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Show f'j Representative discusses roadless initiative, transportation, education and gun control make education funding the top priority this year. We are approaching the end of the second week of the legislative session. One of the I would like to discuss hot topics I have been A transportation funding. number of years ago we set up a special fund called the Centennial Highway Fund to address highway construction hot spots in the state above and beyond regular funding. We placed certain must build projects into this fund, and contacted about is Legislative Update the Forby Keele Johnson est Ser- vice threat to close major roads in our National Forests. I took the opportunity to share that concern with gave it a separate revenue Congressman Jim Hansen. He told me that Dan Glickman, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, promised him that there anywhere else that the private property owner does not permit on their property. However, those with a concealed weapons permit may carry a gun into a school. If they have permission of the private property owner, they can go on to private property. Many of you are very concerned about schools. Many are also concerned about your second amendmtnt rights. I am also concerned Salt Lake County was the about both of these issues. We some interesting major project taking up the first have five years of the ten year fund. proposals starting to surface. We are now to the point of I will try to keep you informed starting construction projects as this issue progresses. in rural parts of the state. Many gun control bills are Between now and 2003, we will proposed but only one makes see $109 million spent in sense to me, the bill that southeastern Utah on High- restricts the severely mentally ways 6, 191, and 10. Be ready ill from purchasing weapons. for a lot of construction signs Many remind me to uphold our and heavy equipment. The second amendment rights, and projects will add passing lanes I will do my best to do that. I will discuss issues that are and widened lanes. I am very of excited about these projects. special interests to residents We have worked very hard for of our rural area next week. a number of years to make this Many have asked for copies bills. The best way to get of happen. We still have a lot of work to do after this work is copies of them is on the completed to get other projects legislative web site: www.le. funded, but this is a great start. state.ut.us . Contact me at: There is another hot topic kjohnsonle.state.ut.us (801)538-123- 7 that is not a financial issue but rather a policy issue. This is Rep. Keele Johnson 318 State Capital gun control. It is already illegal to take guns into schools or Salt Lake City, UT 84114 stream. would be no road closures. He asked for evidence, if any, that you can document of forest service road closures that have taken place. Please send this evidence to me at 732 N. 300 W. Blanding, Utah, 84535. This early in the session, we do not know the total dollars available for budgets. Those numbers will settle as we go through each state agency budget. We feel that there are two pressing financial needs. The first is continued funding for roads and completing projects planned in urban and rural Utah. The second issue is public and higher education funding. Support for education funding has been building until the legislature has resolved to 1-- 15 I I I I Vernal - During public meetings concerning a proposal to in- crease sales tax up to one percent for the Uintah Care Center, people were stirred emotionally both for and against the proposal. The Uintah County Commission is requesting public election opinion on the sales tax increase during a county-wid- e on February' 8. The sales tax would help fund expansion of the facility from 52 beds to 114. Most of the 200 people attending one meeting supported keeping the Care Center in county ownership and favored a sales tax. At a Vernal Chamber of Commerce meeting, the atmosphere was a little more hostile. The Chamber is strongly in opposition to the tax increase. The business organization said that it could hurt sales to people Vernal Express who live outside the county. WalMart in, local businesses cut Cortez Coincidental or not, three long-tim- e businesses in the Cortez area are going out of business at the same time WalMart opens a Super Center in Cortez. Main Street in Cortez will lose a landmark business at the end of this month when Wilsons Pharmacy flips the closed sign for the last time. In addition, Generic Jeans and are also closing their doors at the same time a WalMart Super Center will open to customers. Cortez Journal 65-year-- K-M- art long-await- ed Diane Harris has changed locations to AUAhoutJhj We'll keep your bite Monticello ijfljMi'! Family Dentirtry 435-587-33- 76 & Orthodontics 'IlT 212 South 2nd East Blanding, Utah (435) 678-344- 0 I I 1 I T Rocky Mountain Housing iiiititiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiillll We Make Dreams ... A 20 years experience in ALL 4-- H AND Central 11 7 E bright Blanding UT Serving The Four Corners Area T Emotional response to Care Center tax bKop STAMPED CONCRETE 435-678-38- 04 I Southern Utah News &Muly FOR ALL YOUR CONCRETE AND TILE NEEDS I tions for backpackers who visit Kane County. According to research, the backpacker leaves more money in a community than the average vacation tourist, explained ResortHostels president, Ben Danielsen. They usually stay longer to hike different sites. If everything goes as scheduled, the Kanab Backpackers ResortHostel and Adventure Center will open on March 31. Plans for the old hospital building include serious interior renovation with decor geared to its surroundings. D.D.S. K1REYE T Kanab - ResortHostels recently was a successful bidder on repurchasing the old Kane County Hospital in Kanab. The organization will offer hostel accommodations, services and opera- Brent Johansen UNIQUE LOOK OF COLORED I Hostel takeover of old hospital I ADD SOME STYLE WITH THE TT ROUND THE REGION reconstruction in n , i , t , i , i , ititttitt I THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday, February 2, 2000 - Page 7 JR LIVESTOCK PARTICIPANTS The San Juan County Fair has changed to August 16 17 18 19 The Jr. Livestock Show and Sale will be held at the same time also.This is one week later than usual. Please be aware of this change. Reality the field High Quality Houses i One Stop Shop Financing Concrete Home Set & Finished Service After The Sale Visit Our Model at There is still time to purchase animals for the 2000 Show and Sale 581 N Main St Monticello (435) 587-360- 0 |