Only one more week of the legislature...thank heavens

Why is it that I am always relieved when the legislature finally ends? Could it be that we spend so much effort fighting off bad bills that we are just glad to see them go home where they can only bother their families and neighbors. I am always amazed at how much damage 104 people (yes, I am throwing the Democrats in with our good friends the Republicans) can do to public education in only 45 days. Yes, misery loves company, but I would not want to be a teacher in Jordan right now. That volcano is ready to erupt...Bingham High teachers are boiling and the pot could boil over to other schools. Whenever I whine about my job...often lately...I am shocked back to reality when I look how bad it is in other states, districts, and (let's face it) Haiti and Chile. Okay, I got it off my chest...I feel a little better thinking of other people's problems.

Rick

Republican Senators Back School Funding Cut

The Deseret News reported that the Senate Republican Caucus voted to support a $1 increase in cigarette taxes and a 21 Million Dollar cut in public education to pay for other state needs. This would be on top of the lack of funding for the new 11,000 students who will be entering our schools in the fall. A large portion of the 21,000,000 will go to Higher Ed.

SB 77, another anti-UEA bill that would restrict association leave is in the House of Representatives and we need you to email your representative and tell them to vote no. The Supt.'s association and School Boards oppose this bill and see it as a "local control" issue.

Thanks Rick

Legislative Headlines

Go to www.deseretnews.com to read more about these topics:

• Two bills aim to give districts financial relief (Amy Stewart)
• House raises cigarette tax $1 ( Bob Bernick and Lisa Riley Roche)
• Jordan Teachers Mulling a Walkout (Amy Stewart)

Other legislative news: SB 77 passed out of the Senate (would restrict the ability of the association to give paid leave) and Karen Morgan's Reading bill moved out of the senate (retention of students who do not make reading progress)

This next two weeks will determine where we are on budget cuts.

Plan on attending your neighborhood caucus on March 23.

Rick

Retirement Bills go the Governor for Signature

The Senate approved both SB43 and SB63 and sent them to the governor for his signature. Sen. Jon Greiner was the only republican voting no. SB 43 allows for a rehired retirees to recieve their pension and salary (but no 401k) if they are hired a year after leaving their job. That is in effect July 1, 2010. SB63 changes the retirement system for new employees (after July 1, 2011) to having a choice between a 10% (of salary) 401k contribution or a hybrid of a defined benefit of 1.5% per service year benefit and a 401k contribution (combined worth-10%) and the ability to retire after 35 years of service or at age 60.

Rick

Legislature Ponders Ed funding

As we reach the back stretch of the legislature, the question of "how big will the cuts be?" permeates our thoughts. We are watching with chagrin the disaster in Jordan and with apprehension of what might happen in Ogden and Weber districts. We will know more after the legislature. The two retirement bills passed by large margins (SB43 53-20 and SB63 46-26). Brad Dee sponsored and spoke for both bills. The two bills now go back to the Senate to vote on the amendments. The bills are improved, but not what we wanted.

Rick

House Debates Retirement changes

As I write this entry, the House is debating and voting on the retirement changes. SB43 passed 53-20 and will return to the Senate because of the changes made in the House. Retirees will be able to return after one year of retirement to teach and receive their pension and salary, but no 401k. SB63 is being amended to raise the 401k contribution from 8% to 10% and the other option raised from 1% to 1.5% per service year and add the ability to retire at 60 years, even if you didn't have 35 years. You can listen to the debate by going to the legis

Rick

Two Retirement Bills Go to the House Floor

In the house committee the reemployment bill (SB43) was changed to allow a teacher to retire and after one year away from the system, be rehired and receive their pension and salary. The current 401k contribution of 14.6% that rehirees receive would be ended for the new rehirees.


No changes were made to SB 63 which changes the system for new hires (after July 1, 2011) to a choice between an 8% 401k contribution or a combination of a 3% 401k and a defined benefit of 1% per each service year (35 years before retiring).

We currently receive a 14.6% contribution to a defined benefit now and a 1.5% 401k contribution.

These two bills now go to the house floor for debate.

It was good to see some changes being made, but we need to put pressure on our representatives to oppose the huge revamping of our retirement system.

Rick