Funding Given to Public Education, and Investments Made in Reading Program

Gov. Walker today announced her fiscal year 2005 budget recommendations to fund public education and to invest in a Performance Plus reading program.

Walker recommends a total of $115.8 million in new funding for public education, which translates to a 6.9 percent increase. This total includes $24.2 million of funding recommendations for 7,160 new students.

"Public education funding is a priority in my administration," said Walker. "Funding education with a growing student population is becoming a bigger challenge, but these children are our greatest asset. They are our future workforce."

In the past decade, 17,000 new students have entered Utah’s public education system. Between 2005 and 2015, 145,000 students are projected to enter the system. The state will see that first wave of students next year.

Walker also recommends a fiscal year 2004 $5 million, one-time supplemental to enhance the reading program under Performance Plus and an ongoing increase of $25 million to the program in fiscal year 2005 for grades one through three.

"Students learn to read from kindergarten through third grade. After third grade, they read to learn. We need to ensure each student can read or they will not succeed," said Walker. "Currently, one in four students does not read at grade level. This is why we need new funding in Performance Plus for reading intervention."

The Performance Plus money would pay for reading teachers, tutors for intervention, professional development, tests, testing equipment and computers.

To emphasize her personal and fiscal commitment to literacy, the governor also released "Where the Wild Things Are," by Maurice Sendak, as her book of the month under the "Read With A Child" initiative. Walker hopes her book of the month will highlight diverse and quality reading material for schools, libraries, community centers and homes. She also hopes it will remind every citizen to read with a child for 20 minutes every day. The book of the month will be distributed to nearly 500 Utah elementary school libraries.

The fiscal year 2005 budget recommendations also include a 2.54 percent Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) increase of $36 million, and $24.6 million for an increase in retirement rate costs.

The governor recommends $2.3 million for charter school enrollment growth in fiscal year 2005, with a $900,000 supplement in fiscal year 2004.

Other fiscal year 2005 recommendations include the following: a one-time, $5 million increase for teacher supplies; $2.6 million to adult education; $850,000 to pupil transportation for growth; and a $1.1 million increase to youth-in-custody for enrollment growth.

The governor’s higher education budget recommendations will be released tomorrow, followed by a rollout of her entire budget recommendations on Monday.

3:27:50 PM    

Due to inclement weather forecast for tonight, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is postponing the work scheduled on northbound Interstate 15 between 11800 S. and 12600 S.

Crews had planned on restricting that segment of I-15 to one lane from 9 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. tomorrow in preparation of a traffic shift. UDOT has rescheduled the work for Friday, Dec. 12.

Weather permitting, restrictions are still scheduled for Dec. 16 on southbound I-15, and the traffic shift is still expected to take place Dec. 17. Once the shift is complete, all lanes of traffic will be moved to the northbound side of the freeway.

The traffic shift will allow crews to begin demolishing and rebuilding the southbound half of the 12300 S. interchange. For the past ten months all motorists have been traveling in the southbound lanes while the northbound half of the interchange was constructed.

Three lanes of travel will be maintained in each direction; however, lane widths will be reduced and shoulder restrictions and reduced speed limits will remain in place for the next several months.

UDOT advises motorists to reduce speeds and use caution when driving through work zones. Work schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather, equipment problems or emergency situations.

2:10:09 PM    

Imagine the frustration of going to the doctor, receiving a prescription to help you get better, but finding you just can’t pay for the medicine. In Utah, 6.4 percent of people encountered this problem in the past year, according to the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) 2001 Health Status Survey. To address this problem, the UDOH is launching a new resource, RxConnect Utah, to connect people with programs to get affordable prescriptions.

Fortunately for Utahns, Senator James Evans listened to the stories of these families while walking District One and meeting the people he represents. Prescription drug coverage was a daily concern for many families. As a result, Senator Evans sponsored Senate Bill 140, requiring the UDOH to implement a new program to address these issues. "I’ve seen many hardworking families struggling to get the prescription drugs they need," says Senator Evans. "Senate Bill 140 was made law during a lean budget year, showing this program is a priority for Utah." Senate Bill 140 appropriates $65,000 to the Utah Department of Health for this program to support administration, outreach, and salaries. Partners, including the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and pharmaceutical companies, have also contributed resources to this program.

RxConnect Utah will serve as a clearinghouse of information, connecting people who qualify with free or reduced cost medicine offered through pharmaceutical companies. RxConnect Utah, accessed by a toll-free phone number and website, will serve as an information, resource, and referral service to help the public access resources to get the medicine they need. "We are excited to be able to offer another resource to help Utahns access health care," says Dr. Scott Williams, Executive Director, UDOH. "Connecting Utahns with prescription drugs helps them take care of their overall health, preventing the development of chronic conditions and reducing health care costs."

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, U.S. spending for prescriptions tripled between 1990 and 2001. Between 2000 and 2001 the cost of prescription drugs grew more quickly than physician services or hospital care. Those who do not have prescription drug coverage may leave conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease untreated, resulting in more costly treatment later. For the 8.7 percent of Utahns who have no health insurance or who currently lack prescription drug coverage under Medicare, RxConnect Utah will be a valuable resource to help them access the prescription drugs they need. RxConnect Utah works in coordination with the Medicare drug bill, and serves Utahns regardless of their age.

RxConnect Utah connects people with programs offered through pharmaceutical companies. Eligibility for assistance varies by pharmceutical company, but all programs consider health insurance status and income. The UDOH is conducting outreach through local pharmacies to let the public know about this new resource. According to Senate Bill 140, Utah pharmacies are required to let the public know about RxConnect Utah.

People who need help getting prescription drugs can call 1-866-221-0265 (toll-free) or visit www.health.utah.gov/rxconnectutah for information. RxConnect Utah is supported by a partnership including pharmaceutical companies, the AARP, and resource and referral experts.

9:31:09 AM