Elected officials make decisions that impact teachers on a daily basis. From funding decisions to working conditions, public policy makers make political decisions that have very real consequences in the classroom. Therefore, the UEA takes a leadership role in urging the Utah State Legislature and School Boards to prioritize public school funding, promote quality teaching and learning, and ensure that school employees are valued and respected.
Founded as the nation's first educator political action committee in 1964, the Utah EducationAssociation Political Action Committee (U-PAC) is the political arm of the UEA. Since absolutely no member dues are used for political parties or candidates, U-PAC allows educators to have a voice in political issues affecting children and public education. U-PAC is directed and run by classroom teacher members from throughout the state. Chaired by the UEA President, the U-PAC Executive Council has bi-partisan representatives from each local UniServ and the UEA Board of Directors.
U-PAC provides education and information to UEA members about political matters, works with local associations to identify candidates with favorable positions on the UEA's legislative priorities, recommends and provides financial and other assistance to political candidates for statewide and legislative offices, participates with the two major parties, and collects and utilizes data related to candidate screening and campaign assistance. Local associations and UniServ units have independent PACs that assist candidates in their local areas, including local school board candidates. Bi-partisan teacher teams in local areas around the state conduct candidate interviews, and the local associations then make candidate recommendations to U-PAC. Many UEA members also volunteer to work for recommended candidates in their local areas.
You can do your part to help support candidates who "measure up" for children and public education by sending a voluntary contribution. Simply visit our online PAC contribution page.