Show Rebuttal to Arguments Against While there are worthwhile revisions in the proposed article there is one concern that is so important that the article should not be passed until this matter is properly addressed The new wording changes the current relationship of church and state in the law regarding aid to religious institutions In existing law the state may not make any appropriation to aid in support of schools or institutions owned in whole or in part by any religious organization The new wording prohibits the state only from making any appropriation for direct aid aid to leaving the door open for the giving of indirect facilities As institutions test this new law to find out what indirect aid they will be entitled to the st ate of Utah will then have to turn to the federal constitution for its guide in if this revision attempting to resolve the issues Obviously passes we are setting the state up for countless law suits at taxpayer expense as the courts will have to decide what is meant by indirect aid in light of the federal constitution It does not make sense to word our state constitution so that it is not clear and require the state to go through court cases to determine what indirect aid is If indirect aid is intended it should be defined and clearly stated The principles governing the separation of church and state should be clear if both entities are to coexist in a friendly atmosphere Representative Dale Warner 1761 Hillside Circle Utah 84403 Ogden Proposition 3 doesn’t revise anything! All this revision does is restate the status quo It doesn't give more flexibility to the Legislature and it doesn't solve the problems of education in Utah Changes are needed in education but this revision cuts off the possibility of change! The Legislature should make the basic decisions about education Any revision should allow the Legislature to determine what educational systems are needed and where cuts should be made Proposition 3 limits what can be done to solve education’s problems Arguments Against lYoposition 3 No Proposition 3 revises the constitution to bring it in line with statutory practices such as the board of regents which have evolved over many yean The current system is working well and should be placed in the constitution to eliminate confusion and court challenges Within the basic structure outlined by Proposition 3 the Legislature can make meaningful changes to save money and improve education Proposition 3 does not ignore vocational education! Proposition 3 ends the confusion over vocational education governance by allowing the Legislature to decide which board should govern various vocational education programs and institutions when the two boards cannot agree Some areas of vocational education are best handled by the public education system while others are best handled by the higher education system It would be expensive and wasteful to create a separate constitutional board for vocational education! Proposition 3 prohibits direct state support of church schools while aUowing flexibility that will serve the state's interests By forbidding indirect support of church schools the current constitution may prohibit contracts that could benefit the state between the state and church schools Proposition 3 forbids only direct support It is more in line with the US Constitution and federal court decisions allowing limited indirect cud to church schools By following the federal constitution Proposition 3 gives greater flexibility and uniformity with other states This revision is supported by both the Board of Education and the Board of Regents! It clears up conflicts about governance while leaving the power to improve education with the Legislature We need Proposition 3! Senator 175 Lyle W Hillyard North East First Logan Representative LaMont PO Salt Lake City Utah 84321 Richards Box 25717 Utah 84125 Proposition 3 ignores vocational education! This revision does not make clear where vocational education belongs In fact it sets up a turf battle between public and higher education over education who will administer vocational education Vocational has been a stepchild to the rest of education all too long but Proposition 3 does nothing to solve this problem Propositions still leaves vocational education in limbo! Proposition 3 prevents the Legislature from streamlining education and reducing the bureaucracy This revision retains the State Board of Education in the constitution If passed the Legislature will be unable to increase efficiency in education by streamlining the educational bureaucracy Defeating Proposition 3 will send a message to our leaders that it’s time for efficiency and a reduction in the bureaucracy in education Vote “AGAINST" Proposition 3! Representative Scott 1327 West Syracuse W Holt 1700 South Utah 84041 Page 19 |