House and Senate Democrats Press Briefing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Emily Bingham Hollingshead
Communications Director, Utah Senate Democrats
Ph: 435.590.9961
E: emily.hollingshead@gmail.com
Eric Ethington
Communications Coordinator, Utah House Democrats
Ph: 801.647.8609
E: houseminmedia@le.utah.gov
Utah House and Senate Democrats Press Briefing
Salt Lake City – House and Senate Democrats will hold their bi-weekly Press Briefing tomorrow afternoon at 12:15pm in the Old Supreme Court Chambers of the Utah State Capitol.
Democratic Leaders Senator Ross Romero and Representative David Litvack will be joined by Senator Luz Robles, Senator Karen Mayne, Representative Carol Spackman Moss and Representative Patrice Arent. The legislators will lay out the Democrats’ agenda for the remainder of the week.
Who: House and Senate Democrats
What: Bi-weekly Press Briefing
Where: Old Supreme Court Chambers of the Utah State Capitol
When: Thursday, February 2, 2012, 12:15pm – 12:25pm
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House and Senate Democrats Lay Out a Plan for Healthier Utah Families
Salt Lake City – Today at their weekly press briefing, House and Senate Democrats laid out their plans for the Health Of Utah Families. Watch the video below!
“Few issues are as important for our local State Government to address as the health of the citizens of Utah.” said House Democratic Leader David Litvack. “Whether it be the quality of the air we breathe or the diseases we live with, these are things that we all face on a daily basis and it is a common-sense principle of Democrats in the Legislature to listen to the problems of Utah citizens and address those problems to protect both this generation as well as the future of our children.”
For a full transcript, click here.
Happy Birthday, Senator Jones!
The Utah Senate sang “Happy Birthday” to Senator Jones this morning on the floor of the Utah Senate. Happy Birthday from all of us in the Utah Senate Democratic Caucus!
Breast Cancer Screening Bill Passes the Utah Senate
From the Salt Lake Tribune…
by David Montero
The Utah Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that would encourage medical providers to inform patients of the presence of dense breast tissue and recommend extra screenings to detect possible cancer growth.
Sen. Karen Mayne, D-West Valley City, introduced SB32 this week on the Senate floor and appeared to have total support as lawmaker after lawmaker delivered sometimes-emotional testimony about knowing people diagnosed with breast cancer.
“This will save thousands of lives,” Mayne said.
Click here to read the Salt Lake Tribune Story
Senator Mayne Wants to Crack Down on Graffiti
From the Deseret news:
SALT LAKE CITY — A white vinyl fence in Sen. Karen Mayne’s neighborhood is a frequent target of graffiti artists.
“I’m just tired of this. I’m tired of the naughty words. I’m tired of the swastikas,” Mayne said Monday during floor debate in the Utah Senate.
Mayne has introduced a bill, SB107, that would prohibit the possession of “any instrument, tool or device that is commonly used to make graffiti with the intent to deface the property of another.” Violators could be charged with a class C misdemeanor.
Click here to read the rest of the story:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705398378/Senator-seeks-to-crack-down-on-graffiti-bill-raises-enforcement-concerns.html
Capitol Week In Review
Week: January 23-27
The Capitol Week in Review is your weekly digest of Utah Senate Democrats’ efforts during the 2012 Legislative Session.
Senate Bills On the Move:
S.B. 128
Prohibits teens from using a cell phone while driving (Romero).
Status: This bill passed out of committee and awaits its second reading on the floor.
S.B. 90
Modifies the Securities Fraud Reporting Program Act (McAdams).
Status: This bill passed in the Senate and has been sent to the House.
S.B. 36
Modifies the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act to allow domestic corporations to transfer to another state (Davis).
Status: This bill passed in the Senate and has been introduced in the House.
S.B. 32
Encourages facilities which perform mammograms to tell patients who have dense breast tissue about options for additional screening (Mayne).
Status: This bill passed the second reading in the Senate and is on the calendar for the third reading.
S.B. 35
Provides for mediation between a consumer and manufacturer regarding defects in a motor home (Mayne).
Status: This bill passed out of committee and is on the second reading calendar in the Senate.
S.B. 107
Prohibits a person from possessing graffiti paraphernalia with the intent to deface public property (Mayne).
Status: This bill passed out of committee and has had its second reading on the Senate floor, and is awaiting a vote.
S.B. 31
Limits the class size for kindergarten through grade three (Morgan).
Status: This bill passed out of committee and has had its second reading on the Senate floor, and is awaiting a vote.
State of the State Response In his State of the State address, Gov. Herbert lauded the state of Utah for its economic strength through this tough economic time. Senate Democrats agree that Utah is a role model for the nation. But more must be done to further grow Utah’s economy to ensure that everyone who wants a job can have one. We understand that a state’s economy is only as strong as its foundation. Education is Utah’s foundation for economic growth. That is why Utah Democrats are working together to push the Best Schools Initiative. This plan will put Utah on the path to having the best schools in the nation. Utah Democrats know that the best education comes from four key components:
- A great teacher
- Individualized attention
- World-class curriculum
- Family and neighborhood support
Sen. Karen Morgan’s bill to limit class size (S.B. 31) for example is an important step in achieving the above goals. Look for more legislation that will improve education coming soon. While making our schools the best in the country is a tall task, Utah Democrats believe it is within our reach.
And we can do it without raising taxes. By looking at our budget priorities and making use of the additional revenues coming into the state, we can achieve real improvement in our schools.We look forward to working with our Senate and House colleagues as well as fellow Utahns to ensure that we build a strong economy tomorrow by maintaining strong education today.
For the full Democratic response click here
Senate Democrats In the News
- Democrats say Governor’s anti-federal government tone was excessive – Salt Lake Tribune
- Democrats focus on education in State of the State response – KCPW Radio
- Citizens rally at the Capitol to support Sen. Morgan’s Alzheimer’s legislation – Deseret News
- Sen. Mayne Pushes for Additional mammogram data for women – KSL; Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret News
Get Involved:
Track Legislation with the award-winning website: http://le.utah.gov/
Follow us on Twitter: @UTSenateDems or “Like” us on Facebook: Utah Senate Democrats
http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/
Thank you for your political involvement, and let us know how we can more effectively serve you.
Sincerely,
Ross I. Romero Senate Minority Leader
rromero@le.utah.gov
Senate Committee agrees: Teenagers should not use cell phones while driving
SB 128, which would ban teenagers from using cell phones while driving, successfully passed out the Senate Transportation and Public Utilities and Technology Committee today, on a 3 / 2 vote.
“I”m pleased that the bill will continue through the process. It’s not only about kids not using their cell phones while driving, but also about parents having a conversation with their kids about safety while behind the wheel,” said Senator Romero.
The bill now goes to the Senate for a vote.
Review Committee Delivers Final Report On DABC Recommendations
Capitol Hill – The business owner-led DABC Review Committee has completed their final report of recommendations for changes in the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and delivered their report this morning to House & Senate Democratic Leaders. Read the report below.
The DABC controls a $300 million dollar business in Utah, but recent audits have uncovered waste and possible criminal fraud. Because the funds the State receive from the DABC are so critical to funding programs like school lunches and roads, Representative Litvack and Senator Romero called for an independent committee, made up of local business owners to review the DABC processes and create a report of recommendations which would be delivered to the Utah Legislature.
The committee, led by co-chairs Peter S Cooke, Stephen Schubach and Jeff Hatch completed their task after countless meetings and public hearings, and delivered the following report this morning for consideration.
Thursday Media Availability – Today at 12:15pm in the Old Supreme Court Chambers
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Emily Bingham Hollingshead
Communications Director, Utah Senate Democrats
Ph: 435.590.9961
E: emily.hollingshead@gmail.com
Eric Ethington
Communications Coordinator, Utah House Democrats
Ph: 801.647.8609
E: houseminmedia@le.utah.gov
Utah House and Senate Democrats Press Availability
Who: Utah Senate Democratic Leader Ross Romero and House Democratic Assistant Minority Whip Brian King
What: Media Availability to Kick off the Legislative Session
Where: Old Supreme Court Chambers
When: Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 12:15pm
Press Availability meetings will continue through the session, each Tuesday and Thursday of each week at 12:15pm in the Old Supreme Court Chambers.
For more information, please contact Emily Hollingshead at 435.590.9961 or Eric Ethington at 801.647.8609
Democrats say Gov’s anti-federal government tone was excessive
From the Salt Lake Tribune, by Robert Gehrke
Democrats praised Herbert for his emphasis on education funding and air quality, but said other parts of his remarks sounded like a campaign speech.
“That was fifty-fifty, policy speech and campaign speech,” said House Minority Leader David Litvack, D-Salt Lake City. Portions were aimed at the broader state, but “there were parts that were speaking to a conservative constituent base.”
Senate Minority Leader Ross Romero said Democrats were proud to stand with the governor when it comes to the state’s economic record. But the governor failed to lay out specifics on how to improve education, protect the environment or meet health and human service needs. And the anti-federal tone seemed excessive, he said.
“We are in a relationship with our federal government and having a good working relationship is critical,” Romero said
Read the rest of the story here:
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/53376770-90/state-herbert-federal-utah.html.csp
