Orrin Hatch: “In my state of Utah, education consistently ranks as one of the highest priorities for Utahns. During this year's…”

“In my state of Utah, education consistently ranks as one of the highest priorities for Utahns. During this year's session of the Utah legislature, Utah reaffirmed its commitment to improving education, reducing class size and paying dedicated teachers a salary commensurate with their efforts and qualifications. Utah takes its commitment to education funding very seriously. During the 1995-96 school year, education expenditures in Utah amounted to $92 per $1000 of personal income. The national average was $62 per $1000. In other words, Mr. President, Utah's education expenditure relative to total personal income is nearly 50 percent more than the national average. It is the third highest in the nation. In education expenditures as a percent of total direct state and local government expenditures, Utah ranks 2nd in the nation. Utah's expenditure for education was 41.5 percent of the total amount spent for government. The national average is 33.5 percent. Mr. President, no one can tell me that Utahns are not serious about funding education. And these efforts have garnered results. Utah's scores on ACT tests are equal to or better than the national average in English, math, reading and science.”