Fiscal Highlights - November 2016

Access to High Quality Schools - Hector R. Zumaeta Santiago ( PDF)

During the 2016 General Session, the Utah State Legislature appropriated $11 Million for 3 years (total of $33 million) of TANF reserve from the Department of Workforce Services for Access to High Quality School Readiness Programs. This appropriation was made as part of Senate Bill 101.
High Quality School Readiness Programs are programs that target the reduction of Intergenerational Poverty through education funding. These programs provide Intergenerational Poverty scholarships to eligible students -- students who are experiencing intergenerational poverty, are 4 years of age or younger, and have not been matriculated in preschool to allow them to have access to High Quality Schools.
The State Board of Education performs Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale Assessments, as well as school visits, to determine if a school is a High-Quality School. Once that determination is made, applications are sent to the families of eligible students who reside in that area. This has led to regions such as Salt Lake City and Cedar City having a large concentration of these programs and scholarships.
Preliminary evaluations have been recorded at the start of the school year (August) and the students will be re-evaluated at the end of the school year (June). These performance measures will be ready for presentation by the Fall of 2017.
These programs continue Utah's efforts at reducing intergenerational poverty, an initiative that has been highlighted across the country
November 2016 Content ( PDF)

Access to High Quality Schools - Hector R. Zumaeta Santiago
During the 2016 General Session, the Utah State Legislature appropriated $11 Million for 3 years (t...
An Evaluation of Tax Exceptions and Inducements - Andrea Wilko
Utah offers more than 170 exceptions to tax code and inducements to behavior change. They can be r...
An Update on Internal Service Fund Rates - Sean C. Faherty
On November 15th, the Executive Appropriations Committee heard an update on internal service funds....
As the Holidays Begin, Let's Discuss Debt Affordability - Steven M. Allred
I recently had the opportunity to attend a National Conference of State Legislatures fiscal seminar...
B&C Roads Funding May Reach $175 Million in 2017 - Thomas E. Young
The 4th Special Session of the 2016 Legislature addressed B and C Roads funding. Among the formula ...
Comprehensive Study of Career and Technical Education in Utah - Jill L.Curry
House Bill 337, Career and Technical Education Comprehensive Study (2015 General Session), created ...
FY 2018 Capital Development Rankings - Brian Wikle
As defined by UCA 63A-5-104, "capital development" means 1) a remodeling, site, or utility project ...
Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI): Status Report - Gary R. Syphus
During the 2015 General Session, the Legislature passed House Bill 348 commonly referred to as th...
Managing the $173 Million DCFS Budget - Clare Tobin Lence
At the October 2016 meeting of the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee, LFA staff present...
Student Enrollment Continues to Grow - Ben Leishman
A total of 644,476 students enrolled in Utah public schools this fall. This is an increase of 10,58...
Unclaimed Property: A Pleasant Surprise - Alexander R. Wilson
The Utah State Office of the Treasurer has made significant progress over the last three years in r...
Updated Full Medicaid Expansion Cost Estimates - Russell T. Frandsen
Staff was asked to update full Medicaid expansion cost scenarios. This resulted in five changes to ...
USHE Data Available, More to Come - Spencer C. Pratt
The Utah System of Higher Education collects and organizes a significant amount of data from each o...

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