Monthly Archives: February 2009
Area Code Change This Sunday
by Senator Ross Romero
Senate Minority Whip
I wanted to make sure you know that the scheduled 10-digit dialing required to implement the new 385 area code overlay solution will take effect Sunday, March 1, 2009.
I would recommend taking some time this weekend to re-enter the area codes in your cell phones so that when you find the name of the person you are calling, you will have their area code already programmed in. There is a bill in the House (HB 215) which would change the implementation of the area code from a historical use to a geographic area. I would be interested in hearing your response to this bill in this blog post. Click below to post your comments.
Below are facts about the area code change prepared by the Public Service Commission. If you have additional questions, please contact the Public Service Commission at mlivingston@utah.gov or 801-530-6716.
The new 385 Area Code overlaying the existing 801 Area Code
Background: On July 11, 2007, the Utah Public Service Commission issued an order approving the deployment of a new Area Code for use in the area presently served by the 801 Area Code. The new Area Code, 385, will provide additional telephone numbers that are necessary to support the growth in the number of Utah residents, telecommunication service providers, available telecommunications products, and additional lines. The new 385 Area Code will cover the same geographic area as the existing 801 Area Code. In general, the introduction of the 385 Area Code will primarily affect residents in the following counties: Davis, Morgan, Salt Lake, Weber, and Utah.
The following questions and answers will help clarify the impact of deploying the new 385 Area Code:
What change will happen on Sunday, March 1, 2009?
Callers within the 801 Area Code must dial the full 10 digit telephone number in order to complete local calls. The 10 digit telephone number includes the 3 digit Area Code along with the 7 digit telephone number. The PSC ordered the new 385 area code to be added to the geographic area currently served by the 801 Area Code. This change only affects the way callers dial local calls. As a result, all current customers will retain their existing numbers and Area Code.
How will telephone dialing change?
The way callers dial a local call will change; callers will be required to dial 10 digits for all local calls. Specifically:
• For a local call within the same or different Area Code, customers must dial 10 digits (Area Code + 7 digit telephone number).
• For a toll call to all area codes, there is no change, customers must dial 1+10-digits (1 + Area Code + 7-digit telephone number).
• For Operator Services Credit Card, Collect, or a Third Party call to all area codes, there is no change; customers must dial 0+10-digits (0 + Area Code + 7-digit telephone number).
What happens if a caller by mistake dials a “1” before the 10 digits for a local call? Will they be charged for a toll call since they dialed the “1”?
No, callers should not incur toll charges for local calls. Depending upon the service provider of the caller, they will either get an intercept message indicating they do not need to dial a “1” to complete the call, or if the call is allowed to complete, the caller should not be charged for a toll call. Callers should contact their local service provider if they have any questions.
What will not change as a result of the new area code?
• Customers with existing 801 Area Code telephone numbers will have no change to their Area Code or telephone number.
• Local calling areas will remain the same; the price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change. In other words, if it is presently a local call, it will still be a local call without any toll charges.
• Customers can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 411. If available, customers can still dial 211, 311, 511, 611, 711 and 811 with just three digits.
Sen. Mayne Announces Work Zone Safety Campaign
by Macey Matthews
Session Staff
Westminster Graduate in Communications
Today, Senator Karen Mayne held a press conference to discuss anticipated increases in road construction throughout Utah. She announced the launch of the Work Zone Safety campaign to improve safety among motorists and road construction crews. The campaign is a cooperative effort of the Workers Compensation Fund of Utah, Local #3 Operating Engineers, Granite Construction, and the Utah Department of Transportation.
Utah work zone statistics reveal that in 2007, 870 people were injured in work zone accidents, and there were 9 fatalities. Since 2003, Utah has seen an increase in work zone fatalities, while other states such as Illinois, Arizona, and California have seen a decrease (these states have work zone safety campaigns). Senator Mayne and these public and private organizations are working together to change the trend.
At today’s press conference, Senator Mayne assisted the Workers Compensation Fund in giving the media a preview of what will be seen throughout Utah on billboards, radio, and television. Other speakers included Ray D. Pickup, WCF president and CEO, Dale Cox from Local #3 Operating Engineers, and Rich Thorne from the Association of General Contractors.
Senator Mayne expressed appreciation to the State Legislature for its support of transportation in the state of Utah and for its continued effort to make our highways safe.
AND…..just a little added bonus among the supporters behind Senator Mayne!
Thanks for Measuring Up
by Senator Ross Romero
Senate Minority Whip
This year President Waddoups has given rulers to each Senator displaying the words “Utah State Senate” to hand out to those who have gone beyond the ordinary and have “measured up.”
On February 13, 2009, I asked three individuals to come to the floor of the Senate and be recognized for their actions.
On January 29, 2009, Julio Venegas found $1,200 on the floor of a Chevron Station where he was working. Instead of keeping the money as encouraged by a customer, Julio turned it into the authorities. The press was contacted and after showing the individual who dropped the money on the news, the authorities were able to locate the proper owner who eventually retrieved the money. (Click here for the full story.)
In December 2008, dozens of travelers who were taking a bus through Utah to California were stranded in Salt Lake City because of winter weather. Floyd Mann and his friend Ron Gilder heard about these travelers and decided to help. Mann and Gilder loaded up Mann’s car with water, soups, chips, snack bars and paper supplies which they dropped off at the bus station. When Mann and Gilder found that many of these people had been stuck there for days, Mann offered them lodging at his home. Eleven travelers accepted his offer, and over the Christmas holiday Floyd, his wife, and Ron, were the hosts to these travelers for almost a full week. (Click here for the full story.)
These individuals are examples of those in our community who have truly “measured up.” I was pleased and honored to be able to invite them to the Senate and personally thank them for their leadership and generosity.
Julio Venegas, Floyd Mann and Ron Gilder
Julio Venegas, Ron Gilder, Senator Ross Romero and Floyd Mann
Senator Robles meets with Constituents
by Senator Luz Robles
Minority Caucus Manager
District One
Last Tuesday night I held my first of many Town Hall meetings to come. These meetings are set up as a hands-on community forum for understanding the issues facing the 2009 State Legislature. In a continuing effort to keep citizens of Senate District One informed first about their government, I extended invitations to all of the elected official in the district to give a more complete analysis of the issues. House Minority Leader David Litvack (House District 26), Representative Jennifer Seelig (House District 23), Chief of Staff for Mayor Becker, Ben McAdams, and I all came together to talk on all topics ranging from the budget, health care reform, education and the implementation of SB 81. I want to thank these leaders for attending and taking time from their very busy schedules. The Salt Lake City Councilmen Christensen and Turner were excused due to a city council meeting at the same time.
We had a great turnout despite the weather, and the questions were tough. The people have a hunger for information, and we are here to give it to them.
Judi Hilman, Executive Director of Utah Health Policy Project, was also on hand to teach our constituents more effective ways to talk to their legislators, and she discussed issues related to Health Care System Reform. Several of the key points she brought up were dead on! I want to share a few with you.
When you are contacting your legislators, keep it short and sweet if you are writing a letter, and remember a lot of times, facts and figures go in one ear and out the other. Use a short story to make your point stick. If you are going to address the leadership, you technically have the right to say you are a constituent of theirs (your legislator voted for them, and you voted for your legislator). This is important because legislators always take issues from their constituents more attentively than others.
The final point that I would like to share with you is a statement made by Ben McAdams last night. He said, “Five phone calls is a revolution.” I can’t tell you how true that is! If, as legislators, we receive multiple phone calls, letters, or messages on a particular issue, it is serious. So if there is an important issue to the community, make sure to have your neighbors call or write a letter. This will get way more attention than with only a single individual.
The Utah Health Policy Project has put together a great resource for advocacy. It is called the “UHPP Advocacy Tool Kit” and can be found on their website. There is a great spread sheet there with all of the legislators, what committees they are on, and a lot of tips on how to have an effective meeting with your legislators. This is an amazing wealth of resources that I encourage all of you to try out. This is your government and your Capitol. Never be afraid to contact any of your legislators. We are here for you!
I know that a lot of people could not make it to this Town Hall meeting. I hope that by having more in the future all around my district, I will have the chance to hear the concerns of all of my constituents. If you would like to be added directly to our e-mail
list, please send an e-mail to my staff at Andrew.Gilbert13@gmail.com. I look forward to continuing to serve my district and all of the State of Utah.
From left: Rep. David Litvack, Senator Luz Robles, Ben McAdams
and Rep. Jen Seelig
“Bodyguards” for Dmitrich
Yesterday Senator Brent Goodfellow introduced “Mike Dmitrich’s bodyguards” during floor time. Visiting the Senate yesterday, and seated next to their friend former Senator Mike Dmitrich, were Reno Mahe, retired Philadelphia Eagles running back, and Gabe Reid, retired Chicago Bears tight end. Both men played football for the BYU Cougars. Reno played football at Brighton High School in Salt Lake City; Reid played football at Leone High School in American Samoa. Here are some fun photos.
Mike Dmitrich, Reno Mahe and Gabe Reid
Reid, Dmitrich and Mahe
Dmitrich, Reid and Mahe
To Set the Record Straight…
by Senator Ross Romero
Senate Minority Whip
Alert from the Utah Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Currently there are individuals employed by private companies who have no affiliation with either the state or federal VA network who are claiming to help veterans and their dependents apply for VA benefits. At times, these individuals are providing inaccurate information, causing the applications to be delayed or rejected. Many of these companies are charging veterans for their assistance.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs reiterates that no veteran is ever required to pay for benefits they have earned.
Representatives from the Veterans Outreach Program make regular visits throughout the state to help veterans with their applications and to answer questions about benefits–free of charge.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Terry Schow, Executive Director of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, at (801) 326-2372.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has a website that provides detailed information about services and benefits available to veterans. Click on the following links for information on State Benefits, Federal Benefits, Medical Benefits, and Employment Services and Rights.
More about Teacher Licensing…
After a lengthy discussion on the Senate floor yesterday, S.B. 48, Teacher Licensing by Competency Amendments sponsored by Senator Chris Buttars, passed it’s second reading with a vote of 17-11. This bill will allow individuals with a bachelor’s degree to obtain a license to teach after passing competency tests and/or demonstrating skills in the areas they wish to teach.
Senator Goodfellow was concerned about how this bill would affect elementary education, especially reading. “Teaching reading is not something you just pick up,” he said. “You need to learn the pedagogy, the teaching methods.” (Click here for The Salt Lake Tribune article in this morning’s paper or here for today’s article in the Provo Daily Herald.)
To address his concerns, Senator Goodfellow introduced an amendment today that would exclude the elementary grades from the bill. Both the amendment and the bill passed today, and the amended bill will now move to the House for consideration. To read the amended bill, click here or listen to the floor debate by clicking here (select Day 19).
Senator Goodfellow fully supports the current educational requirements teachers are required to take for certification. He also believes we need to send a strong message of support to all of our teachers. They are doing an outstanding job, and we thank them for teaching our precious children.
Habitat for Humanity’s Check-off Box
If passed, Senator Karen Mayne’s Senate Bill 132 will create a tax check-off box that would help Habitat for Humanity to rebuild homes contaminated with meth.
Habitat for Humanity is an organization designed to provide affordable housing for economically disadvantaged families. S.B. 132 would provide Habitat for Humanity with another means of achieving this goal in Utah. As Habitat for Humanity Salt Lake Valley Executive Director Stephen Tagliaferri explained in last Thursday’s Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee hearing, “Seventy-four percent of the families who come through our program are single mothers with children. Eight percent are families with at least one disabled person in the family, and one percent are widowed.”
S.B. 132 not only helps these economically disadvantaged individuals in finding homes, it also helps communities to rebuild contaminated meth homes. The Drug Enforcement Administration estimates that each pound of manufactured methamphetamine produces 5 to 6 pounds of toxic waste. Sen. Mayne explained, “We feel that once people understand what we are doing, we are helping those communities with meth homes. We are giving people that need housing a chance to have a home, and we are cleaning up the meth home from beginning to end.”
Habitat for Humanity volunteers rebuild a contaminated meth home.
Unlike most check-off bills, S.B. 132 aims to raise an astounding $30,000 in its first year. As Sen. John Valentine stated in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee hearing, “I wish that others who came before us for check-offs would accept that same challenge which is that, ‘listen, we believe in this enough that we can, in the first year, make the $30,000 threshold.’ So I very strongly support the substitute bill.”
Although it will be a great challenge to raise $30,000 this year, Habitat for Humanity is up for the test. Ed Blake of Habitat for Humanity told the Senators, “I would encourage you to approve our ability to go out there, find thirty thousand people or more to back this, and hopefully be on that check-off box for years to come.”
S.B. 132 passed the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee with a favorable recommendation. Also, KCPW and ABC 4’s Chris Vanocur both featured stories on S.B. 132, which now goes to the full Senate for consideration. If S.B. 132 advances to the House, Rep. Jen Seelig will be the floor sponsor.
From left to right: Ed Blake, Sen. Karen Mayne,
Stephen Tagliaferri, and ABC 4’s Chris Vanocur
Wow, was he surprised!!!
Today the Senate passed SB66, Highway Designation Amendments, modifying the Transportation Code by designating a portion of Highway 6 from Interstate 15 to Interstate 70 the Mike Dmitrich Highway. The designation will appear on future state highway maps. The bill is sponsored by Senator Hinkins in the Senate and by Representative Morley in the House. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and now heads to the House.
Senator Mike Dmitrich retired from legislative service last year after serving 40 years as a Utah legislator. He served 24 years in the House of Representatives and 16 years in the Senate. He also served as Minority Leader for many years in both the House and the Senate. In 2008, he decided it was time to move on.
The bill was a well-kept secret on Capitol Hill, and the highway designation came as a complete surprise to Mike! He didn’t have a clue!
Congratulations, Mike. And thanks to everyone for choosing this fitting tribute to a man who devoted 40 years of his life to representing the citizens of Utah. This honor is well deserved.
Senator Bramble and former Senator Dmitrich looking over SB66
Senator Bramble, former Senator Dmitrich, and Senator Davis
Senator Dayton congratulating former Senator Dmitrich
Former Senator Dmitrich thanking the Senators for this unexpected Highway Honor
Current Minority Leader Jones and former Minority Leader Dmitrich
It’s Great to be a Utah Man
by Senator Ross Romero
Senate Minority Whip
Today the Utah State Senate recognized the University of Utah Football team for its 13-0 season and Sugar Bowl victory. In celebrating the University’s success, the Senate passed two Resolutions. The first Resolution seeks to have a playoff system to determine college football’s National Champion. This will avoid the injustice which the University of Utah football team finds itself in being the only undefeated Division 1-A team in the country and yet not playing for the National Championship. The second Resolution, sponsored by Senator Jones, honored the Utah football team for its success.
I was also very pleased to see the great support the Utah community showed the Utah football team when it was recognized in Salt Lake City on January 16, 2009. It was wonderful to see how the state came together to cheer on the Utes (even from those who usually root for the BYU Cougars). The community came out in force and showed its support for OUR National Champions.
I am proud to serve as the Senator whose district includes the University of Utah. I am not only proud of the University of Utah for its athletic successes but for educating and preparing great men and women graduates who go on to lead and succeed, both on and off the field.
Go Utes!
