Once the east side of the Jordan District votes to create its own school district, will the Legislature still be motivated to resolve the funding disparities? Or will the pressure be off, leaving the west side to fend for itself.

Capital outlay equalization will not be easy, even if studied for a few months. There will be winners and losers, unless the Legislature infuses a big chunk of money to offset the disparities. I still believe this matter will be settled reasonably and equitably, but there's a lot of work ahead.

---

Republican LaVarr Webb was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. The Exoro Group, in Webb is a partner, does work for the Oquirrh Alliance, which advocates on Salt Lake County growth issues, including fair school building equalization. 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.