Politics...Why Now?

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 CANMake a Difference

BackgroundUtahs Unique Caucus SystemCounty divided into precinctsEach precinct electsState Delegates (4,000 Rep., 2,000 Dem.)County DelegatesChair, Secretary Etc.State Delegates go to the State ConventionCounty Delegates go to the County ConventionRequirementsIn order to participate in a Caucus meeting you need to:Be 18 or olderBe a registered voterLive within the precinct boundariesNew this year, you do not need to be a member of the party to participateDeseret News ArticleCounty ConventionSelectCounty CommissionCounty AssessorCounty TreasurerCounty Attorney Etc.Determines if a primary will be neededAppearances made by most State CandidatesState ConventionSelectFederal Congressional CandidatesState 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 CandidatesYOU can make a difference by being a State Delegate or by electing an Education-Friendly State Delegate

State Legislative ProcessEach one of you have a Senator and House Representative based on where you live.Find out who they are.Legislature Web Site le.utah.govDont be shy to contact them via E-mail or Phone. Use your personal E-mail outside of school hours.

Legislative SessionBegins 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.SenateThere 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 SiteHouse of RepresentativesThere are 75 RepresentativesThey serve two year termsThe leader of the House is the Speaker of the House (Becky Lockhart)House Web SiteCommitteesLegislators are assigned to two different types of committeesAppropriationsStandingThe most powerful committee is the Executive Appropriations Committee.They have the last call on funding issues.Second most powerful The Rules CommitteesEducation CommitteesEducation AppropriationsChaired by Brad Last (Hurricane) and Howard Stephenson (Sandy)Senate Education CommitteeChaired by Stuart Reid (Davis)House Education CommitteeChaired by Francis Gibson (Mapleton) and Lowry Snow (St. George)Education Interim Committee

The ProcessLegislative GuideHow a Bill becomes LawBill File Opened by SponsorDrafted and made PublicRules CommitteeStanding Committee (Public Comment)Floor (Public Debate)Repeated in other ChamberGovernor for Signature or VetoThe TricksSometimes 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 GroupsJoint 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 EducationUtah Education Association (UEA)Last Years BillsTotal Bills Filed 486Bills affecting Public Education 145 (30%)Bills passed affecting Public Education 56 (39%)Bills opposed that Passed 7, Dead 19Bills supported that passed 26, Dead 18Bills affecting Higher Education - 16

LE.UTAH.GOVThe Legislatures Web SiteSearch Bills 15 already for next sessionSee Reading CalendarsGet E-mails See Votes & RecordingsSee CommitteesListen to RecordingsSee CalendarWatch Session Live or RecordingsYOU can make a Difference by sending E-mails or calling your legislators regarding specific bills.

PoliticsWhy Now?The Future of Education Depends on it!

Upcoming IssuesUtah CoreSAGE TestingTeacher and Administrator EvaluationsFunding FormulasWPUCharter SchoolsOn-lineCompetency Based

What YOU can doRegister to VoteVote!Participate in your Caucus MeetingsTake other teachers with youFollow the Legislative SessionGet to know your LegislatorsContact your Legislators (after hours) and share your stories and opinions OFTEN

Questions?Thank You!Duke Mossman, NUESdmossman@nucenter.org