Budget Projections Less Bleak

Headlines in the Salt Lake Tribune today paint a slightly better picture of the budget problems this year. Read at www.sltrib.com

The revenue projections, released yesterday, allow for another $50 Million that the legislature won't have to cut from the budget. That still leaves a lot of holes in the budget (around $700 Million) The big questions to answer still are: Tax Increases (doubtful, unless on cigarettes), Use of the Rainy Day funds (we will get some, but not all), and, of course, cuts to programs, personnel, furlough days, increased class sizes, smaller salaries and other draconian solutions.

We can expect those three retirement bills to see the light of day in the Senate either tomorrow or Friday. Not much hope of stalling them in the Senate, but we hope for some slowing in the House.

Rick

SL Tribune Points out Missing Senator at Retirement Hearing

Today's Salt Lake Tribune details the fact that Sen. Jon Greiner failed to attend the retirement committee meeting both Wednesday and Friday. He said that he had other meetings to attend, but then said that he had promised Sen. Liljenquist that he would not vote against the bills in committee. The vote was 3-2 and his vote would have stalled the bill with a 3-3 vote. He did say that he was against two of the three bills. He hopefully will speak and vote against it on the floor of the senate.

Rick

Retirement Committee to discuss bills today at noon

The Senate Retirement and Independent Entitiies Committee will reconvene today at noon. They will continue their debate and testimony of Sen. Liljenquist's bills that would make huge changes to our retirement system. You can go to the legislative website and listen to the audio.


Enjoy your long weekend.
Rick

Jordan School District Looks at 500 layoffs

KSL.com reported today that the Jordan Board of Education voted to layoff 250 teaching and 250 support and administrative positions to make up the $30 million dollar shortfall by July 1.

They would also increase class sizes by an average of 4 students.

Rick

More updates from the Legislature...

The Senate Retirement committee will continue their discussion of changes to the system on Friday at 12:00. You can listen to the audio by going to the Legislative website and finding the committee.

The Deseret News (www.deseretnews.com) had updates also on the Education budget cuts. "After three hours of debate, mainly arguing whether to make education budget cuts that would affect programs or classrooms, lawmakers put off a final decision until today." Go to the Legislative website and find the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee to listen to the audio. They are trying to cut 5% or $102 Million from the 2011 budget.

Please contact your Senators and Representatives and ask them to slow down on changes to the Retirement system. Go to www.utea.org and click on the "Under the Dome" to contact them.

Rick

Sen Liljenquist changes "Rehire" SB 43 Bill

A substantial change in SB 43 was made during the committee hearing, Wednesday. Instead of taking the 401k away from those current "rehirees" that would be capped it so it doesn't increase as the contribution rates rise. It would still take away the incentive for new retirees who want to be rehired and receive their pension. His bill would require a retiree to return to "active service" if hired for the first time after July 1, 2010. The pension payment would then be suspended and they would continue to earn service credit. I don't see why anyone would retire and be rehired under this bill.

You can listen to the audio of the committee by going to the Utah State Legislative site (www.le.state.ut.us) and looking for the Senate Retirement and Independent Entities Committee for Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Rick

"Educators Could Soon Receive Pay Based on Student Test Scores"

In Tuesday's Deseret News, www.deseretnews.com, Amy Stewart writes about a resolution sponsored by Rep. Poulson that recommends guidelines for teacher performance pay plans. This is actually a resolution that UEA supported last year after many discussions and a formulation of a position paper on performance pay. The UEA wants to be a part of any discussion of this potentially controversial idea. There are plans around the nation (Minnesota and Denver for example) where the association has worked to put together plans for differentiated pay. We need to be at the table, or the legislature will pass something unhealthy. This resolution helps set some guidelines.

Go to www.utea.org for updates on legislation.

Rick