The Utah Education Association (UEA) is not waiting for the gavel to drop in January to advance public education policy on Utah's Capitol Hill.
Throughout the summer, UEA's lobby team has been meeting with lawmakers, securing bill sponsors, and laying the groundwork to ensure Utah’s public educators and students have a strong voice at the 2026 General Legislative Session.
Early Wins
The UEA has already secured legislative sponsors for two key initiatives:
- Sen. Calvin Musselman (R-West Haven) will sponsor a bill to expand the Educator Salary Adjustment program to include school-registered nurses.
- Sen. Ann Milner (R-Ogden) will carry legislation to reinstate classroom supply funding for speech language pathologists.
“These early wins show the power of public educators’ voices and the importance of engaging lawmakers before the session begins,” said UEA President Renée Pinkney.
Funding Priorities
UEA is calling on legislators to make bold investments in Utah’s students and educators, including:
- A 2% increase in the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) above the statutory adjustment for inflation and enrollment growth.
- Protecting public funds by ensuring no new money is diverted to unaccountable private religious school voucher programs.
- Creating sustainable, long-term revenue sources to guarantee stable K-12 funding.
Policy Priorities
Beyond funding, the UEA is advocating for policies that directly impact classrooms and student success, including:
- Reducing special education caseloads and class sizes and expanding professional training.
- Supporting strategies to improve student attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism.
- Protecting public employees’ right to freely participate in a labor union.
- Recognizing educators as trusted professionals in curriculum and instructional decisions.
- Expanding resources for school safety and student well-being, including more counselors, social workers, and psychologists.
- Building stronger partnerships with families and communities to ensure safe, inclusive, and equitable schools for all students.
Standing with Educators and Students
“These priorities reflect what our members know to be true: strong public schools are the foundation of strong communities,” said Pinkney. “Utah educators are asking lawmakers to invest wisely in students, respect the voices of professionals in the classroom, and ensure every child, regardless of background, has access to a safe, supportive, and fully funded public school.”
UEA will continue working with policymakers, parents, and education partners throughout the 2026 session, which runs January 20 through March 6.
Get Involved
Want to make your voice heard at the Capitol? Apply to be a UEA Policy Ambassador and join fellow educators in shaping the future of public education. Deadline to apply is September 30.
