Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, again introduced a bill Thursday to alter formulas that now give Utah schoolchildren far less federal money per pupil than any other state.
The Utah delegation has pushed such bills for years - but this year, it has realistic hopes for success. It has come up with changes that would help - or at least not hurt - in 27 states and a majority of House districts.That caused enough interest by a majority of members of Congress last year that Hatch and former Rep. Wayne Owens, D-Utah, almost persuaded the House and Senate to pass floor amendments to adopt them despite opposition from leadership.
While they failed, Hatch and Owens did obtain promises from congressional leaders for full and fair hearings on their proposals this year.
Hatch and Owens persuaded Congress several years ago to order a study that found Utah received $130 per student in federal funds annually - the lowest of any state, and only 63 percent of the national average of $208 per child.
If Utah received the average amount, it would add more than $30 million a year to its schools.
Part of the problem is that formulas are based on once-in-10-years U.S. Census data, which hurts high-growth states like Utah by not counting new students quickly enough.
Also, current formulas reward states that spend more local money per pupil. Utah spends among the least in local funds per pupil. But it spends among the most for education per taxpayer - a situation resulting from large family sizes that force each taxpayer to support more students.
"I am not proposing to rob from the rich to give to the poor," Hatch told the Senate Thursday. He said his bill would instead get rid of current inequities to "treat each eligible child the same regardless of whether the child lived in Utah or Maryland."
Hatch added that "it makes no sense to me that wealthier states get a disproportionate share of the funds (under current formulas to help needy children). "
He said about his bill, "It's not pork, and it's not partisan. It's just good education policy."
Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Utah, is expected to soon introduce identical legislation in the House.