Utah House Democrats

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Emily Bingham Hollingshead

House Democrats Communications Coordinator
Utah House of Representatives
Ph: 435.817.7203
Fax: 801.326.1539
houseminmedia@utah.gov
http://www.utahhousedemocrats.org

State Board of Education Member Election Process bill advances

SALT LAKE CITY, February 17, 2009 — A bill that would modify the election process for membership on the State Board of Education passed the House Education committee on Friday and now moves to the full House. Sponsored by Representative Carol Spackman Moss, D—Holladay, HB 150 repeals the involvement of the governor and the nominating and recruiting committee for the state Board of Education selection process and requires direct, nonpartisan election of members.

“Some have suggested that make direct election of school board members partisan races. But education is not partisan, and selection for Utah Board of Education should not be a partisan process,” said Representative Moss. “One reason this election process needs to be nonpartisan is so that federal employees would not be barred from running. In some counties, such as Davis and Weber, Hill Field employees regularly run for school board and municipal offices. If we turn this election over to political parties, many qualified people would not be allowed to run because of Hatch Act restrictions.”

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a United States federal law whose main provision is to prohibit federal employees (civil servants) from engaging in partisan political activity.

“The committee process is counter to the democratic process. Some have said that the committee process is necessary because it is difficult to get people interested to run for state school board. Over the past few years, however, there has been a heightened awareness that has increased involvement in public education,” said Moss.

HB 150 passed through the education committee with 11 yes votes and 4 no votes. It is on the 3^rd reading calendar in the House of Representatives.