Comments about ‘Utah Legislature: Republican senators back school funding cut’

400k Americans faced unemployment denials because of one GOP senator from KY.

Now, Utah is facing education cuts before any other cuts to support Utah's 750 million dollar budget shortfall.

Stay classy Utah and your party of 'No' GOP. I hope you can see where it has gotten you.

Utah, first in the country in commuting time, dead last, so far below the nation on education, they need to create another category besides last to really explain how far we are behind any other state.

But, we are first in road construction. Have the best commuting time in the country. At least we will have the best roads when others move here to take the jobs our own state can't fill with a qualified work force.

Republicans want to cut education, that is a real shocker. They are going to do things that don't impact the classroom. Duh, everything impacts the classroom, what he should have said is we are going to continue to provide the parents of Utah with 180 days of babysitting, because we are not going to allow districts to cut days due to lack of funding, that way everyone can think that education was really over funded in the past. It is sad how little this state values the education of its children.

The cuts would not "directly affect" the classroom. For example, having to cut the library aide so the library is only open part of the day would not "directly affect" the classroom. But would it affect the child's education? After all, I am sure these "hot spots" are more important than the youth in the state.

State legislatots are paid almost $13,000 a day to arrange to keep stealing from you. Of your they want your job to go away instead of yours. 104 Legislators x 117 day is just under 13 grand. hmmmm we pay public servants to steal from us. come on Americans - vote every person in office at EVERY level - out of office and replace them with someone who has no PARTY affiliation.

Since only l2% of Utahans smoke the majority may rule on a cigarette tax. Seems like there is a new way to stop smoking advertised every month or two. So it may not be a long term source of funds. Cutting the state workforce or at least making a 10% cut in wages would help. Even Utah has 20% or more too many in the bureaucracy. Pensions will have to be adjusted too. My home was appraised 14% less this spring. I guess that means my tax bill should go down. Mr. Obama is doing diametrically opposite to what he should do, namely cut corporate, personal, death taxes. No government ever helped an economy with stimulus bills. Not ever.

These guys are still mad about the voucher defeat.

You want to make up a budget shortfall? Try a tax on soda. Plug the budget holes and fight childhood obesity at the same time.

If you're going to cut public funding, the least you could do is allow private funding for the same schools, a la the bus advertising bill that failed. "Sorry, we're not going to let you earn your own money, but we're not going to give you our money either."

It seems to be such a downpour that there is now a flood going on. Tap into the Rainy day fund for education. There are 2 Rainy Day funds out there- one for general budget and one for Education. Tap into them. Stop using the theory: Why waste a good recession to cut the budget.

Where is that number coming from? Check the Governor's website and look at every budget our state has had over the last 5 years and you will see that public education is much less than 51% of our overall budget. k-12 is an even smaller percentage than that.
Utah's GOP Senators= lies, deceit, greed.

HELLO! The state needs more revenue, and the Legislature is too dumb to recognize that means higher taxes! The tobacco tax will be a GIGANTIC leap forward to help provide the funds necessary for education and vital state services.

The rainy day fund has about $500 Million (total of two funds) just sitting there. ATTENTION UTAH LEGISLATORS: TODAY IS THE RAINY DAY! They would rather lay off about a thousand or so workers instead of spending money that is in the bank!

YES on increased tobacco tax.

YES on accessing the rainy funds.

So you are going to cut education and not "directly" hurt the kids? Yesterday my daughter's fifth grade class got student number 33. She's never been claustrophobic, but surely felt that way yesterday morning. By the way, she's the teacher!

The Republikens don't nead no lernin.

They are planning on using half of the Rainy Day fund in order to help fund education and other programs. Many states spent all of their rainy day funds last year and state budgets are worse off this year and so those states are hurting worse. Thank goodness our legislature had the foresight not to touch the rainy day fund last year so they can use part of it this year.

Notice that not one legislator or senator touched the third-rail of Utah politics - exemptions. Wny is it that exemptions aren't capped at three kids? Why is it that the those who use the most services pay the absolute least for them? You can only cut so far.

ok so right now i'am a senior in high school. they say they dont have money,so why are they putting A/C in all the school that a big money expense that they could do without. this year i have had fewer days then anyother year, yes i like it but i dont learn anything, and they all ready did the late start every monday to save money so dont put the A/C in and then you have all that money.

What happens to all the big plans for the tobacco tax money if smokers buy them from out of state?

Planning on the smokers propping up the states' budget sounds pretty "iffy"!

You are the very reason why we can't afford to cut the 12th grade. We really need to step things up instead.

You discredit yourself with your completely ridiculous numbers!

$13,000 p/day...

Where in the world did you get that????

Fantasy.