Last week the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities held its annual “Heroes on the Hill” luncheon. Hero awards were presented to Senator Patricia Jones and Senator Karen Mayne for their influence and effort in improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Congratulations Senator Jones and Senator Mayne.
by Senator Karen Mayne
Assistant Senate Minority Whip
Senate District 5
With the signing of Senate Bill 13, our State projects will have a safe environment for our Utah workers. SB 13 provides that random drug testing will be used on all our state construction projects. The problem of drug use in our society and in the workplace poses a threat to us all. The legislation mandates that workers in safety-sensitive areas submit to random drug testing. All workers should have a safe place to work and be protected from harm. The State of Utah has set the standard for responsible hiring and health of our citizens. Many organizations came together to sponsor this bill, all with the desire to keep our sites accident-free.
I would like to thank Workers Compensation Fund of Utah, Associated General Contractors, UDOT, Operating Engineers Local No. 3, AFL-CIO, Utah Manufacturers Association, Drug-Free Workplace Committee, and the many, many contractors who supported this legislation.
by Senator Karen Mayne
Assistant Senate Minority Whip
Senate District 5
Methamphetamine houses have been an “eye sore” in our neighborhoods and a health issue for all of us. People have “cooked” drugs in their homes and poisoned the property. The dangerous fumes contaminate wood, carpets, walls–everything. Usually, the house is abandoned, and because of the cost of clean-up, the house sits empty.
This is where Habitat for Humanity comes in. Habitat has the ability to rebuild a clean and healthy home for a new family. Senate Bill 12 gives our citizens the option for a check-off on their state tax return. This donation is in a restricted fund for restoration of meth houses.
Habitat for Humanity is in the business of making houses into homes.
Be sure to donate on your 2010 tax return.
SB 12 Sponsor Senator Karen Mayne (left)
House Floor Sponsor Rep. Jen Seelig (right)
Governor Herbert Signs SB 12
Habitiat for Humanity–Southgate Ribbon Cutting
Habitat for Humanity–Southgate Ground Breaking
Today was Girl Scout Cookie Day on the Hill. Senator Gene Davis introduced the Girl Scouts visiting the Senate Chamber. The group presented each senator with a box of Girl Scout Cookies. If senators had a cookie preference, the girls quickly accommodated their requests.
Senator Davis also announced that Senator Pat Jones will be honored by the Girl Scouts next month. In recognition of Senator Jones’ outstanding service and leadership, she will be honored with the 2010 Girl Scouts of Utah Distinguished Alumnae Award. The award will be presented to Senator Jones at the Girl Scouts’ International Women’s Day Celebration March 4, 2010, at the Jewish Community Center.
Senator Jones has made incredible contributions to her community through her professional and volunteer endeavors and exhibits the Girl Scout Promise and Law in her daily life. She is honest and fair, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and makes the world a better place.
Senator Karen Morgan and Senator Karen Mayne are former Girl Scouts, too. Senator Karen Morgan is a previous recipient of the Girl Scouts of Utah Distinguished Alumnae Award.
Several of our visiting Girl Scouts were from Cottonwood Heights (Senator Morgan’s senate district) and one was from Kearns (Senator Karen Mayne’s senate district).
Congratulations, Senator Jones.
Senators Mayne and Morgan with Girl Scouts
Senator Davis with Girl Scouts
This morning, Senator Karen Mayne, Granite School District Superintendent Dr. Stephen Ronnenkamp, and Ms. Jamie Ferdinand of the Utah School Nurse Association announced the launch of the “Shadow a School Nurse Program.” Linda Hansen, Region 5 Director for Utah PTA, and Debbie Guymon, Region 5 Associate Director for Utah PTA, were also in attendance and support the “Shadow a School Nurse Program.” (Region 5 is comprised of schools in Granite School District). The news conference was held at Oquirrh Hills Elementary School in Kearns.
Each day, school nurses provide vital medical care for students who contend with health and emotional issues. Equally vital is funding for school nurses. Beginning in October, the “Shadow a School Nurse Program” will provide opportunities for legislators to shadow school nurses at the schools in their legislative districts to experience first hand how a school nurse spends his/her day. The importance of school nurses cannot be over-emphasized.
Following the news conference, attendees shadowed the school nurse at Oquirrh Hills Elementary School, Janet Bryner. Mrs. Bryner provided medical care for students at Oquirrh Hills who have diabetes. She checked their blood sugar to determine if and when insulin should be administered. Mrs. Bryner provides medical services at nine schools in Granite District.
Senator Mayne expresses her appreciation to Oquirrh Hills Elementary Principal Vicki Ricketts and others in the school who facilitated this news conference.
Superintendent Ronnenkamp and Senator Mayne
Linda Hansen, Utah PTA; Senator Mayne; Debbie Guymon, Utah PTA
The Group
School nurse Janet Bryner asks Kimberly Rodriguez to call her mom
about this morning’s insulin dose.
School nurse Janet Bryner helps Kade Cummings check his blood sugar.
Senator Karen Mayne and School Nurse Janet Bryner
Senator Karen Mayne and Oquirrh Hills Elementary Principal Vicki Ricketts
Thanks from the kids
State Senator Karen Mayne has been chosen by the Utah State Democratic Party as this year’s recipient of the Eleanor Roosevelt Award. Senator Mayne will be recognized at a luncheon October 22, 2009.
In the Utah Legislature, Senator Mayne works effectively with legislators on both sides of the aisle. Senator Mayne is an advocate for Utah’s families, and she capably represents her constituents in Senate District Five. She exemplifies the high standards and compassionate philosophy of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
Congratulations, Senator Mayne! You are certainly deserving of this prestigious award.
by Senator Karen Mayne
Assistant Senate Minority Whip
District 5
I am honored that Salt Lake Community College recently presented me with an award as a 2009 Legislative Champion. However, I am even more grateful to have Salt Lake Community College as a part of my District 5. With their commitment to changing people’s lives through education, and their dedication to serving Utah as the largest two-year community college in the state, Salt Lake Community College is undoubtedly the jewel of my senate district.
Salt Lake Community College and I share a common interest in helping to prepare the students of today for the jobs of tomorrow. I have had the opportunity to work with Salt Lake Community College on apprenticeship programs. We worked together to help promote Helmets to Hardhats, a program that introduces military veterans to promising trade apprenticeship opportunities. Whether it is helping military veterans in finding jobs and adjusting to civilian life, or simply helping to educate the next generation of Utah’s students, I hope to continue working with Salt Lake Community College in helping students get the training they need to succeed in our competitive world. It is my honor and responsibility to nurture and support Salt Lake Community College.
by Senator Karen Mayne
Assistant Minority Whip
I am proud to support “The Resolution to Buy American,” which encourages local governments to buy local and United States products whenever and wherever possible. If we are going to revive America’s economy, then we must invest the money from the Federal stimulus package to retain existing jobs and maximize the creation of new jobs for the American people. I believe this economic stimulus money should go back to employing the very people who provided it in the first place - America’s taxpayers. Furthermore, buying American will help restore economic stability in our local communities and will directly help America’s families.
I have presented this resolution to City Councils and Townships, and they overwhelmingly support our goals because we all share a common interest in keeping America working. From the construction of towering skyscrapers and the network of America’s highways, to the engineering of the world’s smallest computer chips, America’s greatness has always depended on creating new jobs that utilize our different talents. Just as Americans persevered through economic hardship in the past, we must do so again now in the present by buying local and American-made goods.
In this time of a troubled economy, we all need to pull together to keep our friends and neighbors working. We can achieve this by using American products and hiring locally, and in the end, we will refocus and create a better future.
Click on this link Buy American Resolution to view the resolution.
Last month, Senator Karen Mayne was honored as 2009 Legislative Champion by Salt Lake Community College. She was among three other legislators who support and embrace the spirit of Salt Lake Community College. The college is nestled in Senator Mayne’s #5 Senate District.
President Bioteau thanked the senator for helping with legislation enhancing and forming a broader education base.
Senator Mayne said, “It is my pleasure to serve Salt Lake Community College. It’s the jewel of my Senate district.”
Governor Huntsman signed SB 73, Unincorporated Areas Amendments (The Township Bill), and SB 15, Workers’ Compensation Premium Assessment and Related Funding, in ceremonial fashion surrounded by many contributors who helped make the ideas become law. (April 8, 2009)
Governor Huntsman and Senator Mayne
Governor Huntsman signs SB 73
Representative Poulson, Lucille Workman (Senator Jones’ mother), Senator Patricia Jones, Frank Pignanelli, Mayor Peter Corroon, Nichole Dunn and Paul Rogers
Governor Huntsman signs SB 15
Royce Moser, MD; Don Marano, President, IHI Enviromental; Kurt Hegman, MD., Director, Rocky Mountain Occupational and Health Center and Senator Mayne
