A minor showdown over education funding erupted Tuesday on Utah’s Capitol Hill as Democratic legislators pushed for $41 million to pay for new students in Utah schools, but Republicans defeated the measure, saying it was premature.
Sen. Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights, pressed for the funding, saying that the 12,500 additional students entering Utah’s school system "should be funded before we look at any other programs."
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Gov. Gary Herbert has recommended $111 million for public education in the coming year, including the $41 million to cover growth.
But Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, said that, while he supports funding for education, the legislative committees should get a chance to make recommendations.
"I’m convinced that this is a piker’s motion. I’m not going to settle for that much in there. I’m going to put more into it," Waddoups said. But he said Democrats were "election-year electioneering, saying I’m a bigger friend to this group than someone else is."
House Assistant Majority Whip Ronda Menlove, R-Garland, said legislators and the public should have a chance to provide input on how much goes to education, and committing funds now is premature.
"I don’t think there’s anything premature about this," Morgan said. "There’s absolutely no electioneering going on here. That’s not what this is about and that’s a demeaning comment."
Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, said that "these are kids who are coming into our system and there are needs associating with" educating them.
Morgan’s effort to add the funding failed, with all of the Republicans on the budget committee voting against it, the Democrats in favor.
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