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Show 6A The Salt Lake Tribune, 17, 1986 Friday. January Panel Backs Bill Making Kings Birthday Utah Holiday ees already use as a personal preference day. "So we're not adding more time off, were just substituting, he said. Mr. Findlay said, however, that the employees personnel preference day is a misnomer. He said they have 11 official holidays, plus 13 vacation days accumulated by earning four hours of leave time per pay period during the years 26 pay periods. By adding a 12th holiday and thereby eliminating a day s worth of paid vacation, the state must lower the earned leave time to about 3.96 hours per pay period to come up with 12 days instead of 13. The computing problems the fractional number will create Continued From l United States has a $2 trillion deficit, we have a negative balance of trade with many other countries and we are becoming a second-ratnation because we are not competitive in the marketplace. I would urge defeat of this bill for economic reasons. But Geno Plummer, a member of the large audience that attended the meeting because of the King bill, said I don't see how this nation is going to go that much further in debt by the passage of this bill. I dont understand that argument at all. Sen. Williams also noted his bill would replace what state employ A-- e end up costing the state said. But most of the senators viewed that as a minor hurdle. "We're trying to honor the memory of a man who did a great deal for the human race . , , who helped gain civil rights for a great many people through peaceful means, not through violence. That, to me, is the crux of this issue here today, said Senate Minority LeadLake. er Rex Black, We read where some people dont think we should honor Dr. King because they say he didnt do anything for the people of Utah, said Dr. Afesa Adams, a University of Utah professor. Well I am a Utahn, she said. I grew up right here in Salt Lake City, and Dr. King did a great deal for me." She spoke of being turned away at the door of Salt Lake City restaurants and being told she had to sit in the balcony in Salt Lake City movie theaters while growing up in Utah. She said she couldn't get a summer job while going to school and felt discriminatory pressure when attempting to buy a home as an adult. s Since the movement of the early 1960s, spawned largely by Dr. King, she has felt "liberated, she said. "Now you legislators are able to move toward the principle of liberty that the people of this state could about $43,000, he lt civil-right- claim to believe in, she added. "This is a symbolic gesture in support of human rights. Alberta Henry, president of the Salt Lake Chapter of the N4ACP, told the committee the bill was giving the Legislature a chance to rectify the sorry past of racial discrimination in the state. "Utah should be in the forefront s she of legislation said. This is a chance to take a step in that direction. Two other bills dealing with the King holiday are sponsored by Reps. Robert Sykes and Frances Lake. Merrill, both The Sykes bill would eliminate Abraham Lincolns birthday as a holiday and combine it with civil-right- lt cutting act on state government is "pure speculation" now, although budget staff is trying to pin it down. Federal funds already have been declining yearly in the 1980s, and I accept that as a fact to cope with, he added. His willingness to permit local gov Parker Tribune Political Editor legislative proposal for $1.1 million in state aid to Westminster College makes economic sense to lower potential government costs for students who might otherwise enter the n system, Gov. Giblic Bangerter said Thursday. The aid is proposed by the goverFernor to help renovate ry Hall for more classroom space at the private, independent four-yea- r liberal arts institution. I Gov. Bangerter commented at his Jnonthly news conference aired by tie University of Utahs KUED public broadcasting station, t He explained the state has a stake )B helping Westminster train resident Nugents because many of those same ptudents, denied that opportunity, stoiftd end upld the public system where the state would pay an even jp'eeter proportion of their education than the cost of private classroom remodeling. .referred to the precedent-set-Jn- f proposal in an earlier legislative miens as "economically defensible. fit toe same time reservations were Ai$id about the potential for opening jkedoor to ongoing, costlier aid for private institutions. Theres always that fear, he but the Westminster e is represented as a ajit, although Ive been around long enough to know that may turn tq more. Btigham Young University, owned y tie Church of Jesus Christ of Saints, is another private attended by a substantial ijjriber of Utah residents, but I dont jfe pny move there for similar state djthe governor said. related proposed bill, sponsored jfy 3pn. Richard J. Carling, 600 City, sets up a legal framework ifcr'Vate financial assistance to It appears to exclude jcC direct aid to church-owne- d A - higher-educatio- water project fund, particularly upstream impoundment projects on the Bear River drainage, he noted. Gov. Bangerter said repealing previous sales tax mptions granted mining and manuuturing materials used in busint s expansion or improvement would be viewed as a h ernments to use a sales tax July 1, 1987 sooner than now is subject to the scheduled by law money (representing about $30 million yearly) no longer being needed for flood mitigation, the governor pointed out. And this also needs to be approved by the Legislature, which previously dedicated the tax source for four years to a one-eight- state policy reversal from economic development pledges. He was also wary of hiking other taxes to lower local property taxes because it could result in more regressive taxation of lower income people and make it difficult for the state to increase the sales or income tax in the 'uture for its own purposes. hr et one-tim- 5 t' Lat-r-)la- lt s. Attols. wialifying would be private, ar t. n i proposes Utah fund renovation of Ferry Hall to make room for classes at private, independent institution. non-mt- it institutions which provide a collegiate grade (j$mum two-yepfbgram in liberal arts or sciences Hading to a baccalaureate degree. Tffa doesnt include, the initial draft Upstates, an educational organization used for sectarian instruction, ait, place of religious teaching or dofship or for any religious domination . . . Senate Bill 97, titled the Utah Assistance Act for Nonpublic of Higher Education, Sstitutions intent to promote public welfare by the private aid, and a for financial Sts upof procedure schools and alloqualifying cation of aid on the basis of resident Utah students enrolled. Gov. Bangerters $1.1 million request for Westminster renovation ftinds is tucked away separately as OQe of the items in a requested $33.5 million bond issue for a variety of state capital developments. The money was also sought in 1984 by former Gov. Scott M. Matheson. Ferry Hall, which is listed as a national historic site, has been vacant for the last two years because of deterioration aqd failure to meet the fire and safety building codes, explained Scott C. Gilmore, a state budget The intent is for Westminster College to match the state appropriation to complete the renovation, he added. The building has been used in the past as a dormitory, and for faculty offices and classroom and laboratory space. Westminster College was established in 1875 as a Presbyterian Church prep school, and beer me a four-yea- r institution in 1944 The church connection was severed in 1974, and it has seen its highest enrollments within the last five years. About 1,300 were enrolled this fall, with 84 percent of the student body from Utah, according to school officials. In other news conference matters, Gov. Bangerter said he wont alter his proposed budget immediately to cover a potential loss of federal funds for the State Training School. Instead, he said, "I will argue against the imposing of the sanctions. The Department of Social Services told a legislative committee Wednesday the loss of $14 million in Medicaid funds is threatened Feb. 22 due to federal decertification of the institution because of a too low ratio. To increase the ratio, the state goal is to divert patients to community residential programs requiring $2 million in state funds over three years. pov. Bangerter said the impact of federal deficit the Gramm-Rudmastaff-to-patie- Gov. Norm Bangerter says Utah has a stake in helping Westminster College train resident students. Governor House GOP: Cut Costs Before Draining Flood Funds By Dan Bates Tribune Staff Writer If their Thursday caucus posture holds up, Utah House Republicans would selectively cut programs or delay capital costs to balance the current 1985-8- 6 budget before dipping into flood funds, a radical departure from Gov. Norm Bangerters wish. Even if that position degenerates like best-lai- d caucus plans can as a GOP legislative session proceeds representatives made it clear that, until push becomes shove, the onetime" $56 million remaining for flood abatement should be for keeping some continuous spending intact. By next week, the Legislatures fiscal analyst is expected to draft a hit list" of potential reductions or deferments in general-fun- d programs and capital-projec- t cuts to make up an estimated $25 million shortfall before ts the 1985-8- 6 fiscal year ends June 30. That list will likely be circulated among the Utah Senate as well. But before the y legislative e session ends on Feb. 26, revised projections will become factors in setting a definitive budgetary income from the approach. Sales-ta- x Christmas retail season is expected to help but not enough to paint a redink scenario black. In a split caucus vote Thursday, state-revenu- House Republicans also supported a more conservative attitude on the pending 1986-8- 7 budget package than Gov. Bangerters proposal reflects. During typically tough caucus talk, representatives seemed to back away from treating public and higher eduthe governors top spending cation as completely sacrosanct priority in next years budget scheme. For example, analyst options for that they sided with would eliminate Gov. Bangerters notion for a 2 percent funding increase in d programs, including a 2 percent teacher-pa- y increase, and added, new money for career ladders. 1986-8- 7 pupil-weighte- A Lawmakers Sing the Praises Of State Song Nominees legislative; CALENDAR 4th Day SENATE Bills Passed SB 10 (Cornaby) Provide tor recovery of attorney tees and costs of suit In nonforeclosure actions for nonpayment of condominium common expenses. By Senate 22-Bills Introduced SB126 (Flnllnson) Create and describe the use of a state water plan account, Transfer S5 million from the water resouces conservation and development fund to that account. SB127 (Hlllyord) Relate to the limitation public employees have In hiring their relatives. SB 128 (Strattord) Give the Commission of Public Safety authority to regulate pedestrian vehicles used by physically disabled persons. SB 129 (Barton) Provide tor a waterfowl stamp; describe how revenue from the stamp will be used and create o waterfowl stamp committee. SBI30 (Corling) Clarify the unlawful toking ot a vehicle SB 13 (Renstrom) Establish an orderly dismissal procedure for higher education H0USE Bills Passed HB80 (Bradford) Revamp statutes related structures of state and local school boards. By House 64-HB81 (Bradford) Revamp statutes related to public education fiscal procedures. By . House HB1 14 (Bi adford) Provide (or the selection ot local school board superintendents on outstanding professional qualifications. By House 4918. Bills Introduced HBI97 (Knowlton) Establish the Interest rale on delinquent personal property taxes. HB198 (Reber) Prohibit on Individual from using fraudulent education credentials. HB199 (Johnson) Permit local schools boards to check an Individual's criminal background when applying tor employment with the school district. HB200 (Sellenelt) Require that agencies specify In o rule what the applicable penalties ore HB20I (McKeachnle) Amend the definition of local public procurement unit within the Utah Procurement Code. HB702 (Phelps) Require the Division ot Occupational and Professional Licensing to follow the recommendations of the llcenselng boards and hearing officers. to the I. Utah may eventually land a new official state song at the tune of $12,000. The House State and Local Affairs Committee has voted to table two state song proposals for now. Members decided to ask an appropriations subcommittee to fund a statewide contest to lend harmony to a final selection, probably next year. Reps. Ronald Stephens, and Tom Christensen, brought their choices to the committee this week. The Ogden representative is backing "Oh, Utahs My Home, a composition by a Weber County school official that the House rejected last after voicing a sentiment to entertain more selections. The Christensen song is "Utahs The Place I Call Home." Rep. Stephens wants to relegate Utah, We Love Thee" considered the state song but with "relito the offigious implications" cial state hymn. Utahs My Home Forever as the official hymn. Last year, fans of Utah, We Love Thee protested its potential slip from the spotlight, causing legislators to orchestrate the contest idea. The Utah Art Council recently informed lawmakers that, with it would coordinate a $12,000, even providstatewide audition ing five Utahns and five judges. "I think there are other things I'd rather spend $12,000 on this year than on a contest for a state song," offered Rep. Jack DeMann, noting the states tight budget plight. "We've waited this long. I think we can wait a little longer." But other committee members disagreed, agreeing to ask the Joint Community and Economic Development Appropriations Subwhich scrutinizes committee the Utah Art Councils expendito recommend the money. tures Rep. Christensen proposes n They would fund growth but scratch a 2 percent raise for Utahs college educators. They would also forgo major costs in other areas, such as a $1 million plan to implement a new state appeals court. public-educatio- However, GOP House and Senate leadership, in an informal vote, have agreed to protect public education's basic program from any reductions for balancing the current deficit, half of which they would cover with other select cuts and half with flood money. House members didn't argue with the education part. Id warn against making hard-lin- e decisions on 1986-8budget specifics this early on in the session, advised House Speaker Robert H. Garff, "To avoid people beating on us, listen to them, and well make our hard decisions down the line." 7 Nolan Karras, of the Legislature's Execu- Rep. ts Sham Degrees Attacked Aiding Westminster Will Pay Off, Bangerter Says By Douglas L. George Washingtons birthday to make one Presidents Day holiday, rather than the current situation of two February holidays honoring those two presidents. The Merrill bill would simply mandate the governor delete one of the 12 existing state holidays to make room for the King holiday if the Legislature chooses to officialcivil-righly commemorate the leader. Gov. Norm Bangerter, during a press conference Thursday, said he would sign the King Holiday bill into law if the Legislature worked it out so another holiday was eliminated. He didnt specify the holiday that could be dropped. tive Appropriations Committee, said that incorporating any of the flood reserve into the new budget is telling the people that therell be a tax increase in 1988. Like bonding, most lawmakers prefer something else, although there is a reluctant-but-growinresignation to a tax hike then. g Senate Gets Tougher on Child Abuse By Paul Roily Tribune Staff Writer The Utah Senate gave tentative apdiproval to a bill aimed at ploma mills and advanced a measure that would increase the penalties for child abuse Thursday during the busiest day yet in the first week of the 1986 Legislature. The "diploma mill bill, sponsored Peterson, by Rep. C.E. Chuck advanced from the Senates second reading calendar to the third reading calendar. That is a preliminary approval for the measure, which still must pass the third reading calendar vote before it is sent to the House for its consideration. After the preliminary approval, the bill was immediately tabled to give senators and other interested people more time to review it before it is ready for another vote. The bill would force institutions offering educational degrees to submit a registration statement with the state that would be subject to public review. The statement would need to describe details of the educational program and the types of degrees, certificates or other commemorations it offers. Im worried Utah may becoming the diploma mill capital of the United States, Sen. Peterson said, adding that most states already have laws protecting against schools that offer allegedly worthless college degrees for a fee. This is an important piece of legislation because I believe it can stop the problem before it becomes serious, Sen. Peterson said. An amendment by Sen. Darrell increased the Renstrom, penalty for violating the proposed statute from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor, meaning a violator, if it is a corporation, could face a fine of up to $5,000. The bill excludes institutions that trade- - or are mostly state-funde- indu- d, educational stry-approved grams, schools backed by a bona fide church and several other categories. Sen. Peterson said the measure was aimed just at the companies that incorporate, lease an office and sell diplomas without a real education program to back it up. Sen. Dix McMullin, Jordan, suggested the bill be tabled to give interested parties time to study it to make sure legitimate educational institutions are not unfairly targeted by the bill. Earlier Thursday, the Senate Social Services Committee put its stamp of approval on a bill aimed at toughening Utahs child abuse law. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Brent Overson, Jordan, makes the penalties tougher for an offender if he victim is less than 14 years old. In other words, Sen. Overson said, if the victim is under 14, the offense would be one degree higher than if the victim was over 14. Child abuse resulting in a serious injury would go from a second-degre- e feloe ny to a felony. The types of offenses that would normally be felonies go to second-degre- e felonies. Negligence would go from a Class A misdemeanor to a first-degre- third-degre- e e felony. The bill, which now must be considered by the full Senate, also makes an assault on a child just as serious a crime as assault on adult. Sen. Over--; son said currently, different standards are applied to assaults on chil- -' dren and they are not as tough as' thos applied to assaults on adults. ' The only bill the Senate has passed on to the House so far is Senate Bill 19, which gives a judge the option of awarding attorneys fees to condominium associations when they sue a member for failing to pay the condothird-degre- minium maintenance anel Clears Ban on Smokeless Tobacco. Bill on Buying Beer A bill to allow grocers and other retailers to detain drunken customers demanding beer and another to totally ban smokeless tobacco from store shelves cleared Utah House committees Thursday for floor action later. The House Judiciary Committee agreed to support a bill sought by the Utah Retail Grocers Association to give proprietors similar beer-sellin- powers of restraint over inebriated customers or habitual drunks as they have over shoplifters. House Bill 182, sponsored by Rep. LaMont Richards, Lake, indirectly carries some Dram Shop liability Implications, which lawmakers are expected to address in a separate measure this session. en"We've been made quasi-laforcement officers, like it or not," R-S- said Jim Olsen, the grocer group's rector. di- Extending a principle it initiated House Health Committee voted to allow floor consideration of a bill to completely ban smokeless tobacco sales or receipt of the products as gifts. Tuesday, it recommended another bill to require hcaltli-riswarning labels on snuff and chewing tobacco products. earlier this week, the k pro- fees. and service The bill's sponsor, Sen. Kay Cornaby, Lake, said associations will win a lawsuit a delin- against quent member, but then must pay the attorney fees out of their winnings so they have less incentive to recover those losses. The Senate has more than a dozen other bills ready now for final passage, however, after spending a busy day Thursday passing measures from the second reading calendar to the third reading calendar, ,1 i i i |
