SL County Council Asks for Special Legislative Session

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) The Salt Lake County Council appears to be leaning against putting any school district split on the ballot this November. But before they decide, they're asking the Utah Legislature to meet in special session and establish a process to guarantee equal funding across the new and old districts. Councilman Dave Wilde says that would help, but he's wary of a rush job:

"I do have some reservations about asking the Legislature to make these changes in such a rapid period of time," says Wilde. "I'm not sure whether they can come up with something that makes sense, but I think this is a step forward."

The County Council resolution also asks Utah lawmakers and Governor Huntsman to change the law so people in both the old and new districts can vote on the proposed split. Several legislators are working on proposals that would address the funding concerns, but have not expressed strong support for changing the voting law. If lawmakers do address those issues in a special session, Councilman Randy Horiuchi says the County Council better be ready to put proposed splits on the ballot:

"I just think the people who supported the issue, the legislators, the Governor will probably be really mad at us if we make them go to all this work and we still don't put it on the ballot," says Horiuchi.

If legislative leaders can rally support for special session, it's unlikely to happen before mid-August when lawmakers meet next for interim meetings. The Salt Lake County Council will probably postpone their vote until early September, which is the latest it can add items to the November ballot.

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