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House advances measure to withdraw Utah from interstate education compact
Summary
The House voted to advance Senate Bill 128 to withdraw Utah from an interstate education compact that is codified in state statute; sponsor Representative Hughes said the state has not paid $60,000 annual dues and that similar information is available elsewhere, while opponents warned of losing a nonpartisan clearinghouse of education data; the motion passed and the bill will be transmitted to the Senate.
Madam Reading Clerk read Senate Bill 128, a measure to repeal the statute that requires Utahs participation in an interstate education compact. Sponsor Representative Hughes said the state office of education has not paid dues and that the compact compiles public-education data; she said the state superintendent requested withdrawal.
Members questioned the compact's scope and past committee consideration. Representative McGee asked whether the compact involves higher education and which states are members; the sponsor said it primarily compiles public-education data and many states participate. Opponents on the floor including Representatives Shurtleff, Moss and Holdaway urged caution, describing the commission as a nonpartisan clearinghouse with timely research and data and suggested Utah could try making use of available resources before withdrawing. Representative Newbold said the governors office and the superintendent supported withdrawal.
Representative Hughes noted an annual dues figure of $60,000 and said the state was in arrears; she argued the money could be spent in Utah education instead. After floor debate and a previous-question vote, the clerk announced the bill passed the House and will be returned to the Senate for signature.
