Tempers flared during a discussion of credit union legislation after a breakfast meeting Saturday held by the Provo-Orem Chamber of Commerce.
House Majority Whip Jeff Alexander, R-Provo, spoke heatedly with Ron Eliason, retired president and CEO of the Utah Community Credit Union, who approached him after the meeting to ask questions about House Bill 162.
"Not one credit union has stepped up to help with this bill," Alexander said. "They are a bunch of whiners."
Eliason said the bill would cripple credit unions.
Alexander discussed the bill for approximately half an hour after the meeting with Eliason and Michael Crossley, market manager for America First Credit Union.
David Macbeth, manager of trust services at Central Bank, said the Board of Commerce avoided the issue during the breakfast.
"The topic is very divisive," he said. "It's too hot."
The Chamber of Commerce sponsors the weekly Eggs and Issues breakfast to give residents a chance to talk with legislators about current issues.
During Saturday's breakfast, conversation focused on education, taxes and medical malpractice insurance rates.
Several teachers and parents voiced concerns about tuition tax credits and education funding.
"I am all for competition, but by golly, we are expecting our teachers to work," said Provo resident Russell Sias. "Salaries are too low."
Alexander said the legislature had no control because teacher salaries are negotiated between the school boards and the Utah Education Association.
He said, including benefits packages, Utah's teacher salaries are only second to Nevada when compared to other Western states.
Legislators, however, disagreed about the progress being made to improve education.
Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, said he could not remember a time when educators and legislators had held such a meaningful dialogue.
"I don't know where that is going to wash out, but it is clear that if we don't have a funding piece this year, we won't get any of our other reforms," he said.
Alexander said he was frustrated with the lack of cooperation from the school boards.
"They are balking at trying to make any change in education," he said. "We are trying to figure out a way to force a change."
Alexander said he would not raise taxes to create more funding for schools until schools showed willingness to reform.
The Senate, Alexander said, is trying to find a way to provide schools with approximately $7 million to compensate for increased enrollment.
"There is a real hesitancy right now for any kind of a tax increase," he said.
Both Alexander and Bramble said they did not think that the gasoline tax would increase this year, but the legislature is considering a toxic waste tax and several tax reform bills.
Doctors at the meeting encouraged the legislators to support Senate Bill 138, which allows arbitration between patients and doctors for non-emergency malpractice suits.
David Anderson, an emergency room physician at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, said doctors are being forced out of their profession by the high malpractice insurance premiums and court fees.
"All the resources that are presently being spent in court will be spent in arbitration," said Mark Robinson, chair of the Provo/Orem Board of Commerce. "I am not sure that arbitration, per say, will change much of the cost."
Anderson had another solution.
"We can legislate the insurance companies to reduce premiums," he said. "We do price-fix things; there are some good price-fixings."
Eggs and Issues will take place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Saturdays until March 1 in the IHC Northwest Plaza (on the corner of Bulldog Boulevard and 500 West) in the Clark Auditorium.
The breakfasts are free, however, attendees must RSVP in advance of each week's session through Lindsay Dickson, public relations director for the Provo-Orem Chamber, at 379-2560 or ldickson@thechamber.org
Copyright Brigham Young University 10 Feb 2003
