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Show Senate Panel Increases Fee for Envirocare House Passes A state Senate committee has voted to ease the amount of money Enviro: careof Utah pays to the But not by much state corporate welfare They're doingsur prisiagly well and they're paying a too low percentage to the state Nielson’s proposed fee of $50 would have generated an additional $10.3 mail Envirocare nowpays the stat eachton oflow-level t wastes if disposes of in its landfill in Tooele Coun ty It will now pay $3.25 a ton or 75 cents more under Senate Bill 229 whichpassed the Senate’s Health ind Bi nh vironment Committee on Friday The increase is substantially less than less revenue to the state and county Significantly raising the fee, like Niel- son proposed. was viewed by Envirocare as punitive, said Alkema, whosefirm has been seandalized recently by revelations its owner, Khoshrow Semnani, made se. cret payments to Larry F. Anderson, the former state director of radiation con- $13.75per cubic foot re- Utah's fee to Envirocare other facilities like comparing “apea to a pumpkin.” Wastes accepted by Enviro- General's Offi Arguing against the punitive natureof a fee increase, Alkemahadan allyin Sen careare less hazardous than thosein the Envirocaresaves industries from going Friday was Tooele County Commission chairman Teryl Hunsaker, who noted En- D-Salt Lake City, would raise between $162,000 and $200,000 in During a hearing on the bill, Nielson could hurt Envirocare’s position in the competitive radioactive-waste disposal al is not based on anything more than a argued Envirocare 1s a lucrative and an industry. almost “protected monopoly” mean less waste volume, that is not spectively, Robert Steiner. environmental quality account The new $3.25 fee, proposed by Sen Nielson’s original bill called for the fee Sen cage foot and translates to 10 cents per-cubic-foot. Alkema told the committee, however, that comparing Envirocare with those trol. That relationshipis the subject ofa criminal investigation by the Attorney out of business by providing a low-cost dumping groundfor certain wastes. If making aprofit isa sin, then ’mina world of hurt,” said Holmgren, who also what was sought by the sponsor, Howard Nielson, R-Provo Carolina and Washington were$: lion for the state general fund's restricted new state revenue That's an amount Envirocare lobbyist Ken Alkema said his company canlive with, even though they oppose using such fees solely to generate state revenue Still, even a small increase in the fee to be increased to $50 per ton That story showed statefees collected at nuclear waste disposal sites in South 2c paying its fair share of fees to the state They have a cozy arrangement,” Niel This [$2.50 fee] seems to be son said BY BRENT ISRARLSEN A reduction in business would which means John Holmgren, R-BearRiver, who said expressed concernthat Nielson’s propos comparisonofwastefees in a recent Salt Lake Tribunestory: South Carolina and Washington facilities, hesaid Also coming to Envirocare’s defense virocare pumped$4 millionlast y county coffers. The countyfears s increases will hurt business at Enviro- », which along with the two other pricompaof the vate hazardou -waste-disposal nies account for 25 percent county's budget Lose $3 Million State Pledge? can’t hold out so someone whodeserves sentence. The verdict must be unanimous, The measureprobably will be tolerated by defense attorneys, ‘who don’tlo but wouldlikethealternative le: 2 F. John Hill, director of the Salt Lake ona $3 million pledge to Micron Technol Public Defenders Association ogies Inc.. to raise more money to help pay for Interstate 15 reconstruction As things stand, thelife without parole sentence is considered by juries in the penalty phase of a trial. But, according to Assistant Atty. Gen. Creighton Horton, it could as easily be given to the judge as part of his sentencing options. There is no constitutional require- The funds, a loan which would have be come agrant after the company finished and occupied a$2.5 billionplant in Lehi were approved by thestate's Industrial Assistance Fundin July of 1995 The Boise-based microchip manufac ment that a unanimous verdict be turer spent about $500 million on the plant before putting it on hold about a reached for any nondeath-penalty sentence,” Horton said. “That is a sentencing option andit can be argued that a judge. year ago Company officials have said they would like to complete the 2.6 million-square- not a jury, should makeit Ure sponsoredthebill in response to the verdict for Park City wife-slayer John Blanchard, who was convicted of capital foot plant within five years — after chip Micron could not be reached for comment Friday gislators say there is widespread homicidelast year but escaped the death penalty and a no-parole verdict because support for taking the $3 million two jurors out of 12 refused to impose those sentences. ‘We're not goingto let the money sit there for what could be one. two or even five years,” said William Greer, a legisla tive budget analyst SEEKING APPROVALFOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGES estimated $1.36 billioi It is uncertain whether Micron would be ableto get the money back should it The Utah chapter of the National Organization for Women holds a news conference on the steps ofthe state Capitol as part of a National Day of Action in support of same-sex marriage. Utah NOW chapter PresidentLuci Maylin, left, addresses the gathering Friday. According to Anna-Maria Straight, the Salt Lake NOW chapter president “When lesbian and gay membersof our society are prevented from enjoying the same lawful opportunities available to other citizens, we see this as no less than an infraction of the Constitution helplegislators raise more moneyforthe resumeconstruction and finishthe plant if the to have the te governor probably would Q:: can the Legislature help fund support programs to keep young peopleout of gangs? Vinee, Salt Lake City A: FromSen. PeteSuazo, D-Salt Lake “Of course we can. The real questionis will we? Dowehavetheforesight to do it? have to call a special session to reallocate the funds, he said That is why state economic developers are fighting the plan It's a lot easier to keep the money than try and it back,” said Rick Mayfield director of Utah's division of business and economic development. “We have made a commitment to this company But Mayfield and others in his depart ment are not optimistic that they will be ableto retain the funds, due to pressure amonglegislators to find ways to fund the interstate work without raising taxes It's an easy way [for legislators] to get Low-Income Groups Oppose Bill to Ease Evictions BY KIMBERLEY MURPHY E ASSOCIATED PRESS \ bil tha would allow landlords to evict problem tenants more quickly drew opposition from several low-income advocacy groups 3 he bill mery, several sponsor, Sen. Robert R-North Ogden, says he is make some changes to address The Senate Business, La a hold of a good sum of m The industrial-assistance among omic Development Commit economic-develoy the measure Friday, but ran out Martin Blaustein, managing attorney for Utah Legal Services, said hefears the proposal could affect tenants who withhold rent because ofthe quality of their community to support them,” He sponsored legislation about three time before a tenant was evicted. Previously, a landlord could put a tenant tion to the Industrial A und That would leave only $1.4 million in the fund — not enough to fulfill the The | now allows landlords to evict tenants three days after court papers. alled an order of restitution, are served A ion of Montgome bill would change that deadline to one day just days after not receiving rent But the current law sets upaseries of state’s pledge to Micron, said administra tor Richard Nelson. f they [Micron] went ahead with their plans this year, I just don't know what w would do,” Nelson said The Legislature also is lboks ng ducing fundingfor other ec years ago that extended the amount of For the most part, people try to pay the men, rent aid Cheryl Ek of JEDI Wo “Nobody wa » be homeless whi land tr re concerned about the tenant Still, he acknowledged, one day versus three days won't make too much differ opment initiatives now yo! ence, He said he would not oppose an amendment to his bill to keep the dead ters of Excellence Pr Ik ked lawmaker » think about how me me it would take for them t tighten up the process by eliminating a business development commercial applications for research pack up ut,” find the tired of she adde their homes done al universitic whether ‘DON’T PAVE OVER PEOPLE aa ity Der verat in the Leg Senate Bill 76, sponsored by Sen, How ard Stephenson, R-Sandy, had been re vised from when it was tabled earlier ir held a Usir that control to ind tak treamer service per-foot Democrats said wanted to expose the human consequences” of the Repub lican plan We oppose transferring vital programs House money to build roads,” Minority Leader Dave Jon from s Salt Lake City Among the comparisons 5,000 tee agers exposed to anti-smoking educ ation for the cost of 29 feet of highway, 3,736 cancer screenings for the cost of six feet of pavement; 1,428 restaurants not in spected for health-regulation for the The lations comy q cost of 1 comparisor $16.40: EXTRACURRICULAR BILL DIES A bill guidelines dents can curri ou it could not to “pave over fund highwa get cuts ductions in t it is and move. a that would create for the ame f spend out of school ities died Education Committee or statewide f poard he tion i the overcome the stig Utah High ’ tivities A (UHSAA) dictates the schedule of r ind speech and a HSAA al has r Utah an executive schools, The staff and a yoard made up of school-t aber Rep. Keele Johnson, R-E voted in favor of the bill and had strong word about the lobbying efforts of the VHSAA It offended me a great deal to be ac forcefully lobbied by them. It’s a rough thingto say, but this group puts activitie above school work,” he said UHSAA Executive Director Evan Ex coll said the group keenly aware that activities should heduled around om time. Nevertheless, Stephe stood firn ral members of ool board en coaches have expressed support f th t it's hard for them to show up ind kind of n they gomery said his bill still would requirement that tenants be personally with an eviction order e da a woul e too much State urd of Education trol aw m local 01 crit against the bill would have to bring order ee! Quote of the Day it Tenants think landlords havealot of The $28,125, she said, “We're not telling people not to drink, we're just telling them if theychooseto drink not to get on our highways.”? said Richard Brimhall Les Cragun, also a NUAA member, said drawn-out evictions have forced him from existing funds in the Utah State Of REP. NORA STEPHENS, R-Sunset to raise required deposits and madehim for tougher standards for drunkendriving See Story on Page Bel more cautious about choosinga tenant undergo a floor vo! » without debate. — Heather May House bills that have passed both » would come P.O Box 867, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110. Or send your questionvia e-mai to skapos@sltrib.com who owns apartments in North Ogden sive process,” andis a former presidentof the Northern Utah Apartment Association Utah lawmakers are making headway ep. Sheryl Allen, R-B wants to raise the pay from $1,500 to $3,000. If you have a question for a legislator. fun moving them, We don't. It’s an expen- on a number of bills in the Legislature. Friday that would double Board of Education memb: thatup in[the] interim.” the cost of advertising anauction often SLOW BUT SURE ACTION MOVE TO DOUBLE PAY A senate education panel uusness of the crimes they are com- ting, I'm afraid, has grown. So we haven't solved all of the problems. We still need to seek solutions, and really Sendit to “Ask a Legislator” c/o The Salt Lake Tribune Government Desk Hilary Groutage include which amends retirement-el irements and the powers of nent Board @HB215. which establishes the cir The approximately 22,000 teachers willeeach receive about $136 if HouseBill ses, The moneywill go directly to chersin Utah's 40 school districts. Rep. Ron Bigelow, a Republican from Salt Lake and sponsor of thebill, said that when administrators get the money first they buy basic supplies that arenot specific to the children’s needs Utah teachers can say, ‘In my class: room what is the need’? What will help se children? Bigelow said The cumstances under which a parent's dis. teacher makes the decision. best part raise for the first time in about 10 years starting this July, Allen said These folks work an average of 15 to a custody determination. Senate bills that have passed houses include fears the public will believe the teachers are pocketing the money. Teachers usual is a very reasonable request or health-care provider's independent judgment, and which actions are lawful fice of passes, Education. If House ill 190 board members will receive a pay 20 hours a week. They get more phone calls than you and I do,” Allen said. “This jourd of Education members must meet twice a month but meet more often, missing vacation time and sometimes for going work, one board member testified Allen sponsored a similar bill last year that raised the pay to $2.400, but the bill wit looked during the last hours of the session HB190 al ves | choo! boards the option of doubling their members absorb those , consent member who voted it up k In our minds we seem t fave could simply be attached to a tenant’s door. That way a tenant would not be able to avoid theor Thebill also would allow landlords to give a tenant's unclaimed property to and indicate a change of mind get for speaking out,” he said d after the committee wa: en the vote For it to come up my itt an costs more than a landlord receives from an eviction can be made, The prob for solved the problem, but we haven't. The number of gangs has grown. The number f kids committing crimes has grown. The ly missed the boat onand I intend totake Under Montgomery's bill, lem is that some tenants are still drawing ore We've responded with specia Youth employmentis something we real- legal hurdles a landlord must clear be- out the process, Montgomery said So he wants to shorten it up alittle year. In other sessions we've esnonde money for prevention and intervention. rvices charity instead of holding an auction as the law now requires. Montgomery said vurces but the ing and says to is Utah Le That doesn’t appear to bethe case this what weshouldbe doing is appropriating MARTIN BLAUSTEIN hesaid will consider the n next Tuesda: then taxing the communityto support them.”? Montgomery notedthat it usually takes a month after a tenant's rent goes unpaid before an order of restitution is even served — giving tenants plenty of notice of time before voting on it Committee members “What you're doing is in effect forcing people to the streets and apartment or property What you're doing is in effect foreing people to thestreets and then taxing the programs that face budget cuts in to fund the freeway work In addition to takin he $3 million promised to Micron, the state also would suspend its $1 million annual contribu Aska Legislator Al Hartmann’The Salt Lake Tribune Rep. Keele Johnson, R-Blanding, said the proposal is one of many that would money said Ure’sbill makes it so 10 jurors out of a panel of 12 can impose a no-parole life AKE TRIBUNE said Johnson. At that still wanted the company cutors fear may lead to appeals. It also, sponsoring Rep. David Ure, R-Kamas lators are considering reneging prices improve. that will make it easier for juries to impose a verdict of life without parole in capital homicide cases. The move, which seemsto go against the conservative get-tough-on-criminals ethic of most lawmakers, is actually designed to makeit moredifficult for a renegade jurorto derail a no- parole verdict. House Bili 48, which passed the Utah House unanimously, also makes a few techaical corrections to the death-penalty statute, eliminating some language prose- no parole gets a lesser sentence,” BY LESLEY MITCHELL Leg BY MIKE CARTER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS TheUtah Houseon Fridaypasseda bill for the first time, incorporates into the statute the stringent “reasonable doubt standard of proofcourts have required in death verdicts. “This bill makes it so one or two jurors Will Micron THES Changesin Homicide Law iges to $3,000, The local boards would cost The bill was passed i-), to the Senate calendar allowing the bill ability may be consideredand rebutted in both @SB18, which clarifies the actions that ¢ unlawful involvement in a physician's ash which modifies the mandate | be present at parole hearings only those cases where the pa: incompetent or pleading not Sen. Joseph Hull, That's the a Democrat from Hooper and ajunior high school teacher ly buy supplies out of their own pocket and seek reimbursement from their schools. He also complained that the Legisla ture is “playing games" by not allocating money for school supplies within the overall education budget. He said the Utah Department of Transportation doesn't make its employees buy equip: The Associated Press TEACHERS MAY GET SUPPLIES The Senate Education Committee passed a bill Friday that will give Utah's pt c-school teachers $3 million to buy upplies ment to fix the roads and then seek reim bursement, and neither should schools. 1 don't think it's the responsibility of the employees to fund ongoing base costs of the company,” Hull said ‘The bill passed 5-0 and will move to the Senatefloor for consideration > Heather Mpy |