The “pin wars” have begun.  Daily, new lapel pins are popping up EVERYWHERE!

However, nobody seems to know what THIS pin represents.  Some have speculated the pin is a representation of the “Lone Star” State of Texas.  Nope.  Some believe this pin is the purest representation of consensus-building and bi-partisan congeniality within the bodyof the House–D’s & R’s living and working in harmony, together.  It’s a beautiful idea…but wrong!  Others have suggested that the proper wearing of this pin should be vertical.  Some don’t care what the pin represents…think it’s “cool”…and…just want one…at any cost.

What is IT???  I’m not sure I can say…

House bites are “sound bites” heard in the House Chamber.

First Up…

Rep Jack Draxler was heard to say during the “PROEXCEL” Bill (HB381) floor debate, refering to the inevitibilty of competitive teacher pay in Public Education…“Welcome to the real world…Grow up…and get on with it…”  (editor’s note: I’m a little hazy about the order. I’ll check the audio later.) 

Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) visited the House Chambers to address the body on a number of issues of state and national significance.

“We are a nation of immigrants; but, we’re also a nation of laws…” Senator Hatch commented as he addressed the House membership.  We need to continue to secure the borders in specific areas, we have installed a series of sensors along the borders, we have increased the number of ICE officers in critical places…We may have to consider BIOMETRIC CARDS for all citizens and legal immigrants.

On Unfunded Mandates…Washington DC–Congress–has the tendency to pass down mandates and then after the states have implemented those mandates, pull the money out from under the states, and leave them with the programs and no money to run those programs.  He cited the No Child Left Behind program which in many states has been problematic.

Rep Brad Daw (R-Orem), asked the Senator what Congress is doing to address the scourge of Internet Pornography that has inundated our nation, state, and communities.  Hatch called attention to the composition of the “new” US Supreme Court, with Justices Alito and Roberts.  The courts need to address the “tightening” of the laws already on the books related to this issue.

With less than a year remaining until the start of the 2008 General Session, State Capitol construction crews are feverishly working to complete the $300 million restoration and seismic retrofit project “on time.”

Join members of the Utah State Legislature as they take an exclusive tour of Capitol under construction.  Guided by Head Architect, David Hart, this nearly two-hour tour was something to behold.  35 photos show the Capitol as never seen before.

Click HERE for Tour Pictures.

Asked what the difference between Utah and Washington DC’s political environment, Sec. Leavitt responded “Everything in Washington DC is similar…just BIGGER.”

Mr. Leavitt drew attention to his recent trips around the US visiting with a number of states regarding Pres. Bush’s desire to further educate the nation on issues of “pandemic” proportions.

Asked what his future holds, Mr. Leavitt, diplomatically flipped the dicsussion to address the need for Utah to prepare for the future.

Calling attention to the fact that he ony has 711 days left (he has a countdown clock), Mr. Leavitt outlined a brief agenda for the next couple of years.  He says he’s visited with Hugo Chavez…spent quite a bit of time in China…

Healthcare for Everyone

A partnership between the states and the healthcare industry is the answer.  Having Washington mandate healthcare coverage is not the right direction.  Leavitt suggested that what’s lacking today is the organized market which allows everyone to have healthcare at in a competitive market.

NOT REALLY A DRUG…Airborne is an effervescent health formula (dietary supplement) containing a plethora of vitamins, herbs, and minerals. 

A number of Legislators swear by the stuff.

100% satisfaction guaranteed.

Created by a Second Grade School teacher.

Thanks for thinking outside the box, Ms. Knight! 

This morning, a few minutes before lunchtime, Rep. John Mathis motioned that the House observe a moment of contemplation and reflection on the events at Trolley Square.  We stood in silence.

What a tragedy.  Personally, I would like to express my deep heartfelt sympathies to those who have lost loved ones.

The Senate Site has a number of links to stories related to the Trolley Square tragedy.

Remember the phrase…you touch it, you pay for it!   

Recently, I chaired a meeting of the House Revenue and Taxation Standing Committee (I’m the Vice-Chair).  Under consideration was an interesting bill, HB158, sponsored by Rep. Wayne Harper.  (Click HERE for Audio.)  Wayne is one our state’s foremost legislative experts and advocates on reasonable tax policy.

HB158 partially addresses our need to look at future transportation funding mechanisms above what we are currently considering.  With $16 Billion in transporation needs over the next 30 years…we need to seriously look at transportation funding.  Generally speaking, people like roads, they just don’t like to pay for them–I’m no exception.  Unfortunately, Utah has hit a sort of “critical mass” and the time has come to suck it up and pull out the wallet.  Popular?  NO.  Necessary?  YES!

As amended in committee, HB158 will provide for an additional “user fee” at the pump…a two cent increase in gas tax every other year for ten years–beginning in January of 2009.  According to the Utah Taxpayers Association blog, this tax will provide $14 million a year for each penny increase. (Currently gas tax is 24.5 cents per gallon.)  By formula, the first year’s (2009) revenue increase would be $28 million…Third year $28 million (total of $56 million)…Fifth year $28 million (total $84 million)…Seventh year $28 million (total of $112 million)…Ninth year $28 million (total of $140 million).

The other palletable portion of this tax policy is the implied “user fee” component.  I’ve always appreciated the pay-as-you-go philosophy.  Because this portion of the gas tax would specifically “earmark” for the Mountain View Corridor Project in Salt Lake County a dedicated revenue stream, commuters in Salt Lake would finance a portion of this massive north-south project on a regional level.  This is GOOD.

This is just the tip of the iceberg.  With billions of dollars needed for additional road and transit projects in Utah over the next few decades now is the time to look at tolling, impact fees, and licensing fees as potential transportation/transit financing mechanisms.  Each of these “options” (tolling, impact, and licensing) is a form of “user fee.”

You touch it…you pay for it.

“(Utah) prides itself in protecting its children,” said Rep Paul Ray, during his presentation on the floor of the House of Representatives.  Speaking to the “Abortion Bill” HB235, Rep Ray promotes the need for the state to make a stand and to put our money where our mouth is.  The potential cost to Utah to defend this law some have estimated at nearly $2.5 million.

Rep. Kerry Gibson proposed an amendment (Amendment #1) that moves past the current allowance of abortion in the case of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, and to avert a woman’s death or severe health risk.  It allows a provision for abortion to occur if the unborn child has a terminal condition that would not allow the child to live past a 24 hour period after delivery of the child.

Rep. Steve Urquhart’s substitute motion (to adopt 2nd Substitute HB235) reinstates the “trigger” provision in the original Rep. Paul Ray bill.  The “trigger” provides that if the US Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade we as a state are right there at the front of the line to fight the fight.  We would NOT proactively move toward a lawsuit and effectively THROW THE FIRST PUNCH.

Motion to substitute Rep. Urquhart’s new bill passed 51-23-1.

Rep Eric Hutchings moved an amendment to strike certain portions of the 2nd Substitute bill, creating a “zero fiscal note bill.”   Rep Paul Ray, the bill’s sponsor, supported the motion to amend.  Rep Steve Urquhart opposed the motion.  Motion failed.

Rep Steve Sandstrom stood to voice his concerns about the current “trigger” bill–but would vote for it.

The final vote 62-12-1 .   Click HERE for Final Vote.

Taylor, The Daily Herald