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Davis Journal

Legislature announces COVID protocols, recommends education funding assistance

Dec 23, 2020 11:16AM ● By Becky Ginos

SALT LAKE CITY—After initial budget estimates showed increased revenue, the Legislature announced last week that it would appropriate a one-time COVID-19 educator assistance stipend to teachers and staff who are making great sacrifices to educate students and keep schools open.

The Executive Appropriations Committee (EAC) recommended the Legislature appropriate $121 million of the new revenue for K-12 teachers and staff. The EAC also recommended an appropriation of $141 million to fund a weighted pupil unit (WPU) increase and $95 million to fund growth and inflation in the public education base budget, according to material provided.

“Our ability to make this commitment to educators and employees is because businesses have worked to keep the economy open,” said Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton. “We realize the challenges teachers have had this year. They’re teaching in classes and online. School secretaries are trying to find substitute teachers at a rate that’s never been placed on them before.”

Those who maintain the schools are going above and beyond, he said. “They’re cleaning and sanitizing to make sure our children are safe. Because of all that effort we wanted to find a way to give an additional increase in COVID funding. We’re united in trying to do this. It’s the right thing to do.”

We’re fortunate to live in Utah, said Adams. “We’re probably the only state in the nation that’s able to do this.”

In addition to the stipend, Adams and Speaker of the House Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville discussed COVID-19 protocols for the upcoming legislative session at a press conference held virtually last week. 

“It’s really important the legislative process gets vetted,” said Adams. “There’s concern over the pandemic but we have to roll out a vetting system no matter what circumstances we’re in.”

The process is best done in an open and transparent way, said Wilson. “We’ve had to reengineer what we do to make sure the public has a way to engage and give feedback and input. We have better outcomes with the input we receive.”

Wilson said they would be requiring mask wearing and social distancing. “We’ll have mask ambassadors who will help with that. If people refuse to wear a mask we will have to ask them to leave. We don’t want to put our staff or the lawmakers in jeopardy.”

The public should participate electronically if possible, he said. “For the first time ever, we’ll be video casting committee meetings. We will also limit the number of visitors into the chambers and no guests will be allowed on the House floor. There will be access to the galleries with social distancing and mask wearing.”

There will not be any events either, Wilson said. “No school groups or those types of functions in the Capitol. The highway patrol will have more of a presence. A disproportionate of our green and brown coat volunteers fall into the high risk category so the UHP will be filling a lot in that role.”

Other safety measures include Plexiglas in the House and frequent rapid COVID testing. “We’ll have a blended session if there are people who don’t feel comfortable coming,” said Adams. “But interactions are better in person. I think the majority will be on the floor and they’ll use good judgement to take care of themselves.”