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Show he withheld this bill, even denied its existence, until the waning moments of the legislative session. Then without committee hearings, committee votes, floor debate or public scrutiny he asked his colleagues to vote for something they knew nothing about. In that moment we went from the toughest state to the softest state on violent crimes against children. Rep. David Bresnahan, Jordan later told the Salt Lake Tribune, Within a minute or two of getting it, we needed to vote. There was no one in the room who knew what we were voting on. The governor must make a decision by midnight tonight. He can do one of three things: sign it into law, veto, or let the bill pass without a signature. Opponents of SB287 agree that changes need to be made but are urging the governor to veto the bill, allowing for a yearlong study until the legislature recon- Sex offenders bill causes grief Continued from front page living expenses, its absurd! she said. Last week after learning of several child abuse advocacy group efforts to get Governor Leavitt to veto Senate Bill 287, a measure that rescinds minimum, mandatory sentences for child abusers, Wright went public with her story. It shocked me. On March 7, my was granted visitation rights I couldnt believe how lenient the laws are and then within 24 hours I heard the laws were being made even more lenient. Even though the minimum, mandatory sentences dont apply to my case, I was outraged, she said. lobWright began a grass-root- s bying effort, telling her story and urging her fellow classmates to call the governors office in opposition. It was a little difficult but people need to hear my story because it makes it more real. You believe it will never happen to me. To see the picture of my child makes it realistic, she said. Wright expressed disbelief in the last minute passage of Senate Bill 287 by Senate President Lane Beat-tiI couldnt think of anyone who would do something like that, she said of Beatties actions which have been called cowardice by former U.S. Attorney Brent Ward. On the first day of the legislature Beattie passed a resolution that gave him the power as president of the senate to decide when and if a measure will go to committee; enabling him to propose SB287 with less than an hour left on the final night of the 1995 legislative session. Beattie claims to have kept the bill secret to e. protect the victims of child abuse from having to testifying to the legislature. However, attorneys like Ward feel it will have an adverse effect causing more litigation and subsequently bringing more victims back into the court room to testify. SB287 if signed by the governor will rescind minimum, mandatory sentences which require serious sex offenders to serve a minimum of five to 15 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole. Beat-ti- e intends to save the state money by reducing the swelling prison population of child sex abusers by giving judges more jurisdiction and R-W- ultimately providing sex abusers with reform instead of incarceration. Ward said passage of the bill will cost the state more money because people accused of child abuse will be less likely to plead guilty, resulting in more litigation. Also inmates serving a minimum, mandatory sentence will be eligible to file a writ of habeas corpus, releasing them for a new trial. He (Beattie) arrogated himself the right to rob the citizens of Utah of the most powerful weapon in our arsenal of laws protecting against the most heinous crimes known to man, Ward said. According to Ward, even though the population of sex offenders has dramatically increased, rescinding minimum, mandatory sentences will only affect a small number of the most serious offenders. Eliminating the minimum, mandatory sentences will not have a significant effect on the size of the prison pop- - venes. Passage of SB287 came as a sur- prise to members of the Utah tencing Commission who had planned (during the legislative session) to do a yearlong study and had organized a panel of 27 members from among prison and parole systems and the state prosecutors office. Sentencing Director Ed McConmie was quoted in the Tribune as saying, Now we wont be deciding the law. We will be deciding how to implement it. For victims and family members affected by the scars of abuse, SB 287 will add insult to injury. Id like Lane Beatties child to spend the Then weekend with my I he know how would feel, maybe said. Wright Sen- -- ulation. he said Ward criticized Beattie saying Presidential debate heats up over campus issues Continued from page 3 pened. Two disks were handed to me and both documents were different. I have no idea where they - came from, he said. Jemming stressed the importance of cleaning up the ASWC and obtaining a better reputation with the administration. The first step is to give ASWC more of a defined role and then we can get the cooperation of the administration, he said. Jemming, along with Robinson, supports the proposal to establish a judicial branch of ASWC. I believe in TQM total quality management, Robinson said. That is what the judicial branch will pro1 vide. The vice presidential debate was less hostile (than the presidential) as Arts and Humanities Senator Brian Pilling and current ASWC Vice President Jessica Hughes outlined their goals and aspirations in a friendly manner. Both candidates promised to support and assist each other no matter who wins and presented several ideas to improve ASWC Hughes is running as a write in candidate after deciding to relin quish her candidacy for business senator and seeking reelection at the advice of several friends and students. The reason I am running isnt because I dont think Brian can do a good job, it is because of the great support of other students. I didnt run for vice president because I felt my studies should come first but with that support I feel like I can balance things, she said. Pilling plans to improve publicity of ASWC events and wants student input to add a diversity of activities so that everyone can utilize their activity fee. Id like to implement an activity catered towards non traditionals with volunteer babysitting. I think that this would help to create a better form of community, Pilling said. Hughes feels that her experience over the past year has provided her with the leadership the office needs to make ASWC more a part of the senate. She is also seeking student input and wants to cater activities around student ideas and suggestions. We need to know more of what you want, Hughes said. Students are encouraged to vote on Wednesday March 23 and Thursday March 24 with final elec- tion results announced on Fri. March 24. Where is it? SALES MANAGER QERV1CE8 POSITION OPEN WORDS professionally composed Formats: Network Protection' The New Horizons Family editedtranscribedword announces printed. Marketing Systems Art of Selling coarse (a $5000 value) for no APATurabian charge. Small deposit for supplies Campbell. and materials, which may be reimPrograms: WP6.0WP5.1Micro-sof- t bursed based on qualifications. WordLotus Graphics: Make money while training. 30 AutoCadHarvard. years university experience. FREE 5 Carolyn I need amateur cartoon drawing. 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The raffle will be held March 31 at 7 p.m. You may 488-415- 6. SNOW holding raffle for quilt The Student Nurses of Westminster (SNOW) are selling raffle tickets at three for one dollar for a drawing of a handmade quilt that has been made for and donated by Lottie Felkner, professor emerita of nursing, and her daughter Marilyn. The drawing will be held on April 6 during the annual SNOW picnic. Winner need not be present to win. All profits will be used to send students to the NSNA Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. If you are interested in buying tickets, please contact Amy at the College of Nursing, Malouf Hall 123 (ext. 234). |