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Show 6 Price, Utah Wednesday, Nov. Sun Advocate, 22, 1978 Citizens participation in state legislation detailed Direct participation citizen indications that tax filace in the limitation matters will making and amending of state law has increased markedly in 1978, along with the much - discussed taxpayer revolt which has swept the nation, according to Utah the Foundation, private, non-prof- it service in- public stitution. Sixteen states had propositions on the recent November which were placed there by citizen initiative, most of them dealing with ballot some form of tax or limitation, spending the Foundation notes in a research report released this week. In addition, there are ernment and an to do so. However, im- flourides or any other placed before the direct legislation directly attempt to return to plementing legislation medications to public voters at the next assert that in practice desired the before the voters or the principles of pure ( govern15 before a legislative democracy legislatures body, is one of the ment directly by the states in 1979. of direct people). It has been had no devices Utah out that initiative proposals on legislation which came pointed the November ballot at into prominence the Progressive the state level, but the around the turn of the movement developed at a time when coninitiative was used to century as part of the Progressive fidence in represenplace local issues in tative institutions was before the voters, movement politics. at a low ebb, and that including Salt Lake American Other common direct the present surge in hotly-debate- d Countys 1 legislative devices are the use of direct Proposition the referendum, by legislation comes proposing Americans unification. Initiative which citizens may when in petitions are now cause an action of the confidence govbeing circulated to Legislature to be held representative in abeyance until it is ernment has been Legislature to con- approved or rejected shaken by such things sider a number of by vote of the people; as Watergate, Korea mostly and the recall, by gate, and the many Questions, tax which elected officials sex and influence limitation. may be removed scandals that have be placed before of city-coun- ty the require The initiative, by which citizens may Employes' director defends bus drivers before the expiration rocked government. Utah amended its Some political ob- Constitution to provide servers believe the use for use of the initiative in of direct legislation is and referendum of 1900, just two years an expression distrust in repr- after South Dakota esentative gov became the first state of their normal terms. was not passed in Utah drinking water supThe plies without express 1917. until referendum was first approval of the people put to actual use in concerned. Utah in 1941, and the Proposals may be not until initiative placed directly before 1952. Utah has never Utah voters, by use of had a recall law, either initiative or by although one was referendum petitions proposed (through use submitting of the initiative) in carrying valid 1976 and was defeated, signatures of qualified in both in the Legislature voters equal and later by popular number to 10 per cent of the total vote cast vote. The referendum has for governor at the been used in Utah four most recent election. legislation times, and has always Proposed been successful in may be placed before legislative the Legislature by defeating enactments. The submitting petitions initiative has been with voter signatures used seven times, only equal to 5 per cent of twice successfully: in the votes cast for 1960 to provide a merit governor. Petitions so the submitted must be for system selection of deputy acted on by the without sheriffs, and in 1976 to Legislature amendment or Board forbid the State change of Health to require and, if defeated by the of Legislature, may be addition the general election by it has become a tool of additional providing to bring the signatures total up to 10 per cent of the vote for governor. Several petitions are now circulating, to place seeking legislation proposed before the 1979 Utah legislature. Utah does not permit amendment of its Constitution by use of the initiative, but it. Californias many states do permit minorities to impose their will on the majority, pointing out organized seeking that many legislation direct proposals are sponsored by identified special interest groups. "In the light of past history, it is felt that W. Dr. Oliver the present surge in Helper the use of direct Phelps, was legislation is likely to physician, subside with time, honored recently by the Foundation notes. Creighton University It is expected, and its Alurnnni celebrated Proposition however, that the in Association 13 was a constitutional principle of direct was He amendment submitted legislation will be Omaha. a Silver in the presented through the initiative retained of American process. system Anniversary Citation Direct legislation government and will recognizing him for was designed to be a continue to be used 25 years of service to needed and mankind. protection of the rights when He is one of of the majority against doubtless to accelerate 73 living persons who tyranny by an en- in use whenever trenched minority American citizens lose graduated from the medical in government. confidence in their school's school in 1953. However, critics of elected officials. Utah school bus school children, drivers are among the too. Do you think they nations finest and want an untrained should be praised for coach, teacher, fellow per- mechanic, or someone formance and lengthy off the street behind safe driving record, the school bus with Utah School Em- their children aboard? Association I think not. ployees Executive Director G. Though we Ray Holt said in Salt question unthe Lake City this week. fortunate targeting of Any the report, we are exreflecting the per- cited about the action of our it will formance likely bring in States 1,000 plus bus many of the resolving drivers should note the in hiring inadequacies high quality of these and training practices men and women. school some If are by there districts. And let me viloations of personnel add this: Most school hiring practices and a and lack of training, then make let those responsibla superintendents serious efforts to stay their quality report districts for those practices within stand and be counted, and hiring guidelines. Holt added. to be apTheyre The Executive plauded for that, Holt Director, representing added. 850 school bus drivers Of course, we have from throughout the These problems. State , was responding can be problems to the Insensitive and resolved by objective inaccurate represen- and not subjective tation of a report of training reports analysis released at and by recognizing by the Legislatures where the problems public Education are and addressing mid-wee- k Committee. School district and superintendents school boards allowing unqualified personnel behind the wheel of a school bus should be reprimanded for such practice. Certainly the bus drivers, whose performance the past several decades has been sterling, cant be ourselves to them. I have every confidence many of the violations cited in the public education report will be resolved shortly. We will assist in the resolution of those violations in whatever he way we can, concluded. blamed for driving without proper license or without adequate training. There are specific guidelines issued by the Utah State Board of Education. These rules and regulations are to be followed. One of our constant thrusts 0OMR UMlSWAkmttui MTftvEWT THE 1 I smsr OEM JAPWEt WAME WEKC NftCPfcP PeeKKMCP A mm oecuEneA CAtaiS JOMW CONSrftVCTKHJ TMVNCTR TTMPUC M TNJ MtfCTb, FCVV at the negotiating table is to obtain assurance that school buses are driven by well qualified, trained drivers. After all, many of these drivers have to m ecAr-T- i ABOUT IS A srATVWlpf, KX CAPtT CORPS TVAT PGUiS pRuM AMP to A PIFFEOEMT TUWe. ITT PWILUPS (TtVtOW RAtC PUMPS tmf corps' uvktorsps amp TKAvUkK EXPENSE S f Ann's Shop A Joyful Tradition Remembering.. .and being remembered. Thats one of the special joys of Christmas. 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