I am excited to learn that Kory Holdaway will lobby for the Utah Education Association. This is the latest change in, what I think, are some very positive things for education in the State. With this change, and changes that have taken place in the leadership of the State Board of Education and the Legislature, I believe a favorable climate will exist for moving forward. (And, given the budget year we face, we’ll need lots of good will between the State Board, the teachers, and the Legislature).
I developed tremendous respect for Kory during the 8 years we served together in the House. He is a stand up guy, and his word can be trusted. I don’t pretend to believe that one person can easily change an established pattern of a big institution, but I do expect that Kory will take his levelness with him. In a conservative state, it should be no surprise that conservatives lead the Legislature. Without sacrificing his beliefs, Kory worked effectively in a conservative House as a moderate. UEA lobbyists have not been at the table for several years, and that is a problem. To have a role in shaping policy in Utah, an interest group has to be perceived to offer something more than anti-conservative slams and PR (just as it now would be unlikely that a purely anti-liberal interest group would get much done in Congress). I am eager to talk with Kory and to learn what his goals are. Teachers pay significant money to have their positions lobbied by their association, and I trust this is a positive step in that direction.
While your point is taken that the personal relationships will help Rep. Holdaway make his case with legislators, it does bring up the ever-present problem with the revolving door and how those relationships can be misused to get face time and influence that otherwise may not be given.
[...] is Education, but you would never know this by looking at the legislative docket each session. Kory Holdaway, head of Government Relations for the Utah Education Association attributes much of this to the [...]