Capitol Window
Week: Feb 13 – Feb 17, 2012
Welcome to Issue #4 of the Capitol Window from the Utah State House Democratic Caucus! With each weekly newsletter, we’ll bring you up to date information on the House Democrats’ efforts on Capitol Hill during the 2012 Legislative Session.
Common-sense Solutions
You may have noticed this year that we’re talking a lot about “common-sense solutions,” and there’s a reason for that. As the legislative session continues, a number of bills and issues inevitably arise which don’t meet that sensible mantra.
In the deluge of political rhetoric we are faced with, we constantly here arguments urging our governments to make us less of a “nanny state.” But on Thursday this week, we heard a proposal from Representative Jim Nielson (R) which goes against that very principle. HB 290 would have forced couples with children to go through a mandatory “divorce orientation class” prior to filing for divorce, and would make the 90-day waiting period on divorces (before they can be finalized) mandatory for all.
Representative Nielson argued on the floor of the House that couples may change their minds if they are required to wait out the 90 days.
Representative Janice Fisher (D) spoke against the bill, pointing out the problems the bill could cause – such as situations where spousal or child abuse is involved. Representative Nielson attempted to assuage that concern, however, pointing out that the bill actually exempts abusive situations, but only when there is “clear evidence” of abuse.
Representative Brian King (D) also pointed out that the State of Utah should not be involved in influencing the private marriages of citizens.
Representative Carol Spackman Moss (D) also spoke against the bill, giving her “Happily Divorced, Happy Remarried” speech to counter Rep Nielson’s arguments that people can’t be happy after a divorce.
In the end, Democratic common-sense arguments carried the day, and HB 290 was defeated 56-14.
Bills On The Move
House Democrats continue to have a wide range of bills successfully moving through the legislative process. Here are a few of our favorites from this week:
- HB 263 – “Unemployment Benefits For Military Spouses” from Representative Lynn Hemingway extends unemployment benefits to the spouses of military personnel who are transferred out of state and are forced to quit their jobs. It passed the Senate on Friday and is on its way to the Governor for signing!
- HJR 2 – “Joint Resolution on World Class Curriculum” from Representative Marie Poulson urges Utah’s public schools to provide their students with reading, writing, and math competency, as well as broad enrichment opportunities in other subjects. It passed the House successfully, and is moving on to the Senate.
- HB 225 – “Child and Family Service Providers” from Representative Christine Watkins requires DCFS to post the name of a private service provider on the division’s website. It passed the House Friday.
Bills To Watch
HB 511 – “Eminent Domain of Federal Land” from Representative Ken Sumsion (R). The bill would authorize cities and counties in Utah to seize control of federal land through the process of “eminent domain.” The Office Of Legislative Research and General Counsel pointed out to Representative Sumsion that his bill may be unconstitutional, and that cities and counties (and the State of Utah for that matter) have no legal standing to seize control of land owned by the United States. Nevertheless, the bill passed the House Natural Resources committee on Friday by a vote of 9 to1.
Follow Us Online
Every day of the session, our website, Facebook page and Twitter stream flow non-stop with up-to-date information, pics and stories from the Hill. During hotly-contested moments, we’ll live-tweet it so you can watch the drama unfold as it happens! Join the conversation.
- Facebook: Utah House Democratic Caucus
- Twitter:@utahhousedems
- Website:www.utahhousedemocrats.org
Join us
We meet as a full Caucus every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 PM to 1:45 PM. Our meetings are open to the public. Please join us in room 400 of the State Capitol.
Sincerely;
David Litvack
Utah State House Democratic Leader
Utah State House Democratic Caucus | www.utahhousedemocrats.org