OCR Text |
Show WASATCH COUNTY COURIER SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Senate has passed a bill that would prohibit newly- licensed teen drivers from transporting their peers — unless an adult also was in the car. Sen. Karen Hale’s Senate Bill 48 is based on the theory — which supporters say is backed up by statistics — that young motorists are less alert and more reckless when driving with peers. It would prohibit such drivers from having passengers, other than immediate family, for their first six months on the right to say ‘no?” bill, if enacted, would be a class C mis- demeanor carrying a fine of $750 and possible 90-day jail term. these An exception also was made for teens engaged in agricultural work. Hale, D-Salt Lake City, said car crashes are the No. 1 killer of teens in Utah and the rest of the United States. Hale’s support of the bill turned into a tragic omen when her 19-year- as teen-agers discovered lawmakers were taking action that would prevent them from “taking dates-to the prom. speak for themselves. “What is six months worth? Is it worth . the loss of your child?” — The bill passed 23-5 and no now moves > to the House. | ft’s not a matter of family values,” said Sen. David Stéele, R-West Point. “Let’s let young drivers learn to drive without distraction — pure and simple.” SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah’s term limits law may be repealed before it affects its first set of lawmakers. — ~House Majority Whip David Ure’s bill to do away with the term-limit law - Sailed through the House Government Operations Standing Committee by a vote to 10 to 2, and will be pebaieto on th e House floor, _ to overt the law « seeks “Opponents contend the bill imposes “in_ It1994 that limit lawmakers to 12 undue burdens on rural families and is an intrusion by the government. “What is the proper role of government?” said Sen. Bill Wright, RElberta. “Have any of you exercised years in office. If the law were left in place, it wouldn’t stop any lawmakers from running re-election until 2006. Ure said the time to rid of the law is CONTINUED FROM At. “We definitely want to keep Main Street vital,” says Adams. Eventually, the mayor adds, he would like to see the same kind of revitalization done throughout the rest of town. But for now, five blocks of Main campaign against Ure’s character. said term limits take away the SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Saying it was a good bill at the wrong time, an ~ emotional Rep. David Ure urged his colleagues on Tuesday to repeal a bill he sponsored last year to streamline surprising speed as both the House © _and Senate overwhelmingly approved killing the bill. Typically this process takes weeks. Ure, R-Kamas, said his décision was based on the volatile utility market and widespread misinformation about House Bill 320. The bill had come under attack from consumer advocates who. said it would make it. easier to pass utility price hikes. The bill, meant to go into effect J uly 1, would have weakened the - Committee of Consumer Services, an agency created to give ratepayers a voice in setting utility rates. Ure “It’s modeled after the best of what we Saw,” says Carter. And: since the work will be jones in stages, says Heber City Manager Mark Anderson, businesses should only experience two to three weeks worth of grief while crews work in front of their shops. “We going to try not to impact any — turned the corner on the deep recession that dogged the area for much of the early 1990s. “‘T don’t think Main Street has been in this good of shape for years,” says | Carter. And the beautification project will only make things better, he adds. “Main Street will be in better shape than it has been in a number of years.” _ But even after the beautification the city hosted the annual meeting of UDOT’s transportation committee. City officials were able to show the state transportation gurus firsthand the crumbling sidewalks and Main Street’s often unfriendly appearance. It Then | in the afternoon, the Senate voted 28-1 to repeal the bill, with Sen. Terry Spencer, R-Layton, casting the lone vote against it. “We’re taking a giant step backward. The system is broken and it needs to be aed : he said. The bill was-one of the most controversial measures of the last session. It was primarily authored by lobbyists for Questar, the state’s chief natural gas sup- plier. Ure has said that was a mistake. Gov. Mike Leavitt allowed it to become law without his signature, but asked the Legislature to re-examine the issue before the law took effect. ‘Claire ..Geddes, . of;, the ..Utah Legislative Watch, declared a victory for consumers. “I think everybody thought we would lose, but I have faith in the public,” she said. “I guess I have faith that you can’t sell bad policy.” shops. “We 2. don’ t want to go measures,” says Adams. want to go to RDAs to forcible “We don’t [Redevelopment Areas].” But UDOT, the city and coun_ ty have done their part, he says, “now the businesses have to step up and do. their part. And a lot have.” Carter believes the project squashes any threat of Main Street business- “Tf there are any concerns, we'd ae _ The city will put the work out tobid aco May 1 with work starting shortly thereafter. By the end of September, Heber should have a whole new main drag. And, if city officials get their wish, . PHOTO The Main Street Beautification curbs and gutters. For now at least, Lake’s Sugar House district, Murray - since its passage. ‘to hear them,” he Says. to pay after any deserved a good airing.” Democrats have called for the repeal of the bill Open House. will be done this summer) and pay at least half of the $70,000 tab for new The plan is not modeled ences-of opinion as it related to House Bill 320,” Becker said afterward. “Those legitimate policy differences Carter. Still, Carter hopes anyone with any concerns attends Wednesday's for the bulk of the project. UDOT even - offered to repave Main Street (which Instead, the particular town. Beautification Committee toured near- — ly a dozen cities and towns around © Utah, including Mt. Pleasant, Salt ignored, as were requests by House — Minority Whip Patrice Arent and Rep. Judy Ann Buffmire, D-Millcreek. “There were some legitimate differ- three week estimate: and the lack of any large tax increase to pay for it. “I don’t know of a single merchant that has not been in favor of this,” says didn’t hurt either that Heber is going to be highly visible during the 2002 Winter Olympics. City officials are quick to soli out that the redress isn’t just for the Olympics. But they are just as quick to admit that the Games helped Heber much higher. But House Minority Leader Ralph Becker’s request. to speak was es moving to the edge of town. Instead, business owners have embraced the beautification project, especially after they heard the two to for the project started a year ago when the city’s bill for the project comes to $125,000 and is not expected to go public that bill — He Street will have to do. The momentum wrestle $500,000 from UDOT convincing the which had never taken effect — was hs City, Lehi, Pleasant Grove and Provo. MAIN STREET opposing vote to protest the way the bill was pushed through the legislature. During the hearing, fellow Republicans jumped to Ure’s defense. They blamed Utah news outlets for responsible for recent increases in utility rates. They also said there was a the public utility regulatory process. Utah lawmakers followed suit with | Term-limit repeal passes | turnover in the House and comparable turnover in the Senate each election. Quick Repeal of Contentious Utilities Bill . They're wondering what -the heck old daughter was killed in an ATV last weekend near Wallsburg. “When we think of a hardship, oe ~ need to think about the hardship of losing a child,” she told fellow lawmakers before her daughter’s accident. dt passed 73- 1, with Rep. Scott Daniels, D- Salt Lake, casting the Constitution,” he said. He also argued that these laws do away institutional memory. overnight i in opposition to the measure | ate vote. correct fundamental principle in our elle the road. Exceptions would be made ce we are doing down here.” | when the novice motorist was accomSupporters said fatality statistics panied by a licensed driver over 21. the effort, including Ure, voted to insti- tute the term limits in 1994 — a move opportunity of voters to keep the lawmakers they like. “This is one of the things I pelicusi is kinds of decisions and not a judge,” 50 cus:Tuesday, the House waived its procedural rules and put it to an immedi- last year. It passed the House each time, but was stalled by Senate leaders. Ure said there is 27 to 33 percent Violation of the passenger-restriction- said Spencer, an attorney. He said he received - process. After a brief closed-door cau- against the bill. | Several lawmakers who supported Ure also sponsored the repeal bill Sen. Terry Spencer, R-Layton, warned against subjecting teens to possible prosecution, even jail time. “Let’s let the parents make no one from the public spoke for or said Ure, R-Kamas. — the committee, but advocates said the _ hew version disabled other parts of the Ure called the worst vote he has made as a lawmaker. “I want to do away with my error,” 2001 UTAH LEGISLATURE Bill Limiting’ Teen Drivers Advances amended the bill last week to restore | While WESTBY Project will replace crumbling sidewalks. business for more than two weeks,” says Anderson. “i All three men say the project comes at a time when the business climate on Main Street is slowly beginning to turn itself around. BY TIM For Sale projet is completed this fall, Adams cautions that done to make healthy. The will have to says. He puts work will-still need to be Main Street strong and businesses themselves take that next step, he. at least part of the blame signs and empty storefronts still dot for empty storefronts on the shoulders - the of owners unwilling to. “revamp” their street, Heber seems to have — Main Street will once again be the focus of the Heber’s business community with sprawl kept in check. “We don’t want this town to look like a squished hot dog with development only at each end,” says Adams. The Main Street Beautification Project Open House is Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Heber City oe The public is welcome. Email: ome eae $ EYES:THE that happede: Thursday’s vote took place with lit_ tle discussion from the committee and net eres anysioare amend a bei - JANUARY 31, 2001 ie So aber A8 |