Variety of issues concerning Utah State discussed by legislative representatives
State legislative representatives visited campus Monday to discuss the 2008 legislative session and review the issues regarding USU that were debated during this year’s session.
State senators Lyle Hillyard and Peter Knudsen discussed issues including university salaries, education programs, health care and energy costs with state representatives Jack Draxler, Fred Hunsaker, Ronda Menlove and Curt Webb at a luncheon in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom.
“There are very important things that take place for Utah State in the capital,” Hunsaker said.
While not everything was accomplished that USU might have wished, and funding might not have increased as much as in previous years, he said, “This year is still a very good year.”
Webb stressed the focus local legislators have on USU. He said matters like the economy and health care are closely tied to higher education.
“There’s an energy there,” he said.
Hillyard addressed employee compensation implemented during the session. He said state and higher education employees received a 3 percent salary increase to account for the escalating cost of living.
Some expressed concern during the question-and-answer period that people are not able to offset the increasing cost of living, even with the salary increase.
To this, one representative said it is affecting everyone and that state legislators are trying to help.
However, he said, “I don’t mean to sound cold but, welcome to the club.”
Hillyard also reviewed the 9.9 percent increase higher education employees received to help with health insurance.
According to the state budget overview, higher education employees ineligible for changes in health benefits received the increase for health benefit premiums.
During the session, Hillyard also pushed and passed the Regents Scholarship that will award $1,000 for higher education to students who demonstrate a strong work ethic by taking rigorous courses in high school.
Draxler addressed the $43,750,000 given to USU for the new agriculture building and then discussed the funding he helped achieve for postsecondary education for inmates. He said USU has given a number of bachelor’s degrees to inmates, and with the funding passed, inmate education programs will be able to continue. He said inmates receiving degrees reduces their chances of returning to jail. Draxler also said by funding this now, it saves Utah residents money in the future because fewer funds will be needed for inmates and facilities.
While all agreed a lot had been done for USU during the session, Knudsen said difficult problems are yet to come.
“Things aren’t as rosy as you think. We have some serious challenges,” Knudsen said.
Many things may have been accomplished during the legislative session that are beneficial to USU and the surrounding community, but Knudsen said people have the future to consider.
“What’s it going to be like next year?” he asked.
He said one of the most important issues people are going to face is the cost of energy.
“I put up a little flag of warning. We need to be working on the energy issue better than we are,” Knudsen said.
Menlove, however, disagreed and said she believes one of the hottest issues will be health care.
Hunsaker agreed saying, “This is not an issue that is unique to Utah State and is not unique to Utah. It is a national problem.”
The senators and representatives agreed there are a number of other issues that must be monitored, like the growing number of universities in the state and the special interests and earmarks of legislators.
The legislative representatives said USU would continue to be one of their main focuses and said USU is one of the most respected institutions in the Legislature.
Menlove complimented USU’s “activism and leadership skills.”
Draxler said, “Utah State’s credibility is excellent. I hope it continues. That way, it makes it a lot easier when people realize work is being done.”
-arie.k@aggiemail.usu.edu