Social service advocates gathered at the Utah Capitol’s dumpster Tuesday, hoping to send the message to lawmakers that there are no disposable members of society. The group held signs and handwritten letters protesting expected cuts to health and human services.
Democratic Utah lawmakers say education is their top concern during this year’s session, and that means more funding. But as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, Republican leaders are set on making sure the amount of money coming in isn’t less than the amount that’s being spent, and that means cutting $313 million.
Delivering the annual State of the Judiciary Address to Utah lawmakers, Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court Christine Durham said any further budget reductions to the state’s third branch of government would halt progress that’s being made in the court system. KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports.
A bill aimed at making sure parents are notified when their children are struggling with reading passed a Senate Committee Monday afternoon at the state legislature, and is now on its way to the Senate floor.
The Utah legislature made history when it convened this morning as Republican Representative Rebecca Lockhart became the first female Speaker of the House in Utah’s history, now holding one of the most powerful jobs in state government. KCPW’s Jessica Gail has a wrap up of the opening ceremonies on Capitol Hill.
The budget is at the top of the Utah Senate’s priorities. That’s what Senate Majority Leader said today in a leadership briefing following opening ceremonies on the Senate floor. He specifically highlighted public education.
Cedar Hills residents who elected former State Representative Craig Frank before he discovered he lived in the wrong legislative district gathered at the capitol today, urging lawmakers to re-draw the legislative boundaries. Karen Herd said the right to vote is guaranteed by the state and U.S. constitutions.
State lawmakers are up to their knees in immigration-related bills to sift through as the legislative session kicks off today. But with a budget to balance as well, some feel the discussion on immigration will lead to procrastination. KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports.
Several experts came together at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute on Wednesday for a forum on ““Reaffirming Equal Opportunity — Should Utah’s Constitution be Amended?” KCPW’s Jeff Robinson moderated a panel discussion between Dr. Laurence Parker, Professor of Education Policy at the U of U, Jeanetta Williams, President of the NAACP Salt Lake Branch, and retired Utah Judge Jon Memmott.
A state lawmaker is sponsoring legislation that would make it legal for anyone to kill a feral animal. Currently, shooting them without a license is a misdemeanor. Republican Representative Curt Oda says his bill specifically targets rural areas, where people tend to abandon pets.
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