Where does the time go? There are only 14 business days left in the session. In a way Week Four seemed unusually calm. With the exception of the two Medical Marijuana bills being heard on the Senate floor, there really were not a lot of headliners. And with only four business days due to the holiday, this week’s update might be a little lighter than expected.
Update on Vaccinations
I didn’t expect to spend so much time on someone else’s bill, but I feel a responsibility to represent my constituents and this has been a very popular topic in the email inbox. Personally, I am a strong supporter of vaccination for childhood diseases (measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, pertussis, etc.) I am very concerned especially with pertussis and our inability to get a handle on it and would encourage everyone (adults and children alike) to be vaccinated. However, I have a profound respect for educated people who make a different decision for their children after evaluating the risks and benefits.
At the committee hearings this week, I realized that the bill as currently written HB221 – Immunization of Students Amendments tilts the system even further in favor of the “pro” vaccination camp. It increases the regulatory burden of government, making it even harder to get an exemption. I am also concerned that it creates more conflict and division by inserting more opportunities and requirements on opt-out families to “get educated” about vaccinations.
After meeting with the bill sponsor and a representative from public health and an opt out parent, I thought we had found a compromise that would increase opportunities for opt-out families to become informed and participate in public health response to outbreaks while decreasing the regulatory burden on them. It was a tough ask of the opt-out families to require public health response education as part of the exemption process, but I was able to get their support. Unfortunately, the deal fell through because the Local Health Departments decided to dig in their heels and fight any accommodations at all for opt out families. Frankly, I am embarrassed at the “pro-vax” community and their refusal to start bridging the gap and working together to support families and children.
This bill has one last chance tomorrow morning, but without a sense of compromise or willingness to be reasonable from the “pro-vax” community, it will not go anywhere, which is a true shame.
Special “Days” on the Hill
Here’s a quick run down of the special visitors and guests on the hill.
- Utah State University student body officers visited on Tuesday and handed out Aggie ice cream. I resisted. That evening we were treated to a special tour of the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts’ offices and space at the historic Rio Grande Depot. I have a new found appreciation for the Department’s efforts to preserve our culture, art, and heritage.
- Wednesday was very busy with visits from Outrage! a youth group that opposes tobacco, the Health Forum of Utah, McDonald’s (yes, the restaurant and they brought in information about their new healthy options), the Utah Technology Council (again), the Carmen Pingree Center, and an evening dinner with Dixie State University honoring Sen. Urquhart, who is retiring from the legislature after this year.
- Thursday brought visitors from the American Cancer Society (they support raising the smoking age from 19 to 21), technology companies TechNet and eBay, and a very needed and enjoyable break in the evening for the Speaker’s Dinner (no lobbying, just comradery and fun).
- Friday was a little lighter, but the dental hygienists were here as were representatives from higher education institutions, including UVU. I thought I was leaving early, but later realized that getting home at 6:00 pm isn’t really all that early.
Other News – Moving the State Office of Rehabilitation
The other major time absorbing bill is the bill to move the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR) to the Department of Workforce Services, HB 325. The Office of the Legislative Auditor General presented performance audit report to the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee last November. The report showed a significant lack of both oversight and support from the State Board of Education for USOR. Due to lacks of internal accounting and controls, there has been significant mismanagement of the USOR budget, requiring a $6.3 million supplemental appropriation in 2015. In addition, weak oversight and communication made the problems worse.
The auditors recommended that USOR be moved out from the State Board’s purview to another location where there would be more support and oversight. The committee voted unanimously to move USOR to the DWS, “lock, stock, and barrel” and to prioritize highly that current services not be affected. It turns out that I have been asked to sponsor the bill that makes the move and shepherd the process to make sure that it happens as the committee intended.
I have spent a lot of time meeting with stakeholders, addressing concerns and making corrections. We will have a public hearing at tomorrow’s Heath and Human Services committee meeting.
Please Come Visit the Capitol
I love it when people visit. I had three constituents visit me on the Floor. Bree Frehner lives just around the corner from me and works here as staff. Alvin and Karen Green came with the American Cancer Society and were able to spend a little time on the floor.
Bree Frehner visits the floor
I would love to host you as my floor guest. Guests can sit with me on the House Floor during debate and see first hand how things work. We can also arrange special tours and show you some of the inner working of your legislature. Just let me know a day or two in advance, so we can make arrangements and help you have a great experience as an involved citizen.
If you missed it, make sure you read my special “mid-week” post on staying in contact: http://www.normthurston.com/notes-from-the-first-week/
