Becky Edwards

HJR 24 “House Joint Resolution on Equal Treatment by Government”

While at face value this resolution appears to simply promote equality, the reality is more complex than that. More time is needed to analyze the impact this would have on our state. An appropriate evaluative study on the need for this measure, complete with data quantifying the reverse discrimination this is intended to squelch, as well as a thorough examination of the unintended consequences are both necessary. For example, how will this affect a health department’s ability to provide funds for healthy lifestyle campaigns targeted at specific minority populations. Would this be considered “preferential treatment” with respect to public education for a group based on ethnicity?

Further, will this create barriers and further divides between communities? As the demographics of our state and our District continue to become more diverse I am concerned that this resolution may, despite the intentions, make access even more difficult for diverse communities. As it stands now the gap of participation in higher education between whites and Latinos in Utah widened to the nation’s largest, as per the Measuring Up report (2008) conducted by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. Better educational opportunities grow into more robust economic opportunities and that benefits us all. Additionally, I have concerns regarding the impact this resolution may have on outreach, recruitment, and retention of minority students.

While equality is valued by us all, HJR 24 leaves me with too many questions. Is this a problem right now in our state? If so, how and where does that play out? Is this the right mechanism to achieve the goal for equal treatment for all? Does this very important issue deserve our best thinking and analysis before we rush to change our state’s constitution? Until I feel these questions are satisfied I will not be supporting HJR 24.