Sen. Davis Greets Visitors from Africa

Senator Gene Davis met with a group of visitors from Africa last Monday at the Capitol.  Among the African countries represented were Chad, Mali, Kenya, Senegal, Niger, Madagascar, Sudan, Namibia, Ghana, and Burkina Faso.  The group, sponsored by the United States Department of State and locally by the Utah Council on Citizen Diplomacy, participated in a regional project for Africa  entitled ”Religious Freedom and Interfaith Dialogue.”

The question/answer format included discussion about what it means to have a minority party, the role of the minority party, state representation versus federal representation, and religious freedom.  Senator Davis mentioned to the group that we begin our legislative sessions each day with a prayer given by either a member of the body or an invited ecclesiastical leader.  Some in the group were puzzled by the conglomerate of multi-denominational prayers.  Senator Davis simply replied to the group that the senators’ open hearts allow them to be be guided by every prayer offered.   Senator Davis said, “Respect for a person’s religion demonstrates respect for the individual.”

Several interpreters accompanied the group to translate for Senator Davis and many of the participants.  Languages spoken in the group were English and French.

Offices of the Utah Council on Citizen Diplomacy are located at Westminster College in Salt Lake City.  Westminster’s president, Michael Bassis says:

“Considering all that the organization (Utah Council on Citizen Diplomacy) does to promote global respect and understanding between the people of Utah and other nations, we are honored to offer them office space on our campus and access to our wonderful facilities. But the enormous value they bring to our campus is what drives our enthusiasm for this partnership. This value comes through our joint sponsorship of public lectures on topics of transnational importance and, perhaps most importantly, it comes from the opportunities UCCD creates for our students, faculty and staff to interact with delegations of emerging leaders from countries across the globe that visit Salt Lake each year through UCCD’s International Visitor Leadership Program.”

First Special Session - 2009

by Senator Luz Robles
Minority Caucus Manager
Senate District One

The Utah State Legislature met today to change some technical pieces on laws we passed this last session.  More importantly, we were able to fix the Medicaid hospital provider reimbursement rates, making it the same as all other providers in the state.  Our health care system is seeing a dramatic increase in uninsured and Medicaid caseload growth.  This is when the state needs to take are of our providers to establish continued levels of health care.

I also had the opportunity to be part of the committee to notify Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., that the Legislature had gathered for the First Special Session, and I had the opportunity to personally congratulate the governor on his new position as Ambassador to China.  He was very gracious and seemed eager to serve his country at the national level.  My experience with Governor Huntsman as a former staff member of his administration, and as a Senator, has always been positive.  He will be greatly missed here in the halls of the State Capitol.

Governor Huntsman’s open-mindedness and willingness to listen to all ideas brought a different experience in Utah State government.  I wish him and his family the best of luck in China, and I look forward to working with Lt. Governor Herbert.

Governor Huntsman’s Ambassadorship

by Senator Patricia Jones
Senate Minority Leader

On behalf of the Utah Senate Democrats, we congratulate Governor Huntsman on his pending responsibility as our country’s ambassador to China.  We concur unequivocally with President Obama’s brilliant choice–Governor Huntsman is the perfect individual for the job.

When political labels are set aside and the needs of people prevail, it is evident where Governor Huntsman’s priorities lie.  In his tenure as Utah’s governor, he has advocated for many of the same issues Democrats advocate for every day, and generally we feel aligned with his views.

Like Utah’s Democrats, Governor Huntsman has advocated for issues representative of mainstream Utah.  He pledged his support for public education and teachers–and followed through.  He has supported higher education as a means of empowering Utah’s citizens and thereby boosting economic development.  He has adamantly opposed the disposal of nuclear waste in Utah.  He has actively participated in the Western Climate Initiative which, among its objectives, is the development of renewable energy sources.  He has advocated for the most vulnerable of our population and devised methods of addressing their immediate and long-term needs.  He supports increasing the cigarette tax, as we do.

We send our best wishes to Governor Huntsman and his family as he embarks upon this new endeavor.  He is a model public servant and will use his diplomatic skills to achieve success as our country’s ambassador to China.

We also send our best wishes to Lt. Governor Gary Herbert, who will become Utah’s governor upon Governor Huntsman’s departure.

Looking ahead to 2010, you will see a number of Democrat candidates who are capable and qualified to fill the governor and lieutenant governor positions and can do so with Governor Huntsman’s same aplomb and policies that reflect mainstream Utah.

It’s a Celebration

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