Financial Literacy-Skills for a Lifetime

by Senator Patricia Jones
Assistant Senate Minority Whip

This session, I am sponsoring legislation which, if passed, will greatly broaden Financial Literacy Education in our public schools. It’s practical and smart. It was editorialized recently in the Deseret Morning News.

More than ever before, parents and grandparents believe it is vital to educate our young people to be financially responsible. Just take a look at today’s economy and you will see dire consequences of financial irresponsibility. It is critical for the stability of our families and will give our kids the ability to compete in today’s economic world.

Currently, there is a financial literacy requirement in our high schools, a half-year course in the sophomore or junior year. But it’s too little, and often too late. In addition to the half-year course, my bill integrates practical financial lessons into the math and social studies curricula in grades K-12 in areas such as:

Credit Card Debt: How much does it really cost you to buy on credit?
Investments: How do you choose a wise stock market investment?
Home Ownership: How much can you really afford for your home?
Foreclosure: If it happens, how will it impact your family?
Budgeting: How do you wisely spend your money?
Savings: Why is it important to save for a rainy day?
Retirement: How much money will be needed and for how long?
Gambling: Is it worth the risk?
Payday Loans: Do you understand the exorbitant interest rates?
Bankruptcy: How does it impact your future?

The bill provides funding to teach teachers the concepts and to assess students’ understanding of the concepts. Also proposed is a Financial Literacy Passport, a checklist of financial literacy goals which students can complete in conjunction with their required Financial Literacy half-year course in high school.

An education in financial matters for our children is a wise investment in their future.

Change in Leadership

The Utah Senate Democrat caucus met today and made changes in the leadership team (necessitated by the recent passing of Senator Ed Mayne). Senator Pat Jones was made Assistant Senate Minority Whip (replacing Senator Ed Mayne) and Senator Brent Goodfellow was elected Senate Minority Caucus Manager (replacing Senator Pat Jones).

We thank Senator Jones and Senator Goodfellow for their willingness to serve on the leadership team in their new capacities, and we look forward to working with them.

Don’t Waste Utah

by Senator Patricia Jones
Senate Minority Caucus Manager

I plan to sponsor legislation this next session to address the problem of litter and debris on Utah’s highways (for the Department of Transportation). Here are the reasons for the legislation.

See if you can answer the following questions:

1) How many dispatch calls did the Highway Patrol receive last year to handle DEBRIS ON HIGHWAYS? Answer: 6,357 in SALT LAKE COUNTY ALONE!

2) How many reported accidents in Utah were caused by debris on the highway last year? Answer: About 1,000

3) Once litter has been cleaned up, how long does it take to “re-litter” and need cleanup again? Answer: About 6 weeks!

4) How much money has it cost taxpayers SO FAR THIS YEAR to clean up litter on Utah’s highways? Answer: MORE THAN
$2 MILLION! This does not include fixed equipment costs, administrative costs, facility costs, contracts or training.

5) Do you remember the “Don’t Waste Utah” anti-litter campaign? Our young people probably do not. Littering and unsecured loads destroy the beauty of our landscapes, and they cost ALL of us money.

In 2006, UDOT used 99,600 trash bags. Each bag holds 12.2 cubic feet of litter. Our “haul” in FY2006 was 45,000 cubic yards of litter. That’s enough litter to cover a football field 45 feet deep.

Congrats to Senator Jones

As reported in yesterday’s Tribune, Senator Patricia Jones has been selected to serve on the board of the Utah Winter Games. Executive Director Heidi Hughes says Senator Jones’ background and experience will enhance the Games, it’s WinterFit Program, and the ongoing legacy of Salt Lake City as host of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Senator Jones remarked, “The Utah Winter Games concentrates on healthy family activities. It’s a good fit for me.”

Congratulations to Senator Patricia Jones.

Newest Hall of Famer

Senator Patricia Jones
Newest Inductee
Bonneville Junior High School Hall of Fame

Last March, Senator Jones and Representative Carol Spackman Moss spoke to 250 eighth graders at Bonneville Junior High about the legislative process. Senator Jones just happens to be an alumnus of Bonneville Junior High. To her surprise, the principal, Mr. Dunning, inducted her into the school’s alumni Hall of Fame.

Congratulations Senator Jones

Senator Jones is the sixth person inducted into the Hall of Fame. She joins other noteworthy alumni including:

Frank Pignanelli, former Utah House Minority Leader, Deseret Morning News columnist, attorney and lobbyist.

Greg Skordas, attorney, former chief deputy attorney for Salt Lake County, and 2004 Democrat candidate for Utah Attorney General.

Richard Paul Evans, author of seven best sellers including The Christmas Box and Timepiece.

Public Business in Public

by Senator Patricia Jones
Senate Minority Caucus Manager

You can plan on fireworks whenever school closures and boundary changes are
under consideration. For that reason, it is important to make sure patrons are aware when school boards consider these important and volatile issues.

Because several of our communities have experienced potential and real
changes in school population shifts and housing students the past few years,
I sponsored legislation this last session that mandates:

1) Ten days’ notice when school boards consider the annual budget, school
closures, and school boundary changes (the previous policy only required 24
hours);

2) That the school board hold a public hearing for the annual budget, school
closures, and school boundary changes. (Even though hearings were often
held, they were not heretofore required to do so for school
closures/boundary changes).

This new law is intended to build trust between school patrons, taxpayers,
and our great education communities. Apparently, my legislative colleagues
agreed. Thanks to my Democratic and Republican colleagues for your
unanimous support on this bill. I also wanted to thank Bruce Parker, an
involved citizen and professional planner, for his wise input on this
legislation.

A Victory for Our Kids’ Health

by Senator Patricia Jones
Senate Minority Caucus Manager

Utah’s kids scored a big victory this past legislative session with the passage of SB52, Health Regulations for Public Indoor Tanning Beds (P. Jones).

The new law requires IN PERSON parental consent once a year for minors in order to use commercial tanning beds. At that time, the parents will be required to read warnings about the harmful effects of UV rays from tanning beds and to sign for the maximum number of tanning sessions their child can receive that year.

The new law also provides uniformity throughout the state, resulting in more fairness for businesses. Currently, some counties have lenient standards while others are more restrictive.

SB52 gives parents more control and knowledge about how often and where their kids tan. After reading the warnings, some parents may choose not to allow their minors to tan; others will at least be better informed of the dangers.

Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is rising rapidly. Utah is among the top 5 states per capita in deaths due to melanoma. In 1940, the risk of melanoma was 1 in 1,500. By 2010, the risk is expected to be 1 in 50.

Ultraviolet rays generated from tanning beds are 2 to 3 times more intense than laying out in the sun. UV rays in tanning beds penetrate the skin deeper, affecting the skin’s collagen, elastic fibers, and blood vessels, causing premature aging of the skin.

How did your senator and representative vote? Click here for the yeas and nays.