Representative Brian Doughty (D)

Fantastic OpEd in the Salt Lake Tribune from Representative Brian Doughty on HB 64! Every state employee deserves the chance and freedom to use their insurance as they choose. Read it below!

Imagine that I am a state employee of Utah who has been working in the same department for 10 years. Now imagine that I have a co-worker, Bob, who has worked in the cubicle next to me for six months. I am single with no dependents, and Bob is married with five children (not an unusual number in Utah).

Bob has elected to enroll in the State’s PEHP insurance benefits program, adding his wife and five children to the plan as dependents, while I have enrolled only myself. However, my handicapped sibling, mentally disabled son, or partner, just to give a few examples, also lives with me, is dependent upon my income, and needs health insurance which I cannot afford on my income.

Even though I’ve been a state employee for a decade, I am not allowed to add them to my insurance despite the fact that they are financially dependent on me. On the other hand, even though Bob has only been working here for six months he is allowed to insure seven individuals.

While I do not begrudge Bob his access to the insurance benefits, as a state employee shouldn’t my dependents have access to the same benefits that Bob’s do? Isn’t that the purpose of a family insurance plan, to take care of our loved ones?

House Bill 64 is a common-sense bill which would give state employees more options and flexibility with their insurance benefits….

Read the rest of the article HERE

Representative Marie Poulson (D)

Salt Lake City – Moments ago, the Utah House of Representatives passed HB 21 from Representative Marie Poulson (D- HD 46). The new law will create a system for emergency responders to access emergency-contact information.

At the interim Committee Hearing for HB 21 several months ago, Cottonwood Heights Assistant Chief of Police Paul Brenneman described a situation where police responded to a car accident, and the driver involved was elderly and so shaken he couldn’t answer questions. It took several hours for the police to find the name and contact information for the man’s wife.

Other first responders have described situations where victims have lived for several hours after accidents, but because they were unable to speak, their loved ones were unable to join them in their final moments.

“This bill will create a database of emergency contact information with the DMV,” said Representative Poulson. “Any Utahn will now have the option to provide that information if they wish, which will be accessible by the police and emergency responders. This is a common-sense Democratic solution to fix a real problem in the lives of Utahns.”

The new law doesn’t require people to participate, but provides the option to do so when they apply for a new drivers license or renew an old one.

Representative Carol Spackman Moss (D)

Salt Lake City – Representative Carol Spackman Moss is proud to announce the latest piece of legislation from the House Democrats in the Best Schools Initiative. The new bill would tackle head-on the problem of ineffective teachers.

HB 115 creates a pilot program called Peer Assistance and Review using expert teachers to conduct regular evaluations for novice teachers and under-performing veteran teachers.

“Nearly half of all teachers leave the profession within the first 5 years,” said Representative Moss. “We also have a growing concern about the continued employment of ineffective teachers.”

According to Representative Moss, Utah schools need to offer more support for struggling teachers.

“We have wonderful teachers here in Utah,” continued Representative Moss. “But how can we expect the best from them if we’re not willing to provide the necessary tools to help them be their best?”

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, February 1, 2012

House Democrats Thank Federal Government For New Disaster Aid
________________________________________________________________________

Salt Lake City – The House Democratic Caucus issued an official ‘thank you’ to President Obama today, after the White House announced they were providing funds and aid to assist in the aftermath of the December’s wind storm.

The White House issued a press release dated 2/1/12 announcing that President Obama declared a “major disaster” in the state of Utah and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe storm during the period of November 30 to December 1, 2011.

“This is yet another example of the great cooperation between the State of Utah and the Federal Government,” said House Democratic Leader David Litvack. “Helping each other in our times of need is the very essence of democracy, and we want to thank the President and the Federal Government for acting when needed.”

It was estimated that the wind storm caused nearly $20 Million in damage, and the federal funds are desperately needed to supplement what the State of Utah isn’t able to provide on its own.

The full White House press release can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/02/01/president-obama-signs-utah-disaster-declaration

_

July 1, 2010

For more information, contact Ric Cantrell, Chief Deputy of the Utah Senate
Office: 801-538-1407Cell: 801-647-8944

LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMISSION SELECTED

SALT LAKE CITY – Today, legislative leaders announced appointments to the Ethics Commission, created this year in a package of reform bills. The new five member commission will consist of a retired Supreme Court Justice, former Appeals Court Judge, former District Court judge and two distinguished former legislators.

The following have accepted the invitation to serve on the new commission:

* Michael Wilkins, recently retired Justice of the Utah Supreme Court and former judge on the Utah Court of Appeals.

* Russell Bench, retired judge who served on the Utah Court of Appeals and on the Judicial Conduct Commission.

* Jon Memmott, recently retired from the bench in Utah*s 2nd District Court, who previously served as Governor Bangerter*s legal counsel and as director of the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.

* Gayle McKeachnie, a rancher, practicing attorney, former legislator, and former Lieutenant Governor of the State of Utah.

* Joanne Milner, former legislator and community advocate, currently serving as the Education Partnership Coordinator for the Salt Lake City Mayor's Office.

This new commission is tasked to investigate allegations of ethical breaches within the state legislature, patterned after the work of Judicial Conduct Commission.  Any allegation they find to be supported by a preponderance of evidence will be made public and forwarded to the House or Senate Legislative Ethics Committee for a public hearing.

Legislative leaders have high hopes for the commission.

"This is the genesis of a more open approach to ethics hearings.  The commissioners carry a broad spectrum of expertise in law, judicial investigations, and the legislative process that provides the insight they will need." said Michael Waddoups, President of the Utah Senate."Each one of them has a reputation for honesty and fairness.  Our goal is to ensure the light of open government continues to shine on the  state of Utah."

Speaker of the House, Dave Clark said, "The Utah State Legislature has spent incredible time and energy scrutinizing the rules by which we govern ourselves.  We are in the process of quietly transforming the very culture in which we work. This commission is a key element of that larger effort."

Patricia Jones, Senate Minority Leader said, "This new commission will pioneer the processes and precedents of legislative ethics investigation work.  Ideally, they will have very little to do.  If issues arise, however, this is a competent, fair-minded team who will do the job right."

House Minority Leader David Litvack added, "We believe our actions are responsive to the will of the people we represent.  We want to provide greater accountability for our behavior, better transparency in our work, and a state government that inspires citizens instead of disappointing them."

The Ethics Commission was created by resolution as a legislative rule. In November, voters will decide if this commission will be permanently enshrined and protected in the Utah State Constitution.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Emily Bingham Hollingshead
House Democrats Communications Coordinator Utah House of Representatives
Ph: 435.817.7203
Fax: 801.326.1539
houseminmedia@utah.gov

http://www.utahhousedemocrats.org

House of Representatives Minority Leader  David Litvack, D–Salt Lake City, issues statement on Lieutenant Governor Pick

SALT LAKE CITY, August 5, 2009 — House Minority Leader David Litvack, D–Salt Lake City, issued the following statement today, upon learning of Senator Greg Bell’s nomination to Lieutenant Governor by Governor-to-be Gary Herbert.

“We are happy to see Senator Bell receive this nomination.  He has represented Davis County well, and will be a good addition to Governor Herbert’s administration.  We look forward to continued collaboration with Lieutenant Governor Bell at the capitol and wish him well in his endeavors.”

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Representative Jackie Biskupsi to receive national “Visionary Voice” award

SALT LAKE CITY, April 28, 2009 — The Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA) has announced House of Representatives member Jackie Biskupski—D, Salt Lake City, as a 2009 recipient of The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) Visionary Voice Award.

During Utah’s 2009 Legislative Session, Representative Biskupski sponsored House Bill 132: Sexual Assault Victim Protocols, which ensures that rape victims are provided with timely information and access to emergency contraception when they seek medical care.

“Representative Biskupski was nominated by UCASA for advocating successfully for victims’ rights, and for obtaining unanimous bi-partisan support to ensure rape victims are provided with timely information and access to emergency contraception,” said UCASA Executive Director Alana Kindness in a statement.

The Visionary Voice Award recognizes the creativity, hard work, and dedication of individuals around the country working to address and prevent sexual violence. Winners are selected by their respective state, tribal, or territory anti-sexual violence coalitions and represent a wide range of individuals doing this critical work at the local level.

“We are very happy for Representative Biskupski,” said House Minority Leader Representative David Litvack—D, Salt Lake City. “Her hard work and commitment to bipartisanship at the legislature is evident to all of us who enjoy the privilege of working with her. It is wonderful to see her receive such a prestigious award for her dedication.”

An awards ceremony for Representative Biskupsi and the other award recipients will be held on Wednesday, April 29, at 4:30 p.m. at the Utah State Capitol Rotunda. This event is free and open to the public.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Emily Bingham Hollingshead

House Democrats Communications Coordinator
Utah House of Representatives
Ph: 435.817.7203 801.696.9183
Fax: 801.326.1539
houseminmedia@utah.gov
http://www.utahhousedemocrats.org

Legislator Works to Ban Smoking in Cars When Children are Present

SALT LAKE CITY, February 18, 2009 — Representative Jay Seegmiller, D—Sandy, will be joined by fellow legislators, parents, children, pediatricians and child advocates to discuss the effects of smoking in cars when children are present, and to outline his bill HB 284, Smoking Ban in Motor Vehicles. The bill will be heard in committee at 2pm on Friday afternoon.

What: Press Conference and Photo Op

When: Friday, February 20, 2009, 12:00pm, immediately after floor time

Where: House of Representatives Grand Staircase

For information, contact Emily Hollingshead -435.817.7203 or 801.696.9183

Or Jay Seegmiller – 801.550.5649

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Emily Bingham Hollingshead

House Democrats Communications Coordinator
Utah House of Representatives
Ph: 435.817.7203
Fax: 801.326.1539
houseminmedia@utah.gov
http://www.utahhousedemocrats.org

State Board of Education Member Election Process bill advances

SALT LAKE CITY, February 17, 2009 — A bill that would modify the election process for membership on the State Board of Education passed the House Education committee on Friday and now moves to the full House. Sponsored by Representative Carol Spackman Moss, D—Holladay, HB 150 repeals the involvement of the governor and the nominating and recruiting committee for the state Board of Education selection process and requires direct, nonpartisan election of members.

“Some have suggested that make direct election of school board members partisan races. But education is not partisan, and selection for Utah Board of Education should not be a partisan process,” said Representative Moss. “One reason this election process needs to be nonpartisan is so that federal employees would not be barred from running. In some counties, such as Davis and Weber, Hill Field employees regularly run for school board and municipal offices. If we turn this election over to political parties, many qualified people would not be allowed to run because of Hatch Act restrictions.”

The Hatch Act of 1939 is a United States federal law whose main provision is to prohibit federal employees (civil servants) from engaging in partisan political activity.

“The committee process is counter to the democratic process. Some have said that the committee process is necessary because it is difficult to get people interested to run for state school board. Over the past few years, however, there has been a heightened awareness that has increased involvement in public education,” said Moss.

HB 150 passed through the education committee with 11 yes votes and 4 no votes. It is on the 3^rd reading calendar in the House of Representatives.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Representative Brad King (Price) and Representative Roz McGee (Salt Lake City)

Representative Carol Spackman Moss (Salt Lake City) and Representative Karen Morgan (Salt Lake City)

Representative Carol Spackman Moss (Salt Lake City) and Representative Lu Shurtliff (Ogden)

Representative Jim Gowans (Tooele) and Representative Carl Duckworth (Magna)

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