Idaho is among the growing number of “right to work” states, in which union membership is not a prerequisite to getting a job. In order to attract new members in these states, teacher unions play up their ability to provide educators with professional liability insurance – a necessity in today’s hyper-litigious society – while downplaying the union’s far-left political agenda.
Last year, Idaho lawmakers passed a law requiring the state’s school districts to provide teachers with a comprehensive list of liability insurance providers, lest educators think the highly politicized and expensive Idaho Education Association was the only game in town. That allowed educators to learn about the nonpartisan Northwest Professional Educators, which offers teacher insurance protection for $198 a year, compared to the almost $600 it costs to join the IEA.
The law was a good idea in theory, but it has resulted in teachers being inundated with a huge list of potential insurance providers, “leading to frustration for districts and confusion for teachers,” writes The Heartlander.
The House passed a new bill this week that would whittle the list down to only companies that provide teacher liability insurance, and require the companies to request placement on a district’s list. It’s unclear if the Senate will take action on the bill or not.
