Somehow in the transition from classroom teacher to union activist, something gets lost. We love our teachers. We aren't so excited about a union that fights progressive education reform and whose interest is salaries, not kids. Utah has now become ground zero in the national school choice battle. With the UEA leading the referendum effort to erase Utah's new voucher law, the rift between legislative leadership and the union is going to grow and become more antagonistic.

Pignanelli: "You guys are clueless!" "You are a bunch of buffoons!" Such was the exchange (or words to that effect) between UEA officers and my Democratic leadership team more than a decade ago. This is indicative of the interesting relationship I have maintained with the teachers association the last 20 years. Teachers were instrumental in my first legislative election. Yet, as an attorney for the classified school employees, I was oftentimes at odds with educators during contract negotiations at local school districts. During my legislative service, I became increasingly frustrated at their outrageous demands, disorganized "walkouts" and foolish opposition against creative proposals to restructure public education. (Life could be miserable because Mom was an active UEA member.) Recently, UEA has been shortsighted by opposing the Carson Smith scholarships and additional compensation for teachers with hard science degrees. Regardless, UEA is an invaluable and important force for good in our state.

The Legislature and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. are to be congratulated for making a tremendous investment in education this session. The UEA also deserves accolades. Year after year, the association presses decisionmakers to prioritize education funding. Subjective politicos like LaVarr intentionally forget that UEA members' highest priority is not massive increases in salaries, but advancing quality in the classroom. Further, the UEA is more than justified to seek better compensation for the individuals who interact with our children on a daily basis. One may disagree with the means, but the motives are pure.

More importantly, UEA is one of the final surviving voices of nonpartisan advocacy in Utah. Although Democratic lawmakers by tradition support UEA positions, the association membership mirrors Utah demographics — predominantly GOP. Elected and appointed officials, upset with UEA comments and activities, consistently try to "wire around," ignore or otherwise discredit the organization. The UEA refuses to be intimidated.

Equally important, UEA will more than "talk the talk," it "walks the walk." Educators worked with tax advocacy and business groups to find alternative ways to fund schools and curtail outrageous RDA projects that diminish education resources. In 2002, UEA was a key sponsor of Initiative 1 (I served as campaign manager), which, among other things, would tax radioactive waste from outside the state in order to fund education needs in Utah. Although this effort failed, it prompted the eventual policy adopted by EnergySolutions to prohibit receipt of higher levels of radioactive garbage.

UEA will remain relevant because its ultimate message is compelling. All Utahns (including LaVarr) will continue to benefit from its tireless advocacy.

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Republican LaVarr Webb was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. He now is a political consultant and lobbyist. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. A former candidate for Salt Lake mayor, he served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. Pignanelli's spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is a Utah state tax commissioner. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.