Dems’ push to foster public input fails in Utah House
From the Tribune...
by Cathy McKitrick
Democrats and Republicans skirmished Friday in the Utah House about allowing public comment, as a matter of course, at legislative committee meetings.
"This is the people's House, and I believe it's critical that citizens have the opportunity to come up to the Legislature and make their opinions heard," said Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake City, who floated the amendment, which ultimately failed to pass.
Current practice gives committee chairmen and chairwomen discretion about whether to allow public comment during panel sessions.
HR3 aims to write present-day procedures into the House's outdated rules, said its sponsor, Rep. Ben Ferry, R-Corinne.
Ferry strongly opposed Biskupski's amendment.
"It would make every committee meeting a public hearing," Ferry said, noting how much harder it would be to get business done.
House Minority Leader David Litvack, D-Salt Lake City, argued that people often travel long distances to speak out on issues.
"We need to let people know," he said, "that this is their opportunity to participate."
Rep. Rebecca Lockhart, R-Provo, also spoke against the amendment, calling it a shift in policy that needs discussion over the summer.
While Biskupski's amendment failed, Rep. Trisha Beck, D-Sandy, successfully amended the measure to insert a ban on electronic cigarettes in the Capitol. HR3 passed unanimously with 75 votes.
