Utahns want education to remain a state issue

• Last week, I incorrectly stated that utility watchdog Roger Ball was escorted from his office by an armed guard. Although accompanied by a Department of Commerce employee to the door, no weapons were present. A handful of political and government insiders fervently believe that a law enforcement official was on site, thus suggesting that "urban legends" regarding personnel changes by the Huntsman administration already exist. Nonetheless, I sincerely apologize for my mischaracterization.

Webb: Federalism isn't exactly a hot political issue. Not many people get passionate about maintaining proper federal-state relationships. The federal government has become so dominant in the U.S. political system that hardly anyone even pays lip service any more to the 10th Amendment, which reserves to the states and the people all power except the few roles delegated to the national government.

However, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, Utah's Legislature and governor have an opportunity to strike a small blow for federalism by telling the federal government that education is a state issue, and we want to control it at the state and school district levels.

And the country will be watching this small act of defiance against a federal government that has centralized power and usurped states' rights on every front. Newspapers all over the nation have been following Utah's fight with the U.S. Department of Education over provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

The national news media are particularly interested because Utah supported President Bush overwhelmingly in two elections and he remains very popular here. So how can Utah rebel against Bush's pet education initiative?

We can have honest disagreements with the president and his administration and still like him and support him on most issues. The disrespect for states' rights could be a lot worse under other prospective presidents.

Discussions with the governor's staff and legislative leaders indicate that they are in basic agreement on going forward at the special session with Rep. Margaret Dayton's HB135, which would give priority to Utah's own education program over NCLB.

I applaud them for not caving in to federal pressure. It is obviously important for Utah to have a good relationship with the federal government, especially in the fight to keep nuclear waste out of Utah. But it's also important to stand up for principle and protect state rights.