wyoming Education Association, did not immediately respond to a Thursday voicemail request for comment.
Compare
On the other side of the issue, the pro-initiative group BCR Voter Initiatives has raised less than half a percentage point what Vote No On Prop. 1 has raised.
Its contributions came to $11,121.97 for both primary and general cycles, including $3,000 from the Wyoming Constitution Party.
Aguiar said individuals have gone vocal about Prop. 1, however, driving a more grassroots style movement that fits the type of legislation it is, a “people’s initiative.”
She recalled the early days of forming the initiative’s language.
Advocates thought about lowering the residential property tax assessment rate from its current 9.5%, or crafting an initiative that would keep homes’ assessed value in line with their original purchase price.
But the 50% cut was easier for people to understand, she said.
“You know, my goal was always just to teach people how to fight, or to learn that they had a voice, right,” said Aguiar. “And boy, it really taught them. They stepped up and did way more than I ever did.”
Aguiar said several of the petition circulators went on to become legislators.
About Prop. 1
The people’s ballot initiative has bred ire between proponents and opponents.
Proponents say it’s time for the government to conserve, and the Legislature can fill any shortages the cut brings to local services.
Opponents say the measure harms local services, is short-sighted, and transfers taxation power away from people’s own districts to Cheyenne.
Notably, about two-thirds of local property tax revenues fund K-12 schools. The rest fund local governments, special districts like fire departments, hospitals and cemeteries; and community colleges.
Some counties, like Campbell and Sublette, enjoy higher revenue proportions from other kinds of property tax. Others, like Sheridan, Natrona and Park, have more dependence on residential property taxes.
Other Sources
Vote No On Prop. 1 raised money from multiple other sources:
- The Wyoming Civic Engagement Network ($80,000)
- The Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees ($24,000)
- The Wyoming Community Foundation ($10,000)
- The Wyoming Heritage Foundation ($25,000)
- Better Wyoming ($25,000)
- Wyoming Donor Alliance ($206,000)
- Wyoming Realtors Association ($25,000)
- Wyoming Education Association ($50,000)
- Conpac contractors PAC ($25,000)
- Natrona County one-cent PAC ($968.67 in-kind)
- And $2,236.09 from individuals.
