todd-senate

Both Houses of the Utah Legislature Honor the Great Todd Taylor

Utah House of Representatives observe a moment of silence in honor of the late Todd Taylor. Pic via Brian Grimmett (kuer) Salt Lake City – Both houses of the Utah State Legislature More »

Senate Approves Miltary Property Tax Exemption

February 14, 2012   Utah Senate Democrats   1 Comment
Senator Luz Robles

From KCPW
by Whittney Evans

(KCPW News) The Utah Senate approved a bill this morning to exempt military personnel from paying state property taxes. Senate Bill 116, sponsored by Democratic Senator Luz Robles, would apply to a service member who has been called to active duty. Robles said men and women serving probably weren’t expecting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to go on so long, and they’re suffering.

“There’s more suicide for men and women in our military services than they’ve ever seen before.” Robles says. “There’s more issues related to the economy and them trying to get back to our communities. And truly this is just a small way of saying thank you as a state.”

Click here to read the rest of the story.

 

 

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Senator McAdams working for renter’s rights in Utah

February 13, 2012   Utah Senate Democrats   No comments
mcadams-debates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Emily Bingham Hollingshead
Communications Director, Utah Senate Democrats
Ph: 435.590.9961
E:    emily.hollingshead@gmail.com

A bill that would add further protection to a renter and provide remedies for a tenant whose rental unit is not fit passed a Senate Business and Labor Committee this afternoon.  SB173, Utah Fit Premises Modifications, would modify the Utah Fit Premises Act, and would also require the owner to provide contact information to the renter including the name, address, and telephone number of the person responsible for managing the rental unit.

The bill now goes to the Senate for for debate.

 

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Should kids who are legal immigrants wait for health care?

February 13, 2012   Utah Senate Democrats   No comments
Senator Luz Robles

Holladay • On their 10th attempt, Vitalina and Harold Lazarus finally won the immigration lottery to come to the United States from Ukraine.

They and their three children landed in Salt Lake City in March, and set about building the life they’d dreamed about for a decade.

Harold Lazarus got two jobs as a certified nursing assistant, and his wife took English classes so she can eventually put her economics degree to use.

The family gets by but would be in a world of hurt if the parents or children were to get sick.

“I always worry about breaking leg,” says Vitalina Lazarus, gesturing toward Davian, 3, and Daniel, 5. “They’re boys. They always jump.”

The couple also has Lina, 8, who on Friday was video-messaging with her father, a medical student who has returned to Ukraine for this semester’s classes.

The Lazaruses, say advocates, are just the kind of immigrant family for whom the Utah Legislature should string a safety net.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

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Week 3: Capitol Week In Review

February 12, 2012   Utah Senate Democrats   No comments
2012 General Legislative Session Week 3:  February 6 – February 10, 2012
 
Dear friends and neighbors,

It’s almost hard to believe we’ve already finished the third week of the legislative session. But we are eager to continue fighting for common sense solutions for Utah.

 

Highlights

  • Congratulations to Sen. Karen Mayne for being recognized by the 2012 Utah Fire Caucus as “Legislator of the Year.” Sen. Mayne was recognized for her never-ending quest to protect the rights of all workers, consumers, and citizens.
  • Sen. Mayne’s breast cancer prevention bill passed through both chambers. The bill would encourage giving more information to patients who receive mammograms.
  • Sen. Karen Morgan’s bill to reduce classroom sizes in the lower grades passed the Utah Senate this week.  The bill would cap class sizes or require teachers’ aides.
  • Sen. Luz Robles’ bill to cover the G.I. Bill tuition gap passed unanimously out of committee and now goes to the Senate floor.
  • Sen. Ross Romero’s bill which would prohibit teenagers from using a cell phone while driving passed out of the Senate and now heads to the house.
  • And finally, the Utah Commission on Aging will be reauthorized. Sen. Pat Jones bill reauthorizing the commission passed through both chambers. 

Senate Bills On the Move:

S.J.R. 1 – Recognizes the impact of Alzheimer’s on Utah citizens, encourages support for and implementation of the 5 year state plan to address the disease (Morgan).

 

Status: Passed the second reading in the Senate, and now awaits a third reading.

 

S.C.R. 4 – Urges women age 40 and older to receive breast cancer screening (that includes a mammogram) once a year (Mayne).

 

Status: Passed out of the Senate and now heads to a House committee.

 

S.B. 31 – Limits class sizes for kindergarten through grade three (Morgan).

 

Status: Passed out of the Senate and is now in the House Rules Committee.

 

S.B. 32 – Encourages facilities which perform mammograms to tell patients who have dense breast tissue about options for additional screening (Mayne).

 

Status: Passed through both chambers.

 

S.B. 36 – Modifies the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act to allow domestic corporations to transfer to another state (Davis).

 

Status: Passed through both chambers. 

  

S.B. 44 – Increases tuition benefits for veterans.

 

Status: Substituted in committee

 

S.B. 47 – Creates the Alzheimer’s State Plan Advisory Council within the Division of Aging and Adult Services and describes the duties of the division.

 

Status: Bill substituted in committee.

 

S.B. 48 – Expands the mission statement of public education, emphasizing citizen involvement in government and strong moral values.

 

Status: Passed out of committee and is on the second reading calendar in the Senate.

 

S.B. 90 – Creates incentive for individuals to report financial fraud (McAdams).

 

Status: Passed in the House with an Amendment, and the amended version passed unanimously in the Senate.

 

S.B. 91 – Helps victims who lost their savings due to financial fraud to recover against perpetrators. (McAdams).

 

Status: Amended and passed out of the House, and awaits a concurrence final vote in the Senate.

  

S.B. 116 – Allows active duty military personnel to claim a property tax exemption (Robles).

 

Status: Passed out of committee and has been placed on the second reading calendar in the Senate.

 

S.B. 131 – Reauthorizes the Utah Commission on Aging. (Jones)

 

Status: Passed through both chambers.

 

S.B. 128 – Prohibits anyone under 18 from talking on a cell phone while driving.

 

Status: Passed through the Senate and has been introduced in the House.

 

S.B. 139 – Reduces the age from 16 to 14 for children who wish to express their opinion during

a child custody proceeding regarding with which parent they would prefer to reside (Robles).

 

Status: Passed out of committee and placed on the second reading calendar in the Senate.

 

S.B. 146 – removes language from the divorce statute favoring one spouse over the other and provides for equal footing in property matters.

 

Status: Passed out of committee and is on the second reading calendar in the Senate.
Senate Democrats Discuss Important Issues With Governor Gary Herbert

Each week, Senate Democrats have the opportunity to meet with with Governor Herbert regarding legislation and policy that is being discussed during the legislative session.  

Democratic leaders discussed immigration policy with the Governor, who said immigration is the chief responsibility of the federal government. He cited the need for “a tall fence and a wide gate,” meaning better temporary worker programs combined with tightening security on the border.

Democrats questioned if attacking the federal government on all other fronts – and then passing the buck on immigration – was consistent. We also cited problems with E-Verify, the employment verification program which the Governor supports. But with E-Verify there are far too many false positives – instances where people who are legally authorized to work are incorrectly flagged, and then have to waste time and business resources to resolve the issue.

Gov. Herbert also mentioned continued problems with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control – specifically a lack of oversight and accountability. He said the DABC hasn’t prioritized money well enough, and has ignored the findings of legislative audits.

We are pleased that the Governor seems willing to work with us to improve the functions of the DABC.
 

Senate Democrats In the News

 
 
Get Involved
Track Legislation with the award-winning website: http://le.utah.gov/
 
http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org

Thank you for your political involvement, and let us know how we can more effectively serve you.

 

Sincerely,

 

Utah Senate Democrats
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Breast Cancer Screening Bill Passes the Utah Senate & House

February 12, 2012   Utah Senate Democrats   No comments
senatormayne

SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah House of Representatives passed SB32 last week.  The bill, sponsored by Senator Karen Mayne, D–West Valley City, will encourage medical providers to inform patients of the presence of dense breast tissue and recommend extra screenings to detect possible cancer growth.

The bill previously passed the Utah Senate.   It now goes to the Governor for final signing.

“This will save thousands of lives,” Mayne said.

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Hearing on Wine Sampling Legislation

February 11, 2012   Utah Senate Democrats   No comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Emily Bingham Hollingshead
Communications Director, Utah Senate Democrats
Ph: 435.590.9961
E:    emily.hollingshead@gmail.com

A proposal to allow wine & spirits distributors to offer wine and spirits samples to restaurant owners will be heard in the Senate Business and Labor Committee on Monday, February 13, 2012.   SB119 would allow these distributors to visit a restaurant and provide the restaurant‘s owner or any other designated employee with a private tasting of any wine or spirit they are offering for sale.  This tasting would occur at the restaurant.

“Some high-end wines cost as much as $300 per bottle.  This legislation allows a restaurant to sample wines and spirits before purchasing them.  Restaurant owners not only want to ensure these wines work well with their menus, but they also want to offer the highest quality wines and spirits to their customers.” explained Senator Ross Romero, the sponsor of the bill.

Who:    Senator Ross Romero, D–Salt Lake City

What:   Presentation of SB119 to the Senate Business and Labor Committee

Where: 215 Senate Building, Utah State Capitol Complex

When:  2:10 pm

 

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Utah Fire Caucus Honors Senator Mayne

February 09, 2012   Janeen   No comments

Last Monday during the fire fighters luncheon at the Capitol, the 2012 Utah Fire Caucus recognized Senator Karen Mayne as “Legislator of the Year.”

Senator Mayne was recognized for her never-ending quest to protect the rights of all workers, consumers, and citizens.  Beginning in her youth, Senator Mayne made it her mission to help others in her community.  She has been instrumental in the creation of several youth programs and women’s support programs, and she has advocated for the elderly.

Senator Mayne is quick to demonstrate her respect and affection for the fire service, knowing that fire fighters are expected to win every time.  She is always willing to battle along side fire fighters and champion their causes.  She stands with them to protect their rights to safe working conditions.

When you hear Senator Mayne call a fire fighter “buddy,” you know she means it—and the fire fighter has earned it.

(excerpts from award presentation by Jack Tidrow,
President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Utah)

 

Congratulations, Senator Mayne, on this well-deserved honor.

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Utah Senate passes bill to lower class size

February 08, 2012   Utah Senate Democrats   No comments
2011 photo

From the Salt Lake Tribune
by Lisa Schencker

The Senate passed a bill Wednesday to lower class sizes for young children, despite arguments from some that it could hurt schools because of the cost.

SB31 would cap class sizes at 20 students in kindergarten and at 22 students in first, second and third grades. Or, it would require teachers’ aides, known as paraprofessionals, in larger classes.

“As we all know, the early grades are critical years in a child’s education,” said bill sponsor Sen. Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights. “These are the years a child learns foundational math and reading skills that will determine their future success.”

A number of lawmakers also praised the bill because it would require schools to meet the new caps in order to continue receiving millions of dollars a year that have long been intended for class size reduction. A 2007 legislative audit showed that $460 million meant to make class sizes smaller in Utah over seven years hadn’t led to any change, though some have said class sizes would have been even larger if not for that money.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

 

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Breaking News! Class Size Reduction Bill passes the Senate

February 08, 2012   Utah Senate Democrats   No comments
morgan-csr

SALT LAKE CITY – Senator Karen Morgan’s bill to reduce classroom sizes in the lower grades passed the Utah Senate today.  The bill would put caps on class sizes - 20 students in kindergarten and at 22 students in first, second and third grades. Or, it would require teachers’ aides, known as paraprofessionals, in larger classes.   The bill also includes measures to hold schools accountable.  In order to continue to receive state money that’s long been distributed for class size reductions, schools would have to meet the new caps.

“Kindergarten through third grade is a critical time in a child’s education,” Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights, told senators. “That is the time they need more one-on-one individualized attention.”

The bill passed on a 19 – 9 vote, with all Democrats voting in favor of the measure.

How did your Senator vote?

Yeas – 19

Adams, J. S. Davis, G. Jones, P. Knudson, P. Mayne, K.
McAdams, B. Morgan, K. Niederhauser, W. Okerlund, R. Osmond, A.
Reid, S. Robles, L. Romero, R. Stephenson, H. Stevenson, J.
Valentine, J. Van Tassell, K. Waddoups, M. Weiler, T.

Nays – 9

Anderson, C. Bramble, C. Christensen, A. Dayton, M. Hinkins, D.
Jenkins, S. Madsen, M. Thatcher, D. Urquhart, S.

Absent or not voting – 1

Hillyard, L.

 

 

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Cell phone bill moves to the Utah House of Representatives

February 07, 2012   Utah Senate Democrats   No comments
Senator Ross Romero

From KSL
By Nkoyo Iyamba

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill targeting teenage drivers and cellphone use passed a second Senate reading 19 to 9 Monday.

The bill, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Ross Romero (D) puts restrictions on how and when cellphones can be used by teenage drivers while operating a vehicle. The bill, according to Romero, is supp osed to extend Utah’s Graduated license program, which gives teens under 18 driving privileges incrementally. It would prohibit teens from talking on any phone device while driving, unless in an emergency or they are talking to parents. New drivers are currently limited by passenger restrictions, supervision and nighttime driving rules.

“Those with the least experience driving operating a motor vehicle, should have their focus on learning how to operate a motor vehicle,” Romero said. “…If you are under 18 and you get into an automobile accident, you cause property damage or injure other people, (and) the parent is responsible for that.”

Click here to read the rest of the story.

 

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