Utah’s School Children Deserve Better

by Senator Brent Goodfellow
Senate District 12

School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration’s bonuses are an outrage to the legislators and the people of Utah.  Last year in the Legislative session, a prohibition was placed on bonuses for the 2010 fiscal year.   This did not deny the top executives at SITLA the pleasure of huge bonus payouts to themselves.  On June 30, 2009 (the last day of the budget year), the top two SITLA executives received payments totaling $114,660.   In fact, for the total $428,000 in bonuses paid out to employees in fiscal year 2009, $294,000 was paid to the top six executives. These bonuses were simply a double payout in order for the Administration to get around the prohibition set by the Legislature for this fiscal year.  SITLA defends the bonuses claiming that their goals were met so the bonuses were earned, but they fail to mention that they lowered the target goal by 25%.  This is a topic that needs to be addressed and not tolerated by the people of our state.

Fighting for Salt Lake County’s Schools

by Senator Gene Davis
Senate District 3

The Deseret News featured Senate Bill 87, sponsored by Senator Gene Davis of Salt Lake County, in an article Tuesday, January 26, 2010.

SB 87 calls for the end of taking local school taxes and giving them to another district in Salt Lake County.  Senator Davis’ Senate District currently represents 4 out of the 5 school districts in Salt Lake County.  The equalization bill that was passed a few years ago has taken much needed money away from schools who need it the most.  While Jordan School District has continued growth and expenses, the other districts here in Salt Lake County need the money in order to keep schools safe and up-to-date.  Salt Lake City School District alone lost $6.6 million to the new Jordan School District.

The debate on equalization of school funding is not over.  We need a statewide solution to improve the overall value of education in our state.  Senator Davis is building consensus on how to achieve this end.

Democrat Response to State of the State Address

Following Utah Governor Gary Herbert’s State of the State speech last evening, Democrats in the Utah Legislature offered the following narrative by Senator Patricia Jones as a response.  Please give us your feedback.  Click “leave your comment” at the bottom of this post.

Off and running…

A few photos from our first day of session, January 25, 2010. 

The Pledge of Allegiance

Taylorsville High School Madrigals

Senator Romero’s Intern Elise Jorgensen (center in pink)

 
Senator Robles’ Intern Kira Hansen (center in gold)

Senator Mayne’s Intern Sara Muse (center)

Senator Morgan’s Intern Shidasha Holmstead (center in gray)

 
Senator Jones’ Intern Nick Daskalas (tallest)
Senators Davis and Goodfellow’s Intern Cody Bradford (third from right)

It’s Time to Clear the Air

by Senator Ross Romero
Senate Minority Whip

Last month I had the opportunity to hear a presentation regarding Park City, Utah’s effort to track its sustainability numbers.  Energy and water conservation are a couple of ways we can help sustain our communities.  Park City is particularly sensitive to how we treat our environment since it hosts many visitors to ski on its surrounding slopes.  Even slight temperature increases year after year have the potential to reduce snowfall amounts, jeopardizing the ski and tourism industry which will affect our state’s economy whether we ski or not.

Park City’s program was adopted to allow homeowners and businesses to calculate how much energy they are using.   At http://www.parkcitygreen.com, Park City residents can calculate their carbon and water footprints and learn what they can do to reduce their impact on the environment.  There is a carbon calculator, a water calculator, and a waste calculator.  I encourage you to review this website and familiarize yourself with its calculators and the accompanying suggestions for reducing our impact on our environment.  Each person and home doing its share can make a big difference.
 
Another site to help us clear the air is http://www.utahmomsforcleanair.org.  The site addresses subjects such as engine idling, smarter driving, etc.  It is a helpful reminder for us about what we can do to make a difference, which is especially relevant when we look out our windows at our polluted air. 

Please take a few minutes to visit these sites and consider what you can do to reduce energy consumption and help clear our air so we will live healthier, longer lives.
 

Welcome, Senator McAdams

Today, Ben McAdams was sworn in as our newest senator in the Utah State Senate.  President Waddoups administered the oath of office.  Senator McAdams fills the District Two seat recently vacated by Senator Scott McCoy, who resigned last month.  Welcome, Senator McAdams.   We look forward to working with you.

Senator McCoy, Thank you for your Service

by Senator Luz Robles
Senate Minority Caucus Manager
representing Senate District One 

I want to say that the state of Utah is losing one of the most intelligent, articulate and knowledgeable parliamentarian legislators with Senator Scott McCoy’s resignation.  I feel honored to say that I had the opportunity to work side by side of Scott on issues impacting the quality of lives of the many citizens of this great state.  Whether it be working towards equality and justice for all to adequate liquor laws that allow for Utah to be a more welcoming place to our out-of-state visitors, Scott has always worked in finding viable solutions for a more effective form of government. 

 In this entry I also want to take the opportunity to share some thoughts about the great public service all of our 104 members of the State Legislature provide to the residents of our state.  I know I may agree to disagree with some of the policy positions that some of my colleagues at the Legislature have, but I have no question that their hearts are in the right place and that they work really hard to represent their constituents to the best of their abilities.  I don’t think everyone realizes the sacrifice all public servants and elected officials take on and provide to their constituents.   Some of the sacrifices include, among others, the loss of income, career sacrifices, privacy, and more importantly, time for themselves and their families.

I am grateful to be able to work with the men and women of our state legislative body, who truly care about their communities of this great state.  Thanks Scott for serving and making a difference in our state.  I know you will continue to serve in different capacities.  Good luck with your future endeavors. 

Thanks, Senator McCoy

by Senator Patricia Jones
Senate Minority Leader 

Our caucus member Senator Scott McCoy has resigned his senate seat effective this coming Friday, December 4, 2009.

Speaking on behalf of the Utah Senate Democrat Caucus, we thank Senator McCoy for his impeccable service in the Utah State Senate.  He has been a significant contributor to our caucus and a valuable source of insight and wisdom.  Among legislators, he has stated his views with candor and statesmanlike conduct.  Good public policy has been the objective of Senator McCoy’s service, and he has willingly built consensus to achieve this aim.  The constituents of Senate District 2 are fortunate to have been represented by this intelligent, fair-minded, articulate and influential individual.

Senator McCoy will be greatly missed in our caucus and the Legislature.  We wish him the best in his professional and personal endeavors.       

Senator McCoy Leaving the Senate

Senator Scott McCoy, who has represented Senate District Two for the last 4 years, plans to resign his position in the Utah State Senate, effective Friday, December 4, 2009.  McCoy issued the following statement to explain his decision to the residents of his district:

I’ve been honored to serve the citizens of Utah and of District 2 for the last four years. My time in the Senate has been profoundly rewarding, but also an enormous personal sacrifice.  The senators and representatives of Utah really make a terrific commitment of their time for the benefit of this state.  It’s not just during the 45 days of the session.  It’s every day and night.  It’s during interims and constituent phone calls.  My hat is off to my 103 colleagues who make this sacrifice day in and day out, every year. 

I’ve personally come to a crossroads in my career where I need to devote my full time and energy to the practice of law.  To do any less is a disservice to my firm and my family.  Unfortunately, I simply cannot find the necessary time to be a successful attorney and give the time and energy to fully represent the residents of my district. 

I’m very proud of the work I was able to accomplish as a Senator.  We changed important policies, opened many minds, and broke down many barriers.  Certainly, there is much more to be done. But for now, I need to leave that work in other capable hands.

Utah’s Shining High School Stars

by Senator Ross Romero
Senate Minority Whip

During the past few months, the successes and tragedies of the American Fork High School Marching Band have been highly publicized.

The band was overcome with the loss of Heather Christensen, an Assistant Band Director, who was tragically killed in a bus accident following a band competition in Pocatello, Idaho.

Since then, the band competed at the “Red Rocks Invitational Marching Band Competition” on November 6, 2009, at Dixie College in St. George, Utah.  More than 25 bands competed.  The American Fork Marching Band took first place, earning the state championship.

The following day, November 7, the band took first place in the “Bands of America, Western Regional Championship” in St. George, Utah.  Bands from Utah, Washington, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, and California competed for the championship.

The band has been invited to compete in the Grand National Championships, an annual competition held in Indianapolis this coming weekend, November 13-14, 2009.  (The American Fork High School Marching Band is currently ranked 7th nationally.)

The band was the first from Utah to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2007.  The band was invited to play at the 2005 Presidential Inauguration.  The band marched at the Rose Bowl Parade in 2002.  The band has won the equivalent of the state championship for the past 18 consecutive years.

The band’s featured program for this year is “The Greatest Generation,” a tribute to the men and women who have served our country in the Armed Forces.

CONGRATULATIONS to the band for its resilience and excellence.

In order to travel to Indianapolis this coming weekend, the band is seeking sponsorships and donations.  Please call today (801-610-8400) and send your donation to reward these students for their hard work.  Please make checks payable to the Alpine Foundation-RE: AFHS Marching Band and mail to 575 North 100 East, American Fork, UT 84003.  Your donation is tax deductible.