Follow this link to read an opinion piece in The Salt Lake Tribune written by Viewmont High teacher Hollie Barenz.
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_14477967
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Retirement Information
There is a good summary on UEA Under the Dome. Follow this link:
http://www.utea.org/politicsLegislation/legislativeInformation/index.htm
Members should have also received two emails from Joel with more information.
http://www.utea.org/politicsLegislation/legislativeInformation/index.htm
Members should have also received two emails from Joel with more information.
House Acts on Retirement
Susan, Joel and Pat are sitting in the House chamber watching them vote on the Tier II system as amended six times. It will pass the House and go back to the Senate. Details will be posted here later today.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Two Retirement Bills Move Through Committee
Wednesday, February 24, two of the proposed changes to the Utah Retirement System were voted out of the House Retirement and Independent Entities Committee and sent to the House for action. The two bills currently moving through the legislature affect new hires after July 1, 2011 and retirees returning to work after July 1, 2010. Neither of those bills impact current employees or people currently rehired.
Please continue to contact your House members to encourage them to send the bills to interim committees for study. Based simply on the number and complexity of anticipated amendments in the House, further study seems to be warranted on this matter. The two bills are scheduled for debate Friday morning at 10:30.
Please continue to contact your House members to encourage them to send the bills to interim committees for study. Based simply on the number and complexity of anticipated amendments in the House, further study seems to be warranted on this matter. The two bills are scheduled for debate Friday morning at 10:30.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Legislative Activity Dominates the Coming Week
Monday, February 22, begins early at 8:00 AM with a House Revenue and Taxation Committee meeting where proposed changes to the income tax code will be discussed. That is where Joel and Pat will start the week. The DEA Executive board will meet at 4:00 PM for updates on the legislature and other DEA business.
Wednesday, February 24, will once again be UEA Educators on the Hill. Several Davis educators will join the UEA and DEA lobbying teams for a day filled with legislative observation and contacts. Following that day of activity will be a meeting of the Membership Committee at 4:00 PM.
The only thing that is constant at the DEA office is change. We start every week knowing that what is planned for the week will have to be adjusted to accommodate new legislative developments, concerns called in from schools, and unexpected meetings with legislators and candidates.
Be sure to check here for continuing updates and visit UEA Under the Dome for help with contacting legislators and keeping up-to-date on the latest news.
Wednesday, February 24, will once again be UEA Educators on the Hill. Several Davis educators will join the UEA and DEA lobbying teams for a day filled with legislative observation and contacts. Following that day of activity will be a meeting of the Membership Committee at 4:00 PM.
The only thing that is constant at the DEA office is change. We start every week knowing that what is planned for the week will have to be adjusted to accommodate new legislative developments, concerns called in from schools, and unexpected meetings with legislators and candidates.
Be sure to check here for continuing updates and visit UEA Under the Dome for help with contacting legislators and keeping up-to-date on the latest news.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Concerned about the Future
Yesterday, I had a call from a recently retired teacher. She wanted to point out a concern she had with some language in our negotiated agreement and how it had impacted her. I listened carefully to be sure I understood what she needed from me, but she didn't want me to do anything. At least, she didn't have a personal concern she wanted my help with. She was calling to point out something we should look into for the future. She was looking out for the teacher who took her place and all of the other teachers still in the classrooms of Davis School District and for those yet to come.
As I listened and finally understood why she was calling, I began to realize the reason why there is a disconnect between how current public employees have reacted to the proposed changes to the Utah Retirement System and how many legislators expected us to react. When legislators point out to us that changes for current employees are minimal, they expect us to say "Thank you," and disappear. While we are grateful that the obligations to current employees will be honored, we are still very concerned about how the proposed changes would impact the classrooms we leave behind when we retire.
It has become increasingly difficult to attract and retain teachers to Utah classrooms. Although the current unemployment rate has temporarily decreased that problem, as soon as the jobless rate declines the shortage will return. With a lessened commitment to an adequate retirement which has always kept some teachers in the classroom and attracted others, that anticipated shortage is likely to worsen. That is why we have not disappeared. As hard as it is for some to believe, we care about the future teachers and want them to be the best and the brightest for the students waiting to enter the schools we care about so much.
A commitment to education is a commitment to the past, the present and the future of Utah's schools and students.
As I listened and finally understood why she was calling, I began to realize the reason why there is a disconnect between how current public employees have reacted to the proposed changes to the Utah Retirement System and how many legislators expected us to react. When legislators point out to us that changes for current employees are minimal, they expect us to say "Thank you," and disappear. While we are grateful that the obligations to current employees will be honored, we are still very concerned about how the proposed changes would impact the classrooms we leave behind when we retire.
It has become increasingly difficult to attract and retain teachers to Utah classrooms. Although the current unemployment rate has temporarily decreased that problem, as soon as the jobless rate declines the shortage will return. With a lessened commitment to an adequate retirement which has always kept some teachers in the classroom and attracted others, that anticipated shortage is likely to worsen. That is why we have not disappeared. As hard as it is for some to believe, we care about the future teachers and want them to be the best and the brightest for the students waiting to enter the schools we care about so much.
A commitment to education is a commitment to the past, the present and the future of Utah's schools and students.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Morgan Elementary Teachers Visit Capitol Hill
For UEA Educator Day on the Hill February 17, seven Morgan Elementary Teachers visited the legislature to express their concerns about school funding and proposed retirement changes. Stephanie Povey, shown here visiting with Representative Kevin Garn, along with Lori Warden, Julie Sanders, JoAnn Squires, Wendy Ynchausti, Cappy Fechser, and Heidi Short, visited with several legislators including Representative Julie Fisher and Senator Dan Liljenquist. The seven teachers along with Joel Briscoe and Susan Firmage had an unusually long visit lasting 40 minutes with Senator Liljenquist. They also took advantage of the chance to visit with UEA President Kim Campbell and Director of Government Relations Kory Holdaway and ask them specifically, "What comes next?" They wanted to be sure that the energy created by the rally was not lost and teachers would receive direction regarding ways they can help as the session continues. Kory explained the UEA strategy and informed them that they would be asked soon to contact their House members regarding proposed retirement changes and other UEA priorities.
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