November 2007
Senator Mayne’s Funeral Services
Below is information about funeral services for Senator Ed Mayne who passed away yesterday. The public is welcome. Please call the Utah State Senate at 801-538-1035 if you have questions. (The “Roast and Toast” banquet for Senator Mayne scheduled for December 4th is still on.)
Visitation/Viewing
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
6:00-8:00 p.m.
UNION LABOR CENTER
2261 South Redwood Road
Salt Lake City
Visitation/Viewing
Thursday, November 29, 2007
6:00-8:00 p.m.
SENATE CHAMBER
State Capitol Complex, West Building, First Floor
Salt Lake City
Funeral
Friday, November 30, 2007
11:00 a.m.
UTAH CULTURAL CELEBRATION CENTER
1355 West 3100 South
West Valley City
End of an Era - The Passing of Senator Ed Mayne
by Senator Mike Dmitrich
Senate Minority Leader
Earlier this year, we reported that Senator Ed Mayne, Assistant Senate Minority Whip, had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Senator Mayne passed away yesterday morning (Sunday, November 25, 2007) at the age of 62, while serving in his fourth Senate term. We express our sincere condolences to his wife Karen, his children and grandchildren, his parents, and all members of his family.
His passing marks the end of the Ed Mayne Era in the Utah Legislature. He fought the good fight for Utah communities his entire life, and in the past several months, he has concurrently fought his own personal battle against a formidable opponent–cancer. We are so sorry the disease has prevailed.
It has been a privilege and honor to serve with Senator Ed Mayne, advocate of working families in both his profession and his public service. He led and inspired all who knew him. Ed was passionate and compassionate, a loyal friend, and a fierce contender, right to the very end. The void created by his passing will never be filled.
“Ed was a champion,” Senator Gene Davis, Senate Minority Whip, remarked. “When Ed spoke, he spoke for and to the working men and women of Utah. He stood up for families be it a working wage, health care, education, or seniors. Senator Mayne championed the common person.”
Senator Ed Mayne’s legacy dictates that we, the Utah Senate Democrats, attempt to continue to carry Ed’s Olympic Torch on behalf of the men, women, and children who reside in the great state of Utah.
Thank you, Paul Rolly, for your endearing tribute to Senator Mayne. Click here to read the article. Click here and then click on the link “View a collection of photos here” to view an outstanding slide show/photo album of Senator Mayne assembled by his son Paul.
Clean Utah
by Senator Ross Romero
District 7
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality hosts an impressive program called Clean Utah, a voluntary program for conservation-conscious businesses willing to take steps beyond those required by rule or statute to prevent or reduce pollution and environmental waste. Clean Utah recognizes and rewards companies that go beyond compliance.
Earlier this month, I attended the Clean Utah luncheon and awards presentation where several Utah companies were recognized for going above-and-beyond what was required, and at the same time, these companies significantly improved their bottom line.
In 2006, Clean Utah Partners (companies at the Tier Two Level) recycled 4,387 tons of materials, saved 648,000 gallons of water, saved 6,448,957 cubic feet of natural gas, used 29,130 gallons of natural gas instead of gasoline, and kept numerous pollutants out of the air. These companies experienced increases in revenue through recycling and reductions in landfill disposal fees. Employees were enthused about the program and contributed their own ideas to further protect our environment.
Information about Clean Utah and its three-tiered membership program can be found on its website: http://www.deq.utah.gov/cleanutah/
Another organization affiliated with Clean Utah is the Utah Pollution Prevention Association, which also recognizes companies that implement practices to reduce pollution. Information about its P2 awards can be found on its website: http://www.deq.utah.gov/Pollution_Prevention/p2_association.htm
I would encourage you to examine these two websites to see if your company can do similar things to make Utah clean.
Congratulations to the award winners, and thanks for all you are doing.
The Message of Referendum 1
by Senator Mike Dmitrich
Senate Minority Leader
For the past few days since last Tuesday’s election, I have reflected on the results of Referendum 1 and the voluminous follow-up commentary.
Even though 62 percent of voters in Utah rejected school vouchers, 38 percent of Utah voters were in favor of school vouchers, believing they offered a win-win option for parental choice and public school funding. The message of the voucher vote is clear. The high voter turnout, coupled with both the YES votes and the NO votes, indicates that Utah’s citizens are cognizant of the challenges facing public education and want something done about it.
Although I do not support using public funds to subsidize private schools, I do support using public funds to meet every child’s needs through our public education system, which is the option chosen by the overwhelming majority of Utah’s students. I believe the Utah Legislature should listen to the public and, together with teachers, parents, students, and taxpayers, fortify our public education system so it will appropriately meet the needs of all students. In my opinion, the preferred outcome of the voucher election is a superior public school system, and I hope the players in education will take advantage of this opportunity to secure the lifeline of our public schools.
At the end of the day, parents still have the choice of two education systems in Utah, public and private, and both are excellent options.
Congratulations, Mayor-elect Becker
by Senator Mike Dmitrich
Senate Minority Leader
It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think? MAYOR BECKER
Congratulations to House Minority Leader Ralph Becker on snagging a new office in the City & County Building down the street from the Capitol. Ralph brings to the office many years of experience in public service. Although he will be missed on Capitol Hill, we look forward to working with him on issues pertaining to Utah’s highly regarded capital city. Way to go, Ralph.
How the Cookie Crumbles
by Senator Gene Davis
Senate Minority Whip
Since the pro-voucher cookie ad aired comparing school-age children to stacks of Oreo cookies, we have seen and read endless commentary. Unstated in the analogy is the fact that private interests, not community interests, will be consuming a number of the cookies (our tax dollars). Taxpayers will be paying private industry to educate a select few in schools where there will be essentially no oversight of the tax dollars.
While the private sector may have a role in providing some state services, it cannot provide traditional state services for all citizens because the necessity of profit will always trump service. If public funds are diverted to private education, what control will the taxpayers have on the quality of private schools? What voice will taxpayers have in the qualifications of educators, the curriculum, or even the lunch menu?
Voucher proponents tell us it’s okay to divert our tax dollars to private industry because it will result in more tax dollars for public schools. This assertion is false. Taxpayers will double-fund each student who accepts a voucher, paying once for the voucher and again for a portion of the per-student state funding to the school district.
Prior to casting your vote, please read the Impartial Analysis in the Voter Information Pamphlet prepared by the Legislative Fiscal Analyst. Read the analysis and you will see the cost of vouchers to the state will exceed savings realized by the school districts. Click here to view the pamphlet.
