Pre-shee-8-ya!
Though the Legislature has Roberts Rules of Order to guide its debates, lobbyists may want to bone up on Emily Post's Book of Etiquette.
Specifically, what is the proper way to thank lawmakers for a funding increase?
Most lobbyists slithering up to the Capitol know that a dinner out a round of golf or, a couple choice Jazz tickets is the thoughtful way to say, "Thanks guys, for a piece of the pie."
But to hear some very annoyed lawmakers, including powerful Senators Sheldon Kilpack, Dan Eastman and Curt Bramble, tell it, educators -- specifically the Utah Education Association -- were raised by wolves when it comes to manners.
Their beef runs like this: The 2006 Legislature gave public education its biggest boost in nearly two decades (a 6 percent hike in per pupil spending alone). And then UEA and its media stooges had the temerity to turn around and kvetch the Legislature had failed to adequately provide for the state's children.
As Majority Leader Bramble recently complained, "There are allegations that the Legislature stole $78 million out of education when they reduced the income tax and gave a tax cut!"
At a press meeting with leadership this week, one senator sadly shook his head, "Only one school district sent us a thank-you note."
The UEA's faux pas is not a small thing. The Legislature once again has a $1.6 billion pile of extra cash to divvy up. Though most lawmakers agree with the governor that education deserves a big bump -- many conservatives want to see some of it funneled into vouchers and tuition tax credits.
The gauche UEA, by the way, despises vouchers and tuition tax credits.
Maybe it's a matter of breeding, but educators don't seem to feel the lawmakers' pain. "I didn't realize individual legislators needed to be thanked as if they were giving teacher pay raises out of their own pocket," says one. "It's the public's money isn't it?"
But UEA lobbyist Vik Arnold promised that if the Legislature repeats last year's performance, "We are reserving enough money to take out a full page ad in both major papers to thank the Legislature for their good work."
Sorry Vik, from what we've seen on the Hill, a thoughtfully big-assed box of chocolate would be the way to go.
-- Glen Warchol
Specifically, what is the proper way to thank lawmakers for a funding increase?
Most lobbyists slithering up to the Capitol know that a dinner out a round of golf or, a couple choice Jazz tickets is the thoughtful way to say, "Thanks guys, for a piece of the pie."
But to hear some very annoyed lawmakers, including powerful Senators Sheldon Kilpack, Dan Eastman and Curt Bramble, tell it, educators -- specifically the Utah Education Association -- were raised by wolves when it comes to manners.
Their beef runs like this: The 2006 Legislature gave public education its biggest boost in nearly two decades (a 6 percent hike in per pupil spending alone). And then UEA and its media stooges had the temerity to turn around and kvetch the Legislature had failed to adequately provide for the state's children.
As Majority Leader Bramble recently complained, "There are allegations that the Legislature stole $78 million out of education when they reduced the income tax and gave a tax cut!"
At a press meeting with leadership this week, one senator sadly shook his head, "Only one school district sent us a thank-you note."
The UEA's faux pas is not a small thing. The Legislature once again has a $1.6 billion pile of extra cash to divvy up. Though most lawmakers agree with the governor that education deserves a big bump -- many conservatives want to see some of it funneled into vouchers and tuition tax credits.
The gauche UEA, by the way, despises vouchers and tuition tax credits.
Maybe it's a matter of breeding, but educators don't seem to feel the lawmakers' pain. "I didn't realize individual legislators needed to be thanked as if they were giving teacher pay raises out of their own pocket," says one. "It's the public's money isn't it?"
But UEA lobbyist Vik Arnold promised that if the Legislature repeats last year's performance, "We are reserving enough money to take out a full page ad in both major papers to thank the Legislature for their good work."
Sorry Vik, from what we've seen on the Hill, a thoughtfully big-assed box of chocolate would be the way to go.
-- Glen Warchol
12:31 PM
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