The Political Thing Is Getting Me, AGAIN!

I claim not to be very political. I think I'm going to have to quit saying that. Somehow I keep getting dragged into these things...

Today I got an e-mail from the state PTA president. She was talking about this stupid (in my opinion) bill, SB 199. Here's her explanation of the bill and what has happened;

"Last Tuesday Senator Curt Bramble, R-Provo, introduced a bill to the Utah Senate that would make it illegal for schools to work with parent groups that charge dues. This bill was sent out of rules last Thursday to the Senate Education Committee. We immediately made an appointment with Senator Bramble to discuss our concerns with the bill and to let him know how this would affect Utah PTA and parent involvement efforts in 70% of Utah schools. Senator Bramble, as chair of the Education Committee, put the bill on the agenda prior to our scheduled meeting. Tuesday morning this bill was heard, as the only topic of the two hour committee meeting. Testifying for the bill were several PTO parents, Eagle Forum, the Southerland Institute, Parents for Choice, Charter Schools, one superintendent, and one school board member. I testified against the bill along with Cheryl, our Leg VP, and a state representative of the school board association. The bill was passed out to the Senate."

What??? Do these people have nothing else to do, but waste time discussing a bill that will take a wonderful parent volunteer organization out of our schools. Why don't they spend 2 hours discussing something that is worthwhile, like why they all got brand new flat screen tv's at the same time they are cutting all the State's budgets. UGH! Do they not realize that the PTA donates thousands of hours in voluteer work (right now our school is over 1500 hours since August) and thousands of dollars (our budget this year is almost $20,000) with most of that going directly to the students. We aren't there for any other reason, except to help and improve our children's school experience. Oh, you may say that some people can't afford the dues- well if the $5/year is too much, the fees can be waived. BTW, have you joined your PTA yet? If not, DO IT TODAY!

Ok, I'm climbing down off my soap box and going to bed...