Fact Check: "The lawsuit directly challenges the Legislature’s expansion this past session of its voucher program, which provides public funds to cover private education costs."
What We Know
The Wyoming Education Association (WEA), alongside nine parents of school-aged children, has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state's education savings account program, which was significantly expanded by the Wyoming Legislature in 2024. This program allocates up to $7,000 per K-12 student annually for families to use towards private education costs (WyoFile). The lawsuit argues that this program violates the Wyoming Constitution in two primary ways: it directs public funds to private enterprises, which is prohibited, and it undermines the mandate for a "complete and uniform system of education" (WyoFile).
The expansion of the voucher program has been a contentious issue in Wyoming, with proponents arguing it provides more educational choices for families, especially in rural areas, while critics assert it diverts essential funding from public schools (WyoFile). The lawsuit is part of a broader trend, as similar legal challenges against voucher programs have been observed in other states, indicating a growing movement to contest these policies on constitutional grounds (Education Week).
Analysis
The claim that the lawsuit challenges the recent expansion of the voucher program is supported by multiple credible sources. The WEA's lawsuit explicitly states its intention to contest the constitutionality of the program, which was expanded during the latest legislative session. The arguments presented in the lawsuit align with ongoing debates about the legality of using public funds for private education, a topic that has seen numerous legal challenges across various states (WyoFile, Education Week).
The reliability of the sources used in this fact-check is high. WyoFile is a reputable news outlet that focuses on Wyoming's educational and political landscape, providing detailed coverage of local issues. Additionally, the broader context provided by Education Week highlights the national trend of legal challenges against voucher programs, reinforcing the significance of the WEA's lawsuit (Education Week).
While some proponents of the voucher program, such as House Education Chairman Ocean Andrew, believe the lawsuit will not succeed based on similar cases in other states, this does not negate the validity of the claim regarding the lawsuit's purpose (WyoFile).
Conclusion
The claim that "the lawsuit directly challenges the Legislature’s expansion this past session of its voucher program, which provides public funds to cover private education costs" is True. The evidence clearly shows that the WEA's lawsuit is aimed at contesting the recent legislative changes to the voucher program, citing constitutional violations related to the use of public funds for private education.
