AUGUST INTERIM UPDATE

September 7, 2010

Dear Constituents:

Let me begin this monthly interim update by thanking you again for all of your support and for contacting me with your comments and questions.

In this update I want to provide highlights on the immigration debate and the Governor's roundtable discussion, a quick follow-up on the budget from August's update, and information about the Education Jobs Funding and Medicaid Funding Extension Utah will be receiving.

FISCAL HIGHLIGHTS & INTERIM HIGHLIGHTS

I want to remind you that you can get a more robust highlight of all the interim committee meetings and fiscal news through the legislative website:

The most recent newsletters are posted on the home page of the legislative website at www.le.utah.gov. The previous months' highlights can be found at the following links:

  • Fiscal Highlights: http://www.le.utah.gov/asp/lfa/lfareports.asp?src=LFAFH
  • Interim Highlights: http://www.le.utah.gov/Documents/InterimHighlights.htm

    IMMIGRATION - Governor's Roundtable Discussion

    Governor's Roundtable Discussion:

    As I mentioned in June's update, I was asked by the Governor to participate in a roundtable discussion on immigration in the state of Utah. On July 20th, a group of individuals representing many diverse opinions, backgrounds and perspectives was brought together by Gov. Herbert to share their ideas on immigration. The topic of discussion was particularly centered on whether the state of Utah should - and if so, how - address undocumented immigration. There were many different opinions shared, but what stood-out was the honesty and civil nature of the dialogue. Going into the discussion, it was not clear to me whether this would be an on-going roundtable or a one-time gathering. It appears that it will not be on-going.

    The immigration debate is gaining momentum as different proposals are being drafted for consideration during the 2011 Legislative Session. During this last interim, Rep. Stephen Sandstrom presented his legislative proposal "Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act" to the Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Interim Committee. I am also aware of - and have met with - a bi-partisan group of legislators and community members drafting a more comprehensive proposal that would possibly include a State Workers Program.

    STATE BUDGET & REVENUE UPDATE

    I reported in August's Interim Update that the Executive Appropriations Committee received a report in June anticipating a potential shortfall for the State's 2010 Fiscal Year (which ended July1) of between $50 - $150 million. In August, I received an update that while we are still anticipating a shortfall it likely is on the lower-end of the estimate (around $50 million). Unfortunately, the majority of the shortfall is in income tax revenue, which is constitutionally obligated to the funding of education. As I also mentioned in the last update, the shortfall will not require a special legislative session to fix right away. During the 2010 legislative session, the legislature prepared the state budget with the anticipation of a shortfall; therefore, not requiring immediate action.

    EDUCATION JOBS FUNDING & MEDICAID EXTENSION

    Recently, Congress passed H.R. 1586 which will provide the state of Utah with critical funding for the Medicaid program (a health safety net program for low-income Utahns) and for Utah's schools.

    The "Education Jobs Funding" contained in H.R. 1586 is designated for K-12 public schools to support school-level compensation, benefits, or other expenses necessary to hire or retain existing employees. For District 26, based on the distribution formula that will be used to distribute the $100 million; Salt Lake School district will receive approximately $4 million and the Granite School District will receive approximately $11.5 million for teachers, classroom aides, school counselors, etc... The distribution is based on the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU), the funding formula the state regularly uses to appropriate state dollars to local school districts.

    H.R. 1586 requires the Governor to submit the state's intention to apply for this funding, which Governor Herbert has done. It is anticipated that the legislature will convene in a special session in October to appropriate this funding.

    I hope that you find this update useful and informative. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments.

    Respectfully,

    Rep. David Litvack
    District 26
    Utah State House of Representatives
    801.792.7172 (Cell)
    801.596.0187 (Home)
    dlitvack@utah.gov