February 2011

Year-Round Public Market Closer to Having Location

February 28, 2011 Jessica Gail

Getting fresh fruits and vegetables in a year-round downtown Salt Lake City market is one step closer to reality. Monday, members of the Downtown Alliance and Democratic Representative David Litvack helped get a resolution through the House Workforce Services and Community and Economic Development Committee. And as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, this could help put a year-round market in the Rio Grande Depot.

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Legislative Coverage

Proposed Spending Cap Amendment Moves to House Floor

February 28, 2011 Whittney Evans

A proposed constitutional amendment to cap state spending narrowly cleared a House Committee yesterday. The measure, sponsored by Republican Representative Carl Wimmer, would limit what the state can spend each year to the amount the state spent the previous year, but allow adjustments for inflation, deflation and population growth. It also requires surplus money to go into a rainy day fund and a modest refund to taxpayers. Wimmer says if a spending cap were implemented years ago, the state wouldn’t have to slash the budget today.

Local News

DeChristopher: I’m As Prepared as I Can Be for Prison

February 28, 2011 Jeff Robinson

It’s been more than two years since his act of civil disobedience, but environmental activist Tim DeChristopher’s federal trial finally begins today. DeChristopher has become known as “Bidder 70” for taking part in a December 2008 auction in order to prevent land parcels near national parks from being auctioned off to oil and gas companies.

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Entertainment

Q Debuts Tonight on KCPW

February 28, 2011 Jeff Robinson

A new program that debuts tonight on KCPW is a fusion of high art, pop culture, politics, entertainment, and more. Q debuted in Canada in 2007, diving into provocative and compelling cultural trends. And starting this evening, you can hear it each weeknight at six on KCPW. We speak with the host of the program, Jian Gomeshi, a longtime musician himself.

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Legislative Coverage

Anti-discrimination Bill Likely Not Heard This Session

February 28, 2011 Jessica Gail

A bill that would protect gay and transgender Utahns from discrimination in employment and housing statewide will likely have to wait another year before it gets its day in front of the Legislature. As KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, SB 148 has been tied up in the Senate Rules Committee for weeks.

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Healthcare

Ray Vows to Fight On After Nicotine Candy Ban is Rejected

February 27, 2011 Whittney Evans

A statewide ban on flavored nicotine candy failed in House Business and Labor Committee on Friday. Representative Paul Ray’s bill would have banned stores from selling gum, dissolving strips and other candy-like products that have not been approved by the FDA for helping someone quit smoking. A frustrated Ray addressed his supporters in the hallway after his bill was voted down.

Legislative Coverage

State Offices Could Re-Open on Fridays

February 25, 2011 Jessica Gail

A state lawmaker’s bid to eliminate Utah’s four-day workweek gained bipartisan support Friday. Representative Mike Noel says his constituents are frustrated that state offices are closed on Fridays, so he’s running a bill to put them back on the five-day schedule. But as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, critics say this would require the state to spend more money at a time when everyone else is being asked to save.

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Local News

Teachers Worried by Proposed Layoff Changes

February 25, 2011 Whittney Evans

The Senate Education Committee approved a bill this morning that makes it easier to fire under-performing teachers. It requires school boards to consider performance over seniority when there are layoffs. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, educators favor seniority, because it rules out personal attacks.

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