Who's to Blame?

Rep. Steve Handy, R-Layton, said he received an email from a constituent who said legislators will be blamed for the tax increase.

"I'm here to take my share of the blame," Handy said. "We do not fund adequately public education in this state."

Handy said he "reluctantly supports" the tax increase, but will work during the next legislative session to better fund education.

Read the article in the Ogden Standard Examiner about the hearing last Thursday.

Paying for Schools

Survey after survey has shown that Utahns want better public schools and they understand that the embarrassingly low per-pupil and per-taxpayer investment in education in the Beehive State is harming the neighborhood schools they care about. Those surveyed have said they would support a tax increase if the money went to their public schools.

Read the Editorial in the SL Tribune

Busy Week at DEA

There is a lot going on at the DEA office next week.

August 9 - The DEA Executive Board is meeting in the afternoon and evening for some planning and training. 

August 10 - The building reps are meeting from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. for training and information about current issues. Reps have been sent information. If you are a rep and have not been added to our email distribution list, please let us know so we can update our list and send you the information. Make up information has been sent to the reps since there are always some conflicts with district trainings and last minute vacations.

August 11 - The Davis School Board will be holding a truth-in-taxation hearing at 6:00 PM. Thanks to all of those who have committed to attend the hearing next week. If you have not yet answered our survey, please click the link below to give us your feedback.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CLRNH5S

Two Views about Current Issues

Richard Heath, DEA's representative on UEA PAC, has a commentary in the Deseret News.

Click Here to Read

The Salt Lake Tribune has a guest commentary supporting the Ogden teachers.

Click Here to Read

Assault Renewed

Read more about the legislative attacks on public educations in the SL Tribune. Click Here.

Breaking News

Click to read SL Trib article about legislative attacks.

Davis Teachers Join Protest in Support of OEA

Wearing red T-shirts and waving black-and-white signs, an estimated 800 people rallied in Ogden's Liberty Park on Thursday to protest the city school district's decision to not negotiate a contract with its teachers union.

Those joining the crowd were not just members of the Ogden Education Association (OEA). Standing alongside Ogden teachers were educators from Washington County to Logan and a range of union members, including teamsters, machinists, federal government employees, plumbers and the AFL-CIO. They rallied around a common cry: Preserve collective-bargaining rights.

Click to read the complete SL Tribune Coverage.

Visit DEA on Facebook to view photos and comments.