The Legislative Session starts on Monday, January 27, 2020. Here are some thoughts and ideas as we prepare to launch.
Town Hall Meetings
This year, I have identified three dates for joint Town Hall meetings with other legislators where I will be present. These events include free breakfast and you are invited and encouraged to attend at least one of them.
- Bills & Bagels – Feb 8 (7:30-8:30 a.m.. 350 S Main, Spanish Fork)
- Eggs & Issues – Feb 22 & Mar 7 (7:15 a.m. at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center)
Coming to the Hill?
An important part of my job as your representatives is to meet with residents of our district. If you are able to visit the State Capitol in Salt Lake City, I would be more than happy to meet with you and hopefully give you a chance to sit on the House Floor to observe the proceedings. Please let my intern (Jeremy Lance) know a few days in advance so he can make arrangements:
- Email: jlance@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 385-479-5204
Legislative Involvement
It is important for me to communicate with you during the legislative session. Please follow me on Social Media::
If you want to reach out to me, the best way is to send me an email (normthurston64@gmail.com) or a text (801-477-5348). Please make sure you include your address so I will know that you live in my district. You can also call my cell phone, but most of the time I won’t be available to take it, but you are welcome to leave a voice message.
I encourage you to use the legislative web site (le.utah.gov) where you can:
- See meeting agendas and listen to them (live or replay)
- Search for and read bills that are interesting to you
- Use the tracking service to follow fill progress https://le.utah.gov/tracking/tracking.jsp
Issues I Am Working on This Year
Insulin Access
Many are concerned about the unaffordable prices of insulin. I am addressing this issue this year by drafting the bill entitled, “Insulin Purchasing and Distribution Program.” Mindie Hooley has been a significant support to me throughout the process of this bill.
Tax Code Updates
I am a member of the Revenue and Taxation Interim and Standing Committees and have been involved in discussions regarding features of our current tax system that need to be updated. Here are a few bills that I am supporting:
- HB0049 Sales Tax on Motor Vehicles clarifies how sales taxes are allocated when vehicles are sold over the internet.
- HB0077 Education Funding Amendments sets a cap on the increase in local property taxes required to match allocation of new income taxes. The cap would be set at 4%.
- HB0121 Income Tax Revenue Amendments requires the legislature to return increased tax revenues to Utah’s citizens whenever that happens due to federal action (such as the recent federal tax reform) or have a vote to accept those revenues as a state tax increase
- HB0123 Vehicle Property Tax Amendments prevents automobiles from being double-taxed. Right now, if a car owner pays the property tax as part of registration then sells the car mid-year, the new owner ends up paying those property taxes again.
Poverty Solutions
- HB0052 Intergenerational Poverty Solution creates an incentive for families that are stuck in the poverty cycle to set aside money for their children’s education and career training.
