280 likes | 352 Views
Politics .…..Why N ow?. 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
E N D
Politics.…..Why Now? Duke Mossman, NUES
What happens at the State Legislature has a HUGE effect on what happens in the classroom.
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.
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
Thank You! Duke Mossman, NUES dmossman@nucenter.org