Lawmakers divided over date for voucher vote

If you thought the politics of private school vouchers was over because lawmakers adopted the new law last session, think again.

Wednesday, House Republicans discussed vouchers, a possible upcoming citizen vote and the politics of the emotional issue.

Rep. Scott Wyatt, R-Logan, says he doesn't want to see the likely referendum vote on vouchers to take place this June — one of two dates that by law Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. can pick for the vote.

The other date is the general election in early November 2008 — also a date some don't like for practical and political reasons.

Parent's for Choice in Education leaders say they have no preference since an amendment bill, not targeted by the referendum, that they believe has the power to go forward with the voucher program will be in effect at the end of the month.

While leaders from Utahns for Public Schools have said they would like to see a vote as soon as possible.

Several House Republicans came close to calling for Huntsman to pick Feb. 5, 2008 for the voucher vote.

Legislators have already set aside $3.5 million to hold a statewide presidential primary on that day. But Huntsman can't pick Feb. 5 unless lawmakers come back into special session sometime this year to give him that option.

A Feb. 5 vote sounds logical, said House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, later in the day. "There would be more interest" among voters to turn out both for vouchers and to vote in a presidential primary, he said.

But other Republicans don't like the Feb. 5 vote for political reasons. House Majority Whip Gordon Snow, R-Roosevelt, said there could be serious consequences to holding a statewide citizen vote while the Legislature is in session. "It could be a huge diversion" to legislative work, said Snow.

Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said he doesn't worry about distracted lawmakers, but doesn't want to spend another $3.5 million holding a statewide election. "I'm OK with Feb. 5, next year, or the June 2008 primary day, or November 2008, those are already funded — just don't cost us any more money."

Meanwhile, the governor has not made any decision, his spokesperson Lisa Roskelley said. Although, admittedly, she added, the longer he waits to pick the June date, the less likely a statewide election could actually be organized, ballots printed and the vote held.

House Minority Leader Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake, said Feb. 5 makes sense for the vote.

But no matter when the vote is, the result of the referendum should clearly guide lawmakers on the voucher issue, Becker added.

In short, the legal squabbling of whether one or two voucher-related bills that passed the 2007 Legislature should end. The two-bill talk "is a bogus issue."