Senator Ron Winterton has shared his recommendation for voters to vote FOR Constitutional Amendment B on this election’s ballot. Constitutional Amendment B asks the voter: Shall the Utah Constitution be amended to increase the limit on the annual distributions from the State School Fund to public schools from 4% to 5% of the fund? Winterton hopes Utah voters will fill in the FOR bubble, sharing that “passage of Amendment B will provide an additional combined $311,283 in School LAND Trust Funds for a total of $2,705,769 annually for Daggett, Duchesne, and Uintah School Districts, at no cost to Utah taxpayers.” The 2023 Utah Legislature unanimously voted to place Amendment B on the 2024 ballot. Senator Winterton’s entire letter is included with this news story at www.BasinNow.com.
Full Letter From Senator Ron Winterton:
Vote Yes, Vote For Amendment B this November. Passage of Amendment B will provide an additional combined $311,283 in School LAND Trust Funds for a total of $2,705,769 annually for Daggett, Duchesne, and Uintah School Districts, at no cost to Utah taxpayers.
Amendment B is good for Utah students and teachers. The 2023 Utah Legislature unanimously voted to place Amendment B on the 2024 ballot. In addition, the constitutional amendment is supported by these entities:
Utah PTA
Utah Taxpayers Association Utah State Board of Education Utah School Boards Association
Utah School Superintendents Assoc. Utah Rural Schools Association Utah Treasurer Marlo Oaks
Utah has a $3.3 billion endowment for public schools called the State School Fund. Each year, Utah schools receive School LAND Trust Distributions from this State School Fund, which are currently capped at 4% by state constitution.
Due to tremendous growth of the $3.3 billion State School Fund, the endowment is now favoring future generations, rather than today’s students. If passed, Amendment B would raise the current cap on distributions from 4% to 5%.
Raising the cap to 5% will provide more money for current students, while protecting the endowment for future generations. Today’s students need and deserve this additional education funding.
School LAND Trust Distributions are unique. Each School Community Council, comprising parents, teachers, and administrators, determines the greatest academic need at its school and applies its distributions accordingly.
Show your support for our schools this November, VOTE YES – VOTE FOR Amendment B.
Senator Ronald Winterton
