UEA president urges lawmakers to make 'historic investment' in public education
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Education Association President Heidi Matthews urged state lawmakers Friday that rather than cutting taxes, they instead make a $2 billion "historic investment" of new money in public education.
Utah's economy has grown to the point there is a $1.3 billion projected surplus and unanticipated revenue growth at a time that the state's public education system must address a worsening teacher shortage, the nation's largest class sizes, and student health and safety issues, she said.
"All signs indicate it is the perfect time to fulfill the promises to our students and make significant investments in their education," Matthews said during a news conference at the state Capitol.
The state's largest teacher union rolled out its budget recommendations, which include funding student enrollment growth and a 6.5 percent increase in the value of the weighted pupil unit — the basic unit of education funding in Utah.
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