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 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.govle.utah.gov  Don’t be shy to contact them via or Phone.  Use your personal 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 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 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 Legislative Guide  How a Bill becomes Law 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 The Legislature’s Web Site  Search Bills – 15 already for next session  See Reading Calendars  Get s – 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