Ethan Millard from SLCSpin has a post titled, Referendum Problems.
He states that referendum filed by Utahns for Public Schools may be DOA.
I disagree.
The enabling legislation is HB148.
HB174 was only meant to tie up some loose ends; loose ends that should have been taken care of on HB148.
Utah's Democratic Senators tried to bring amendments on the floor that would have tied up these loose ends, but they were completely ignored by the Republican majority who would not chance sending HB148 back to the House (remember, it only passed by one vote).
If the required signatures are collected to put vouchers on the ballot, and if the public votes vouchers down, then the Utah Legislature should respect the voice of the people regardless of this technicality.
No true representative of the people will let a technicality hold back the will of the people.
My suggestion: Utahns for Public Schools should move straight forward with their referendum petition.
Don't allow these scare tactics and the fear that public schools will not be left monetarily harmless stop your great movement.
Let the people of Utah decide this issue, once and for all.
He states that referendum filed by Utahns for Public Schools may be DOA.
I disagree.
The enabling legislation is HB148.
HB174 was only meant to tie up some loose ends; loose ends that should have been taken care of on HB148.
Utah's Democratic Senators tried to bring amendments on the floor that would have tied up these loose ends, but they were completely ignored by the Republican majority who would not chance sending HB148 back to the House (remember, it only passed by one vote).
If the required signatures are collected to put vouchers on the ballot, and if the public votes vouchers down, then the Utah Legislature should respect the voice of the people regardless of this technicality.
No true representative of the people will let a technicality hold back the will of the people.
My suggestion: Utahns for Public Schools should move straight forward with their referendum petition.
Don't allow these scare tactics and the fear that public schools will not be left monetarily harmless stop your great movement.
Let the people of Utah decide this issue, once and for all.
7 comments:
The real question is what happens if voters approve of the voucher plan. Will it be left alone for 5 years or will the lawsuit be filed the next day? I've got my bets on the latter.
This isn't about giving the people a voice: it's about attempting to overturn the voucher program in the manner most embarrassing to the legislature. A voter referendum accomplishes this better than a lawsuit so it's a natural first choice. I think it also exposes the weakness of the "unconstitutional" argument.
If this voucher referendum is placed on the ballot, any bets that Parents For Choice will spend over $1 million in their campaign?
If this voucher referendum is placed on the ballot, any bets that the UES will spend over $1 million in their campaign? The money works both ways. Why would the UEA's money be better than PCE's?
Jesse,
It is most definitely about giving people a voice. That's the intent of a referendum. Your only argument is ad hominem and it hasn't worked.
No question both voucher pushers and detractors would spend a lot of money. No question it would come from local and out-of-state sources.
With that said, the stark reality is PCE outspent the UEA several times over in the last election over A SINGLE ISSUE. Much of the out-of-state money came from union-busters who have a much larger ax to grind than whether private school parents get $$$ back on our nickel.
"Running scared?"
Oh yeah - I'm terrified. You are sooooooo scary!
In addition to the union busters let's not foget that PCE $$ money comes from the family the owns my favorite store I love to hate. We are getting our Farmington rock on the Centerville WM this week. I am so excited I could scream. Wal Mart dictates the shopping habits of many Americans and they will dictate how we fund the education for our children.
Jesse,
The UEA vs PCE...give me a break!
UEA can not even come close to what PCE spends!
Last year's campaign donations to candidates from both groups show a stark difference of financial backing. A few thousand from the UEA compared to a $ 1/2 million from PCE.
By the way, UEA is not really a union. I wish they were, maybe they'd have the balls to fight this state more. Are you afraid of a group of teachers who care about their jobs and their families and the kids they teach? or are you for giving more power to those wealthy right wing conservatives who want to bully their way in controlling Utah?
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