Pignanelli: Aaahh. Lake Powell. Utah's famous water spot has inspired artists, architects and engineers for decades. The recreational site also brings enlightenment to politicians. Karen Morgan, a Sandy Democratic legislator, was distraught two weeks ago over the trench warfare between all parties favoring or opposing smaller school districts. Morgan wanted to address the needs of her constituents screaming for change but acknowledged such adjustments required deliberation.
The situation two weeks ago was dire. Powerful east bench lawmakers drafted an equalization bill to assist in the district splitting process. Although helpful to Jordan School District, it was disastrous for Salt Lake City School District. (Note: My partner and I were hired to represent Salt Lake City in the special session.) Because of strong personalities involved, the special session was on track to create lawsuits and greater antagonism between school districts. Morgan, a recognized legislative expert on educational matters, realized the ultimate victims would be students. While floating in the warm waters of Lake Powell, she developed an elegant
solution that allowed Jordan District residents to proceed with the vote regardless of any county opposition.
The special session provided an interesting glimpse into when the process works — especially because of insightful solons:
In an interesting twist, it was two female Democratic lawmakers — Morgan and Patricia Jones (the Senate co-sponsor) — who fashioned a solution that saved face for their colleagues and prevented a costly battle.
Salt Lake City Council members worked ferociously to establish lines of communications with conservative lawmakers, usually grumpy about capital city politics. They articulated well that the equalization proposal would destroy the inner-city schools.
Draper Republican Greg Hughes was instrumental as a liaison in constructing a viable solution. Price Democrat Mike Dmitrich ensured a rational protection of both urban and rural interests.
Even the opposition to Morgan's bill, as demonstrated through the articulate speeches of West Valley senators Ed Mayne and Michael Waddoups, will provide guidance as the equalization issue is considered in the future.
Morgan's bill supplied a springboard for comprehensive discussions regarding statewide funding of education that will occur between now and January.
Legislative leadership (Speaker Greg Curtis and President John Valentine) deserves credit for allowing diplomacy to triumph.
Obviously, officials in Salt Lake County and west-side Jordan School District are frustrated. Yet, it was a fine bipartisan moment for the Legislature. Perhaps the Legislature should hold its next summer meeting on a house boat at Lake Powell. They may find enlightenment on other issues — or end up killing each other.
Webb: Nearly everyone — legislators, city leaders, county leaders and citizens — philosophically supports smaller school districts.
But getting there is one of the toughest public policy challenges Utah leaders have faced for a long time. This battle illustrates how important public education and property tax matters are and how emotional these issues can become.
It's a good, old-fashioned political imbroglio, pitting city against city, east side vs. west side, some cities vs. the county, the county vs. the Legislature, cities vs. school districts, Democrat vs. Democrat, Republican vs. Republican and so forth. Lawsuits will be filed, and other completely separate matters, like the Hogle Zoo bond, have somehow become entangled.
And it's certainly not over. By allowing the east side of Jordan School District to vote to create a smaller district, without resolving the very difficult funding equalization issues, the Legislature basically told west-side taxpayers: Trust us.
The tax equity matters will be dealt with in a task force, leading (hopefully) to action in the 2008 session.
I don't remember an issue involving so much complexity and so many angles and players at all levels of government. It has also been fascinating because this issue is not partisan or ideological. I watched some of the legislative debate last Wednesday live over the Internet on my office computer, and it was interesting to see Democrats like Eddie Mayne and Pat Jones clash with each other.
In fact, Republican legislators seemed happy to let the Democrats take some of the leadership on this issue and fight with each other. In this battle, everyone is looking out for their own. This is about local constituents, not partisan politics or ideology. And that gives outnumbered west-side taxpayers reason to fear. If it comes down to pure political power, the fast-growing west side, which needs numerous new school buildings, does not have the clout it needs — yet — to match the mature and built-out east side.
Once the east side of the Jordan District votes to create its own school district, will the Legislature still be motivated to resolve the funding disparities? Or will the pressure be off, leaving the west side to fend for itself.
Capital outlay equalization will not be easy, even if studied for a few months. There will be winners and losers, unless the Legislature infuses a big chunk of money to offset the disparities. I still believe this matter will be settled reasonably and equitably, but there's a lot of work ahead.
Republican LaVarr Webb was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. The Exoro Group, in Webb is a partner, does work for the Oquirrh Alliance, which advocates on Salt Lake County growth issues, including fair school building equalization. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. A former candidate for Salt Lake mayor, he served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. Pignanelli's spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is a Utah state tax commissioner. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.