Tag Archives: 2006 legislature

Hill Happenings

Yesterday’s Utah Legislative Report Summary
Articles in published in today’s Utah newspapers about the Yesterday’s Utah Legislature news:

Salt Lake Tribune
Legislature: Short takes
Senate OKs an increase in damages
Sticklers for Parental Consent
State workers’ raises in doubtLawmakers cite fight over retirees’ benefits
Voting only for citizen: Illegal immigrants: Senate panel advances fraud-prevention plan

Deseret News
Approve kindergarten option (Editorial)
Utahns’ tax cut may grow
Legislators looking to cut hunting age: They want kids to drop video games and spend time exploring nature
Resolution condemns land-use, zoning bill: Provo City Council expects other cities to oppose SB170
Younger drivers may be on road soon
Tied House vote kills business tax-cut plan: Failure seen as a rejection of Utah task force efforts
Registering to vote could require ID: Legislation would ensure only citizens cast ballots
“in loco parentis” bill placed on later agenda for comment
Tighter seat belt law moves on for final approval
Senate gives its preliminary OK to watered-down bill on ’17th’
House doesn’t support a raise of the animal-torture penalty
Measure allowing golf carts pushes through House panel
Bill that would further protect abuse victims in custody issues passes House committee
Measure to fund prevention, education about underage drinking clears committee
Fund-raising efforts to help Southern Utah flood victims reported to lawmakers
Committee praises state health director, recommends pay raise

Hill Happenings

Yesterday’s Utah Legislative Report Summary
Articles in published in today’s Utah newspapers about the Yesterday’s Utah Legislature news:

Salt Lake Tribune
SHORT SESSIONS
Can kids go from pre-K to full day? HB107 advances: Education panel says they can, and some should
Cities keep dukes up as Mansell retools–SB170: Council members will vote on resolutions opposing the measure
Bill may widen the definition of the term “assistance animal”
Peyote limit advances in Senate HB60: The judiciary panel approved the bill that would restrict the drug’s use to federally recognized Indian tribes
Panel seeks bounty on mercury devices
Democrats’ budget close to governor’s
Revised bill would leave ambulance service decisions to local governments

Deseret News
Noel is wrong about nuclear energy’s safety (Opinion)
Big makeover for U.S. 6? Measure faces battle in Utah House over bonding
Kindergarten bill offering full-day option advances
House backs nonpartisan regents board
Alpine defends math classes
Public education is atop Democrats’ budget priorities: Proposal also focuses on services for the poor and disabled
Youths take stand against alcohol, dating violence
Cities boost land-use opposition
Archaeologist’s office may be moved
Measure addresses S.L. ambulance dispute
Correction: HB90
Bishop lauds accomplishments over HAFB, nuke-waste issue
Juvenile sex offender registry is nearing a final passage
Senate committee passes bill that clarifies the use of peyote

Hill Happenings

Yesterday’s Utah Legislative Report Summary
Articles in published in weekend and today’sUtah newspapers about the Yesterday’s Utah Legislature news:

Salt Lake Tribune
Change of oversight: Proponents say the proposal would expedite energy development
Bill riles medical mistake victims
Protecting ER doctors: A lawmaker wants to make it tougher for patients to win lawsuits

Legislature tries to grab more power Proposed laws: Several bills being considered give state lawmakers more say

Deseret News
Tuition vote angers students: Panel recommends repeal of law allowing immigrants in-state fees
Residents push funds for health
Conflicts of interest come with the territory
GOP ‘poking’ at Yocom: Measures would limit the county official’s power and advisory role
GOP legislators team up outside the House

Hill Happenings

Yesterday’s Utah Legislative Report Summary
Articles in published in today’s Utah newspapers about the Yesterday’s Utah Legislature news:

Salt Lake Tribune
Legislature briefs
Cross Bill Moves Ahead
Fetal pain advice bill sent back for rewrite
Doctors’ orders: They object to giving painkillers to fetuses before abortion

Panel votes for raising divorce fee
Guv doesn’t like it, but panel passes bill
Bill targets agency pay
Lawmakers approve bill to restrict access to personal information
First private prison a step close: Senate measure would require Corrections to seek proposals
Hate crimes bill advances to Hous–Supporters still wary: They have seen measures reach the brink of success before, only to fall short
Natural-gas tax rebate gains support on Hill

Deseret News
Hate-crimes measure advances: But revamped bill faces uphill battle in the House
Is state budget bill headed for veto? Huntsman, aides call HB352 a ‘power grab’
Lawmakers, hear the people
Transit bill targets Utah County future: Intent is to let residents vote to unify as a district
Utah needs to find 44,000 teachers: USU study says state must do more to recruit, retain
The only surplus Utah has is a surplus of needs (Opinion)
Shurtleff, officials join in support of bully bill: Community, schools, parents would form statewide coalition
Media coalition says bill will limit public’s access to legislators: Senators may revisit issue to find balance in privacy and access
Natural gas credit is expected to sail through
State reptile? Kids pitch rattlesnake: St. George schoolchildren make case at Legislature
Fetal-pain measure hits roadblock in Senate panel
Divorce fee would rise to $155 under measure
Ed board doesn’t support grad-requirement change
House panel OKs a resolution to add ‘Reagan’ to HAFB
Buttars to return Monday after leave due to illness
Utah Legislature sets Multifaith Day Feb. 16

Hill Happenings

Yesterday’s Utah Legislative Report Summary
Articles in published in today’s Utah newspapers about the Yesterday’s Utah Legislature news:

Salt Lake Tribune
Legislature briefs
More Legislative Briefs
Lawmakers hurriedly pass measure that could restrict access by the public
High schoolers may have to pay
It could cost more to float that boat
Registration: The $10 fee has been around for 19 years; funds would be used for facilities

Screenings exemption for missionaries, GIs?
Bill to help dentists now includes docs
Hotel tax bill would help Real Salt Lake
Toll road plan in high gear: Panel backs bill to let UDOT find a private partner for a highway
Lawmakers would drop own insurance
Budget Bill Would Weaken Governor’s Power
Gay-Club Ban Bill Emerges

Deseret News
Tuition bill heads to House: Tempers flare as panel refuses to hear from opponents of HB7
Clubs bill may replace Buttars’: Measure may include a rating system for parents
Lawmaker gives Alpine math an F
Lawmakers taking look at gift card expirations: HB324 would make certificates over $25 good for 5 years
GOP senators back building $$
Tighter restrictions are sought on Utah’s payday lenders: Advocates say Mayne’s bill isn’t tough enough
GOP preferences often different from Huntsman’s: House party’s vote for earmarking road cash is an example
Panel gives green light to toll-road plan
No health care for retired legislators if bill passes
‘Phishing’ targeted in bill, would increase penalties
Ski resort liability bill progresses to House
Measure to help poor get insurance moves to House

Legislating Morality=Legislative Misses

Many of the bills being debated this session in the Utah Legislature pertains to moral issues, such as (examples taken from articles in today’s papers):

Bill may stop SLC health insurance plan: It would prohibit government funds for unmarried partners
Gay club legislation text now available
House shows support for trooper crosses
Pre-marriage counseling may result in discount

I find it ironic that folks who oppose lifestyles different than theirs (for whatever reason) and want to impose laws that prohibit services for people whose lifestyles are different, advocate an administration in our country that wages aggressive wars on people around the world, that runs a terrorist training camp at Fort Benning, Georgia and refuses to abide by treaties between peoples-domestic or international. By what morals are these people living in these instances?

One more time:
While my tax dollars are being spent on squabbles over homosexuality vs. heterosexuality instead of focusing on legislation on issues of respect for diversity (which, by the way, our state touts in many advertising mediums…..) and on bills like seatbelt laws….our schools need more funding to meet state and federal mandates, people are going hungry, cold and homeless, teenagers are committing suicide and suffering from substance abuse, families are suffering due to parents having to work multiple jobs to make ends meet, and our environment continues to be placed at further risk by proposing expansions for accepting more toxic waste into our state.

***Legislating personal moral issues has no place in the business of our legislators.***

And then there is legislation introduced and being discussed such as this:
Group wants to build luxury hotel at ’02 Games site: Foundation seeking legislation to pave way for the luxury facility

Why are legislators spending their limited time on issues like this? What basic human need for our citizens will building a luxury hotel serve? I mean, really.

I can’t find the article I saw last week on an interview with Governor Huntsman but I remember an item in that interview where he called legislators on lacking focus on human needs. I would echo that sentiment and call upon our elected representatives to focus on issues that affect all Utahns, not the select few who benefit from bills that do not serve the interests of the many.

My 2 cents.

Hill Happenings

Yesterday’s Utah Legislative Report Summary
Articles in published in today’s Utah newspapers about the Yesterday’s Utah Legislature news:

Salt Lake Tribune
Legislature briefs
More Legislative Briefs
Possible Laundromat Sales Tax Ahead
Bill may stop SLC health insurance plan: It would prohibit government funds for unmarried partners
Gay club legislation text now available
Bill would weaken guv’s say on budget
Cities Target Ambulance Service Measure
House shows support for trooper crosses
Senator retreats on 17th: U.S. Constitution: Lawmaker gives up bid to change elections

Deseret News
Waste-disposal-override measure goes to House
Utah House urges study of N-power: HB46 to create focus on alternative energy sources
Duo want high school bar raised: Measure would waive test for high achievers
Toll roads partly private? UDOT may gain permission to shoulder costs with investors
SB80 set for hearing today before Senate committee
A law granting in-state tuition to undocumented students is legally sound
Proposed amendment fails :Proposed constitutional amendment aimed at restricting Utah courts’ ability to order the Legislature to spend money
Bill spotlights custody issue
Group wants to build luxury hotel at ’02 Games site: Foundation seeking legislation to pave way for the luxury facility
USTAR initiative gains early approval by Senate
Governor’s office calls measure a ‘power grab’
Lawmaker looks to stop abuse of tax system
Pre-marriage counseling may result in discount
Resolution calls for educating minors on tobacco

Senate votes to pass S.B. 70-contact these legislators

HEAL Utah has sent this out:

By a vote of 21-5, the state Senate this afternoon voted to pass Senate Bill 70. The bill will now move towards a final vote in the senate and, if passed again, go over to the House. As bad as it is when over two-thirds of our state senators vote to make it easier for nuclear and toxic waste dumps to expand or develop in Utah at the expense of our health, this fight is still far from over.
Continue reading

Hill Happenings

Yesterday’s Utah Legislative Report Summary
Articles in published in today’s Utah newspapers about the Yesterday’s Utah Legislature news:

Salt Lake Tribune
Legislature briefs
Today’s legislative agenda
S.B. 70–Senate wins round in power battle–Not over yet: Bill would override Huntman’s rejection of decisions on commercial facilities
Schools fear loss of tax money: Bill would create a pot for K-12, colleges
Bill would curtail activist judges
Bill would make it harder to sue ER docs
Bill targeting frivolous suits by greens moves on
Senator retreats on 17th: U.S. Constitution: Lawmaker gives up bid to change elections
Bill would keep teachers from backing meds for kids
Developers call off the attack: Mansell to soften bill pushed by developers
Bush receives razzing, praise from Utah audience
Bill would set time limit to fight adoptions
Soccer site smaller, pricier
Ferrin floats income tax option: It would lower the top rate, leave system mostly intact
U. of U. student groups organize march on Capitol
Political voice: About 40 people visited legislators to speak out on a handful of bills being considered

Fund woes put an extra chill on Cache ice rink
Rising costs: The North Logan facility has asked Utah lawmakers for a one-time cash infusion

Deseret News
Huntsman-opposed N-waste bill advances
Hotel sought at ’02 Oly site: Foundation seeking legislation to pave way for the luxury facility
Big pay hikes sought for teachers: 1,000 new instructors, $2,000 bonuses for teachers sought
House panel seeks 2nd opinion on doc bill
License plates will continue to be required, coming and going.
Legislation targets funding of stadium: Real Salt Lake asks public to pay $45M for the soccer venue
Buttars bill takes aim at gay clubs
Educators wary of bill restricting recommendations on medicine
Senate measure seeks underage-drinking curbs
House backs extension of loan for Dixie flooding
17th Amendment bill clears its first hurdle
Transportation measure clears House committee
Voter registrations are targeted in the Senate
House measure seeks to clarify use of ed funds
House panel backs posting of environmental bonds
House backs 2 measures on state water projects
Education-voucher measure is getting a makeover
House panel narrowly approves malpractice measure
Uniformity sought in food sanitation
Mansell admits land-use bill is ‘over the top’
Insurance benefits targeted by bill
Unlawful-contracts measure headed to House
School nurse bill advances

Hill Happenings

Yesterday’s Utah Legislative Report Summary
Articles in published in today’s Utah newspapers about the Yesterday’s Utah Legislature news:

Salt Lake Tribune
Legislature in brief
Senate backs making PACs name two officers each
Low-income pet owners could get help paying for neutering
House says ‘yea’ to voting flexibility
Reform: Bills would open polls early, let overseas Utahns vote electronically

Colleges want more to teach high schoolers

Deseret News
Opinion
Don’t weaken Utah’s voters
Records requests not just for journalists
Photos
Activists take to the streets
U. students hold rally
News
Guv sees ‘power grab’:Budget-setting capability of Huntsman in jeopardy
Demos accuse governor of stalling
Lawmaker wants to catch ‘phish’:Measure aims to stop identity theft involving e-mail scam artists
League of Cities attacks zoning bill:Group decries lack of input, measure’s ‘punitive’ nature
Returning tax $$ is an uphill battle
Prep fees for credits?
Waivers for non-Utahns at state schools advance
Legislator notification of local meetings sought
Spat may lead to changes for the Rules Committee
House panel OKs using refund to help spay pets
State summit is sought on jail reimbursement
GRAMA bills concern House Demos, media
Funding boost is likely for multicultural center