Utah Education Association opposes changes to education funding
Mar 14, 2024, 4:32 PM | Updated: 6:19 pm
FILE - Utah Education Association has voted unanimously to oppose a ballot measure in November that could change how education is funded.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Education Association has voted unanimously to oppose a ballot measure in November that could change education funding.
Right now all of the funds from income tax go to education. The ballot measure would change Utah’s Constitution so that income tax could fund other things.
Lawmakers have argued the change is needed to fix an imbalance in Utah’s budget and that protections still exist for education funding.
UEA pointed to other recent legislative decisions where lawmakers appropriated more than $80 million in education funding to programs like the school voucher program and others.
The measure will be on the ballot this November.
BREAKING: Utah's largest teachers union says they will oppose a ballot measure this fall that would open up Utah's Constitution so income tax can go to fund other state needs besides education. #utpol @KSL5TV
The opposition is significant because lawmakers argue that the change… https://t.co/5JTYBH4q0F
— Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) March 14, 2024
Statement from UEA about the Utah education funding
Dear UEA members,
The Utah Education Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to oppose a proposed Utah Constitutional amendment (SJR 10). The amendment aims to open the state income tax fund currently dedicated to education, children, and individuals with disabilities to fund “other state needs” as defined by the legislature. It will be on the November 2024 ballot. Before this significant move, the UEA board voted to have a “no position.”
This decision was not taken lightly. The UEA Board of Directors believes the proposed amendment goes against our values and challenges what we stand for.
We know public school is where childhood happens. We believe that every child, regardless of race, background, who they are, or where they live, has the right to learn in a welcoming, safe, well-resourced public classroom that fosters a strong sense of belonging where their curiosity and creativity come alive.
We have yet to realize a fully funded public education system in Utah. The UEA has been protecting the promise of public education for over 150 years, and we don’t intend to compromise our values now.
Alarmingly, during the past two legislative sessions, the legislature appropriated $82 million to the newly established — but not yet started — private school voucher program. Imagine what this funding could do to meet the ever-increasing needs of our public school students and educators.
Together, we stand firm in our commitment to public education. I will share more information with you as it becomes available.
In solidarity,
President Renée Pinkney
Utah Education Association
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
