The Legislature is back in session, and the first week is now in the books. Here are a few highlights.
Constituent News
Visitors to the Capitol
I always love hosting neighbors and friends on the House Floor. This week’s guests included the Provo City Youth Council. This was the first year that Provo’s youth council has come to participate in local officials’ day at the capitol. If you would like to visit the capitol, please let me or my intern know a day or two in advance so we can make arrangements to meet and give you a chance to visit the House Floor.
 Provo Youth Council visit to the House Floor |
Photo Highlights
For a photographic overview of my week, please take a look at the Photo Highlights for Week 1.
Big Issues
Unlike like last year, several big issues are already popping up. At the top of the list, I would include:
- Tax Reform
- Medicaid Expansion
- Election Issues
Tax Reform
Year after year, consumption patterns continue to shift away from the goods that we typically have taxed to the services we typically haven’t. That has resulted in continually rising rates, and frankly, the sales tax rates in Utah are just too high. High tax rates create economic distortions that affect our economic growth and future. There is tremendous interest in finding a way to broaden the base and lower the rate.
Due to several factors, we also have a temporary budget surplus. As long as we are modifying the tax structure, it would be a great time to give some of the money back to our citizens, reducing the burden of government. The big questions are “How much?” and “To whom?” My preference would be an across-the-board cut in the income tax rate, but there is plenty of room for discussion.
Medicaid Expansion
In November, Utah’s citizens passed Prop 3, which expands Medicaid (the government welfare program for health care) to 150,000 able-bodied, working-age adults. While I am not convinced that this is good policy (given that many of them are enrolled in affordable health care), I am willing to find a way to implement the will of the people and help those who are truly in need.
However, there are three problems with Prop 3 as passed –
- It is not fully funded. As written, the program will start running a multi-million dollar deficit within a year or two. That deficit will impact the state budget, ultimately reducing the amount of funding that could go to public education and schools.
- It does not take complete advantage of federal flexibility and funding to help us design a program that reflects the Utah Way: giving people a hand up not a hand out, emphasizing personal responsibility (those who can work, should), and using private sector approaches to solving problems where possible.
- It doesn’t address the needs of the most vulnerable among us. Thousands of Utah families with disabled children or other family members are on a waiting list for desperately needed services, and they will stay at the back of the line while able-bodied, work-able adults will go straight to the front of the line.
As this issue and possible modifications to the program develop, I am sure there will be plenty more to report.
Election Issues
We have learned from the past year that the current law regarding citizen initiatives is subject to significant manipulation and game-playing by monied interests. We have to do something to modify the signature gathering and removal process to create a level playing field and protect the integrity of the process.
My Bills – A status update
Numbered Bills
HB0046 will allow employees ages 18-20 to take drink orders (including beer and wine) at full service restaurants, but would still require someone over 21 to bring the drink if it has alcohol in it.
HB0094 updates the current law about carrying a dangerous weapon while intoxicated. I am working with the law enforcement community to come up with final language that addresses concerns.
HB0145 makes changes to the citizen initiative process so that everyone has more transparency about signatures that have been gathered, verified, and removed during the process.
HB0150 sets up guidelines and requirements on trampoline parks that are intended to reduce serious injuries. The core of the proposal is that all parks will follow industry standards and essentially have the industry police itself.
HB0176 will prevent the State Tax Commission from collecting the Age Based Fee (which is like a property tax) more than once per year on an automobile.
HB0226 will allow the state licensing agency to approve job training programs that focus on Competency Based Assessments as an alternative to “box checking” programs that require a minimum number of hours or seat time.
HJR006 is a step toward transparency in the legislative process. It would allow the bill sponsor to write a brief statement explaining why they are running the bill and what it attempts to accomplish.
HJR016 is a resolution clarifying that the policy of the State of Utah is to minimize the burden of government on the people in their efforts to pursue a trade, career or occupation.
