Politics

.…..

Why Now?

Duke Mossman, NUES

The Future of Education Depends on it!

What happens at the State Legislature has a HUGE effect on what happens in the classroom.

YOU CAN Make a Difference

Background

 Utah’s Unique Caucus System  County divided into precincts    Each precinct elects  State Delegates (4,000 Rep., 2,000 Dem.)  County Delegates  Chair, Secretary Etc.

State Delegates go to the State Convention County Delegates go to the County Convention

Requirements

  In order to participate in a Caucus meeting you need to:  Be 18 or older    Be a registered voter Live within the precinct boundaries New this year, you do not need to be a member of the party to participate Deseret News Article

County Convention

   Select  County Commission    County Assessor County Treasurer County Attorney Etc.

Determines if a primary will be needed Appearances made by most State Candidates

State Convention

 Select  Federal Congressional Candidates     State Legislature Candidates (House & Senate) State Office Candidates (Governor, Attorney General, State Auditor, State Treasurer Etc.

Determines if a primary will be needed – 60% Appearances made by most State Candidates

YOU can make a difference by being a State Delegate or by electing an “Education-Friendly” State Delegate

State Legislative Process

     Each one of you have a Senator and House Representative based on where you live.

Find out who they are.

Legislature Web Site – le.utah.gov

Don’t be shy to contact them via E-mail or Phone. Use your personal E-mail outside of school hours.

Legislative Session

  Begins the Monday after Human Rights day (January 26 this year-Fourth Monday) and runs for 45 days concluding in March.

They also meet in interim meetings about every other month outside of the session.

Senate

    There are 29 Senators (24 R, 5 D, 24 Men, 5 Women).

They Serve four year terms (Staggered).

The leader of the Senate is the President of the Senate (Wayne Niederhauser).

Senate Web Site

House of Representatives

    There are 75 Representatives They serve two year terms The leader of the House is the Speaker of the House (Becky Lockhart) House Web Site

Committees

    Legislators are assigned to two different types of committees  Appropriations  Standing The most powerful committee is the Executive Appropriations Committee.

They have the last call on funding issues.

Second most powerful – The Rules Committees

Education Committees

    Education Appropriations  Chaired by Brad Last (Hurricane) and Howard Stephenson (Sandy) Senate Education Committee  Chaired by Stuart Reid (Davis) House Education Committee  Chaired by Francis Gibson (Mapleton) and Lowry Snow (St. George) Education Interim Committee

The Process

  Legislative Guide How a Bill becomes Law   Bill File Opened by Sponsor Drafted and made Public      Rules Committee Standing Committee (Public Comment) Floor (Public Debate) Repeated in other Chamber Governor for Signature or Veto

The Tricks

     Sometimes bills are not made public until the last minute.

Bills are held in the Rules Committee to twist arms.

“Suspension of the Rules” – no committee hearings and skipped readings.

Late appearances, ramrods and resurrections.

Evening sessions & Caucuses.

Education Groups

 Joint Legislative Committee (JLC)  Utah School Boards Association (USBA)   Utah School Superintendents Association (USSA) Utah Association of School Business Officials (UASBO)   Utah State School Board of Education Utah Education Association (UEA)

Last Year’s Bills

      Total Bills Filed – 486 Bills affecting Public Education – 145 (30%) Bills passed affecting Public Education – 56 (39%) Bills opposed that Passed – 7, Dead – 19 Bills supported that passed – 26, Dead – 18 Bills affecting Higher Education - 16

LE.UTAH.GOV

  The Legislature’s Web Site Search Bills – 15 already for next session   See Reading Calendars Get E-mails – See Votes & Recordings    See Committees  Listen to Recordings See Calendar Watch Session Live or Recordings

YOU can make a Difference by sending E mails or calling your legislators regarding specific bills.

Politics… Why Now?

The Future of Education Depends on it!

Upcoming Issues

    Utah Core SAGE Testing Teacher and Administrator Evaluations Funding Formulas   WPU Charter Schools   On-line Competency Based

What YOU can do…

      Register to Vote Vote!

Participate in your Caucus Meetings  Take other teachers with you Follow the Legislative Session Get to know your Legislators Contact your Legislators (after hours) and share your stories and opinions OFTEN

Questions?

Thank You!

Duke Mossman, NUES [email protected]