Court to Hear Voucher Arguments Next Friday

None by KCPW

Special Legislative Session Still Possible

(KCPW News) Next Friday, the Utah State Supreme Court will hear arguments in two voucher-related cases that could determine what voters will find on their ballots in November. Both sides of the issue welcome the court's intervention - and many lawmakers hope it will eliminate the need for a special session. But State Representative Steve Urquhart thinks otherwise.

"My option would be to come into special session, throw out both laws that were passed and put another in their place," says Urquhart. "That bill would represent the final product we ended up with during the general session - but with a delayed implementation date until next summer."

The bill would also stipulate that vouchers would only go into effect if voters approve of the system during November's election. Urquhart co-sponsored the original voucher bill and is a party in one of the actions before the State Supreme Court. Many of his legislative colleagues are reluctant to tackle vouchers in special session because the debate has historically been rancorous and the vote very close. Not Urquhart:

"Heck no," says Urquhart. "I mean, this is whey we hold these jobs - to clear up these things. This is a very impassioned issue and the public's divided on it. The process points to the Legislature to craft solutions."

The two cases to be heard by the Supreme Court next week deal with the ballot language proposed for November's referendum. Urquhart and others believe additional lawsuits will follow challenging the actual voucher system and its impact on public schools and tax resources.

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