Whittney Evans

Web Merchants Fight States Efforts to Tax Out-of-State Purchases

July 21, 2011 Whittney Evans

A war is raging over whether states can force out-of-state retailers to collect sales taxes on purchases made by their residents. For years, shoppers have been able to buy products out of state, whether through catalog or online merchants like Amazon, without paying sales tax. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, some states and brick-and-mortar businesses are saying that’s not fair, calling on online merchants to pay up.

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Legislative Coverage

HB 116 Opponents Want Repeal by End of September

July 20, 2011 Whittney Evans

A group of activists and state lawmakers rallied Wednesday afternoon during a special session of the legislature in support of repealing the guest worker law passed during the 2011 session. Brandon Beckham, who helped lead the effort to pass resolutions at the county and state GOP conventions, says the bill had warning signs from the start. He says those who voted for the bill and Governor Gary Herbert are traitors who will be held accountable in the 2012 election.

Local News

Lawmakers Debate Direct School Board Elections in Interim Committee

July 20, 2011 Whittney Evans

Utah lawmakers once again dove into the controversial discussion of reverting back to direct school board elections in a legislative committee this morning. A Democrat is pitching direct, non-partisan elections, which she says the general public supports. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, others insist political parties should be involved.

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Legislative Coverage

Report Says State Didn’t Lose Money Closing Main Street Liquor Store

July 19, 2011 Whittney Evans

A report introduced to state lawmakers Tuesday shows closing the Main Street liquor store in Salt Lake City did not cost the state money. Fiscal analysts told the Executive Appropriations Committee consumers have transferred their shopping to the Sugar House and Avenues liquor stores. Senate President Michael Waddoups says this goes against projections that the state was going to lose $100,000 to $130,000 annually by closing the Main Street store. In fact, he says it increased revenue by $47,000 from April through June.

Healthcare

State Pleas for Approval of Medicaid Reform Waiver

July 19, 2011 Whittney Evans

Governor Gary Herbert and state lawmakers made one more plea to the federal government today to grant Utah a federal waiver for reforming Medicaid. The request was submitted to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on July 1st. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, one stakeholder who had input in crafting the waiver proposal says it’s not ready for the federal stamp of approval.

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Local News

Wimmer Calls for Public Sector Labor Negotiations to be Public

July 18, 2011 Whittney Evans

A state lawmaker who plans to run for Congress wants to open public sector employee labor negotiations to the public through a bill he’s just opened. Republican Representative Carl Wimmer says when taxpayer money is involved, so should the taxpayers. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, an attorney who represents some of those unions and the Utah Education Association say they’re confused as to why he thinks it’s necessary.

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Local News

West Jordan Theater Arts Struggles Without Permanent Home

July 17, 2011 Whittney Evans

West Jordan’s community theater has been without a home since the demolition of its modest yet comfortable accommodations at the Sugar Factory Playhouse. The city council has promised the group a new theater in the new county library once it’s completed, but as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, those involved in running the program says the theater needs more than just a place to play.

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Local News

Herbert, Barbour Call on Feds to Let States Reform Medicaid

July 14, 2011 Whittney Evans

Utah Senator Orrin Hatch convened a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee at the Utah Capitol Thursday, where the message he and others brought was loud and clear. Governor Gary Herbert joined him and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour in declaring that the states could save Medicaid if the federal government would get out of the way. Hatch, the committee’s ranking Republican, plans to take their testimonies back to Washington as he continues to fight the Democrats’ health care reform law.

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Local News

Lee Opposes McConnell Debt Ceiling Plan

July 12, 2011 Whittney Evans

Republican Utah Senator Mike Lee says he’s willing to support raising the debt ceiling… under three conditions. The first is mandated cuts in domestic discretionary spending for fiscal year 2012, which includes items like education, healthcare, housing and the environment, spending caps, and a balanced budget amendment. He says the Cut, Cap and Balance Act is a demonstration that Republicans are willing to address the issue.

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