True Lies

An education degree is worth lessCollege

graduates with engineering and computer science diplomas get the best-paying jobs and education degrees yield the lowest monthly income, says a report from the US Census 2000. The report's figures are for 1999 and show that full-time workers 18 years and older with engineering diplomas averaged $4,680 a month, adults with degrees related to computer technology averaged $4,416 a month and education majors made the least amount—averaging $2,802 a month. Perhaps when critics claim that public education in the US is getting progressively worse, they should remember the corporate mantra: "You get what you pay for."

If elected, I'll fight for you (maybe)

Rich Vivone's Insight into Government (May 11) reports that some teachers in Edmonton aren't happy with newly elected Tory MLA Bob Maskell's view that the government's offer of 6 percent over two years is fair. Apparently Maskell told teachers that he would "get in there and fight for them." Vivone notes that Klein runs a tight ship and renegades pay a heavy price by having privileges removed and being relegated to the corner. Wouldn't it be refreshing if things were different?

Putting opponents' feet to the fire

Last week, a new record for consecutive hours of debate in the Legislative Assembly was set. The Assembly sat from 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 28 until 5:45 p.m. the following day, debating more than 15 bills in that time. The Klein government also introduced 2.5 pages of amendments to the controversial School Board Amendment Act, 2001 at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday—an unusual move that allowed no time for opposition members to consider the proposed changes and consult with stakeholders. Far from being a testament to its dedication to public debate, however, the exercise appears to have been more of an example of the government's disdain for opposing points of view. The trigger was apparently the bill that sets the rules for regional health authority elections this fall. The government wanted the bill through and the session adjourned for the summer. Opposition members wanted to debate whether the legislation was strong enough in terms of conflict of interest and whether all health board members and not just two-thirds should be elected. The government chose force to get its way, using its 73-seat majority to hold the nine opposition members' feet to the fire, as the premier put it. Signs of things to come in the next four years?