Legislative Coverage
Lawmaker Proposes “Family Policy” for Utah
LGBT advocates are enraged by a bill sponsored by Republican Representative Lavar Christensen that would create a “family policy” for Utah.
Author Archives: Jeff Robinson
Education
Education Budget Plan Called “Smoke and Mirrors”
Democrats in the Utah Legislature were united in their opposition to the 2012 public education base budget approved in both the Senate and House this morning. It increases funding to accommodate more students, but as Senate Minority Whip Karen Morgan pointed out, it eliminates several educational programs.
City Beat
Becker: We’ll be Skeptical, Vigilant on Pipeline
Salt Lake City and County leaders were taken by surprise when the federal government gave Chevron the green light to re-start its pipeline running through Salt Lake City, following two oil spills since last June. But after talking with Chevron and federal regulators, Mayors Ralph Becker and Peter Corroon gave their blessing for it to resume operations Tuesday morning.
Legislative Coverage
Hundreds of Inmates Would Be Released Under Budget Blueprint
Eliminating the Utah Office of Ethnic Affairs. Closing liquor stores. Releasing hundreds of inmates. These would be some of the consequences of several budget bills that were approved by the Utah House of Representatives this morning. They’re a blueprint for how lawmakers plan to trim spending by 7 percent across the board for next year.
Local News
Huntsman to Leave Ambassador Post
It’s official: after less than two years on the job, former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman will step down as Ambassador to China within a few months. The White House confirmed the news yesterday. Huntsman hasn’t curbed any speculation that he’s now planning to run for President in 2012.
Legislative Coverage
Governor: Concealed Carry Permit Should Still be Required
A legislative proposal to make it easier to carry a concealed weapon in Utah is attracting both friends and foes. Republican Representative Carl Wimmer’s bill would allow anyone who can legally purchase a gun to carry a concealed weapon, without getting a concealed firearm permit first. Supporter Clark Aposhian, who is a concealed carry instructor, says it wouldn’t have much of an impact.
Education
Herbert Opposes Proposed School Board Changes
Governor Gary Herbert is indicating he doesn’t like two proposed constitutional amendments to change how Utah’s public schools are managed.
Healthcare
Politics Up Close: Former Health Insurance Exec Speaks Out
Wendell Potter used to be a top executive at a major health insurance corporation, CIGNA. Now, he’s trying to get the word out about the industry’s abuses, and how it’s heavily shaping the health care debate in Washington. We talked with him about his new book, Deadly Spin: An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out on How Corporate PR Is Killing Health Care and Deceiving Americans.
Environment
Politics Up Close: Nuclear Power Plant in Utah?
Governor Gary Herbert is making a new push to bring a nuclear power plant to the state. Is that a good idea? We talked with Christopher Thomas, Executive Director of HEAL Utah.
Legislative Coverage
Politics Up Close: Gun Laws in Utah
Utah is in the national spotlight for a proposal to make the Browning M1911 handgun the official state firearm. But that’s not the only gun proposal coming out of the Utah legislature. Which direction should Utah go on guns?
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