Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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John Daley ReportingOlivia Dale, 2nd Grader: "Dear Governor Huntsman, my teacher deserves a raise. So do all the other teachers."
A second grader comes to Capitol Hill with a simple plea, how about spending more of the state's budget surplus on schools?
One billion dollars, that's the size of the state's budget surplus. With a week to go in this year's legislative session, competing interests are working hard to secure much-needed funding.
State leaders say that one billion dollar figure is misleading because half of it is available only this year. Still, the question remains, where should the extra money go -- roads, tax cuts, social services? One of the state's youngest leaders made the case today for schools.
She marched up to the Capitol today, with her mom. She's a second grader on a mission. Olivia Dale is in Mrs. Dunning's class at Alta View Elementary.
Olivia Dale, Second Grader: "Our class needs more pencil erasers. My teachers buys this with her own money. She deserves more money. We were wondering if you could spend money on schools please? More healthy school lunches would be good too. Your future voter, Olivia Dale."
Christine Kearl, Education Deputy for Governor: "Does this make a difference? You bet it does. From out of the mouths of babes come some very wise words."
GOP lawmakers are proposing a 5% increase in money that goes directly to schools. The Governor wants 5.5%, the Utah Education Association is proposing 8%, a 160 million dollars hike, and minority Democrats like more.
But majority Republicans already allotted $300 million dollars to roads, water projects and tax cuts, and aren't sure there's much wiggle room.
Sen. Lyle Hilliard, (R) Logan: "We have a limited amount of money. We just try to do the best we can."
Robin Dale, Olivia's Mother: "I say there's always going to be problems, transportation problems, society problems. But if we don't have an educated population, the problems will only get worse, not better."
Olivia Dale, Second Grader: "Yeah, maybe it'll make a difference, maybe not. I just hope it will make an improvement in schools maybe."
For her efforts, she did get one thing, a seat in the Governor's chair.
No word today on any major breakthroughs on the budget, but there's lots of negotiating going on behind the scenes and all of this will have to be resolved in the next week.
