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Show v:vr&2M aic?.c?nira ccap. BjX 2o03 CITY rv 5-- 71 04101 a ?r SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1970 Legislative Changes In Constitution Urged by Probers Salt Lake County May Gain Representation in Legislature Changes and additions to the Salt Lake County and other legislative article of the Utah Wasatch Front counties stand to Constitution were recommended this week by the State Consti- gain representation in the Utah tutional Revision Commission in Legislature as a result of official an interim report for the forth- result of the 1970 U.S. Census. coming Legislature. Rep. Richard C. Howe, DemoThe report represents the first crat of Utah, this week said, I major revisions suggested by the believe a reapportionment bill 16 member commission estab- certainly will be passed. The lished by the last general session House speaker said, I shouldnt of the Legislature. It will be pre- think it would be so upsetting sented when the lawmakers con- as in the past. If we can get it vene Jan. 11. in early enough, we'll have to The commission suggested that do everything possible to resolve several procedural changes be the question. offered as a single constitutional However, a note of hesitancy amendment while additional sec appears in a preliminary report tions be offered separately to issued earlier this month by the II the voters. Utah Legislative Council. An Recommended as additional executive committee, assigned constitutional sections were pro- to research reapportionment said visions for a legislative auditor it had no plan to propose, but to examine appropriation spend promised alternatives later. Richard C. Howe ing by state agencies, establishto allow advisable be It may ment of. a legislative legal coun sufficient 1:time to carefully study the earliest possible date. The committee concluded that sel separate from the attorney the problem and the possible imgeneral, and clarification of the plications of all major court de- a report showing alternative status of interim legisaltive com- cisions in the country before possibilities will be submitted mittees and compensation for rushing into an expedient meas- to the legislature, which con11 for a 60 day sesvenes members. ure, the executive committee sion. Jan. In fairness to the voters we said. The final county by county have tried to isolate what the The Council has taken no pocommission feels are fairly sig- sition on the question of reap- census figures were released on nificant issues so they could be portionment, but it is aware of Friday. Preliminary census figpresented separately to the vot many groups and individuals ures were issued last May. The ers, said Neal A. Maxwell, the anxiously pushing for action at (Continued on page 8) chairman. The legislature must adopt the proposed constitutional amendvote and then ments by two-thir- d a at offer them general election for voter approval. Some of the procedural changes recommended included simplifying wording for staggering terms of senators, removing the wording making legislators liable to arrest during a session but retaining immunity for libel, and permitting proposed bills to be read by title three times innt Resident combination licenses $1.00f stead of reading the entire bil unless requested by a certain licenses $25.00! The year was 1900 and the establishment number of legislators. of such licenses was recommended by the State Fish and The report also called for alGame Commissioner, John Sharp, in the third biennial tering voter district residency requirements for legislative can report to the governor and legislature. didates from one year before Commissioner Sharp justified his proposal by sayoffice six to be months taking ing, The shooters and fishers receive a large share of fore filing as a candidate. Recommended deletions in- the benefits and pleasures from the protection of the fish clude sections that require bills and game and, to use an old saw as they do most of not come until November, 1972 to contain only one subject matshould help to pay the fiddler. So when federal and state candi- ter, that require legislative lead the dancing, they dates are up for election. Muni- ers to sign passed bills during started the philosophy that sportsmen should pay their cipal elections will be in 1971, legislative floor sessions, anc own way. but under the State Constitution these that prohibit the legislaThrough sportsmen's license fee and modem fish only those at least 21 years old ture from releasing certain debts will be entitled to vote. or granting extra compensation and game management techniques, the fish and game resources of the state have been perpetuated and enGov. Rampton acknowledged in renegotiation of contracts. The recommended changes hanced. Those who talk about the there might be temporary comgod old days should not sweeping, but practice are plications in conducting the 1972 of 1900. He election because any proposed steps designed to increase the ef read Commissioner Sharp's gloomy report if fectiveness of the legislature, states, Some of the most valuable varieties of the large constitutional amendment the commission stated. adopted by the Legislature game animals that were once abundant in the state, like could not be approved by the March of Dimes experts say the elk, antelope and mountain sheep have become almost voters until the 1972 election medical and even surgical treat- like a dream or memory of the past, they are now so and not become effective until ment of the unborn will one day be practical. (Continued on page four) (Continued on page 8) - An old fashion wish to you for the New Year - from die Salt Jlale SimeA Staff Secretary of State, Governor View Effect of Vote Ruling Secretary of State Clyde L. Miller this week said the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court 'upholding the right of 18 year olds to vote in federal elections lends itself to some confusion .for the Secretary of state, the county clerks and voter registra- tion agents'. The court ruled that 18 year olds could vote for federal of- ficers such as president and congressmen but not in state and 'local elections unless state laws so provide. Utah's laws set 21 as the minimum age. The initial voting impact will TODAYS EDITORIAL The Good Old Days? non-reside- |