O:9:"magpierss":24:{s:6:"parser";i:0;s:12:"current_item";a:0:{}s:5:"items";a:25:{i:0;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-3914544498186265850";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-05-24T14:24:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-05-24T15:28:43.478-06:00";s:5:"title";s:19:"Let The People Vote";s:12:"atom_content";s:1379:"The following statement was released by the Governor's office earlier today, and can also be found on the Senate Site: <a href="http://www.senatesite.com/blog/index.html">http://www.senatesite.com/blog/index.html</a>. <br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Statement by Utah's Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives<br /><br /></strong><strong></strong>Salt Lake City - The following is a joint statement by Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, President John Valentine and Speaker Greg Curtis:<br /><br />"Citizens bear the ultimate responsibility for how their government operates and how their children are educated. As elected officials, we support the constitutional right of the people of our state to ratify or reject legislation through the referendum process.<br /><br />We encourage a healthy process and a clear public decision on Utah's Voucher Policy in November. In order for the referendum process to be effective, the electorate takes on the obligation to make an informed decision when casting their vote. We hope people become educated on this issue and engage in a manner befitting the citizens of a free republic.<br /><br />A Special Session will not be called since an easy and practical remedy does not exist. We, however, are making our intentions clear: we honor the rule of law and will respect the outcome of the election."";s:4:"link";s:51:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/05/let-people-vote.php";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/3914544498186265850";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/3914544498186265850";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:1;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-6938374471397492025";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-04-22T06:00:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-04-23T12:10:53.274-06:00";s:5:"title";s:27:"Ensuring Teacher Pay Raises";s:12:"atom_content";s:2673:"Cicero said there was no more valuable or noble employment to the state than that of instructing the rising generation. We couldn't agree with Cicero more.<br /><br />Nearly everyone can think of a special teacher in their childhood that opened new doors of knowledge and understanding, impacting them for the rest of their lives. Teachers know that the pay for their labors will not afford a luxurious lifestyle, that they may need two incomes to support a family, and that at times their labors may seem in vain. We are grateful there are people whose passion and love of a particular subject drive them to serve and teach despite the pay and rigors of the job. We thank and salute them for doing so.<br /><br />This year the Legislature sought to provide a special reward to all our teachers for a job well done. We intended to signal our thanks in the form of a $2,500 gross pay raise and $1,000 bonus to every classroom teacher. Recently, Legislative Leadership was informed that even though over $100 million was set aside for teacher raises, the total number of teachers provided to the Legislature for calculating purposes was not accurate.<br /><br />The Legislature made it expressly clear in the bill's intent language, and in the media, that each teacher was to be awarded a $2,500 raise in addition to a $1,000 bonus. Rather than allow districts to pass along anything less than $2,500 gross pay raise to teachers, we intend to fulfill our commitment. It is our intent that every single dollar promised makes its way directly into the hands of the teachers. This was a very public promise the Legislature made to our valuable and noble teachers and to the public as well. Indeed, the bill authorizing the raises passed both houses of the Legislature with overwhelming support. This is a promise the Legislature intends very much to honor.<br /><br />We have requested an audit to determine the exact number of teachers in each district and exactly how much additional funding will be required to fulfill our promise. Once that data has been received, we intend to pass a supplemental appropriation bill in the next General Session to enhance the $100 million that has already been set aside. Every public school teacher will receive a $2,500 gross pay raise.<br /><br />We thank our teachers for their work educating our rising generation. We know they labor often times in obscurity and at great personal sacrifice. They deserve this raise and we intend to work to ensure that each and every teacher receives what has been promised to them.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Speaker Greg Curtis<br />Rep. David Clark<br />Rep. Gordon E. Snow<br />Rep. Brad Dee";s:4:"link";s:63:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/04/ensuring-teacher-pay-raises.php";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/6938374471397492025";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/6938374471397492025";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:2;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-304040510869942192";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-03-23T00:33:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-03-23T00:41:45.266-06:00";s:5:"title";s:20:"Rep. Paul Ray Update";s:12:"atom_content";s:590:"<a href="http://theutahhouse.com/2007/03/rep-paul-ray-to-undergo-open-heart.php">Rep. Ray is out of surgery</a> and on the mend!  The Doctor said it all went very well.  Rep. Ray will spend a couple days in ICU.<br /><br />His blood flow is looking good and according to the Doctor, Rep. Ray may be asleep anywhere from several hours to nearly a day and a half.  It will be a few days before the doctors know if there are any long-term adverse affects of the surgery.<br /><br />The next couple days are critical, but things are looking good and Rep. Ray has maintained a positive attitude.";s:4:"link";s:55:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/03/rep-paul-ray-update.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/304040510869942192";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/304040510869942192";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:3;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-8906331699700030670";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-03-22T09:00:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-03-23T00:29:43.287-06:00";s:5:"title";s:43:"Rep. Paul Ray to Undergo Open Heart Surgery";s:12:"atom_content";s:983:"<a href="http://www.le.utah.gov/house/members2005/bios2005.asp?id=13">Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clinton</a>, has been admitted to McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden for emergency open heart surgery. Rep. Ray was diagnosed on Monday with an aortic aneurysm. Doctors plan to rebuild the ascending aorta, the common coratid artery and replace the aortic valve. The operation started at 7:45 am this morning and is expected to take approximately 7-9 hours.<br /><br />Rep. Ray, age 40, has served in the House of Representatives for three terms and is currently the chairman of the House Health &amp; Human Services Committee. He was noticeably absent Monday when Governor Huntsman signed his <a href="http://theutahhouse.com/2007/03/child-offender-bills-signed-by-governor.php">internet sexual predator and death penalty for homicide of a child bills</a> into law at the Utah State Prison.<br /><br />For further information on Rep. Ray's condition or status, please contact Randy Minson, 801-668-4467.";s:4:"link";s:70:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/03/rep-paul-ray-to-undergo-open-heart.php";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/8906331699700030670";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/8906331699700030670";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:4;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-7748581491403972370";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-03-14T17:00:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-03-23T00:24:03.847-06:00";s:5:"title";s:43:"Child Offender Bills Signed by the Governor";s:12:"atom_content";s:2050:"On Monday, March 19, 2007 at 1:30 PM at The Utah State Prison, Representative Greg Hughes (R-House District 51), Representative Paul Ray (R-House District 13), and Representatives Carl Wimmer (R-House District 52) will participate in the signing of Utah's most comprehensive laws for sex-offenders and offenders against children, which were passed in the 2007 General Legislative Session and will be signed by the Governor.<br /><br />Governor Huntsman will sign into law the following bills:<br /><a href="http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0005.htm">HB 5 - Internet Sexual Content - Protection of Minors -- Ray, P. </a><br /><a href="http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0086.htm">HB 86 - Penalties for Sexual Offenses and Kidnapping -- Wimmer, C. </a><br /><a href="http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0093.htm">HB 93 - Capital Offenses Amendments -- Ray, P. </a><br /><a href="http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0228.htm">HB 228 - Penalty for Homicide of a Child -- Wimmer, C.</a><br /><a href="http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0375.htm">HB 375 - Sex Offender Restrictions -- Hughes, G.</a><br /><br />HB 86, introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Carl Wimmer, a West Valley City police officer, is the most comprehensive sex-offender bill passed in the state of Utah, and may be considered Utah's version of "Jessica's Law." HB 86 greatly increases the sentencing minimum for child sex offenders. Rep. Wimmer also passed HB 228, which allows for the murder of a child to be eligible for the death penalty on the first account.<br /><br />HB 5, sponsored by Rep. Paul Ray, increases the penalty for online child predators. Rep. Ray also sponsored HB 93, which modifies the Criminal Code regarding the elements of aggravated murder as related to the homicide of a child.<br /><br />HB 375, passed by Rep. Greg Hughes, increases the penalties for lewdness offenses committed by a sex offender; and restricts locations where offenders convicted of specified sex offenses may be, with certain exceptions.";s:4:"link";s:75:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/03/child-offender-bills-signed-by-governor.php";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/7748581491403972370";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/7748581491403972370";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:5;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-8929514126441780233";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-03-01T09:19:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-03-01T09:30:00.297-07:00";s:5:"title";s:17:"IN THE PRESS.....";s:12:"atom_content";s:3192:"WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT THE 2007 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:<br /><br /><strong><u><em>DESERET MORNING NEWS, MARCH 1, 2007:</em></u></strong><br /><strong><em><u></u></em></strong><a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_5328494"></a><br /><a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660199775,00.html">http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660199775,00.html</a><br /><br />"Money. Public education funding. Tax cuts. And more money.  That is what the 2007 Legislature will likely be known for — a record spending plan that took care of major programs and special pork projects alike."<br /><br /><br /><strong><u><em></em></u></strong><strong><em><u>SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, MARCH 1, 2007:</u></em></strong><br /><strong><em><u></u></em></strong><br /><a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_5328494">http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_5328494</a><br /><br />"Governor and Legislature. House and Senate. Even a sprinkling of Democrats among all those Republicans.     With this many built-in rivalries, it takes a unique set of circumstances to please them all.     Not everyone got exactly what they wanted but most got enough to leave satisfied when the 2007 legislative session ended at midnight.     In a state where Republicans can ignore the minority party, even the Democratic leader in the House, Ralph Becker, declared that it has been "a very, very positive year. The people of Utah were well served."<br /><br /><strong><u><em>PROVO DAILY HERALD, March 1, 2006: </em></u></strong><br /><strong><em><u></u></em></strong><br /><strong><u><em><a href="http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/211852/">http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/211852/</a><br /></em></u></strong><br />"Utah Valley State College got a new name, public education got a huge boost in funding and everyone got a tax cut during this year's session of the Utah Legislature, which wrapped up Wednesday night. <br />There were also protracted fights over abortion legislation and new rules for extracurricular school clubs, and Utah joined the ranks of states that provide publicly funded vouchers for students to attend private school. <br />The funding for that program was part of a record $500 million-plus allocation of new money for public and higher education, an infusion made possible by a strong state economy and tax revenues that accumulated into a $1.6 billion surplus.<br />It was "probably the most orderly and managed Legislature that I've seen in seven years," said Rep. Steve Clark, R-Provo. "It was less adversarial in nature than previous years."<br /><br /><strong><u><em></em></u></strong><strong><u><em>AP, February 28, 2007</em></u></strong><br /><strong><u><em></em></u></strong><br /><strong><u><em><a href="http:www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=939644">http:www.ksl.com/?nid=148&amp;sid=939644</a></em></u></strong><br /><br />"The largest tax cut in state history grew by about $8 million on Wednesday, bringing the total to nearly $220 million.<br />The income, sales, business and energy tax cuts are the result of fiscal conservatives seeking to keep government from growing too quickly in a year with record revenue of about $10.8 billion -- about $1.7 billion more than last year's budget."";s:4:"link";s:44:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/03/in-press.php";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/8929514126441780233";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/8929514126441780233";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:6;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-895375428753843239";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-02-23T17:48:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-02-23T19:19:15.763-07:00";s:5:"title";s:58:"Record Funding for Education: A Conversation with Rep. Dee";s:12:"atom_content";s:223:"Click on this link to listen to a discussion on education with Rep. Brad Dee, House Assistant Majority Whip:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.senatesite.com/audio/RepDee07.MP3">http://www.senatesite.com/audio/RepDee07.MP3</a>";s:4:"link";s:72:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/02/conversation-with-rep-brad-dee-on_23.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/895375428753843239";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/895375428753843239";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:7;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-5726928324456558522";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-02-23T17:09:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-02-23T17:11:36.624-07:00";s:5:"title";s:43:"Statement from House and Senate Republicans";s:12:"atom_content";s:1718:"Legislative Republicans have agreed to fund an unprecedented $527.9 million for education in Utah.  Public education will receive $459.5 million and higher education will receive $68.4 million. Combined, education in Utah will receive about one-third of the states $1.6 billion surplus.<br /><br />"This level of funding for education is both historic and necessary,"said Senate President John Valentine. "Both students and teachers win.  When the session began we made education our number one priority and we have followed through and put education first."<br /><br />"Funding education has long been a priority of the legislature," said House Speaker Greg Curtis, "We believe this increase will significantly improve the quality of education and the quality of life in Utah."<br /><br />Early goals to fund education at around $300 million were labeled by some as idealistic and unachievable. This year, the legislature will surpass that goal by an additional $227 million.<br /><br />Public education will receive $279.9 million in ongoing funds and $179.5 million in one time.  In addition, $7.5 million will be appropriated for Extended-day Kindergarten.  Growth in public schools was funded earlier in the session at $72.8 million.<br /><br />Higher Education will receive $56.2 million in ongoing funds and $12.2 million in one time money.<br />The education package includes the equivalent of a 7% WPU increase:                     <br /> <br />* $2,500 permanent pay raise for all Utah teachers          <br /> * $1,000 one-time bonus for all Utah teachers            <br />* Plus 4% more as a general per pupil increase<br /><br />Over the last two years, education has received a 19.3% increase in funding.";s:4:"link";s:67:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/02/statement-from-house-and-senate.php";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/5726928324456558522";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/5726928324456558522";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:8;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:59:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-6256743126707779974";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-02-22T15:47:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-02-23T16:59:19.516-07:00";s:5:"title";s:49:"Health Care Cost is Not a Game - Heal or No Heal!";s:12:"atom_content";s:2605:"<a href="http://www.le.utah.gov/house/members2005/bios2005.asp?id=38">Representative Eric Hutchings</a><br />District 38<br /><br />Utah is moving into a new era where health care is growing to dominate political debates and is becoming the hottest topic in company boardrooms across the state. Trying to get a handle on the increasing costs of health care is rendered nearly impossible when providers are not prepared to provide those costs, especially to the uninsured and underinsured who have to cover these costs directly out of their own pockets.<br /><br />For families struggling to make ends meet the "Heal or No Heal Game" leaves them hoping they get lucky and don't lose it all. They have no idea if they are going to pay a little out of pocket or go bankrupt. I know. I've watched medical bills financially challenge my own parents, who are hard working people fighting the battle against cancer.<br /><br />If you don't believe me, try this - call your doctor or hospital and ask how much a medical procedure is going to cost ahead of time...good luck getting an answer! Currently, doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers are not required to disclose estimated medical costs to consumers before services are rendered. That's why I'm sponsoring House Bill 250, "Consumer Access to Health Care Charges" which requires health care professionals to provide consumers, when requested, with a list of charges for professional services and information on any discounts available.<br /><br />Approximately 50% of all medical procedures are elective. A patient has the time to be informed and look for a doctor who will provide quality care at a fair price. The uninsured especially must be informed consumers because research shows they are often charged several times more than a similar patient with insurance.<br /><br />The issue of health care reform is very personal to me. Like many Utahns, I have family members who are facing financial ruin as a result of a recent diagnosis. People I love are being forced to sell everything to pay their medical bills. I am concerned that as our population continues to age and as health care costs continue to see double-digit annual inflation, the citizens of this state will demand radical action. This bill is an important first step in reassuring the people of Utah that our health care professionals understand their worries and are willing to step up and solve this problem so that government does not have to step in and take over, to which Health Secretary Leavitt alluded when he addressed the House of Representatives this last week.";s:4:"link";s:75:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/02/health-care-cost-is-not-game-heal-or-no.php";s:9:"link_self";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/6256743126707779974";s:9:"link_edit";s:71:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/6256743126707779974";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:9;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-117097347908477951";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-02-08T15:21:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-02-20T15:19:06.236-07:00";s:5:"title";s:32:"Answering Paul Rolly's Questions";s:12:"atom_content";s:4735:"Representative Becky Lockhart<br />District 64<br /><br />There has been much interest and speculation with regards to House Bill 391. I was recently asked by Paul Rolly,a reporter with the <em>Salt Lake Tribune,</em> many of the common questions surrounding the issue. Here is the exchange. <br /><br /><em>REPORTER PAUL ROLLY:<br />Rep. Lockhart,<br />I have some questions about HB391 I would like you to answer by tomorrow morning, if you would. But you can just respond by e-mail with the answers if you prefer. Thanks you for your time.<br /><br />If I read the bill correctly, the Legislature's Executive Appropriations Committee will review the bids for a privately run state hospital, then, if it deems appropriate, direct the Human Services Department to negotiate with the company the Executive Appropriations Committee selects as the bidder. If that is correct, why are you having the legislative committee be the procurement vehicle. Isn't that always done by the State Purchasing Division or the Executive Branch department that governs the operation being bid? Is it legal for the legislative committee, instead of the executive branch, to be the ones administering the procurement process? Have you gotten a legal opinion on this?</em><br /><br />REP LOCKHART: I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the committee hearing for this bill. You will have the opportunity to hear all of the discussion and better understand the intent of the bill.<br /><br />The legislative process is a public process. Committee members, the Department of Human Services, public employees, the public, and the Legislature in whole will have input into the process. The bill will change before it is finally approved, just as most other bills.<br /> <br />Executive Appropriations  will not select the bidder. It will only review the bids to determine if it makes any sense for the state. If it does, then the Department of Human Services will select the provider, not the Legislature.<br /><br /><em>PAUL ROLLY: I understand the director of Human Services has already testified and written a letter to the Legislature opposing this idea. I believe she has suggested it go to a study committee for a year to see if privatization is necessary. Why is there such a rush to go right into the RFP process without the input of an interim committee with a year to study the issue?</em><br /><br />REP LOCKHART:  We are taking at least a year to study privatization. The RFP is the study. The Department will determine all the specifications and the necessary patient outcomes. At the end of the year, if we have received responses, we will explore with the Department if privatization is in the best interests of the state, but more importantly the best interest of patients served by the State Hospital.<br /><br /><em>PAUL ROLLY: I understand you and several other legislators went to Florida to inspect a privately run state hospital in December as part of a trip arranged with the help of Rob Jolley, a lobbyist for Geo Care, which runs that hospital. Did you decide to run the bill that opens the door to privatization as a result of that trip, or were you already philosophically leaning toward privatization and wanted to see how it runs first hand. Do the other legislators who went on the trip support your bill?</em><br /><br />REP LOCKHART:  I have always leaned toward privatization efforts in government services IF it makes sense. I have asked Senator Bramble to be my Senate sponsor. As for the others, I believe they support it generally, but I don't know level of support legislator by legislator.<br /><br /><em>PAUL ROLLY:  Are you aware of other companies that run state mental hospitals, or does Geo Care have an inside track at this time because of the relationship already formed? Have you inspected any facilities run by someone other than Geo Care?</em><br /><br />REP LOCKHART:  I am aware of other companies that run similar operations, but it would be the Department that selects a private provider if privatization is determined viable.<br /><br /><em>PAUL ROLLY:  The bill opens the door for construction of a new state hospital, even though the Human Services Department seems to think the existing facility is adequate. Why do you think a new facility is needed? What would you have done with the existing facility. I know it sits on prime real estate. Would you have the state sell it to a developer?</em><br /><br />REP LOCKHART:  I don’t believe that a new facility is necessary. But I want to give the Department all the options in order to determine what is necessary.<br /><br />Again, I invite you to the committee hearing when scheduled.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Representative Lockhart";s:4:"link";s:67:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/02/answering-paul-rollys-questions.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/117097347908477951";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/117097347908477951";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:10;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-117043807606049911";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-02-02T10:39:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-02-03T20:34:52.993-07:00";s:5:"title";s:47:"Its About Putting Choice Back in Parents' Hands";s:12:"atom_content";s:3589:"David Clark, House Majority Leader<br /><br />The debate over vouchers and public education has been circling Capitol Hill for the past several sessions. This year, the education voucher bill, HB148, has passed through House committee hearings and will be voted on after it is debated today on the floor of the House. <br />    The opponents of vouchers have cast the supporters of this bill as foes of public education, intent on crushing the public education system. I think this is a false and unfair charge. I am a supporter of public education and vouchers. In the past two years, I have voted for record spending increases in the public education budget. <br />    Last session the Legislature increased education spending a record 12.8 percent. I have great respect and admiration for our teachers and the work they do. Both of my parents and my daughter are educators. They have often shared with me their insights, struggles and triumphs as teachers in the public education system. <br />    I will vote for the education voucher bill. Those who support a voucher bill recognize that we expect much, maybe too much, of the public education system. The system is an umbrella that must stretch to provide an education for every child in our state. The needs of our state's children vary wildly, from quick learners, to first-time English speakers, to those with special needs. <br />    I believe that vouchers offer a modest solution to some of the difficulties public education faces in trying to serve a varied and wide-ranging student body. Vouchers, however, are not a silver bullet that will fix all problems for all people. They do offer a measure of choice to parents when considering what is best for their child's specific needs. <br />    The Legislature introduced some elements of choice in our public school system, by way of charter schools, some years ago. Vouchers further the ability of parents to make the best decision possible in their child's education by including more options in the educational tool box. <br />    Opponents of this bill claim that it only serves to provide a benefit to wealthy families for whom a private school education has always been a choice. This is untrue; the bill addresses the ability of a family to pay for a private school education by providing a scale on which vouchers would be given. Vouchers would range from $500 to $3,000 depending on a family's income. <br />    Others have argued that vouchers will have a negative effect on our public education system and may lead to its ultimate demise. <br />    First, the vouchers will be paid out of the General Fund, not the Education Fund. This means that the money for vouchers would not come from the same pool of money that funds the public education system. It would, instead, come from the pool of money that funds all other state programs like transportation, Medicaid and the courts. <br />    Second, for the first five years of the voucher program, the public school system would continue to receive the funds for any student granted a voucher. This would allow the Legislature five years to evaluate the voucher program while holding public education harmless at the same time. If changes need to be made to the voucher program or to the public education system, the Legislature will be able to address them during this period. <br />    At the end of the day, everyone agrees that the interest of the child is what really matters most. Who is best able to decide the educational needs of a child? I submit that ultimately the decision is best left to the parents.";s:4:"link";s:68:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/02/its-about-putting-choice-back-in.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/117043807606049911";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/117043807606049911";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:11;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-115456906824925888";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-08-02T19:37:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-02-01T13:08:28.270-07:00";s:5:"title";s:29:"Utah's Abortion Law Revisions";s:12:"atom_content";s:2435:"<strong><a href="http://www.le.utah.gov/house/members2005/bios2005.asp?id=13">Representative Paul Ray</a></strong><br /><strong>House of Representatives, District 13</strong><br /><br />I have <a href="http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_214182823.html">started receiving calls</a> on a bill file I opened back in June, entitled Abortion Law Revisions. I would like to share it with you and receive feedback.<br /><br />The Abortion Law Revisions bill is a trigger law to ban abortions in Utah if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the United States Supreme Court. The language will simply state that if Roe v. Wade is overturned, the provisions of this bill will immediately be in effect and will supersede conflicting provisions of the Utah Code. It will further provide that if Roe v. Wade is overturned, no person may perform an abortion unless it is necessary in order to avert a woman's death or to avert a serious risk to a woman of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function, or the woman is pregnant as the result of incest or rape that is reported to law enforcement before the abortion is performed. It also addresses the confidentiality of the name of a victim of incest or rape.<br /><br />The reason for this bill is simple: <strong>abortion is wrong</strong>. Last session, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/22/AR2006022202424.html">South Dakota</a> passed a complete ban on abortion. This will be the first test on abortion with the new and current make up of the United States Supreme Court. I believe it is imperative that we show our support for pro-life legislation. We need to show solidarity as state legislatures and stand firm with South Dakota. While South Dakota was the first to <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11699703">pass a law</a> to ban abortions, other states have introduced similar legislation, including Ohio, Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky.<br /><br />The language in the Abortion Law Revisions bill does not put Utah in the middle of a legal battle that would cost tax payer money. It does however show that we support the steps taken by South Dakota and that we do not support abortion. North Dakota passed similar legislation two years ago and Louisiana passed it this year. In my discussions with other legislators across the country, Utah is among many states discussing this type of legislation in the upcoming session.";s:4:"link";s:64:"http://theutahhouse.com/2006/08/utahs-abortion-law-revisions.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/115456906824925888";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/115456906824925888";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:12;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-117011385736253379";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-01-29T16:36:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-01-29T16:37:37.373-07:00";s:5:"title";s:32:"Statement by Speaker Greg Curtis";s:12:"atom_content";s:938:"Earlier this month I expressed the viewpoint that the Salt Lake County and Real Salt Lake stadium deal was "dead."  I'm disappointed with the decision made by Mayor Peter Corroon, however, I accept the outcome and will not try to revive the project with legislation.<br /><br />In 2005, before Real Salt Lake was contemplated, an agreement was made with Salt Lake County to fund the Salt Palace and a parking garage at the South Towne Expo Center with an additional 1.25% transient room tax.  Because of today's decision and based upon the agreement with Mayor Corroon and the Salt Lake County Council it is my view that the transient room tax set asides should be reinstated at an appropriate level to ensure the 20 million dollars for the parking garage.<br /><br />In my view the balance of the tax should be redirected to the Utah Transit Authority to help offset the loss they will incur from removing food from their sales tax base.";s:4:"link";s:68:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/01/statement-by-speaker-greg-curtis.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/117011385736253379";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/117011385736253379";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:13;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-116795392562652774";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-01-04T16:30:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-01-28T13:27:33.646-07:00";s:5:"title";s:38:"Jeff's Alexander's Replacement Decided";s:12:"atom_content";s:304:"The Utah Republican Party Chairwoman, Enid Greene, chose the replacement for retired House member Jeff Alexander this afternoon. Chris Herrod was named as the new legislator to represent House District 62, in Utah County.<br /><br />We welcome Representative-Elect Herrod to the House of Representatives.";s:4:"link";s:72:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/01/jeffs-alexanders-replacement-decided.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/116795392562652774";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/116795392562652774";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:14;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-116973940903385216";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-01-25T08:34:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-01-25T08:39:28.926-07:00";s:5:"title";s:18:"Utah Energy Policy";s:12:"atom_content";s:1164:"Representative Roger Barrus<br />District 18<br /><br /><br />Representative Becker and I have worked together to ensure a balance in <br />Utah's approach to energy. Together, we will discuss the additions proposed to improve the Utah Energy Act, which will include an education component and an appropriation to study the feasibility of creating a central siting authority or infrastructure authority to expedite the siting and construction of major energy facilities such as electrical generation plants, petroleum and natural gas pipelines, refineries, wind farms and other major energy infrastructures.<br /><br />Also, we will discuss findings from our work with the Energy Policy Workshop, the Energy Policy Advisor to the Governor, and the Energy Advisory Council. <br /><br />Finally, we will introduce new legislation together with Representatives from both sides of the aisle to move forward Utah's energy policy to develop our energy resources, both renewable and nonrenewable; conserve our energy resources through energy efficiency measures; improve the State's energy transmission and transportation systems; and improve energy regulatory processes.";s:4:"link";s:54:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/01/utah-energy-policy.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/116973940903385216";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/116973940903385216";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:15;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-116925278652501287";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-01-19T17:25:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-01-19T17:26:26.526-07:00";s:5:"title";s:59:"Statement on the budget by Speaker of the House Greg Curtis";s:12:"atom_content";s:1161:"Today, the Utah House unanimously passed HB 1 and 3 which will serve as a base budget for the State of Utah.  Included in that budget is 131 million dollars of new spending for critical needs.  <br /><br />The increases over last years budget include 60 million in public education enrollment growth and an additional 12 million in our growth related education programs. Some examples of the programs include pupil transportation (bussing); Quality Teaching Block Grant (training for educators), Interventions for Student Success Block Grant (academic remediation); At-Risk Programs (youth in custody, homeless, gang prevention); Adult Education; and Accelerated Learning Programs (Gifted and Talented, Advanced Placement, and Concurrent Enrollment). <br /><br />In addition we have funded Medcaid Inflation at 12 million.  <br /><br />We also funded a major increase into the Rainy Day funds to the tune of 45 million.<br /><br />The House is committed to improving public education and building a responsible budget. I am proud of the work by the House of Representatives this week, and look forward to further budget discussions with the Senate and Governor.";s:4:"link";s:69:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/01/statement-on-budget-by-speaker-of.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/116925278652501287";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/116925278652501287";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:16;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-116925211890424434";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-01-19T17:14:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-01-19T17:15:19.063-07:00";s:5:"title";s:61:"Week of Accomplishment - Bills passed by the House Jan. 15-19";s:12:"atom_content";s:129:"<a href="http://theutahhouse.com/Week%20of%20Accomplishments%20jan%2015-19.xls">Week%20of%20Accomplishments%20jan%2015-19.xls</a>";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/01/week-of-accomplishment-bills-passed-by.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/116925211890424434";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/116925211890424434";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:17;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-116896371555683437";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-01-16T09:07:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-01-16T11:47:48.676-07:00";s:5:"title";s:100:"AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY: House Speaker Greg Curtis Opening Comments to the House of Representatives";s:12:"atom_content";s:3993:"January 15, 2007<br />Colleagues, members of the press and public, it is a pleasure to stand here today to begin the 57th Legislature here in the Utah House of Representatives.<br /><br />I say it is a "pleasure" to stand here today, but after winning my election by only 20 votes I should say it's more of a feeling of being "pleasantly surprised."<br /><br />After a grueling campaign, a gut-wrenching election night, hundreds of late-arriving provisional ballots and a recount, I feel like I have had an out-of-body experience as a contestant on reality TV.<br /><br />But I'm not sure which reality show it was. Survivor? The Amazing Race?  I don't know, but I do know this: if things had gone differently it certainly would have qualified as "The Biggest Loser."<br /><br />And for that, I want to thank my wife Teresa. <br /><br />I have been blessed with a strong, wise and very patient spouse.  Without her generous talents and loving management of our family, I would have no opportunity for public service.  <br /><br />And what an opportunity this is.<br /><br />As you know, every two years we begin our session with fresh faces, new ideas and the recent, intense interaction with those whom we serve.<br /><br />Your campaigns have brought all of you eye-to-eye, face-to-face and door-to-door with your constituents.  <br /><br />So more than ever before, right now you should know exactly what they want you to do.  I recommend that you follow their advice.  Of course that advice is going to be different from Provo to Price, from Logan to Layton, and from the Avenues to Altamont.  But the point is you need to serve those who you represent.<br /><br />So with a strong and honest commitment to representative democracy, you should expect to work hard, compromise when appropriate and disagree when necessary.  In the immortal words of the Rolling Stones, "you can't always get what you want."   <br /><br />It is a truism that politics is the art of the next best. Take last session for example, a majority in this body fought a long, hard and spirited battle for the complete removal of the sales tax on groceries.  We wanted it gone.  What we got instead was a compromise.  <br /><br />Was this a bad thing? No.  Today, thousands of Utahns have begun saving millions of dollars doing something that no middle to low income family has any choice but do: buying groceries.<br /><br />And while we might still push forward for the perfect, we did not sacrifice the good.<br /><br />So I urge each of you to please expect opposition, and if you don't get any, then you're probably not working hard enough.  And if you find yourself always on the losing side, there's probably a good reason for that, too.<br /><br />But with this counsel, I also hope that we can avoid argument and insult for the sake of sport or therapy.  It's like my neighbor's dog.  Every time I walk by he barks at me.  <br /><br />Now I know some of you are thinking, smart dog!<br /><br />The point is that I think he assumes that a good enemy is better than a good friend.  But he'll never know …until he stops barking and we get the chance to be friends.<br /><br />Likewise, we need to be sure that we don't bark too much.  Look for opportunities to work across the aisle or across the state.  And while you may have something to say on every bill, please don't.  <br /><br />I am really looking forward to this session.  I am excited about our new members and again offer each of you my sincere appreciation for holding yourself out to the voters.  <br /><br />Congratulations.  <br /><br />Earlier I mentioned that my election experience made me feel like I barely missed a starring role on "The Biggest Loser." But welcoming all of you here today, and having the opportunity to begin this legislative session on behalf of the wonderful people of the State of Utah, I am humbled and feel instead like "The Smallest Winner."<br /><br />Thank you very much and may God bless our great State of Utah.";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/01/as-prepared-for-delivery-house-speaker.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/116896371555683437";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/116896371555683437";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:18;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-116883973848727181";s:9:"published";s:29:"2007-01-14T21:40:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-01-15T08:29:26.280-07:00";s:5:"title";s:47:"Welcome to the 2007 General Legislative Session";s:12:"atom_content";s:1106:"<a href="http://www.le.state.ut.us/house/members2005/bios2005.asp?id=49">Speaker Greg J. Curtis</a><br />Speaker of the House, District 49<a name="OLE_LINK2"></a><br /><br /><a name="OLE_LINK1">I am excited to begin working in what will prove to be another eventful and productive general legislative session. As a legislative body, we look forward to addressing the many issues facing the people of </a>Utah.<br /><br />One focus this session will be the surplus in our state's budget. As we debate, it will be important for citizens to know that we will thoughtfully consider the best way to keep money in the pockets of taxpayers.<br /><br />As always, education will be a high priority, to which we will address many ideas. Not only do we want to ensure that public money is rightly sufficient, but that the needs of the educators and the students of Utah can be best served.<br /><br />There are many other issues about which we will meet and deliberate this session. We are grateful to be entrusted with the responsibility to serve on your behalf.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Speaker Greg Curtis";s:4:"link";s:71:"http://theutahhouse.com/2007/01/welcome-to-2007-general-legislative.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/116883973848727181";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/116883973848727181";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:19;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-116554798965714470";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-12-07T20:12:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-12-16T11:29:00.976-07:00";s:5:"title";s:42:"House Appropriations Committee Assignments";s:12:"atom_content";s:2858:"<div align="center"><strong>HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE</strong></div><div align="center">Ron Bigelow, Co-Chair</div><div align="center">Becky Lockhart, Vice Chair</div><div align="center">Greg Curtis</div><div align="center">David Clark</div><div align="center">Gordon Snow</div><div align="center">Brad Dee</div><div align="center">Ralph Becker</div><div align="center">Brad King</div><div align="center">Carol Spackman Moss</div><div align="center">David Litvack</div><div align="center">----------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div align="center"><strong>APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEES</strong><br /></div><br /><strong>Capital Facilities and Administrative Services</strong><br />Gregg Buxton, Co-Chair<br />DeMar Bowman<br />Stephen Clark<br />Fred Hunsaker<br />Gordon Snow<br />Mark Walker<br />Richard Wheeler<br />Ralph Becker<br />Janice Fisher<br /><br /><strong>Commerce and Workforce Services</strong><br />Mike Morley, Co-Chair<br />Sylvia Andersen<br />Jim Dunnigan<br />Craig Frank<br />Lynn Hemingway<br />Mark Wheatley<br />Larry Wiley<br /><br /><strong>Economic Development and Revenue</strong><br />Sheryl Allen, Co-Chair<br />Jim Bird<br />Julie Fisher<br />Steven Mascaro<br />Jackie Biskupski<br /><br /><strong>Executive Offices and Criminal Justice</strong><br />Eric Hutchings, Co-Chair<br />Douglas Aagard<br />Jeff Alexander<br />Keith Grover<br />Curtis Oda<br />Brad King<br />Jen Seelig<br /><br /><strong>Health and Human Services</strong><br />Merlynn T. Newbold, Co-Chair<br />Paul Neuenschwander<br />Paul Ray<br />Ken Sumsion<br />Steve Urquhart<br />David Litvack<br />Roz McGee<br /><br /><strong>Higher Education</strong><br />Kory Holdaway, Co-Chair<br />Ron Bigelow<br />Mel Brown<br />David Clark<br />Brad Daw<br />John Dougall<br />Kay McIff<br />Scott Wyatt<br />Chris Johnson<br />Carol Spackman Moss<br />LaWanna Shurtliff<br /><br /><strong>Natural Resources</strong><br />Ben Ferry, Co-Chair<br />Roger Barrus<br />Jack Draxler<br />Kerry Gibson<br />John Mathis<br />Michael Noel<br />Steve Sandstrom<br />Carl Duckworth<br />James Gowans<br /><br /><strong>Public Education</strong><br />Brad Last, Co-Chair<br />Brad Dee<br />Lorie Fowlke<br />Gage Froerer<br />Greg Hughes<br />Ronda Menlove<br />Aaron Tilton<br />Carl Wimmer<br />Tim Cosgrove<br />Karen Morgan<br />Phil Riesen<br /><br /><strong>Transportation and EnvironmentalQuality and National Guard</strong><br />Wayne Harper, Co-Chair<br />Glenn Donnelson<br />Kevin Garn<br />Todd Kiser<br />Becky Lockhart<br />Patrick Painter<br />Neil Hansen<br />Neal Hendrickson<br /><br /><strong>Retirement and Independent Entities</strong><br />John Dougall, Chair<br />Aaron Tilton, Vice Chair<br />David Clark<br />Wayne Harper<br />Brad Last";s:4:"link";s:66:"http://theutahhouse.com/2006/12/house-appropriations-committee.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/116554798965714470";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/116554798965714470";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:20;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-114383123746204193";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-03-31T11:52:00.000-07:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-11-27T19:41:22.170-07:00";s:5:"title";s:70:"Davis Legislator Named Chairman of National Criminal Justice Taskforce";s:12:"atom_content";s:1881:"The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has announced that Utah State Representative Paul Ray (R)-Clinton has been selected to chair its Criminal Justice Taskforce. The task force is comprised of 114 legislators from 42 states. Rep. Ray has also been serving as the chairman of it’s sub-committee on sexual and predatory crimes against children.<br />ALEC is an organization of conservative lawmakers who wish to promote the principles of federalism by developing and promoting policies that reflect the Jeffersonian principles that the powers of government are derived from, and assigned to, first the People, then the States, and finally the National Government.<br /><br />Rep. Ray stated the taskforce will continue its work on sexual and predatory crimes against children with the addition of three new agenda items, Underage Drinking, Mortgage Fraud and Identity Theft. Rep Ray said "The number one priority of government is the protection of its citizens. During my term as chairman I will continue to be proactive in fighting crime. We will produce model legislation that will hold criminals accountable for their actions without intruding on the rights of law abiding citizens."<br /><br />Rep. Ray Allen (R)-Texas who is retiring had this to say about Paul, "Not only is Paul Ray an asset to his constituents, and his home state, Paul is an indispensable national leader among his fellow state legislators from all fifty states. His recent elevation to the leadership of the Criminal Justice Task Force of the American Legislative Exchange Council is already making a difference in greater public safety for American families from coast to coast. Chairman Paul Ray's commitment to tough laws and to effectively track and suppress sexual predators will make waves across the entire country. He is a role model for what a great state representative ought to be."";s:4:"link";s:70:"http://theutahhouse.com/2006/03/davis-legislator-named-chairman-of.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/114383123746204193";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/114383123746204193";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:21;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-115635493951566735";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-08-23T10:08:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-08-28T12:18:07.603-06:00";s:5:"title";s:27:"Prioritizing Transportation";s:12:"atom_content";s:3432:"<p><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">House Conservative Caucus Leadership</span></strong></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">With the rapid population growth Utah is experiencing, we have serious transportation funding requirements to address the expansion of necessary transportation infrastructure. At the same time, we are in need of additional improvements in how we choose which transportation projects to build.<br /><br />A few years ago, the Utah Legislature had the wisdom to empower the Transportation Commission to develop a process for prioritizing new transportation infrastructure. The objectives were to ensure that our limited transportation resources went to the greatest new capacity needs based of objective scientific criteria, regardless of region or political clout. Only through this type of process can we provide our citizens with the most cost-effective resolution to their transportation needs. This process also opened up the prioritization process, shining a light on how projects are selected, empowering our citizens and local government officials to have greater input into and understanding of the selection process.<br /><br />These changes addressed new capacity state projects, but don't address the inefficiencies of local and regional project selection. Unfortunately, the legislature has allocated various buckets of money for local governments (cities and counties) to use to fund various road and transit projects, selectively targeting specific funds to separate modes of transportation infratructure (local roads, local buses, fixed guiderail system). We need a single unified process whereby local officials can identify, prioritize, and fund key transportation infrastructure that will be most beneficial to their constitutents, regardless of the mode. This would demand using scientific and financial information to rank all transportation projects on a single list and funding projects from most important to least important. This will provide the greatest protection and assurance to the taxpayer that their hard-earned taxes are being invested wisely and prudently in the infrastructure, which will address both their immediate transportation needs as well as appropriate long-term transportation investment.<br /><br />So here's a recommended <strong>3-step plan</strong>:</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">1. Develop the transparent, criteria-driven process for prioritizing regionally significant transportation projects (over a 50-year horizon) that will maximize congestion relief while simultaneously minimizing general taxpayer subsidies. This process could be managed either by local city and county officials or by the state under the oversight of the Transportation Commission.<br /><br />2. Preserve critical transportation corridors based on a 50-year sliding window<br /><br />3. Construct those projects that are ranked highest, providing the greatest benefit to the traveling public.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Piecemeal allocations of money and bandaid fixes are wasteful and don't adequately address our transportation needs. A long-term focus and a unified process that focuses on directing our limited resources to those projects that provide the greatest benefit are essential if we hope to make up for lost ground and begin to get ahead of the infrastructure demands that a rapidly growing population expects.</span></p>";s:4:"link";s:63:"http://theutahhouse.com/2006/08/prioritizing-transportation.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/115635493951566735";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/115635493951566735";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:22;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-115654730068713564";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-08-25T16:43:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-08-25T17:12:59.760-06:00";s:5:"title";s:24:"Why the Long Bunny Ears?";s:12:"atom_content";s:2630:"<strong><a href="http://www.le.utah.gov/house/members2005/bios2005.asp?id=65">Representative Aaron Tilton</a></strong><br />House of Representatives, District 65<br /><br />Can it really be as simple as waking up one gloomy morning and saying to ourselves "<em>Gee we have all this new traffic on our roads!</em>" and with the purest intentions and greatest of expectations reach into the State's transportation pockets to build more capacity (insert your favorite surprised and confused sound effect here), and the only thing the legislature and past Governors can produce after 12 years of appropriations and projected needs are the inside-out pocket liners that look like white long bunny ears?<br /><br />So far, <strong>past legislatures have produced</strong> <strong>piecemeal allocations of money and emergency fixes</strong>. The legislature and Governors in the 1990's and first half of this decade have failed to address the State's future transportation needs, plain and simple. Let's not continue to do some of the same "Bad Things" that have led to the current problems.<br /><br />Some of those "Bad Things" are:<br /><br />1. Not fully comprehending or believing the enormous needs of transportation funding: 16 billion by 2030.<br /><br />2. Lack of co-coordinated local and regional solutions, with corresponding funding sources that account for budget prioritizations at a state level.<br /><br />3. Allowing the growth of optional government programs--like Health and Human services--to consume precious funds that could provide transportation funding without tax increases (Health and Human services is growing at 15% a year, the fastest growing part of the State's budget).<br /><br />A special session in September could be a small step in the right direction by addressing numbers 1 and 2 of those "Bad Things" in a bill designed to set the stage for some new capacity projects with a property tax or a sales tax increase. (I prefer a corresponding cut in spending elsewhere vs. a tax increase).<br /><br />The bill should designate monies for corridor preservation for future capacity in road building within the designated county. It should scale back the proposed railed projects in order to provide funding for the corridor preservation. This would be a more sensible comprehensive approach rather than putting all the eggs into railed projects with this newly appropriated money. This would be a good start and model with the exception of the tax increase. We should cut spending in optional programs, then we would be able to utter the phrase "<em>Be gone ye long bunny ears</em>" and really mean it.";s:4:"link";s:55:"http://theutahhouse.com/2006/08/why-long-bunny-ears.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/115654730068713564";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/115654730068713564";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:23;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-115231398196535172";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-07-07T16:51:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-08-08T10:58:04.023-06:00";s:5:"title";s:36:"Conversing with the Founding Fathers";s:12:"atom_content";s:4334:"<a href="http://www.le.state.ut.us/house/members2005/bios2005.asp?id=60"><strong>Representative Brad Daw</strong></a><strong><br />House of Representatives, District 60</strong><br /><br />I had to smile when I read Don Gale's liberal attempt to wrap around the words of the Founding Fathers in his column last Saturday.<br /><br /><a href="http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,640191337,00.html">http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,640191337,00.html</a><br /><br />In the article, Mr. Gale questions what John Adams would think of school choice by making a grand leap of logic from choice to "pride and conceit in action." I don't quite see the connection, but I can offer some concrete events in Adams life that might shed light on his feelings about giving parents control over their children's education. When Adams was a boy he had a headmaster that he didn't get along with. He struggled in school and longed to be back on the farm with his father. His father, understanding the importance of a good education, and as a middle class New England farmer in the mid-1700s having more educational options than a lot of middle class Utahns do today, pulled his son out of school and chose another one to put him into. The new school and the new headmaster agreed with John Adams and he took to learning as never before. This one decision made it possible for Adams to make a passionate and articulate defense for declaring our independence and made Adams the man we admire today. Later in Adams life, when his children were not being given a curriculum that was to his satisfaction, Adams pulled his children out of school and home-schooled them for a time. Given the fact that one of his children became president of the United States himself, it is clear that Adams hands on approach to education was a great success and I have to believe that he would wish for all parents to be able to have the same educational choices for their children that he and his father had for theirs.<br /><br />Mr. Gale next invokes James Madison warning against foolish wars in an effort to question our war in Iraq. This is the same James Madison that was president during the entirety of the War of 1812 which was not brought on by any frontal assault from Great Britain but rather because Great Britain was harassing the United States on many fronts, much like Usama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.<br /><br />Mr. Gale next decries the state of science education in Utah. I agree with him and the Founding Fathers that science education is important. In fact, the legislature spent a great deal of time working with the State School Board to improve science education and raise the bar for high school graduation. But my question for Mr. Gale is this: should we keep doing things the same way except to spend ever more taxpayer dollars, or should we try something different like bringing parents back into the picture through school choice and smaller, more responsive school districts?<br /><br />Mr. Gale finally invokes Brigham Young to decry the state of divisiveness he sees in the State today. All I can do is ask: who has erected those social barriers and who benefits when people are divided against each other?<br /><br />Finally, when asking the Founding Fathers how we are doing, let's not overlook what I see as some very serious issues. Thomas Jefferson warned of judicial tyranny and now we have a Massachusetts chief justice requiring the legislature of her state to implement gay marriage. We have a justice in the ninth circuit court of appeals ruling to strike the words "under god" from our pledge. We have numerous other instances where justices and judges have taken matters into their own hands and short-circuited the legislative process. We have groups twisting the meaning of the first amendment to allow all kinds of pornography but purge religious expression from public places. The very religious John Adams would surely have been deeply offended by such practices. We have the federal government trying to usurp authority never granted it by the constitution.<br /><br />I agree with Mr. Gale's closing statement that we should study and learn from the Founding Fathers and other wise men and would encourage him to heed his own advice, but to be careful as he may find a lot of his cherished beliefs on shaky ground.";s:4:"link";s:68:"http://theutahhouse.com/2006/07/conversing-with-founding-fathers.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/115231398196535172";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/115231398196535172";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}i:24;a:9:{s:2:"id";s:58:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236.post-115342781705712708";s:9:"published";s:29:"2006-07-20T14:09:00.000-06:00";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2006-08-08T10:57:05.770-06:00";s:5:"title";s:14:"Why Tax Reform";s:12:"atom_content";s:2796:"<a href="http://www.le.utah.gov/house/members2005/bios2005.asp?id=43"><strong>Representative Wayne Harper</strong></a><strong><br />House of Representatives, District 43</strong><br /><br />It is time to adopt Utah's Electable Income Tax System. It is time to modernize and simplify income tax administration and compliance in Utah and adopt a system that responds to the new global economy.<br /><br />The current income tax system was conceived and based in an earlier agrarian and industrial economic era and is not as responsive to the modern informational and international economy of today as it should be. For more than three years the legislature has been investigating how to improve Utah's archaic income tax system. The intense review by dedicated task forces and committees and public and private groups has now born fruit in a viable proposal to reform Utah's individual income tax system.<br /><br />Utah's Electable Income Tax System provides tax reform, predictability, reliability, stability, flexibility and the opportunity for Utahans to choose what tax method they wish to use to calculate their tax due. The option is simple. The taxpayer may choose a low "flat tax" rate that is easy to calculate or stay with the current socially engineered and complicated system with multiple options and rates. Although the final format of the proposal is not yet agreed to, the following elements will be part of the plan:<br /><br />-Annual option for the taxpayer to choose which tax system they will use for filing.<br /><br />-A single tax return that incorporates both filing options.<br /><br />-Retention of the current old income tax system, with improvements and modernizations.<br /><br />-New simple flat income tax option that:<br /><br />1. Allows the taxpayer to enter in their federal adjusted gross income,<br />2. Times that AGI by the flat tax rate to calculate the tax due,<br />3. Sign the return and send it in.<br /><br />-Flat tax rate of 5 to 5.3%.<br /><br />The impact of Utah's Electable Income Tax System is positive. No taxpayer will pay more in taxes than what they are paying now. Depending on the final design of the plan, up to 60% of all taxpayers will see a decrease in their state tax liability. Additionally, tax reform will energize the economy, allow taxpayers to keep more of their money and create additional funds for education through economic growth.<br /><br />On the <a href="http://www.le.utah.gov/">legislative website</a> are charts and tables that review the options and proposal. Please review those materials. In the near future comparison calculators will be available that will allow anyone to enter their tax information and see the impact of the new flat tax and improvements to the current system on their specific tax situation.";s:4:"link";s:50:"http://theutahhouse.com/2006/07/why-tax-reform.php";s:9:"link_self";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/115342781705712708";s:9:"link_edit";s:70:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default/115342781705712708";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";}}s:7:"channel";a:10:{s:2:"id";s:34:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17498236";s:7:"updated";s:29:"2007-05-24T15:28:43.458-06:00";s:5:"title";s:19:"Utah House Majority";s:4:"link";s:33:"http://theutahhouse.com/index.php";s:9:"link_next";s:81:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default?start-index=26&max-results=25";s:9:"link_self";s:51:"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/17498236/posts/default";s:42:"link_http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed";s:38:"http://theutahhouse.com/feeds/atom.xml";s:11:"author_name";s:19:"Utah House Majority";s:9:"generator";s:7:"Blogger";s:10:"opensearch";a:3:{s:12:"totalresults";s:2:"55";s:10:"startindex";s:1:"1";s:12:"itemsperpage";s:2:"25";}}s:9:"textinput";a:0:{}s:5:"image";a:0:{}s:9:"feed_type";s:4:"Atom";s:12:"feed_version";N;s:8:"encoding";s:5:"UTF-8";s:16:"_source_encoding";s:0:"";s:5:"ERROR";s:0:"";s:7:"WARNING";s:0:"";s:19:"_CONTENT_CONSTRUCTS";a:6:{i:0;s:7:"content";i:1;s:7:"summary";i:2;s:4:"info";i:3;s:5:"title";i:4;s:7:"tagline";i:5;s:9:"copyright";}s:16:"_KNOWN_ENCODINGS";a:3:{i:0;s:5:"UTF-8";i:1;s:8:"US-ASCII";i:2;s:10:"ISO-8859-1";}s:5:"stack";a:0:{}s:9:"inchannel";b:0;s:6:"initem";b:0;s:9:"incontent";b:0;s:11:"intextinput";b:0;s:7:"inimage";b:0;s:17:"current_namespace";b:0;s:15:"source_encoding";s:5:"UTF-8";s:13:"last_modified";s:31:"Thu, 24 May 2007 21:28:44 GMT
";s:4:"etag";s:23:""d59ce3814a9ec71:9cc"
";}