Utah Legislature winds down

After 44 days of struggle and debate mostly centered on coping with a record $1 billion shortfall in state revenues, a handful of bills that represent the lion's share of the state's $10.6 billion budget passed Wednesday with only a couple of hiccups and one day to spare before tonight's adjournment.

Most notably, the education budget is still in limbo because of a House and Senate dispute about whether to fund charter school expansions in 2010. The House passed HB2 without the expansion funds, while the Senate amended the bill Wednesday to include some money for previously approved expansions and passed it 15-9.

The House version of HB2 also stated potential budget constraints in fiscal 2010-11 may prevent full funding of the appropriation for charter schools to supplement school district tax revenues. If that happens, charter schools' allocation of state funds may be based on charter school enrollment of Oct. 1, 2009.

That was changed, as well, by Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper.

Additionally, the amended HB2 provides $580,000 for pay raises for teachers at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind and puts $300,000 back into the education budget for a performance pay pilot program.

During Senate discussions Wednesday, several lawmakers pointed out funding charter school growth wasn't fair to district schools. "I know we're not funding that (growth) to the full extent" for district public schools, said Sen. Karen Morgan, D-Salt Lake.

The House will have to discuss HB2 on Thursday. Because it is the primary education funding bill, it needs to pass in some form by adjournment.

The only sticking points are the charter school funding, but HB2 does implement 6 percent in public education budget cuts for 2010 and identifies one-time revenue sources from the federal stimulus money that is being used to balance the 2010 budget.

After the House passed the bill Tuesday, charter school advocates were enraged. Judi Clark, spokeswoman for Parents for Choice in Education, a nonprofit group that supports the charter school movement, issued an e-mail to 10,000 people Tuesday night encouraging them to contact their lawmaker and decry HB2.

"It's really important charters continue to be a viable choice for Utah children. We're happy to see the Senate values charters and the solution they bring," Clark said after the Senate vote Wednesday afternoon.

The State Board of Education has approved five charter schools to open in fall 2010: American Preparatory Academy, Jordan School District; Maria Montessori Academy, Weber School District; Quail Run Primary School, Alpine School District; Weilenmann School of Discovery, Park City; and Summit Academy, Draper.