This week marks the middle of the 2011 General Session and the budget continues to be one of the biggest debates. Next week is United Way’s 5th Annual Day on the Hill. Make sure to join us on the Hill to advocate for important programs! RSVP online today.

Unfortunately the Public Education Appropriations Committee has not only made a 7% cut to the Public Ed budget, but they  have also left $91 million unappropriated. In Committee on Monday, 2/14, Members could not come to agreement on how the $91 million should be distributed, so they did not make a formal recommendation to Executive Appropriations. Please respond to this Action Alert regarding the K-3 Reading Improvement Program and Optional Extended-Day Kindergarten, which are still on the chopping block.

UWSL is also advocating for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program funding and other basic needs/safety net programs. We will keep you posted on these proposed cuts as we learn more.

Please also check out our updated, comprehensive bill tracker for a list of the bills and budget items that we are currently working on and at the immigration update included in this newsletter.

 

Immigration and Refugee Integration

There are at least 14 immigration-related bills this session. Here is an update on a few that UWSL has taken a position on:

  • UWSL opposes HB70, Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act sponsored by Representative Sandstrom. It’s modeled after Arizona’s anti-illegal immigration law. After a more than three hour committee hearing, it was approved by the Committee and will now be debated on the house floor.
  • UWSL opposes HB191, Non-resident Tuition Waiver Amendments sponsored by Representative Wimmer. The bill would repeal in-state college tuition for eligible undocumented students. It is waiting for a Committee hearing.
  • UWSL supports SB47, Driver License and Identification Card Amendments sponsored by Senator Bramble. The bill would allow refugees and asylees to take the Utah driver license examination in their native language the first time they apply for a limited-term license certificate. The bill passed in the Senate and is slated to be heard in Committee this week.

Stay tuned for more information.