Yesterday’s Utah Legislative Report Summary
Articles in published in today’s Utah newspapers about Yesterday’s Utah Legislature news:
Salt Lake Tribune
Legislative briefs
Utah Legislature 2006: To be continued–Surplus challenge: In a ‘stressful session,’ the lawmakers lower food tax, stumble on income tax cut
Real scores on tax to help build stadium: Hotel industry doesn’t like that most of Salt Lake County’s share of the tax will be shipped to Sandy
Lawmakers follow through with cutting grocery tax by 2 percent: No income tax reform: Time runs out as reluctant lawmakers worry about eliminating certain credits and deductions
Hate crimes law: After 8 years of trying, a compromise sails through
Schools get funding bump: The 10.6 percent increase includes a raise for teachers but no change in class sizes
Law paves the way for private and public alliance–Users pay: Proponents say the deal will make for better roads because motorists will be treated as valued customers
Deseret News
Winners and losers
2006 Legislature: Finished — for now: Nerves fray in scramble to wrap up
Lack of civility mars session–Some lawmakers show a mean streak with public
Hate-crimes bill is approved: Senate vote is unanimous; Litvack remembers Suazo
Key education bills
Schools get 6% funding hike: Per-student spending is given its highest increase since 1991
Highlights of this year’s funding for education
Science ed bill sees defeat: Senate OKs bill to allow cities to create school districts
State surplus turns into fight over divvying up the budget
3 get-tough measures on immigration fall short: Bill to halt in-state college tuition dies in House panel
Ethics reform slams into a big brick wall: Measures falter — despite public opinion surveys
Immigration bills that didn’t survive the 2006 Legislature
Public right to records unscathed: GRAMA emerges from session ‘alive and kicking’
Government Records Access and Management Act
USTAR may be a costly victory for higher ed
Penalties boosted for identity theft, sex abuse, other crimes
Municipalities flex their muscles: But despite wins, many leaders left with bad taste
Lawmakers OK bill that could bring toll roads to Utah
2006 legislation on transportation
Vetoed environmental measure dead
Legislators back strong parental rights: Critics fear bills could actually hurt some minors
Was Medicaid the top loser?
2006 Legislature on crime and criminals
Measures that have an impact on local government in state
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 