Countdown to Caucus—Go to your Party Caucus Tuesday March 23rd, 2010

March 22, 2010 in Be informed, Caucus, Delegate, Election, Get Involved, Party Convention, Public Polices, Utah, Utah Legislature, Utahns for Public Schools by Holly

To encourage continued citizen involvement in state and local government, Utahns for Public Schools offers a new informational section on our website: Countdown to Caucus. Follow the links below to learn how you can really make a difference in state government and influence education policy. Here’s a hint: It takes more than voting, and it starts long before November!

Learn more about Utah’s Caucuses:

Who decides who’s on the ballot?

Why should I attend party caucuses and become a delegate?

Delegate responsibilities

Becoming a delegate

Party caucus FAQ

Convention schedule

Communicating with elected officials

Links

Visit Utahns for Public Schools website for even more information.

 

“The power of our state comes from people who are concerned about their government… Government is a personal responsibility. You are the greatest safeguard against depersonalized government and the antidote to apathy.”
— Governor John Huntsman Jr. State of State Address 2008

Party Caucus 101—Question & Answer for Party Caucuses

March 22, 2010 in Be informed, Caucus, Delegate, Election, Get Involved, Party Convention, Public Education, Public Policy, Uncategorized, Utah, Utah Legislature by Holly

Party Caucus FAQ

Q: I’ve never been very political. Why should I attend a party caucus or mass meeting?

A: Many voters do not consider themselves to be part of a particular political party or movement. Most of us are regular people who choose to focus our attention on our families, our careers, and making ends meet. Our personal and family goals are far more important to us than the partisan divisiveness we see on the evening news. Voters in this state of mind may bristle at the thought of attending a “party caucus.” It sounds so…well, political. Why would we want to step into that world?

The fact is, a party caucus is the place where an ordinary person can make the most impact on county and state government. We tend to think of November elections as “decision time.” However, many of the important decisions about how our government is run are not made at the ballot box in November; they’re made in March at caucus meetings and in the spring and summer at party conventions. This is where priorities are set. This is where candidates are chosen. This is where we as a people determine the future direction of our communities — and, of course, our public schools.

Q: What is the difference between a “neighborhood (or precinct) caucus” and a “mass meeting”?

A: The Utah State Republican Party holds neighborhood or precinct caucuses throughout the state. At these meetings, often held at a home in the neighborhood, voters assemble by voting precinct. This year the Republican party is also meeting by legislative district in some areas.  The Utah State Democratic Party holds mass meetings at which voters gather according to legislative district. During the meeting, participants break into smaller groups to conduct precinct business.

Q: When do precinct caucus and mass meetings take place?

A: Meetings for all parties are held on the same Tuesday evening in March. The 2010 caucuses and mass meetings will be held on March 23rd.

Q: What happens at a neighborhood caucus or mass meeting?

A: At precinct caucuses and mass meetings, participating voters organize the party within their precinct by electing officers such as precinct chair, vice chair, etc. More importantly they also elect delegates to participate in the party’s county and state conventions. Those delegates’ votes will determine which candidates for office will be presented to voters during the primary or general election. Delegates also determine party officers and make important decisions about the party’s platform.

Q: Who can participate in a neighborhood caucus or mass meeting?

A: The rules for participation are set by the respective party. The Utah Republican Party requires voters to be registered as Republicans in order to participate in a neighborhood caucus, party convention, or primary election. The Utah Democratic Party mass meetings, conventions, and primary elections are open to all registered voters.

Q: How do I know if I’m registered with a particular political party?

A: Check your voter information card or contact your county clerk’s office. Salt Lake County residents can obtain this information by completing an online form here.

Q: How do I register with a political party?

A: When you register to vote, you have the option of affiliating with a particular political party. To change your party affiliation, simply fill out a new voter registration form. Your voter record will be updated with the new information. For more information on registering to vote, click here.

Q: How do I find the meeting for my precinct?

A: Caucus locations are usually published in local newspapers a few days before caucus night. You can also get information by contacting party headquarters:

Utah State Republican Party
w: www.utgop.org
t: (801) 553-9777 -or- 1-800-230-UTAH
e: http://info@utgop.org

Utah State Democratic Party
w: www.utdemocrats.org
t: (801) 328-1212

You will need to know your precinct number to locate the correct caucus meeting.

Q: Can I attend a caucus outside my own neighborhood?

A: In order to participate in a party caucus, you must attend the meeting for your voting precinct.

Q: What if I don’t know my precinct number or legislative district number?

A: If you don’t know your precinct number or your legislative district, check your voter registration card or contact your county clerk’s office. If you live in Salt Lake County, you can look up your precinct number and other voter information. You can also determine your legislative district by consulting the map on the Legislature’s website.

Q: What if I’m not registered to vote?

A: You can register to vote at your County Clerk’s office or by mailing in a voter registration form. Statewide forms are available from the state Elections Office. Salt Lake County residents can complete a voter information form online. (You will still need to mail in a signed copy.)

Voter registration forms may be available at your caucus meeting.

Q: What if my name or address has changed since I registered to vote?

A: If your name or address has changed since you last registered to vote, you will need to fill out a new voter registration form.  Remember, you must participate in the caucus for the precinct in which you now live.

Q: What should I do if I’m told I can’t participate?

A: Don’t just leave; call the party to clarify.

Utah State Republican Party
t: (801) 553-9777 -or- 1-800-230-UTAH

Utah State Democratic Party
t: (801) 328-1212

Does Utah’s low per-pupil spending disadvantage Utah students?

February 14, 2010 in Budget cuts, Class size, Legislation, Public Policy, Utah Legislature, Utah Public Education by Holly

“Something is limiting Utah’s ability to perform at a level that would be expected for a state with its demographic profile.  With per-pupil funding $3,000 lower than its peer-group average, financial limitations are a likely limiting factor.”  Utah Foundation

 

Utah cut public education spending for the 2009-10 school year and plans to cut it again for the 2010-11. We feel it’s important that you know what Utah’s school children are going without because of these cuts and the constant ratcheting down of the revenue effort used to fund public education. Some of Utah’s policymakers consider reducing the ongoing revenue stream to public education sound policy in good economic times as well as in bad.  These recent budget cuts and this constant reduction to revenue effort affects what Utah students experience in terms of class size and support services that impact student achievement.  Research outlining Utah’s tax policy changes show that over 1 billion dollars a year have been eroded from public education funding.

 
If you are reading this blog, you’re probably already familiar with the statistics that show Utah last in the nation in per pupil spending, but what do the students in other states have that Utah students do not?  Utah spent an average of $5,437 per pupil in 2005-06, compared to $9,138 nationally.  Thus, the gap between Utah and U.S. average per pupil expenditures during that period was $3,702.  That difference increased to $3,977 in 2006-07, which is the most current period for which such statistics are available.  Follow the discussions concerning this year’s public education budget at: http://twitter.com/UTPS

 

 In the report issued by the Utah Foundation entitled “What Can $3,702 Buy? How Utah Compares in Education Spending and Services,” it indicates that Utah’s students get less and have lower achievement than five peer states. The report shows Utah’s five peer states (identified in Utah Foundation’s 2007 report as being demographically similar to Utah) spent between $7,700 and $10,000 per pupil.  Utah scored lowest on NAEP of all of its peer states in every category.  The states scoring lower than Utah are almost all states that struggle with entrenched poverty, heavy immigration or other demographic disadvantages.  Those with similar demographics to Utah scored higher.

Utah Students have Larger Classes

Utah Students have Larger Classes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utah Students have fewer Counselors

Utah Students have fewer Counselors

 

 

 

 

Utah Students have larger School Districts

Utah Students have Larger School Districts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utah Foundation states in its report, School Testing Results, 2006 & 2007: How Utah Compares to Other States—” The report finds that Utah is scoring well below what would be expected for a state with its demographic profile. In math, reading, and science tests for 8th graders, Utah ranked 30th (math), 29th (reading), and 18th (science). But if Utah were in the middle of its demographic peers, it would score in the top 10 nationally in science and in the top 15 states for math and reading. Utah’s closest overall peer states are South Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska. These are generally high-scoring states, and Utah falls behind each of them in each test examined.”

 

When Compared to Peer States Utah Scores Last

When Compared to Peer States Utah Scores Last

 It is imperative we have a tax system that is fair, equitable, broad-based, stable, and in sync with our economy, along with a school funding system that meets the needs of our children, ensuring adequate class sizes and quality educational opportunities for all students. The revenues invested in public schools are an investment in our state’s future. Public education should be funded at a level that meets the educational needs of Utah’s children, which will help to ensure the state’s economic future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of Utah public education budget cuts…

February 5, 2010 in Budget cuts, Class size, Legislation, Public Education, School Funding, Uncategorized, Utah, Utah Legislature, Utah Public Education, Utahns for Public Schools, policy choices by Holly

On Wednesday, the Utah Legislature passed a budget bill for public education that reduces revenue by 12-15%.  With 11,000 new students enrolling in Utah’s public schools, the only way to accommodate this huge cut is to reduce class offerings and increase class size, both of which directly affect the academic success of Utah students and ultimately Utah’s economy.  Legislators have until March 11th to increase funding for HB 1, the public education budget bill, making the decision to invest in Utah’s children.

Is the budget crisis an unavoidable consequence of the economic downturn?  Let’s take a look at some recent revenue changes…

Fact Sheet: Changes to Utah's Individual Income Tax

Fact Sheet: Changes to Utah's Individual Income Tax

This 2008 fact sheet prepared by the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel states:

 
“The Utah Legislature has cut taxes by nearly $400 million during the last two years, including significant cuts and changes to the state income tax [remember income tax is dedicated to public education]…”            

 ”The Legislature continues to reduce the rates of state and local sales tax as part of tax reform.”
 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Tax Cuts by 2007 Legislature

Estimated Tax Cuts by 2007 Legislature

 A research report written by the Utah Tax Commission states:

 ”…the Governor, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and special interest groups [special interest groups????]…passed the largest tax cut in the history of Utah.”

 

 

Research reports commissioned by Utahns for Public Schools find that systemic, if not systematic, changes have occurred in the past decade that, if reversed, would bring more than a $1 billion in revenue back into Public Education. 

Tax Policy Changes Cost to Public Education over $1 Billion Per Year

Tax Policy Changes Cost to Public Education over $1 Billion Per Year

Based on the School Funding and Tax Policy Series 2010

Funding at Risk Policy Recomendations

Diverting Education Funds from K-12 Public Education

School Funding and Tax Policy Series Report I

Poliferation of Sales Tax Eemptions and Corporate Property Tax Breaks

School Funding and Tax Policy Series Report II

Cuts to Minimum Program Property Tax Rates

School Funding and Tax Policy Series Report III

Income Tax Breaks to the Wealthy

School Funding and Tax Policy Series Report IV
 

Utahns for Public Schools recommends that the Legislature reconsider its actions of the last decade and once again conclude that Public Education should be its top long-term economic development priority. 

The Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce understands the importance of public education on the economy.  The Chamber said that education is the key to Utah’s economic future.  The Chamber stated: “In a challenging year for the state budget, the business community calls upon the State Legislature to fully fund both public and higher education–holding them harmless as cuts are administered to other programs and funding for enrollment growth.”  Watch their video, Building a First Class Workforce.

 
Utahns for Public Schools believes that it’s imperative that we have a tax system that is fair, equitable, broad-based, stable, and in sync with our economy, along with a school funding system that meets the needs of our children, ensuring adequate class sizes and quality educational opportunities for all students.  The revenues invested in public schools are an investment in our state’s future.  Public education should be funded at a level that meets the educational needs of Utah’s children, which will help to ensure the state’s economic future.

School Funding – Are we doing enough?

November 24, 2009 in Budget cuts, Class size, Get Involved, Public Education, Public Policy, School Funding, Teacher pay, Utah, Utah Legislature, Utah Public Education, Utahns for Public Schools by Holly

Public schools across the state are cutting programs and staff to balance budgets. The recent economic downturn, expensive mandates, and–some recent and others not so recent–changes to the tax structure have stretched education dollars. Record-breaking enrollments and more students with educational challenges also strain budgets, and yet education-funding efforts decline.
So, to start with, here’s a little refresher on where school funding comes from:

  • State income tax, earmarked for K-12 and higher education (formerly was earmarked for only K-12; more on this later)
  • State-mandated basic levy property tax (part of the minimum school program)
  • Other locally levied property taxes (voted leeway, board leeway, reading levies, etc.)
  • Federal funds
Picture1

Funding effort decline presentation

Utah had been one of the highest in the nation for funding effort until this decade.  The fall in education funding began with policy decisions during the 1990s.  (click to enlarge graph presentation.) Utah Foundation’s research report “PARADOX LOST,” notes that Utah ranks dead last in education funding.  However, it also observes another measure—tax revenue per $1,000 of personal income.  This is a measure of “funding effort,” or how heavily we are willing to tax ourselves to pay for public education.

Picture5

Basic tax levy decline

One reason for the decline in funding effort was the systematic property tax cuts.  The legislature began applying new principles to state-mandated property tax levies.  The main concept is that revenues should equal previous year (with no inflation adjustment), except for growth from new property development.  This has driven property tax rates lower nearly each year since 1995.

blog 5

Income tax deversion

Another reason for the declining funding effort was the diversion of income tax.  Utah voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1996 allowing income tax to be shared between K-12 and higher education.  It seems to have been sold as a way to benefit higher education, but in reality, it simply created flexibility in the budget.  As higher education received more dollars from income tax, general fund dollars were taken away from higher education allowing growth in other areas of the budget, e.g., roads, transportation, etc.  Higher education has received no benefit from this change, and previously earmarked K-12 funding is being diverted more and more into other areas.

The consequence of the trend was that the per-pupil funding gap widened.  In 1995, the gap between Utah and the next-lowest state (Mississippi) was $320 per pupil, or a 9% difference.  In 2005, the next-lowest state (Arizona) was $1,000 higher than Utah, or a 19% difference.  If Utah had kept up the funding efforts of 1995, schools would have had $600 million more annually in 2004.  Utah per-pupil spending would have been ranked 47th, rather than 51st.  This difference in ranking doesn’t sound that significant, but consider that class sizes could have been reduced by as much as 12 students per class!

State Superintendent Larry Shumway said the nearly $4,000 gap between what Utah spends and the national average means larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, fewer counselors, and less professional development for teachers in Utah.  Utah Foundation found that lower teacher pay and larger class sizes account for nearly half of the gap between what Utah spends per student and the nation.

“People like to say that money doesn’t make a difference when it comes to student achievement,” Shumway said.  “There’s no doubt this amount of money does.

What can we do?  Public involvement matters in school funding decisions.  The public offers a valuable point of view and link to the schools and community.

We need to examine closely the claim by some that our public schools have enough money.  Do schools have enough money to meet high expectations for all students or have schools been set up for disappointment by demanding something without the resources to be successful?  Can society hold public schools accountable for high achievement on one hand and yet deny funding for many of the tools that are proven to work?  Limited resources cause instability that leads to short-term planning and patchwork solutions.  Our elected officials make decisions every legislative session that affect education funding.

Contact your elected officials today, and insist that we renew our commitment to adequately fund public schools!  As Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber said, “We need to find a way to balance the state budget without cutting the very elements that will ensure our long-term economic vibrancy”

Ethics in the Utah legislature…why should I care?

October 30, 2009 in Ethics, Get Involved, Laws, Public Policy, Reform, Uncategorized, Utah Legislature, Utah Public Education by Holly

Citizens of all walks of life are and should be interested in the Utahns for Ethical Government (UEG) Initiative petition. The Legislature considers issues touching all aspects of modern society: medicine, finance, law, media, agriculture, labor, finance, education, entrepreneurship, and more. Literally, there is no area where legislative decisions do not have impact.

Education decisions in Utah are strongly affected by legislative actions:
• The budget for education is determined almost entirely by the Legislature.
• Increasingly, the Legislature is extending their influence into education curriculum and student assessment issues.
• The Legislature establishes the selection process for the Utah State Board of Education.
• Student and teacher behavior is altered by legislative decisions.
• The Legislature enacted laws that created charter schools.
• Although a public referendum reversed their decision, the Legislature voted to extend public money to support private schools.

The list could go on. More illustrations would support the point: the Legislature is heavily involved in decision-making regarding education.

At its heart, the UEG initiative petition is designed to alter the way the Legislature conducts itself ethically. Unfortunately, the influence of special interest money and extreme partisanship are central to current legislative behavior:

• No limits to campaign contribution are to be found in Utah. By the end of this year, Utah will be one of only 5 states that have no such limitations. Money flows freely and buys influence—influence that decides crucial school issues.
• Special interest dollars make up the bulk of the financial support for legislator’s elections. At least 81 cents of every dollar donated to lawmakers comes from special interests, according to a Deseret News report on 2008 campaign donations. Who should influence legislative decisions about our schools: special interest money or citizens?
• 

Currently, direct corporate donations to campaigns are unlimited even though at a federal level they are prohibited. The voucher campaign saw legislators and lobbyists teaming up to fund an independent PIC to promote vouchers. Money for that effort was heavily corporate money, and without this initiative, that kind of alliance will form every time it’s convenient for anti-public education forces to do so.
• In Utah, lobbyists hover about impacting legislative decisions regarding our schools. Recently, lobbyists have been at the middle of our strange approach for selecting state school board candidates, even sitting on the selection committee. A former legislator in Utah can end his legislative career one day and wield lobbyist influence the next. In fact, legislators can be registered lobbyists while they serve.
• Some legislative leaders collect special interest dollars and distribute them to other legislators in an act that looks very much like “buying” their leadership positions—positions which are then used to decide so much about our schools.
• Utah has been graded near the bottom of the heap in conflict of interest disclosure. Did you know that some sponsors and advocates for charter school legislation are employees or owners of charter schools?
• The Utah Legislature is one of only 10 states that have no independent ethics commission. If a legislator is suspected of ethical impropriety who decides the legislator’s guilt or innocence? The Legislature itself! In one of the most troubling illustrations, one legislator was accused of offering a bribe to buy a vote supporting private school vouchers. In an astounding act of partisanship the four Republicans on an internal legislative ethics committee voted he was not guilty; the four Democrats said he was! The tie resulted in no decision. A decision critical to education being meted out in a blatant display of partisanship!

Situations like those above clearly demonstrate that legislative ethics in Utah are plagued with problems—problems that surround decisions about education.

Some education-oriented groups are staying out of the debate on legislative ethics. They fear that if they become involved recrimination will result—recrimination that could negatively impact our children. The concern may be well founded, and if it is then it demonstrates clearly a fault in the system. Decisions about school children should not be “batted” around because any advocate happens to believe differently on any issue. Such recrimination is, in my opinion, deplorable.

All people in Utah need to be concerned with legislative ethics, and educators cannot be at the back of the line. Silence on this issue is to abandon our schools to a faulty decision-making process. Advocates for strong schools must also be advocates for strong ethical behavior in our Legislature.

Written by Kim R. Burningham

Past Republicain Legislator and Chair of Utahns for Ethical Government

Get Informed – Take Action – Connect!

September 23, 2009 in Get Involved, Laws, Legislation, Public Education, Public Policy, Utah, Utah Legislature, Utah Public Education, Utahns for Public Schools by Holly

Welcome to the Utahns for Public Schools blog, where you’ll find research and information on the policies and practices that affect public education in Utah. This blog is written by many people who are interested in the state of public education, and believe that when citizens pay attention and get involved, better-quality public policies prevail.

Utahns for Public Schools (UTPS) Mission
In order to advance the quality of public education through improved state and local policymaking, UTPS will prepare and disseminate accurate, timely research and information; support well-informed public engagement; and advocate for ethical and transparent governance.

Many decisions concerning public schools and public school funding are made at the Utah Legislature. In fact, more than 100 bill files/bills were considered under the subject of education in the last legislative session, down significantly from the 2008 session when legislators considered 181. These various pieces of legislation addressed things like school funding, class size, accelerated learning programs, bullying and hazing, arts programs and teacher pay, just to name a few. I see that 2010 is listed online now too, and there are already more than 20 bills in process for the upcoming session—which is still five months away. The list of bills for 2010 addresses a myriad of topics, everything from equalization of property taxes to vending machines in elementary schools.  So, as you can see, your legislators are making decisions that directly influence the education our children are receiving, and how they receive it.

It’s up to us to be knowledgeable citizens, to understand key issues and decisions that impact Utah’s education system, and to make quality education a priority. Public policy is best created in the context of an open, transparent process, where public participation is encouraged, and elected officials are held to high ethical standards.

You can attend the Education Committee meetings where legislators are considering issues that affect public education, or you can listen in on the discussion, which is broadcast live, and archived. You can even:

  • have all agendas and minutes for this committee e-mailed to you, Click Here
  • have all agendas and minutes for all interim committees e-mailed to you, Click Here (recomended only for those with way too much time an their hands!)
  • Subscribe to a podcast of this committee:podcast

The education committee meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every month between sessions from April through November at the Capitol. We hope to see you there, but if you can’t make it, stay connected through Utahns for Public Schools—your resource for helping to create better policies and practices that affect public education in Utah.

Visit Utahns for Public Schools website often at utahnsforpublicschools.org, follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/UTPS or become our fan on facebook, and don’t forget to bookmark this blog or add it to your favorites.