UEA expects to see more tuition tax credit bills

2005 Legislature: More questions than answers

As the state of Utah readies itself to inaugurate a new governor, it faces an unusual mix of change and uncertainty. The UEA Lobby Team is as anxious as anyone to learn how the new Huntsman Administration intends to interact with the newly-elected Utah Legislature – also under new leadership – to solve long-standing funding problems in a brand new location.

Here's what the Utah Education Association knows at this point in time:

Funding

State revenue collections are currently running about 7 percent above projections, indicating that Utah 's struggling economy of the past three years is finally on the road to recovery. This should provide the state with a much-needed surplus assuming the trend holds. Current revenues have generated a mid-fiscal year surplus of about $70 million, and, even if the growth rate slows, projections indicate a surplus of more than $100 million could be available for help in funding next year's education budget. Anticipated growth in new students statewide is expected to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000. While this represents an overall increase of about 2 percent, the growth will not be distributed evenly. Ogden , Salt Lake , Granite, and Logan will actually experience decreases of 1 to 2 percent, while districts in Utah and Tooele counties will have to cope with increases ranging from 3 to 5 percent. Funding new growth alone could cost upwards of $35 million. | More >>

Gov. Walker announces education budget

On December 10, Utah Governor Olene Walker announced her fiscal year 2006 budget recommendations, emphasizing fiscal prudence, quality education, and quality of life.

To maintain quality education, the governor is recommending a 5 percent increase in the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU), or $78.6 million. She is also recommending $33.8 million to cover student enrollment growth and $16 million for a Performance Plus Math Program. In addition, the governor's proposal calls for $6.5 million for the Utah Basic Skills and Competency Test (UBSCT) to provide remediation training for all tenth-grade students who don't pass this test, which is needed to graduate from high school.

“We have had to tighten our belts the past few years and prioritize. We have established strong priorities in education, and we have focused on reserve funds, economic development, and quality of life. I hope the Legislature will continue to work to meet these priorities,” Walker said.

Understanding Tuition Tax Credits

[ Editor's Note: The 2005 Utah Legislature is poised to introduce tuition tax credit legislation. The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have jointly researched the growing threat of tax credit vouchers (or tuition tax credits as they are referred to in Utah ). Excerpts from their publication, “Tool Kit for Fighting Tax Credit Vouchers,” are included in this article in an effort to better inform UEA members about the history and danger of tuition tax credit schemes. ]

The current push for tax credit vouchers is best understood in the broader context of the ongoing attacks on public education. For the last quarter century, a variety of organizations and individuals have sought to divert public tax dollars to private schools. | More >>

Deadline for filing Declaration of Candidacy forms is January 10, 2005

UEA Board members, NEA RA delegates to be elected in 2005

The following Utah Education Association offices will be subject to election in 2005:

• Color Country Director on the UEA Board of Directors* (One-year term)
• Color Country NEA RA Successor Delegate (One-year term)
• Granite Director on the UEA Board of Directors (Three-year term)
• Granite NEA RA Successor Delegate (Three-year term)
• Jordan Director on the UEA Board of Directors (Three-year term)
• Jordan NEA RA Successor Delegate (Three-year term)
• Wasatch Director on the UEA Board of Directors* (One-year term)
• NEA State Director on the UEA Board of Directors (Three-year term)
• Ethnic Minority Director on the UEA Board of Directors (Three-year term) | More >>