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House Leadership Highlights Accomplishments of Successful Legislative Session
Following what is always a long last night of the legislative session, Speaker Greg Curtis and Majority Leader Dave Clark characterized the session as one of solid progress, pragmatic compromise, and healthy debate.
“It was one of the calmer and more productive sessions I’ve been able to lead,” said Curtis. “I’m especially heartened by our continued progress improving education funding. During my time as speaker, I’ve seen an unprecedented increase in education funding, with this year continuing that trend.”
Curtis also pointed to Utah’s continued AAA bond rating, balanced budget and recent ranking by Governing Magazine as the best fiscally managed state in the union. “People always hear about the controversy,” said Curtis. “But the majority of the work that gets done is the nuts and bolts that make Utah the best managed state in the country.”
Dave Clark, who shepherded an ambitious health-care reform bill to passage was equally pleased with the session. “Through compromise and working together, we found ways to move our priorities forward, despite the slowing economy,” said Clark. “Change never happens overnight, but we set in motion the tools we’ll need to improve our health care and transportation systems.”
Education
This legislative session continued Utah’s trend of strong support for education funding, with $340 million spent for public education ($200 million per year in new on-going money and $140 million in one time funding.) Fifty-seven percent of total available on-going revenue went to public education. Of these funds nearly $60 million went to teachers (teacher raises- $1,700 each).
Health System Reform
HB 133 sets in motion comprehensive health care reform in Utah based on consumer driven, free market principles. The bill includes a tax credit for those who are self-employed and pay their own health insurance.
CHIP reform
Speaker Curtis sponsored a bill to allow year-round registration for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Now any child who qualifies for the program can sign up for insurance coverage.
Energy Resource and Carbon Emission Reduction Act
This law establishes a target for Utah electrical utilities to supply 20% of adjusted retail sales from cost effective renewable energy by 2025. It also encourages energy efficiency programs and other measures that reduce electricity demand. Also included is an extra tax credit for new solar projects in Utah.
Banks/Credit Unions Resolution
Unlike previous legislative sessions, this issue didn’t become a major distraction. Instead, a compromise between banks and credit unions modifies the Utah Credit Union Act changing restrictions on member-business loans as well as other loans.
Animal Torture
Utah now makes it a third-degree felony to harm a companion animal (dog or cat). This bill found common ground between concerned groups, including the Humane Society and agricultural groups, such as the Farm Bureau.
Jessica’s Law
This law makes rape, object rape or sodomy of a child a minimum 25-year penalty. Now, Utah’s laws for protecting children are some of the strictest in the nation.
Transportation
Speaker Curtis facilitated a $80 million donation of the right-of-way from private landowners for a new highway between I-80 and Utah Lake, west of Bangerter highway the Mountain View Corridor. Along with on-going transportation funds allocated during the session for Utah County I-15 construction, major progress was made toward meeting Utah’s future transportation needs.
Veterans
This year veterans issues took center stage. The Legislature unanimously voted to appropriate $19.7 million for construction of an additional veterans’ nursing home to be built in Ogden. Currently there is only one such facility in the state and the waiting list is double its capacity. Legislators also approved an tax credit for veterans receiving retired military pay.
Equalization
With school district splits a hot issue, the legislature tackled the issue of school district equalization. After many discussions and proposals, the issue was resolved by equalizing funding across Salt Lake County, in addition to appropriating funds for school buildings.
Open caucuses
The Republican caucus has kept up its practice of holding open caucuses this year. Both members of the media as well as the public are welcome at the meetings.
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