Representative Lanny Fite

Meeting — Feb. 2, 2021 (4:02)

recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank

Meeting — April 4, 2023 (37:50)

But I think the practice of the state deducting dues is really the important issue in that in eliminating a program that's no longer necessary. any additional questions for

Meeting — April 4, 2023 (37:28)

teachers' unions are a massive, very political organization. There's absolutely no hiding that. You know, once you get to their funds, a third of their money goes toward politics. And so to ignore that would, I mean, definitely be probably not the best way to go.

Meeting — April 4, 2023 (36:38)

I would consider supporting a bill if it were before me, but this is the one here today.

Meeting — April 4, 2023 (36:57)

I didn't say blindly. I just asked the question. I said I would

Meeting — April 4, 2023 (35:39)

ago. The state does not need to be collecting dues for private organizations. We can step away from that. It's good fiscal policy to eliminate government programs when they're not necessary anymore. There's no need to keep them running forever and ever and ever when they outlive their usefulness. That's just a fact. Any members, any additional questions?

Meeting — April 4, 2023 (35:02)

there's not a fiscal impact, uh, with the, with the bill, but, you know, I think that it would be a net gain over time for the man hours spent, you know, dealing with the dues and mailing them off and collecting them and

Meeting — April 4, 2023 (34:26)

a third of Arkansas's entire budget for education for the entire state of Arkansas. They don't need your help collecting dues. They can do it on their own. And, you know, I also just want to add that just really take a step back and think about your own lives. Again, as Representative Hodge just pointed out, this is at most a minor inconvenience. I mean, we all have automatic payments that we have to switch up from time to time or do this or do that or a new subscription. That's all it is. Going from this to this. Very simple. Um, and, uh, we've already pointed out that, you know,

Meeting — April 4, 2023 (33:53)

by the state of Arkansas does not stay in the state of Arkansas. It's roughly a third because it does vary, you know, by teacher if they're part-time or full-time. But the dues that go to NEA is set by their constitution and bylaws as a percentage of the national average salary of teachers. And it amounts to a little over $200 a year. That immediately leaves the state of Arkansas, regardless of anything else that they pay to the local organizations. Now, the NEA in itself is an organization that brings in well over half a billion dollars a year, to be exact, just

Meeting — April 4, 2023 (33:21)

in these organizations or being a member or anything like that. It will have absolutely no effect on any benefits or retirement income or anything of that nature. Only dues payments going to private organizations. I also want to point out that numerous other states have already implemented similar laws. Just this year alone, Tennessee and Florida are considering similar bills, and Kentucky has actually already passed it by overwhelmingly overriding a governor veto. Now, back to, you know, what I said a minute ago, a third of the dues money collected

Meeting — April 4, 2023 (32:47)

this is an attack on teachers. It's absolutely not. Every teacher that's paying dues will see a net increase in their pay. No one's going to be hurt by this, and the only people that will be affected are private organizations for which the state is collecting dues. You know, that's a practice that began nearly half a century ago, became common in the 70s. So, like Representative Hodges said, the times have changed. We just don't live in that world anymore. So, and as he said, you know, this doesn't do anything to stop from participating

Meeting — April 4, 2023 (32:14)

you may begin your testimony. Thank you. Thank you. I guess we're on now. Rusty Brown, I'm the Southern Director of Freedom Foundation. One point I want to clarify real quick. also includes C5 organizations, which are labor unions. And although I believe the AEA has reclassified themselves as a C6, a third of their dues money ends up getting sent to D.C. to the National Education Association. So one of the things that I've heard is that

Meeting — April 4, 2023 (5:49)

recognized Representative Meeks for your question. Thank you. Thank you, Representative. I like what you're doing here. Just

Education Committee (House) — April 7, 2023 (1:21)

Thank you so much, and thank you for doing all of this because I have Mountainburg students in my district, although not the city of Mountainburg, and the superintendent told me she has not been sleeping for a long time because of this so thanks for helping to get