Utah's largest teachers union decided last year not to oppose a major step taken by lawmakers to remove state constitutional mandates that protect funding for children and students.
The Utah Education Association also did not protest or attempt to intervene during the 2024 legislative session.
However, on Thursday, March 14, UEA president Renee Pinckney said the union board had decided to oppose the change, saying it was “contrary to our values and challenges what we stand for.” '' was announced.
“We know that public schools are where childhoods are spent,” Pinckney said in a letter to union members, adding that the union “is committed to protecting people of all races, backgrounds, origins and where they live. He added that he believes all children have the right to learn, regardless of their background. Welcoming, safe, well-resourced public classrooms foster a strong sense of belonging, where children's curiosity and creativity come to life. ”
Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams said in a statement that he was disappointed by the UEA's silence during the session and the renewed opposition.
“I specifically asked for feedback from [the UEA] during this legislative session,” Adams said. “UEA chose not to get involved and waited until the end of the session to change its position. It would be more productive and effective for stakeholders to come to the table and propose solutions.”
Utah's constitution requires the state to spend income tax revenue on public education, higher education, and some social services, and that the funds “support children and assist individuals with disabilities.” is also recognized.
Last year, lawmakers debated whether to ask voters to remove spending limits, and if Utahns supported the change, lawmakers promised to eliminate the state's share of sales taxes on groceries.
Due to the UEA's neutrality, lawmakers gave the green light to vote on Senate Joint Resolution 10, which puts the issue on the November 2024 ballot, and both chambers passed it on the last day of the 2023 session.
In recent years, higher-than-expected income tax collections have fueled Utah's large budget surplus, and lawmakers have argued that removing the constitutional provision would make budgeting easier.
But critics of eliminating education protections point out that Utah has long spent less per student than most other states.
Why did UEA change its mind?
Pinckney said on March 14 that the UEA decided on a “no position” position for 2023 because it deemed “education stakeholders” had given “conditional support” to the proposal at that year's session. he told the Salt Lake Tribune. The Utah State Board of Education voted to support the proposed constitutional amendment, while calling for a budget increase.
Pinckney added that the union continued to wait during the 2024 session to see if there were any changes to the text of the proposed constitutional amendment and to learn more about conditional support from stakeholders.
Pinckney added that UEA leaders have decided this year not to work with MPs themselves to draft changes or try to repeal the resolution. That's because, she attended a legislative session last year, she determined “our concerns have been sufficiently vetted,” she added.
She said she explained this reason to Adams.
But after lawmakers allocated an additional $40 million this year to the state's new private voucher program, bringing the total to $82 million over two sessions, “We stand by our values. “I realized there was a need,” Pinckney said. from income tax revenue.
“Imagine what this funding could do to meet the growing needs of public school students and educators,” she wrote to members.
The voucher program, dubbed “Utah Fits All,” began accepting applications at the end of February.
“With a voucher program, there is no accountability for the money,” Pinckney said. “The public school system imposes all kinds of accountability on educators and school districts. And while we're all for standards, we're not for double standards.”
discuss changes
Adams said the proposed constitutional amendment would provide a “double benefit,” with “new protections for education funding” that would allow for “greater flexibility” in addressing the state's needs. He said he expected to eliminate the state's food sales tax.
Under the proposal, Congress would be required to “maintain the statutory public education funding framework” that increases revenue to cover tuition increases due to inflation and student enrollment growth.
Last year, Rep. Brian King, D-Salt Lake City, said, “There is no commitment in the language of this constitutional amendment to require Congress to provide any meaningful level of funding.'' There are insufficient safeguards to ensure that they receive the benefits they are entitled to.”
But Sen. Dan McKay (R-Riverton) and Rep. Karen Peterson (R-Clinton), who sponsored SJR10 last year, defended it in a statement.
The resolution states, “The state constitution prioritizes education funding and provides voters with the opportunity to eliminate the state sales tax on food while ensuring students and educators have the resources they need. strengthen,” they said. SJR 10 is good for education and good for Utah families. ”
They added, “Education funding is a top priority for the Utah Legislature and voters. We are grateful to our educators, who have nearly doubled public education funding over the past decade. Education The budget is $8.43 billion, an increase of $832 million this year alone.”
This session, lawmakers also approved $167 million in income tax cuts, on top of a total of $480 million in 2022 and 2023.
Pinckney said lawmakers' continued pledge to cut income taxes is “one of our concerns” because cutting income taxes means cutting funding for public education.
“I asked, ‘How are we going to fund public education?’ Where is the money going to come from?’ I didn’t get a clear answer to that,” she said. . “Utah has never had a fully funded public education system. And taxpayer dollars should go to public schools.”
U.S. Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, released a statement on March 14 expressing support for UEA's new position on the resolution, which she said would divert funds from public schools. “This contradicts the vital need to invest in schools.” Our public education system. ”
“I encourage Utah voters to familiarize themselves with the items on their November ballot and make informed voting decisions,” Romero said. “By voting against the proposed constitutional amendment, you will protect Utah's public school system and ensure that all children have the opportunity to receive a quality education.”
