Public aid flows first to elite — not poor

Why is it that public assistance seems to work well for business people but seldom for the poor or the average taxpayer? And some Utah legislators appear willing to change the rules suggested by business lobbyists.

The soccer stadium issue has brought to the forefront the values-disconnect some legislators seem to have, and it hits at the heart of who we are as a people. Their rhetoric is about representing voters' interests, but their actions appear inconsistent with those values.

They were quick to figure out how to give public assistance to build the soccer stadium. The legislative leaders managed to get together with local mayors to make the deal. Yet, last year, when the one-party controlled Legislature was asked to consider appropriating $2 million for dental care for the elderly and the disabled, they did not allow the issue to be debated. They were too busy discussing how to build their parking facility.

In the '60s, the federal department of Housing and Urban Development created the Model Cities program designed to give greater control to local elected officials in finding ways to eliminate city blight and create affordable housing and programs for those in need.

When the HUD officials met with those of us who were writing the grant, they posed the question we should keep in mind: Why is it that programs always work for business, but not for the poor?

Things haven't changed much. The original Salt Palace was built with HUD funds, as was the Sugar House shopping center. Public assistance was also given for the Delta Center and the Olympics.

Consideration is now being given to get the Jordan School District to use its RDA option to help fund the stadium at a time when it is having a student population boom, reducing teacher take-home pay and is unable to finance more schools.

It looks like a question of priorities and values that elected leaders will need to resolve. If business and elected leaders are serious about getting a return on their investment, then invest it in education; that's our future work force — scientists, engineers and those who will be the

innovators needed for today's more competitive global marketplace.

Public policymaking is not a simple matter of right or wrong; rather, it is of deciding what promotes the public good and is consistent with community values. That requires that policymakers look beyond their pet projects (which could be getting re-elected) and work for the common good.