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Show aturf Dtah enormous institutions, they are Lobbying can be as eliciting as opposite sens lrestroom? by Christopher Thomas Forum Staff Writer delivered and signed in time. However, the secretary couldnt wait. It had been a fight and I let wasnt going to anything go awry. She went into the womens restroom I followed her in. You proband ably wont see that kind of drama but I guess what this illustrates is it (lobbying) can be exciting, Wilson 20-ye- ar "Lobbying can be as exciting as going into the opposite sexs restroom, former Salt Lake City Mayor Ted Wilson told the Utah Nurses Association (UNA) prior to the organizations lobbying effort at the Sate Capitol. To demonstrate the importance and addictive spirit of lobbying, Wilson used a personal anecdote. As mayor of SLC, he fought for a sales tax bill that ended up passing a few minutes before midnight during his final legislative term. It was literally 30 seconds before midnight when the bill was handed to a secretary to be delivered to the governor and get it signed before the 12 oclock hour. Wilson followed the secretary into the hall to insure the bill was said. Wilson, director of the Hinkley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, examined the publics misconceptions of state government, the congregation of approximately 300 UNA members with detailed advice on how to be a providing State Legislature is unique due to its strong ruralurban split and the short time it is in session each year. Dont get the impression that there is one big monolithic party. Republicans will link up with Democrats and build strong unity power. Rural verses urban is the big division in this legislature. He said the publics role is even more important because the constituents are more open to lobbyists. skill. Lobbying is a know the is The key getting to members. Dont make the mistake The Utah State Legislature passed House Bill 60 (HB60), creating the Utah Professional Boxing Commission, which is designed to improve the safety and image of boxing in Utah. HB60 was sponsored by Rep. Pete Suazo, of Salt Lake City, after personally working on it for over two years. This new commission will be similar to those found in California, New Jersey and Nevada," said Suazo it will let other states know that we are serious about boxing in Utah. The new commission will replace the current Utah Athletic Commission, and will expand the number of members from three to five. This will allow for a greater geographic and ethnic representation, said Suazo. media-generate- said. Wilson urged the UNA to be bold and said that only through lobbying does an organization become strong. People who take care of people are the best lobbyists of all. Youve got to be active. Nurses will live with the fruits of their labors. When I go to the hospital I want a nurse who is politically active because that tells me he or she is on top of their field. 1 vi x dardized, according to Suazo. My first desire in proposing this legislation was to increase the safety of professional boxing in Utah, said Suazo. This would be accomplished be setting clear criteria for boxers, allowing for HIV testing, and establishing a computer database. This would prevent a boxer from being knocked out and fighting two weeks later, SS$ to he said. An additional safety item not included in HB60, but required by other states includes a mandatory CAT scan before every fight, accord- ing to Montoya. Theres a fighter in England who is barely holding onto life because of an injury he received in a fight, said Montoya, this could have been prevented by head scans before fights, like in Nevada. HB60 also requires promoters to secure a $10,000 minimum bond to ensure that boxers are paid, although there arent any promoters currently working in Utah, according to Montoya, there are people who want to try, but they are afraid that theyll lose money, said Mon- Boxing manager Tony Montoya that he hopes this greater representation includes members who are knowledgeable about boxing. The current commission includes toya. Both Montoya and Suazo are people who dont know nothing about boxing, said Montoya, I very positive about the passage of hope that we can get some new HB60 and hope that it will help blood in there. The current comUtah get some fighters to mission contains only one member the state. Its a good bill, said who is knowledgeable about boxMontoya, I think that it will help. Martial Arts were originally coving, and that position has been held for members same ered of the under this bill, but were later by family a long time, according to Montoya. removed after Suazo was unable to comsaid the that new Montoya gain a consensus from representamission needs members that are tives of the different arts. They knowledgeable about amateur as thought that I wanted to regulate well as professional boxing. Thats their amateur events, and so they where it really all starts, he said. wouldnt even listen to me, said The new commission needs to Suazo. have more involvement with amaAfter failing to gain a consensus teur boxers to help them become from martial artists he dropped that professional. portion from the bill. Let them HB60 was based on similar com- .kick the shit out of each other, missions that currently exist in Suazo said. Nevada and California and will help Suazo is a boxer himself and has in be Utah stanto officiated more the sport for many years. boxing said Wilson people just like you and me, said. According to Wilson the most is important aspect of lobbying personal integrity. When things get really competitive sometimes people have a tendency to fudge things a little. Always be straight forward with them. Dont use tricky strategies, they dont work here. Everybody knows everybody, and they figure things out. Contrary to the recent spate of criticism, Wilson d also defended the integrity of the legislature. Dont worry about conflicts of interest, Wilson told the UNA. I havent seen it at this legislature. Despite what the media says, that you can occasionally rent or lease one, meaning you buy an ear of openness. If a legislator needs a $200 or $300 campaign contribution from the UNA, when a bill comes up the legislator will think about the UNA before voting, he successful citizen lobbyist. Help your legislator; they rely a great deal on the input of the public. They depend on you for good fresh information, he said. According to Wilson the Utah Legislature passes bill organizing boxing in Utah by Michael Thompson Forum staff writer Tuesday, March 14, 1995 t 9 ' S' v l,i I M ns V VOU s VVA , r V 9 i v.v T S- - big-na- Ali. yWM .... A. fast relief from the nagging ache of taxes, we SRAs. SRAs are annuities designed to help build additional assets money that can help make the difference between living and living well after your working years For I 7oj TIAA-CRE- F tax-deferr- ed are over. Contributions to your SRAs are deducted from basis. That lowers your your salary on a current taxable income, so you start saving on taxes pre-ta- right away. are also x Whats more, any earnings on your SRAs until you receive them as income. That can make a big difference in how painful your tax tax-deferr- ed bill is m $ every year. 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