While Utah is increasing its per-pupil education spending by $40 this school year, adjusted for inflation, it’s still down by $372 since 2008, according to a new report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. That amounts to an 8.1 percent cut, which is worse than 26 other states. Utah also consistently ranks last in per-pupil spending among all states.
Segment 1: Can a company patent genetic material? That’s the heart of a case against Salt Lake City-based Myriad Genetics filed by the ACLU, which represents a group of patients and researchers. The plaintiffs say genes aren’t invented, so they can’t be protected. The defendants argue the gene testing Myriad developed doesn’t exist in nature,…
Utah’s public schools are about to split $29 million dollars as the school year gets underway. Margaret Bird, Director of the School Children’s Trust says the money is being distributed through the School LAND Trust Program this year, and it’s the largest amount ever since the program was created in 2001.
Progressive public policy is the goal of Democratic State Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck. The Salt Lake City lawmaker has served in the legislature since 2008, contributing significantly in the debates over LGBT rights, immigration, social justice and ballot issues. We talked with her, followed by Alan Matheson, Utah Governor Gary Herbert’s senior adviser on environmental matters.
A new study is tracking intergenerational poverty in Utah for the first time, and this morning, state lawmakers heard some of the results at the Capitol. It’s the result of a law sponsored by Senator Stuart Reid that directs the Utah Department of Workforce Services to gather data on intergenerational poverty and welfare in the state to develop plans and programs to end the cycle. Karen Crompton, President and CEO of Voices for Utah Children, says the face of poverty is not what it was 50 years ago.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah says Utah schools aren’t doing enough to protect students’ privacy. Legal Director John Mejia says students who take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery or ASVAB exam are having their information released to the military without their parents’ knowledge.
Organizers of a political action committee called Education First say last week’s primary election results in the Utah Legislature are a good sign for public and higher education in Utah. Nolan Karras, a member of the State Board of Regents and former Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives, is co-chair of the PAC, which was organized in late 2011.
What do Internet memes with Ryan Gosling and neon green lawn signs have in common? They’re both part of Representative John Dougall’s campaign for State Auditor. The lawmaker is challenging 17-year incumbent Auston Johnson for the post, saying his opponent has been asleep at the wheel, and making the case that he’ll be a more aggressive watchdog for Utah taxpayers.
A $25 million shortfall in the state’s education budget was resolved yesterday in a special session called by the governor. Democratic Senator Pat Jones says appropriations were made to accommodate for the error, but consequences of the mistake may still be seen down the road.
New data shows poverty, sexually transmitted diseases and lack of insurance are on the rise among Utah children. The state’s newest KIDS COUNT figures were released Monday, outlining the health and well-being of Utah’s children. KCPW’s Jessica Gail takes a closer look at what the report has to say.
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