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Show The Satt Lake Tribune LEGISLATURE PoeaT FRIDAY,January 29, 1999 Senators Tell Washington to Stay Outof States’ $206 Billion Tobacco Deal Utah taxpayers have been funding some BY DAN HARRIE THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE questionable economic-developmentefforts in an obscure program drawing skeptical glances from lawmakers. Among the projects sponsored in the st two years: $10,000 to study the feasibility of a bed-and- Utah lawmakers have a message for Washington: Keep your greedy mitts off our tobacco money. State senators Thursday gave unani- breakfast inn at a Rich County ranch and an additional $10,000 forstudyingthe possibility of an aquarium complexin Utah County. mouspreliminary approvalto a resolution “urging the federal governmentnotto in- Even Travel Council Director Dean Reeder, who oversees the so-called destinati terfere” with states’ $206 billion deal to velopment Program, admits thereis “‘some settle lawsuits against major tobacco companies. fluff in there.” But Reeder claims most of Utah’s cut is $836 million, which is ex- the projects are solid investments, and he believes the Legislature should triple its pected to be collected in yearly install- current $88,000 budget. That appears unlikely. A budget adviser has recommended ments of about $30 million. The federal government may attempt to recouppart ofthe settlement money — or at least direct how states spend it — because Washington funds most of Medicaid the program get the ax. One reason: nearly half thetotal budget went to administration expenses. Says fiscal analyst Stan Eckersley, “So much overheadforso little in grant funds nominate this program for elimination on thebasis ofinefficiency.” health insurance. Lawmakersheresay theywill fight tirelessly for the right to spend the tobacco settlement monies any waytheysee fit. But they are adverse to spelling out whatthose spending priorities might be. Senators rejected a proposed amend- ment that would have stated an intent to use “a substantial portion of the settlement moneyfor public-health and tobacco-prevention programs.” Majority Leader Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, said lawmakers should not tie their hands by earmarking the funds Sen. Lorin Jones, R-St. George, said he supports dedicating some of the money to public-health programs. “But we should not waste it on prevention programs,” he said. “Utah is incurring an increase in tobacco use in seventhgraders through 12th-graders.”” Doug Vilnius Anti-tobaccoactivist ue tude. The group he represents — the To- bacco Prevention and Health Care Alli- Utah currently spends $200,000 on pub- ance —is askingthe Legislature to commit $13.6 million annually from the tobacco settlement to prevention programs. ‘Utah is incurring an increase in tobac- lic-education campaigns aimed at smoking prevention and cessation. In my mind, that’s adequate for prevention efforts,” Jonessaid. Doug Vilnius is incredulousat that atti- graders,” Vilnius said. Two senators who are doctorsalso rose in support of earmarking money aggressive anti-tobacco campaign. co use in seventh-graders through 12th- Too Shy for Cyberspace, Lawmakers Won’t Put Session on Web Broadcastof debate on Internethasits advantages, but some fear grandstanders would monopolizetime onthefloor BY JUDY FAHYS THE SALT Lal man of the Information Technology Com- mission, described someofthe benefits. RIBUNE House Republicans decided Thursday that they are not ready to launch all of their lofty deliberations into cyberspace By a slim majority in their party caucus, House Republicans rejected a proposal to broadcasttheir floor debate, asit happens,on the Internet. But they also seemed pleasedto have someoftheir colleaguesparticipate in four online forums. Elberta Rep. Bill Wright predicted real-time “streaming” of House proceedings would allow grandstanders to monopolize the Legislature's brief sessions. “You are going to hear the same thing overand over,” he warned. “It’s going to impede us; it’s going to slow down your [floor management] processa lot.” Layton Rep. Blake Chard, a co-chair- He noted lawmakersalreadyare wired to listen to floor debate in the Senate. By plugging earphones into their laptop computers, House members can eavesdrop on the Senate without ever leaving theii its in the House chamber. Political scientist David Schultz said Minnesota hashad little, if any, trouble with the technology. “Most of them [lawmakers] have said they loveit,” said Schultz, whois president of Common Cause of Minnesota and teachesan Internet activismcourse. “Citizens who haveusedit havesaidit’s Liesa Manuel, of the League of Women Voters of Utah, applauded the idea of making the Legislature more accessible to the public. She said: “It’s the type of thing wesupport all the time.” But critics had the final word. Rep. Don Bush, R-Clearfield, said he didn't wantlisteners — especially special work to monitor their bills in the other nice to have input at that point in the session when things get hot and heavy.” chamber. Another GOP supporter was Bountiful Rep. Richard Siddoway, who works with ing would make it possible for anyone begin “playing to the polls likethey doin floor that’s not open to the public,” he wasnot considering the idea, but Democrats endorsed it unanimously in their firefighter, surmised insomniacs would bethe only people tuning in. He said the told fellow House Republicans. Minnesota lawmakers have been using it for two years, Chard said, and Texas legislators even offer video of their pro- online in the next few weeksfor Internet come up,” he said, “but they're sand- chats on such topics as growth, transportation and higher education. wiched in a bunch of drystuff. I'd sooner go out and shovel snow.” Legislators can use this Capitol net- Utah’s electronic classroom, “There’s nothing we do out on that ceedings via cyberspace. In Utah, about $20,000 worth oftinker- with Internet access to hear lawmakersat work. The Senate, as far as Chard knew, separate caucus At least a few House memberswill go interests — using the broadcasts to hear his mistakes and take them out of context. He also feared his colleagues would Washington.” Ogden Rep. Joseph Murray, a retired fioor debate sometimes bores even him. “Thereare a fewinteresting things that Study: Managed-Care System Is Failing Disabled, Minorities A two-year project examining managed care in Utah hasfoundnavigating the system confusing and difficult, especially for minorities and people with disabil- ities. In response, the Managed Care Improvement Project established by the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities is recommendingthat legislators this year create the Office of Consumer Health Advocacy. Housedin the state department of in- surance, the new office would inform, educate and advocate for consumers on their rights and responsibilities in the realm of health care. “There needs to be a centralized independent source for our patients that doesn’t exist now," said Catherine Chambless, executive director of the disabilities council. “The insurance department already addresses people with insurance. We also want to address people whodon’t haveinsuranceas to what other areas are available to them.” Such resources would include the state’s health-insurance risk pool for Utahns with chronic conditions and the new Children’s Health Insurance Pro gram @ Increasing costs and decreasing op- tionsof health plans by employersis leading to more uninsured Utahns — between 9 percent and 13percentof the population, depending upon the study. @ Managed care has the potential to improve the publie’s health byincreasing access to primary and preventive care. The groups involved in the study in- clude various associations for the disabled, the UtahAssociation of Communi- ty Services and the state offices of education, health, insurance and rehabilitation. Bill May Toughen Rules for Flea-Market Merchants Vendors may have to start watching what they sell at flea markets and swap SENATE COMMITTEES HumanServices Room 416; TIME 8:30 a.m. SB98 — Child Abuse Database unanimously, requires vendors to keep receipts proving the new items they resell SB99 — Approp.to Investigate and Pro- secute/Women’s Shelters SB5 — Marriage/ Minimum Age Revenue and Taxation See Al Hartmann TheSalt LakeTribune High school studentsrally at the Capitolin favor of graduated driver licenses. Teen Driver-License Bill Gets Green Light BY ROBERT GEHRKE THEASSOCIATED PRESS erations. Thebill was amendedto include ex- State and Local Room 403; TIME9 a.m, SB84 — Retirement Benefit Enhance. SJR5 — State/Local Govt. Provisions HB24 — Band C FundDistribution teen-agers to spend moretime behind the passengers of drivers younger than17. Representatives argued that a compre- wheel before receiving a full-fledged hensive seat-belt bill is being sponsored driver license. this session and any Panel Vetoes Free Classes For College Instructors mously adopted bill that would require seat-belt require- “This is an attemptto get [youth] more experience behind the wheel with an old- er, more experienced driver,” said Rep. ments would fit better in that bill. Bush concurred with the amendments. Sen. Robert Montgomery, R-North Og- Don Bush, R-Clearfield. Bush's measure, HouseBill 10, would allow drivers at 15 years and nine months to obtain a practice permit for six months and require them to log 30 hours behind den, and Senate Minority Leader Scott Howell, D-Sandy, are co-sponsoring a similar bill. Their measure also would requirea practice permit and 30 hours of practice, but wouldissuea provisional li fore receiving a permanent license. It also would prevent drive: Youth Council, a group of high school cation Committee. Sponsorssaid the bill would encour- We support graduated licensing be- fessional education and stay current on thelatest advances in their fields. the wheel with an experienced driver be- cense at the endof that period. On Thursdayafternoon, the Governor's “We're going after people who are ripping off truckloads of products and thou- people from swap meets since many vendors don’t keep purchase records. Blackham Blackham said he will amendthebill so are not family members. Further, it re quires them tostayoff the roads between told the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Development Committee on ‘Thu day. Thebill, which passed the committee that only people who sell more thansix of the same item must keepreceipts, with alicensed driver older than 21, go cause we support the youth,” the group shouted in unison ing to or from work or school-sponsored activities or engaging in agricultural op- vote, now goes to the Senate — Peter Richins Health Care Insurance HB31— Income Tax/Disabled Persons emptions for church-sponsored activities and to removeseat-belt requirements for Leonard Blackham. sandsofdollars off the she Room 414; TIME 8 a.m. SB69 — Sales and Use Tax Exemp. SB72 — Income Tax Amendments HB25 — Income Tax Deduction for The Utah House on Thursday unani- were purchasedlegallywithina year. Somelegislators said thebill would keep meets, thanksto a bill sponsored by Sen Nat.Res./Ag./Env. Room 303; TIME 8 a.m. SB14 — Snowmobile User Fee HB236 — Driver Lic. Hearing Process hasnot yet beenestablished. Supporters crease the effectiveness of our healthcaresystem.” HB257 — Crime Reduction Task Force Transportation said $215,000 could come from fees paid to the state by insurance agents. The governor's Health Policy Commission is endorsing theidea, said Executive Director Patrick Johnson. In talking with 50 consumers and some of the largest managed-care plans in @The complexity of language used in managed care — such gatekeeper” — and barriers blocking access for minorities and the disabled “all serve to de- Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice Room 225; TIME 8:30 a.m HB83 — Accessible Parking Spaces HB245 — Domestic Violence Amend. Room 405; TIME8:30 a.m. Beck, D-Salt Lake City, will ask legislators to fund the newoffice, though a cost Utah, the study found: HB77 — Prosecutorial Amend. HB64 — Youth Court Act HB69 — Utah Exemptions Act Amend HB78 — Stalking Amend./Civil SB24 — Theft and Property Damage HB12 — Driver Ed. Requirements HB66 — Access ManagementIncentives HB73 — Leaving Scene of an Accident ‘Thebill, sponsored by Sen. Pete Knudson, R-Brigham City, and Rep. Trisha BY NORMA WAGNER Judiciary Room 223; TIME 8 a.m. HB74 — Comparative NegligenceAlloc SB81 — Cougar/Bear Depredation SB85 — Rural Rehabilitation Fund Bill wouldcreate a health advocacyoffice to increasetheir access THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE HOUSE COMMITTEES than 17 from carrying passenge 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. except whentheyare ders, rallied in favor of thebill on the steps of the Capitol Bush's bill, which passed on a 72-0 BY DAN EGAN THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE A proposal to allow faculty at Utah's public colleges to take free graduate classes at state public universities narrowlyfailed Thursday af- ter a feisty debate by the Senate Edu age instructors to further their pro- Faculty would only be allowed to enroll in classes that have extra space. thereby ensuring the program would not bump tuition-paying students fromtheclassroom. ‘This is only allowing teachers to Updateson bills: http: access that wastedspace,” said spon soring Sen. Mont Evans, R-Riverton It is not thatsimple,said university SENATORSBACK UP Senators made an about-face Thursday, scrapping an anti-ethics-reform measureit had approved on a unanimousvolethe day before, “The House wasa little sensitive about the issue,” said Senate President Lane Beattie, “It was pulled back.’ ‘The rule senators passed Wednesday would haveput a major obstacle in the way of any bill dealing with campaign-finance, lobbyist or ethics reform. It threatened to sideline one measure, already approved by the House, which would ban legislators fromaccepting fromlobbyists Jazz tickets, meals, trips andgolf rounds valued at more than $50. The Senate plan would have re: quiredthat the Houseimposeon itself by rule the reformprovisions containedinany legislationit sent to the Senate. Supporters claimed the move was in tended to stop “'showboating” by House members who will yote for reforms know: ing they will be defeatedin the Senate While senators backed off on therule they are a long wayfrom signing off on the proposed$50gift ban Sen. Howard Nielson, R-Provo, will sponsorthe gift bill in the Senate, But he said Thursday: “I'monlypartially converted” to the — Dan Harrie Oo WESTERN PRIMARY GETS A NOD Hoping to put Utahonthenation’s politi- cal map, a House panel Thursday gaveits approval to a consolidated Rocky Mountain presidential primary. Republican Gov, Mike Leavitt has been pushing for an eight-state Western Primary to put Western issues on a national plat formandgivethe region morecloutin se- lecting presidential nominees. ‘Thoseeight states are Arizona, Colorado, they are tired of being ignored by candi dates running for presidential nomina- tions, “I hate to say this: Vice President Gore comesin and skis and that’s it,” said Meghan Holbrook, chairwoman of the Utah Democratic Party Gorewas in ParkCityon vacation during the Christmas holiday. Weget very few candidates that even botherto stop in the Westernstates. They fly over,” said Rep, Ray Short, R-Salt Lake, sponsorof the primarylegislation ‘Thebill sailed through the House Government Operations Committee on a voice vote Thursday. It will go to the full House for a vote andthento the Senate. — The Associated Press a administrators, and Environment Committee Rep. Keele Johnson, R-Blanding, is soring House Concurrent Resolution ys the 10.5 million tons of tailings piled in the floodplain of the Colorado River near Moabare polluting the river andjeopardizing several species of endan gered native fish The U.S, Nuclear Regulatory Commis: sion (NRC) is expected to issu mental impact statement soon authorizing enver-based Atlas Corp, to cap thetail ings in place. NRC experts contend the en: vironmentalrisks are too small to justify the cost of moving the tailings, The cost of capping thetailings in place is estimatedat about $20 million, while moving them would cost about $150 million. Johnson's resolution urges that responsi: bility for the Atlastailings be transferred Nevada, New Mexico, A MOVE TO MOVEATLASTAILINGS liver more delegate votes than California at move the radioactive Atlas uranium mill has the moneyand legal authority to move thepile, He then wants the material moved lature’s Natural Resources, Agriculture Jim Woolf Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming. Together, they can de- national GOP and Democratic nominating conventions. Republicans and Democrats in Utah say A resolution urging federal officials to tailings to an “environmentallysafe loca tion" was approvedthis week by the Legis 4 to the U.S. Department of Ene which to a disposal site several miles from the river Graduate programsinvolvesignifi cant faculty-student interaction out side the classroom, opponents said The advanced academic programs typically require individual attention in the form of mentoring, counseling andthesis advising. Remember, these are graduate courses,” said University of Utah Vice President David Pershing. “Thereis a significant work component that is loaded intothis evenif thereare ‘emp: ty’ seats in theclasses, Pershing also noted that, as written, the bill would strip from universities thetuition andstate funding that flow into the institutions from faculty who already are enrolled as students in graduate programs, ‘This is a good concept, but it looks like a $250,000 budget cut to the Uni versity of Utah,” Pershing said Senators defeated the bill 4-3. “Shame on them. Shame on them, |
