This was not a worthless session! A lot of money was spent funding lawmakers! They got a lot of free press for their pet projects. Never mind they did no good. It's not about doing good. It's about how much air time on KSL and how many inches in print. Citizen interests? No need. What's a vote or two when they can show all of us "poor white folk" how ignorant we are. It's about time to elect a whole new slate of folk -- if only to give us new clowns in the circus.

What was the purpose of the special session? Was it just to decide that they could not agree on the doggie law? it seems such issues can be done by a committe meeting or even better getting two people to talk to each other. Do we need a theatrical specitacle to show that we need to talk? this shows a major weakness in our government.

Without their timely action, the Jordan division probably would not have gone forward because the governing body of 4% of the people would have held it hostage. That division is absolutely needed and now is the time. So that was worth the special session.

Also the task force on equalizing needed to be started now in order to get a bill ready by the regular session. That legislation will help ALL students and also was well worth the special session to get started.

Geez, if we don't get our way, we'll just change the law to do it. The Legislature should have had enough faith in its original law to allow the process to take place. But no, they changed the rules midstream. Regardless of whether you think Jordan District should be split, the process to get it on the ballot was immoral and unfair. Taxpayers should vote NO just on those issues alone. The issue goes way back to the Legislature being mad at the SL County Council over the Real soccer mess. And now Jordan District is the brunt of it -- or rather, kids are the brunt of it.

The law allowing school districts splits is fundamentally a good way to go. A minority portion of a district should NOT be held hostage by the majority. If the majority do not treat the minority justly and fairly, the minority should be free to form their own district and run their own schools.

The West side does not want the East side telling them whether or not to build new schools or to bus children 10 minutes across the freeway to existing buildings. They just want the East side to pay for their decisions to build new schools within walking distance while letting existing buildings sit empty.

Bottom line, I'm sure the British would have loved to vote on the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Both sides are better off that they did not.

Of course the law was changed. This is how:
#1 Allowed minor corrections in boundaries for Suncrest to remain in Alpine District.
#2 Clarified language for the DA as to what an ELECTION was (can't beleive she tried to stall it on that point)
#3 Removed the 100% requirement for everyone to have to agree to everything in order to move forward. This was overlooked in the last session.
#4 Lowered the threshold for those wanting to form a new ditrict to 50,000 people and 3000 students.
#5 Fixed some issues that could have come up with Cottonwood High if a Granite area district is formed.

These are/were important points and worthwhile for the session. No group of 4% should be able prevent the will of the other 96%.

A few salient points:
In the Jordan area, the majority of registered voters lie on the east side (even though a majority of the students are on the west)

The New District would have a higher poverty rate and English as a second language population than the west.

Median income is vitrually identical between the two areas ($752 difference on over $60,000 income))

Student performance is identical between the two areas.

This is not a case of "haves" vs "have nots" nor "rich" vs "poor".

No immoral process was used. I'm sorry you don't like it, but the grass roots process is at minimum 2.5 years in the making.

The County Council should not have taken upon themselves the role of judge and jury on a law created by the State - that's what got them into trouble. There role is now put into perspective - that of representing 4% of residents in the Jordan area and of not being Justices on the Supreme Court.

They should have reworked the school district division law to allow all those who are in the district and therefore directly affected to vote on a proposed divison.

Charles H says: "Bottom line, I'm sure the British would have loved to vote on the Declaration of Independence in 1776."

If I recall correctly, the impetus for the Declaration of Independence had something to do with being denied a right to vote.

Those (in the minority) who beleive "all those in the district" should vote DID try to amend the law from the proposed district voting to all of the entire districts. It was tried in both the House and Senate in this session, in the 2007 regular session, and in the 2006 regular session. When will you realize that allthough you feel you have a "right" to vote, the issue has been debated (hotly) and not granted to those outside the proposed district.

Although the newspapers (and many like yourself) refuse to adjust their paradigm from a "District Split" to a New District Creation, we are dealing with a New Districct Creation. The proposal from Cottonwood Heights, Draper, Sandy, Midvale, & Alta includes portions of Granite and Alpine districts. Really, are you suggesting ALL 3 Districts have "rights" to my children's education? To require EVERYONE EVERYWHERE to vote is not only contrary to our founders' principles, constitutional law, and legal precedent, it's extremely unrealistic.

Your argument assumes that somewhere (where?) and someone (who?) gave you a right to vote on this issue and it has been removed. That simply has not happened - the will of the legislature is very clear. The Legislature has the constitutional authority to determine who votes on any type of issue. Your cause was championed in the last 3 sessions and failed each time.

Under the district "split" law that has been on the books for some time, the entire district does vote as you are dealing with a DIFFERENT type of process. Guess what? THAT process does not work for those wishing self-determination, therefore a new process has been enacted.

"THAT process does not work for those wishing self-determination, therefore a new process has been enacted."

And when that didn't work, the rules were re-written again, and again until you got what you wanted--doesn't matter who you have to step on to get your way does it?

Why the rush to split Jordan District? It seems the legislature feels it's more important to get it done quick than to get it done right.

If splitting Jordan District helps ALL students in the district, then let everyone vote and let's get it done. Unfortunately, the current proposal unfairly favors those living on the east side at the expense of those living on the west, so they can't win a district-wide vote. Allowing everyone to vote would force lawmakers to come up with a proposal that actually benefits students and taxpayers living on both sides of the districts, something legislators seem loathe to do.

Chuck, can you really, seriously, with a straight face advocate simultaneously splitting Jordan School district -ostensibly, (if east bench legislators quoted in the news are to be believed) to ensure that the east bench taxes are spent on east bench schools; and equalization, which would rob my district, Salt Lake, of upwards of 10 million dollars of tax money? Or is this just more east sider "Everyone else pay our way" mentality? Why should the east bench get to keep it's money local, but not Salt Lake?

THAT process didn't get re-written - merely polished (like just about every other law we have on the books - as laws are enacted, unintended consequesces often show up and require such polishing). Nobody stepped on anyone else (the intent of the law is the same as it was originally).

It was not intended for the body representing 4% of the population to have obstructionistic power over the vast majority. Just because that oversight created some hope for outside obstructionists, doesn't mean that it should be allowed to stand.

Despite the best intentions of all involved, technical changes to SB30 (and many other laws) are often required. There is no "evil" or "malicious" stepping on anyone.

At least 17 legislators called Gov Huntsman's office the week prior to the Special Session telling him they did not want a Special Session, it was not needed nor appropriate and there was not consensus on the issues. The next morning he called the Special Session which turned out to be a big waste of time. Only the Governor can call a Special Session and only he determines what goes on the agenda.

Whether the stepping was "evil" or "malicious" is not the point. Bottom line is, the current split proposals are grossly unfair to those living on the west side of Salt Lake Valley. The only reason lawmakers don't want everyone to vote, is because they can't come up with a law that is good for everyone. There had to be a sacrificial lamb--turns out it's the students and taxpayers living west of the Jordan River. No one in power seems to care about them anyway.

Do you really think the Governor has time to waste? If he called a "Special" session it's because there was an urgent situation to address! There comes a time when enough is enough and you have to move forward. Everyone has a voice and has the right to speak and be heard; but not over and over without resolve! Sometimes when I am reading the comments on here I feel like I'm listening to old re-runs of Hee-Haw (gloom, despair, and agony on me)?? Let the Governor do his job for heaven's sake! If you feel that you can run this State better--we will watch for your name in the next election! (Hope it isn't Roy Clark)

I was not upset that the Governor called a special session to try to address the splits that may or may not take place in the two school districts, what upset me is that he tried to sneak in Henrys law, making animal abuse a felony, this law is way over the top and I am glad that the Legislature had the wisdom to vote it down again and I hope they will continue to vote down this Legislation when it comes before them and it will.

The current proposal is not GROSSLY UNFAIR - perhaps you should actually READ it. A <10% average increase in taxes to get local control and all the new schools you need is a lot less than the increases needed in the past to build up the infrastructure.

In 15-20 years the west will FAR outweigh the east in tax base. No, I'm not willing to wait until then for a subsidy to the east. I'd rather have local control now and not have my voice dilluted by another 50% in growth. Some in West Jordan and South Jordan think so too.

Assuming the world (or the legislature) is just out to get you 'cause you're a "sacrificial lamb" is paranoid and is a claim of the uninformed.

Calling the current plan "rushed" or "too quick" just demonstrates ignorance at the years of work that have gone into the current process.

Don't assume lawmakers are so stupid as to screw up the "who votes" issue on a lack of thought. Most are committed to doing what's right and have much more study in this than anyone here.

Most of my neighbors do care what happens to their relative west of the Jordan River. Don't be so arrogant to think this is only about you (that's selfish and precisely what you accuse us of). After all, it is the east side-legislators that are pushing financial equalization to mitigate the financial impact.

And to the fellow from SLC about "taking" $10 million from his pocket and spreading it around. That's what "equalization" means! Some will "give" and others will "receive". That is the reason equaliiztion has never happened before (to much selfishness).

If it ever happens it will now thanks to those from East Jordan providing the push.