Utah residents who suffered abusive practices from big banks and lost their homes to foreclosure during the mortgage crisis are getting some relief. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, a joint settlement has been made between the nation’s five largest banks and nearly every state over fraudulent and abusive practices that resulted in millions of foreclosures across the nation.
A strike at lifelong employment for college professors failed to pass the House Education Committee Wednesday. Republican Representative Chris Herrod’s second attempt to ban Utah colleges and universities from granting academic tenure failed on a 10-to-4 vote. Opponents of the bill noted the state’s strengthened five-year tenure review, which frustrated Herrod, who says that was a direct result of his attempt to ban tenure last year.
State lawmakers are looking for a silver lining in the Utah Transit Authority’s mounting debt dilemma. A legislative audit revealed in January that it’s uncertain whether the agency can afford to operate its costly new projects. UTA officials say they’re confident they can rein in the debt, but as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, some lawmakers want to know how.
One state lawmaker’s attempt to bring Utah’s residential building codes up to date hasn’t been assigned a committee hearing, despite widespread support from local governments, businesses and residents. Republican Representative Fred Cox says adopting the latest building codes for new homes is important for public safety and energy cost savings, but as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, at least one organization is fighting the change, saying it would cost homeowners too much.
A proposal to exempt military personnel from paying state property taxes while on active duty got broad support in a House committee Monday. House Joint Resolution 12 is sponsored by Republican Representative Stephen Sandstrom, who says the legislature should do more than simply honor servicemen and women for a day.
Legislation that would ban teenagers from talking on a cell phone while driving got the support of the Utah Senate today. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, lawmakers have some concerns that could still prevent it from moving forward.
An attempt to get a statewide anti-discrimination law for the LGBT community on the books came closer than ever to becoming reality Friday when lawmakers met in a crowded committee room at the State Capitol. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, the bill isn’t likely to leave that committee anytime this year.
A government records request filed by the activist group United for Social Justice reveals the state has spent more than $85,000 defending Utah’s illegal immigration enforcement law passed last year. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, it’s calling on the state to stop wasting taxpayer dollars fighting an issue they say should be left up to the federal government.
Utah lawmakers are putting more effort into reducing class sizes in public schools, with a bill that would cap them in kindergarten through third grade clearing the Senate floor this morning. Democratic Senator Karen Morgan’s bill would limit kindergarten classrooms to 20 students, first and second grade to 22, and 24 for third grade. Any classroom that didn’t meet the limit would be required to have a teacher’s aide.
A bill that lowers the age difference allowed between an older teenager and his or her sexual partner received unanimous support in a House committee yesterday. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, Utah currently allows a 16 or 17 year old to have sex with someone who is less than 10 years older, but one Republican lawmaker says that age gap is too wide.
Additional Programming Provided by
