Dynamic Range

Fabulous Forbes

Last Friday the Salt Lake Tribune singled out to the great work of Principal Larry Dean and the fantastic teachers at Forbes Elementary School in American Fork (see Bad marks for Utah's schools).  The article focused on the struggles of schools that failed to meet AYP (adequate yearly progress).  Forbes was the example of a school that successfully overcame failing to make AYP last year.

The first thing you need to know is that Forbes Elementary has a long, proud tradition within the community.  You also need to know that Forbes is staffed by some of our most dedicated educators.  After failing to achieve AYP last year, instead of bemoaning their recent addition of students with special learning needs, the faculty and staff came together to reflect and to identify how best to address the learning needs of each student.  This example highlights the best educator qualities:  a desire to help every student learn, effective collaboration, and a process for continual evaluation and improvement.  As I visited with Principal Dean several weeks ago, he shared with me these accomplishments and the challenges that they overcame.  He beamed with enthusiasm and pride, both for his students and their achievement as well as for his devoted faculty and staff.  I knew this was truly a team effort.

Good job Forbes.  Keep up the great work!

p.s. Nice picture Pam!  Does this means that you are bringing in donuts for everyone?

p.p.s.  Check out the Utah Performance and Assessment System for Students for more information.

Free Speech

Over the past couple of years, the House, under the leadership of Speaker Curtis, Majority Leader Alexander, and others within the body, have increased the openness and accessibility of Utah State government and the political process.  Committee meetings are now broadcast and archived online, blogging and podcasting is being rapidly adopted to improve citizen communication, access to legislative reports and legislative filings (such as conflict disclosures) are readily available online, etc.  Much of these changes are the result of re-evaluating and adjusting traditional practices by leveraging powerful technological innovations.  The democratization of technology and the tools of production are empowering a greater transparency of our democratic process.  I believe the leadership of the legislature has also led to greater openness of the judicial process and will lead to improved transparency in the executive branch as well (for example, they have promised me that they will do a better job notifying citizens of upcoming public meetings, just like the legislature has been doing for years).

With these steps toward greater openness, I'm surprised that many in the media think that the legislature will limit free speech on the Capitol complex.  Free speech is such a fundamental right, the legislature won't adopt any rules that limit the right of citizens to peaceably assembly.

From my perspective, there are 3 key parameters that should apply:

1. The opportunity to freely assemble and express one's opinion should be protected for all Utahns
2. Advocates and protesters can't impede any individual's ability to move, nor can they physically assault an individual
3. Advocates and protesters that persist in disrupting a committee hearing  should be removed from the committee room

These are pretty common sense.  The first parameter maximizes the citizen's ability to express his/her opinion.  The second addresses safety, particularly the issue where a few advocates or protesters step over the line, become physically threatening or abusive (we occasionally encounter this unfortunate situation).  This is unacceptable and dangerous behavior, whether at the Capitol or anywhere else.  The third parameter provides the opportunity for all to express their opinion before a legislative committee and to be heard in an orderly manner.

Any other rules that provide restrictions on free speech at the Capitol are misguided and not needed.  They would not have support from the members of the House.  (In other words, they are not just mostly dead.  They are completely dead.)

In the House chamber (currently being renovated) the Latin words "vox populi" are painted on the wall above the Speaker's chair.  "Voice of the People" is more than just a motto; it's the goal for each members of the Utah House of Representatives.  The best way to achieve that goal is to ensure that the voice of the people can be heard, throughout our communities and especially at the Capitol!

Double Duty

You've heard of 2 for 1 -- Two-fer Tuesday, 2 pizzas for the price of 1, buy 1 sandwiches and get a second sandwich of equal or lesser value for free, etc.  With the pending retirement of Rep. Alexander we may need to remember the concept of 1 for 2.  Not familiar?  Think 1 person doing 2 jobs, as in 1 legislator serving in 2 houses.

To understand the enormity of this possibility, ask yourself who are the likely candidates that could replace Rep. Alexander.  Obviously, Sen. Curt Bramble has to be near the top of any list.  Nothing significant happens in the legislature without his notable influence.  He spends more time in the House than any other Senator (and supposedly some House members).  But why would such a powerful and effective force in the Senate consider this "lowly" House seat?  To go where no man (or woman) has gone before  -- become a seated legislator in both the House and Senate, simultaneously.  Sure Ernie Dean (of American Fork) served as both Speaker of the House and then Senate President, but no one has ever had the energy, intelligence, and influence to pull off this kind of coup.

The real questions will be whether legislation would be needed to allow him run for re-election for both seats in 2 years.

Alexander The Great

This morning I learned that Rep. Jeff Alexander was preparing to retire from the legislature after 16 years of dedicated service.  It was a great shock and I felt a lot of mixed emotions -- happiness that he will be able to spend more time with his family, friends, and business associates; sadness that we will lose his leadership, experience, and humor within the House as well as the fact that he's going over to help out that "other branch").

I always found Jeff to be honest and straightforward.  Often times, legislators are accustomed to people telling us one thing and doing another, mischaracterizing an issue, or sugar-coating a problem, rather than addressing it head-on.  Jeff wasn't like that.  He was direct and didn't waste time beating around the bush.  At times, some people took offense at this directness.  I found it to be quite refreshing.

Jeff's quick wit could have everyone in stitches at one moment, then his complete grasp of the legislative process would have everyone focused on the task at hand.  Love him or hate him, Jeff was his own man.  He didn't shy away from the difficult issues or the hard work.  He was a great representative for his constituents and the citizens of the State.  Jeff's leadership and camaraderie will be sorely missed.