Letter: Herbert sums up GOP attitude on education: Do it cheap

Gov. Gary Herbert responded to research showing that state funding for education would have to increase by 11 percent a year in order to meet his goal of having more Utahns with college degrees by saying, "Let's see if we can't have success whatever our limitations are with our budget" ("Utah gov's education goal has hefty price tag," Tribune, Nov. 15).

The governor's words are in line with the Republican approach to education funding in Utah: "Let's start by giving more tax breaks to our rich friends, especially coal and oil, and to families with lots of kids. Then we'll set aside money for more freeways and the rainy day fund (whatever that is). Whatever's left over we'll divvy up among education and everything else. If test scores keep dropping, we'll blame it on teachers like we always do."

Contrast this with the Democrats' approach: "Let's figure out what it costs to give our kids a decent education and find ways to come up with the money."

The fact that Utahns always choose the Republican approach speaks volumes about their real priorities.

Blair Bateman

Provo