| OCR Text |
Show 4A The Salt Lake Tribune, Saturday, February 1, 1986 House Passes 911 Barely Support By Dan Bates Tribune Staff Writer For an extra 50 cents on a monthly telephone bill, local governments in Utah could plug into 911" emergency-service tailored to their own dial areas without tapping general tax dollars. The Utah House of Representafundtives called for that users-pay- " ing concept Friday by approving a measure to grant counties, cities and towns that option. But House Bill 10 drew static on its way to the Utah Senate. With some representatives depicting it as a hidden tax." it passed by only a vote with 38 the minimum margin for House adoption. Although creating discord of equal volume, another bill that would send terms to media 38-2- 7 divorce-settleme- tion before entering court cleared the House floor 60-Advocates fingered attorneys as the measure's chief opponents. Lawyers in the House objected. Rep. Ronald Stephens, defended his 911" emergency-cal- l measure and its telephone surcharge as a good option for local governments in assuring that residents have direct, prompt, access to police, fire, and paramedic services. In a House committee hearing earlier this week, Salt Lake and Weber officials county emergency-service- s recounted episodes of situations being compounded by 911 systems covering some areas with like addresses that citizens confuse as theirs. In one case, a caller in Weber County dialed a number and was somehow connected to a dispatcher in Heber City, whose firefighters were sent to respond. Rep. Stephens said the bill is designed to untangle such complications and accord local authorities a mechanism to fund their systems. If a city or county decided to impose the surcharge, all residential and commercial customers would pay an additional 50 cents on their monthly telephone bills. It's not a tax in the sense of a tax on your home or automobile," Rep. Stephens said. Those who use the 911 service pay for the service . . . or who have access to it." Rep. Jed Wasden, charged that the funding concept was a backdoor approach to the utility franchise tax," reference to Salt Lake Countys recent attempt to defray Registration, Financial Reporting Gets $25,000 More For Division of Aging j ' ; I9tt Day SENATE Sills Passsd SB 24 (Stratford) Repeal old act concerning private arbitration procedures, which was replaced by a newer oct. Bv Senate 23-SB49 (Carling) Increase the amount of ser-- ; vice charge that mav be Imposed by the holder of o fraudulent check, draft, order or other instrument. Bv Senate 25-SBS4 (Hlllyord) Require local school dis- tricts to classify certain public records. Bv Senate 24-- SBS7 (Overson) Require land subdividers l who claim culinary water exists on their lots to present certain Information to register ; with the real estate division. Bv Senate SB59 (Asav) Specify teionv offense of og- grovated sexual assault when committed bv more than one person. By Senate SB60 (Rogers) Exempt from unemploy-- : ment compensation provisions those ser- vices bv securities dealers when earnings i ore bv commission. Bv Senate 25-SB70 (Sowords) Exempt telephone cooper- atives from Public Service Commission rate hearing requirements. Bv Senate SB1 15 (Hlllvord) Clarify procedures for re sentencing In criminal cases. Bv Senate SB130 (Corllng) Clarify the unlawful taking ; of a vehicle. By Senate Resolutions Poised HCR5 (Pitcher) Memorialize the late J. 23-- 2S-- 23-- 24-- 24-- wil-lor- d Marriott. Bv House 68-Bv Senate 18-Bills Killed SB94 (Stratford) Place responsibility for detention facilities under Division of Youth Corrections. Killed bv Senate Resolutions Killed HJR 19 (Dahl) Direct the Division of Parks ond Recreation to work with the Division of Wildlife Resources on a controlled hunt to cull the buttolo herd on Antelope Island. Killed bv Senate 14-(Need 15 votes to pass.) Bills Introduced (Peterson) Describe, define ond offl- dally adopt a system of coordinates for SB 202 Utah. SB203 (Flnllnson) Voting ond elective of-- . flee amendments. SB 204 (Flnllnson) Changes In official registers and poll books for elections. (Peterson) Establish duties, powers ond responsibilities of county surveyors. SB205 HOUSE Bills Passed (Stephens) Provide for financing of emergency 911 telephone systems within HB10 counties. By House called PAC and PIC bills, referring to the new registration and financial reporting requirements for political action and political issue committees, those which funnel money for candidates and ballot issues, respectively. Only the PAC bill was before the committee Friday. Utah and Arkansas are the only two states left without some reporting requirements for PACs, and the state needs to step out with some moderate approach to curb prospective abuses, Rep. Moss said. responded Rep. James Moss, the bill's sponsor. The LDS Church, or any other church, doesn't contribute money to state political candidates, and that's what triggers the need for political action committees to register, Rep. Moss explained. "If they did contribute to candidates, then they should report." The House State and Local Affairs Committee searched for an amendment to narrow the focus of the bill to ensure that was the case before time ran out on the meeting. Rep. Moss is sponsoring the so- - A LEGISLATIVE HB14 (I. Arrington) Prohibit housing discrimination ooolnst disabled. Bv House 50-HB24 (I. Arrington) Increase case jurisdiction of small claims courts. By House 59-HB25 (Maxfield) Establish a divorce mediation program In state ludlcial procedure. Bv House 60-HB98 (Frandsen) Provide for prelltlgatlon screening panels for legol tort actions under court civil procedure act. Bv House 59-HB185 (Browning) Repeal "guest statutes" prohibiting recovery by guests Inlured In vehicles or aircraft. Bv House 54-HB196 (Skousen) Create the State Homeless Coordinating Committee; establish its membership and duties. Bv House 47-HB234 (Dahl) Health-car- e facilities need licensing only if they serve four or more patients. Bv House 57-Resolutions Passed HCR9 (Schmutz, Christensen) Complement the Dixie College Basketball team on being the 1985 National Champions of the National Junior College Association. By House 66-SCR2 (Block) Make February of each year American History Month. Bv House 82-SCR4 (Sowards) Memorialize former House Malorltv leader and Vernal Mayor Clair R. Hopkins; express condolences to his family. Bv House 85-Bills introduced HB285 (Pace) Reduce the motor vehicle registration fee for octlve members of the National Guard. HB288 (Pace) Provide a state personal Income tax deduction for fhe first $1,000 earned os o member of the reserve components of the United States. HB287 (Olsen) Require a reduction In state agency budgets if bonding Is authorized; and determine the amount of reduction. HB288 (Sellenelt) Prohibit the operation of a boat bv an operator under the Influence of alcohol or drugs. H6289 (Pace) irrigation district changes. HB290 (Maxfield) Provide a deduction from federol taxable income for education expenses or dependents through 12 grade. In kindergarten HB291 (Sellenelt) Exclude anv liability of parents for the costs of an abortion or contraceptives provided to minors without parental consent. HB292 (Holt) Fees for services to abused spouses shall be assessed against the obus-Ing spouse. HB293 (Holt) Based upon the needs of the porties, mondate that temporary child support be ordered when a divorce complaint Is filed. With PAC contributions to candidates become so pervasive, and representing a growing percentage of campaign funding, they have replaced political parties as a source of financing, he noted. Voters need to know what PACs stand for, who the officers are, and what contributors make up the group, he said. The bill would require just such reports once a year, Dec. 1, triggered when contributions reached more than $500. Utah PACs have been responsible, and mostly clearly identified, but the most concern is over undefined PACs, he addte ed. Lt. Gov. Val Oveson, joined in support, and representatives of both po- litical parties said they favor the concept of full disclosure. The lieutenant governor pointed out that about half of the $500,000 total contributions to state lawmakers in 1982 came from PACs. Candidates for state executive offices now report the total PAC contributions they receive prior to an elecn tion, and legislators PAC their report financing. The proposed law would seek to identify whos contributing to the PACs, and the total they are giving to all candidates. The bill ran into criticism that it would dry up individual contributions to PACs because of disclosure, place individuals in a vulnerable position to political reprisal or embarrassment, and denies rights of privacy and free speech. Voicing concerns were representatives of the Utah Association of Realtors, the Utah Public Employees Association, and the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. vote. Voting against the motion of Sen. Karl Swan. to advance the bill favorably were Sens. Brent Over-soJordan; Dix McMullin, Jordan; and Wayne Sandberg, th Sen. Glade M. Sowards, City, said he supports assistance to accredited institutions. Aid for West- minster wouldn't cause any church-stat- e problems either, he added, because the private four-yea- r college hasn't had any religious affiliation since the It's cost ef"It's money fective, said Sen. Sowards. The 18- mid-1970- well-spen- t. Senate Panel OKs Bill Designed To Aid Displaced Homemakers Continued From l we put in in was it made the gentlemen on our interim committee feel better." Rep. White explained, "that they're not going to give these women a handout " Sen Dona Wayment. a widow and A-- displaced homemaker herself, plans to carry I1B110 in the Senate. Following Senate action the bill goes back to the House to consider making payments optional. "These women have given 20 to 25 veais of their lives as homemakers," said Sen Wayment. "Then something happens through divorce or death and they have no place to go They have no money." Displaced homemakers aren't begging for welfare, the senator said. "They need help to get over the " bump slie s nd, "to convert their skills from homemaker, PTA worker or church worker to a way they can make a living." Several people suggested divorce fees should be raised rather than marriage fees, but Rep. White said two other bills will probably do that this year. "You can always say where the blame is." she said. "You can blame divorce, but a lot are widows and you can't blame the men for dying. "This is just a way to raise th funding." The bill was considered by social services in the House but was moved to education in the Senate. "Education has the classrooms we need." Rep. Whi.tq explained. "We can spend the money on the people in the program who need it father than on the buildings " Nan Thursday McPolin brought tears to the eyes of legislators. Friday they increased the Division of Aging's budget by $25,000 for her. Mrs. McPolins concern was the State Division of Agings Alternatives Program that often provides an alternative to nursing homes by helping senior citizens in their own homes. Voting on the divisions budget Friday, the Health and Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee upped its analysts recommended $8,192,400 budget by $25,000. The entire $25,000 Utah Common Cause and the Utah League of Women Voters defended the bill. Rep. Moss said the constitutional complaint is a strawman considering 48 other states are doing it. Vulnerability of individuals already exn ists because contributions to the state PACs are already clearly identified, he added. well-know- year veteran of the Legislature said Westminsters presence in the community saved the state because its mostly Utah student body would otherwise be attending institutions. state-supporte- d Cost effectiveness is relative," countered Sen. Overson. He said that if one of his constituents couldn't attend the University of Utah, it would be more cost effective for the individual to attend Utah Technical College at Salt Lake than Westminster. "We're now establishing new criteria to take care of private schools." argued Sen. Sandberg. Lawmakers, he added, could just as well make a list of similar private educational institutions as deserving of assistance as Westminster. "This bill is not to take care of the state. It's a Westminster bill. Youve opened a can of worms. This is contrary to state policy." said Sen. Sandberg. Sen. C.E. "Chuck" Peterson. whose request was responsible for the committee's decision to reconsider the bill in its Friday meeting, said the private college is a benefit to the state. "Westminster is an institution the state and Salt Lake community badly needs. Here we have the chance to educate with a minimum of slate funds. Westminster has a fine history and role and I am very much in favor of this bill," he said Friday's action represented the second time SB97, the Utah Financial Assistance Act, was considered by the committee was ear- marked for the alternatives program on a motion by Rep. Irby N. Lake City. It reArrington, ceived unanimous approval. But Social Services Department Chairman Norman G. Angus was jokingly warned not to bring in any more little old ladies, to promote budgets in his other divilt sions. As for Mrs. McPolin, she didnt want the additional money for herself. She is a volunteer worker who aides other seniors, but she said she doesnt need assistance yet. Lawmakers Hunt For Help in Sales-Ta- x -- post-electio- Westminster Aid Ekes Out a Victory By Peter Scarlet Tribune Education Editor Westminster College of Salt Lake Citys request for $1 million in state aid to help cover costs of renovating a former dormitory into classrooms squeaked by a legislative committee Friday. The measure. Senate Bill 97, was sent to the Senate floor by the Senate Education Standing Committee on a Rep. H. Craig Moody, said the bill would enable local governments to skirt "truth in taxation" principles. Is this the best way to fund a valuable service?" he wondered. HB25 the Dispute Resolution would direct all divorces Act cases to undergo a mediation process conducted by state court adminstra-tor- s to iron out property, child custody and other related matters. If the parties agreed to terms before the case went to court, then a judge would simply adopt the mediation conditions in his final divorce decree. Proponents argued that the process would reduce attorney costs in Plea by Woman, 80, PAC Bill Stalled in Committee By Douglas L. Parker Tribune Political Editor A bill to require registration and financial reporting by political action committees was stalled Friday before a legislative panel amid a crossfire of concerns. One of those concerns was that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints might find itself classified a3 a political action committee and thus have to report the tithing of individual church members. That is the most flagrant of red flags thrown up against the bill by opponents, and the most ridiculous," property taxes with a percentage collection on basic utility bills. The Utah Supreme Court ruled that while cities have that authority, counties don't. Loss By Douglas Parker Tribune Political Editor Legislative leaders said Friday they are searching for about $3 million to plug the loss of sales tax from federal food stamps and to buy time in fending off the threat of federal funds withdrawal from the State Training School at American Fork. A new federal law effective Oct. 1 will no longer permit the state to draw off sales tax from the food a practice that stamp purchases has generated about $2 million annually for state coffers. As an example, a poor person using $10 in food stamps at a store, could buy $9.50 of food, with the allowance sales tax going to the state, explained Sen. LeRay McAllisof the Soter, cial Services Appropropriation Subcommittee. The federal government says that will do no more. I cannot challenge it, and we are left to come up with the money lost to our general fund, Sen. McAllister said. of the 50-ce- The Legislature hasnt identified a replacement source, without cutting back next years proposed budget, but it possibly could come in the estimated extra tax money that can be picked up if the audit and collection staff is beefed up, Sen. McAllister noted. Gov. Norm Bangerter has estimated some $16 million in additional taxes can be found by spending about $1 million for 90 more staffers at the State Tax Commission. The federal government is also of the threatening decertification State Training School because, in part, the ratio of staff to patients is too low to meet federal standards. About $1 million is estimated needed to move more school residents to community residential care, and without reduction in staff, a better ratio could preserve federal aid of at least $14 million, explained Rep. SteLake City, social phen J. Rees. services There are now about 900 staff for 682 school residents, and about 620 of the staff are classified as "hands-on- " employees working directly with the handicapped residents. Rep. Rees explained. "But I'm not sure an increase in money is the total answer," said Rep. Rees, suggesting that management philosophy of some longtime employees has to be changed to improve care. It seems to come more from the warehousing philosophy." (See separate story l on care.) B-- The legislators emphasized that budget cutbacks for this fiscal year, made last week to day care and public assistance, won't "hamstring" sos cial services because original appro-priation- were more than the projected utilization fiscal yrar by the end of this divorces and allow spouses to settle terms without representative adversaries. Lake Rep. Robert Sykes, would mediation said a lawyer, City, still involve members of his profession and may actually hike the cost, by instituting an added, mandatory procedure. Attorneys are not in the business of creating disputes but resolving disputes," he said in rebutting one House members claim that some lawyers cause friction to make money. Rep. Sykes also objected to forcing all divorce cases through mediation. "That's like saying all people with broken arms or legs must be put in a body cast," he said. Were not talking about counseling to try to keep the spouses together. It has to do with arbitration lt what are you going to do with the property, what about the children, whats best for the children," noted Lake. Rep. Ervin Skousen, "It must be mandatory or it wont work," said Rep. Richard Maxfield, the bill's sponsor and an atlt torney. . Most divorces dont need mediation," countered Rep. Scott Holt, another lawyer. You're ant with a steamroller with an killing this legislation. House members also addressed the "homeless Friday, advancing a bill comto initiate a mission to seek answers for aiding transients, "street people and the destitute in Utah-Manof these people who were middle-clas- s before the recession are now homeless, stressed Rep. Skou. . .;! sen, that bill s sponsor. state-coordinat- King Day Draws Fire, But Again Survives have enough courage to put this in the true perspective and call it Human I Rights Day, he said. By Paul Roily Tribune Staff Writer The proposed Martin Luther King Jr. Day survived another attempt in the Utah Senate to change its name after lawmakers were warned Friday they would be labeled nationally as bigots if they failed to conform with the rest of the nation in honoring leader. the slain civil-righIn other Senate action Friday, voted down proposals for a state takeover of county-ru- n juvenile detention centers and a recommended controlled buffalo hunt. After the amendment failed on a close vote, the bill creating the Martin Luther King holiday passed on an equally close 1 vote. It was the second time in two days the Senate has passed the bill, which now goes to the House for its consideration. But they passed on to the House measures to increase from $5 to $10 the service charge for bounced checks and to exempt telephone cooperatives from Public Service Commission regulation. The bill to create a new King holiday on the third Monday of January appeared to have cleared the Senate Thursday and was on its way to a clash with a separate version of the same proposal that has passed the Legislator In ts 15-1- The issue is certain to face more controversy because the Senate version replaces Columbus Day with the King day, while the House version, which passed Wednesday, replaces Lincolns birthday with the new holiday. -- The Spotlight House. But after the bill was brought back to the Senate floor to make some technical adjustments, Sen. LeRay McAllister touched off an emotional debate when he offered an amendment to change the proposed new holiday's name to Human Rights Day. It was not the first time the idea of Human Rights Day instead of Martin Luther King Jr. day has surfaced in the Senate, but this attempt touched off the most emotional debate. The nation lias chosen to honor Martin Luther King Day," said a Sen. Dona Wayment, teary-eye- d If Utah doesnt honor Marthe meassage tin Luther King . will go out across the nation f hat we are a state of people who are very bigoted, and that will do a great deal of harm to Utah people. I hope and pray that will not happen, Sen. Wayment said. But Sen. McAllister said his motives were being misinterpreted and if Rev. King were alive today he would agree with the Human Rights Day concept. "We have Independence Day and Presidents Day . . . that represent a cause rather than an individual, he said. This amendment puts all abused people in our country under the umbrella of this title. He said the Human Rights Day would honor the sacrifices made by Jewish people, Hispanics, Indians and other minorities as well as blacks. This amendment is tacky at best and outright bigotry at most, said Sen. Darrell Renstrom, "The state of Utah is looking very bad in the eyes of the nation, he added, noting that Utah is one of just three states that has not passed statutes recognizing the federal Martin Luther King holiday. But Sen. Wayne Sandberg, Lake, said the amendment would enhance Utahs reputation rather than hinder it. Utah would be seen as a hero to lt j When rising to speak on the House floor, Rep. Kim has a knack for getting his point across. He teaches and coaches Bountiful High Schools ; m speech and debate team. In the Legislature's 1986 session, the Bountiful Republican is championing fights against anti-fre- e education school fees and driving privileges for youths criminally involved with alcohol and drugs. "I think we need to protect poor people who can't afford school fees, Rep. Burningham said. His bill to suspend the driver licenses of youths who commit any crime engaging alcohol and drugs is meant as a deterrent." And he is also trying to combat discrimination against adults with cystic fi- brosis. r Serving in his third elective term after initially being appointed to the Utah House. Rep. Burningham, 49, is also of the Legislatures Commu- and Economic Development nity Appropriations Subcommittee. ; two-yea- Bangerter Plans to Delay Action On Bills Seeking Budget Cuts : Gov. Norm Bangerter said Friday he hopes to delay any action on legislative budget-cuttinbills for this fiscal year until an updated forecast on g economic conditions and revenue collections is available in early February. "That's what I asked the Legislature to do before they passed the cuts, and I believe they may want to readjust their actions with a fresh revenue forecast," the governor said in a news conference. He said he hasnt determined whether he will veto some items or entire bills passed by the Legislature to reduce budgets by nearly $27 million to offset an earlier predicted $25 million revenue shortfall by the end Dixit Tram Commrmled The Utah House of Representatives commended Dixie Colleges 1985 round-bal- l exploit with a resolution Friday The St. George institution's basketball team captured the national championship crown for junior col- leges last season 4 of this fiscal year June 30. Gov. Ban- gerter said he's asked affected state departments to give him a full briefing on potential impact. The governor pointed out that even if he vetoes some reductions, and the predicted shortfall were still looming, he would have to act by executive order to trim all budgets, exclusive of public education, by the same percentage. And that could double the amount to be taken from higher education, he warned. While initially dismayed over the legislative budget cuts, he appeared conciliatory Friday toward the lawmakers' efforts. "I don't make my living by being upset; I make it by being calm and collected about what to do next," he said. The Legislature spurned the governor's recommendation to use reserve money to offset the shortfall, lie's also urged some of that reserve to support next fiscal year's budget. If the lawmakers don't follow his suggestion again, he predicted, "the prospective budget will be far too tight and devastating to our momentum " flood-contr- |
