Comments about ‘Law cut political power of UEA’

Vic Arnold is so dishonest. He claims legislative wins the UEA had nothing to do with and is allowed by a lazy reporter to fudge on the donation numbers. The drop off of UEA contributions is greater then Mr. Arnold is suggesting. The UEA is a liberal Democrat organization that also focuses on issues that have nothing to do with protecting teacher's jobs and salaries. Perfect example is their union hacks were continually at votes and committees this past session where secret ballot legislation was being debated and voted upon. This was an issue that had nothing to do with public education or for that matter, teacher unions. They were just out doing the bidding for Big Labor. The UEA does not represent public schools. They represent union wish lists which put their personal financial interest over real reform and improving public schools. There is nothing wrong with that objective on their part -- they are a union -- but hopefully the press one day will understand that point and stop presenting them as the honest brokers for public schools who only care about the kids. That is just plain dishonest.

The UEA plays dirty politics. This article gave me a reason to smile today! Most UEA members are too apathetic to care when those funds were automatically removed. And in some cases, members were scared to stand up and say, "NO!". Unions are bullies! Proof? The funds are now half of what they use to be. Personally, I'm surprised they didn't drop lower. The only reason they didn't is because UEA has convinced the 'poor helpless teachers' that they wouldn't have anything without them...So, some teachers and admins still pay blood money to the UEA. Of course, some of those teachers are right because if they had a job according to their job performance, they wouldn't! But, the UEA and NEA keeps them there because they represent money to every UEA AND NEA employee. I wonder when the teachers are going to smart instead of used?

Glad to hear it!

Legislators continue to punish those who opposed school vouchers. They've made sure the opposition has less money yet are still collecting big donations from their pro-voucher groups. Do they think we don't notice?

Thank the Lord!!!.
The sooner the morons from the UEA go away the better..
Nothing has hurt American children more than the teachers unions...

I am a person who is pro union, this because I am pro worker and I realize that for there to be fairness, given the mind of man, power needs to exist on any of both sides.

Yet I am happy the UEA power is cut, why?

They the UEA has stood in the way of positive education reform. Math education reform. Math education has deteriorated over the past several years, yet when ever the legislature tries to fix this, trust the UEA and their "friends" to stand in the way.

Not only do I not see how this serves their ultimate interests, it makes me not like this union. Unions ought to be about excellence in addition to protecting the rights of workers. Being about excellence is a great way to see to it that they are respected and will win them the hearts of the people, any time they need peoples's support, too bad UEA, this is a lesson you have yet to learn.

The UEA does not even interview or talk with 99% of the Republican candidates before supporting and endorsing the D. The fact they lie about little things makes you wonder do they ever tell the truth.

Good news. The same should be done on a nationwide basis. Emasculating the teachers' union would be a major step in furthering educational quality.

Anything that marginalizes the UEA is a huge step forward for education in the state of Utah. No more stealing teachers dollars from their paychecks via "voluntary" contributions.

Just remember, these people work for you, the taxpayer. Don't be afraid to hold their feet to the fire when you see or hear of questionable speech or misconduct in the classrooms. I have seen so many parents go into a school meeting and be bullied into placing their children into questionable situations that infringe on parental and student rights by administrators and "well meaning" educators. This is not an isolated situation unique to just Utah, but Utah has at least taken measures to curb abuse, hold governmental employees responsible for their actions, and try to earn the taxpayers trust. Of course not all educators are like this, there are numerous educators who quietly, professionally perform their duties everyday. To those "Professionals" my thanks for your hard work and dedication. However, if the UEA wants to have a political voice to push their agendas then will they have to pay their dues, just like everyone else. To insist that taxpayers flip the bill for their own personal agenda is only proving what everyone has been saying about the UEA all along.

FOr all of you that think UEA is being targeted.... they are.. After all after the 2007 vote on vouchers was set up by the state republicans to virtually eliminate the public school system as we know it. When the vote failed, the legislature went after UEA again, to strip it of more powers... and make the State Board of Ed. a political position. As long as there is a republican in the Utah house/senate around... public education IS in jeopardy

There is no doubt that unions are a political lobby group, but what frustrates me is that Republicans have taken aim at the lobby groups that tend to represent the interests of many people, while they allow corporate lobby interests, such as big oil, flourish. How about banning all lobby groups instead of just one? By going after one group and ignoring the myriads of others, it makes the Republican legislature look anti-education.

I have to laugh at UEA lie's post. I don't think the UEA needs to interview Republicans before they endorse a candidate. Actions speak louder than words and just by looking at a candidates actions or statements of the past is evidence enough. Also, what Democrats are there for the UEA to endorse. In Utah County at least, there is nary a democrat to be found. I don't think you need to be afraid of the UEA. With Utah extremely last in the nation for education funding and in danger of a 3rd rate U.S. territory (Puerto Rico) passing Utah in educational commitment, the UEA has been ineffective dozens of years. It is the self-serving legislature that scares me.

cared about the quality of education it seems to me, they would use their voice and political clout to help deal with the illegal alien issue. The result would be smaller class sizes and MUCH more sympathy from the conservatives!

When they sit around and wonder why their classes are so large, and they don't get adequate funding, they should try to find the root causes, rather than just trying to raise taxes!

"Unions ought to be about excellence." Sir or Madam, you have just spoken a fundamental truth. Unfortunately, so many aren't about excellence.

GM is failing because of unions when aren't about excellence, aren't about customer, they are just about power and more people working less for more pay.

I'm glad I own a Ford -- a company which refused bailout money.

I worked for Kennecott at a time when the norm unions pushed was "work slower so the company needs more people." Never mind the fact that eventually kills the company and ALL the jobs.

Have you ever noticed that when a union goes on strike, the union reps keep getting paid? What is wrong with that picture?

When a salesperson doesn't make a sale, does she blame the customer? When a kid doesn't learn, the teacher blames the kids, the parents, the legislature, the feds.

For every good union, there a 50 misguided and/or corrupt ones.

Make no mistake, as someone involved in college admissions in the Midwest, I can say that Universities are taking notice of states like Utah who show so little commitment to public education. This is hurting students' chances of acceptance into, and scholarships for out-of-state universities.

have too many ties and do more harm than good.

I am glad they got their wings clipped.

re: dcj-MOST teachers are professionals-your examples are the few and I am sad that you and those you know have had bad experiences. But remember, you are the parent and you do have final say-don't back down (and yes, I'm speaking from experience). Sometimes, too, as parents we are not as objective about our children as sometimes we ought to be.
Also to UTAH'S EDUCATION-I couldn't agree more. This state's legislators are abhorently anti-public education. Also, credits required for graduation? Way too few-there is a big difference between here and New England where I went to high school.

If the UEA didn't exist, teachers would be just as well off.

It's the way the UEA's leaders approach the legislature that causes the friction. And as long as the UEA is committed so whole-heartedly to the Democratic Party and its ideals, teachers will never receive proper representation before the state legislature.

It's not the teachers that are bad. In fact, to me, teachers are the most important professionals in the country, yet, in relation to what they do and how they influence the future of a nation, particularly in the US, they don't make as much money as they should. I'm eternally grateful to my my teachers and my children's teachers, but the UEA is a mafious organization that pushes its own agenda to promote liberal, big protectionist ideals that benefit ONLY the Union's leaders. The fact is that funds are now low because MOST teachers choose NOT to contribute to the UEA's liberal, pro-Gay, pro-sex education agendas.
You see? To be a teacher you need to be smart. Those who don't contribute to the UEA's fund ARE VERY smart!

Alex, show us a policy statement, or any action whatsoever, from the UEA that would serve as evidence of a "pro-Gay, pro-sex education agenda." I don't buy it.

It seems the liberals aren't the only ones spreading lies and half-truths...