February 26, 2021 - Week 6 (of 7)

From the Desk of Rep. Cheryl Acton

With the General Session drawing to a close in seven days, it’s been a crazy dash to present bills in committees this week, and if I wasn’t presenting, I was voting on other legislators’ bills. (I was scheduled for three presentations during one hour today in two different buildings, for example.)  Each bill represents someone’s proposed solution to a perceived problem. It’s fascinating!

The Utah legislature is probably the least antagonistic in the country. We do not always vote alike, and many votes are made along party lines, exposing our philosophical differences, but we have great rapport. I can truly say I admire all of my House colleagues for one reason or another, though I do not always agree with them. Being civil is part of the secret to getting things done. 

It’s been the oddest General Session with so few people at the Capitol. No Capitol tours. Very few lobbyists. Lots of UHP troopers because of last summer’s unrest. Driving to the Capitol on clear roads. A lot of things are not quite regular, but we are still getting some very important things done for our constituents. 

I am already looking forward to next year, when there will be so many people in the rotunda that we’ll have to close the chamber doors.

One more week….

Cheryl 

PUTTING MONEY BACK IN UTAHNS’ POCKETS

The Utah State Legislature presented legislation that will provide approximately $100 million in tax relief to Utah citizens. Many Utahns are struggling and lawmakers want to provide tax relief where it will make the biggest difference. Three bills, S.B. 153, S.B. 11 and H.B. 86, will lower taxes for families, veterans and elderly citizens, making Utah a better place to live and retire. 

BANGERTER FREEWAY?

I’m excited to support Rep. Mike Schultz's HB433, which passed UNANIMOUSLY out of the Transportation committee on Friday. It’s a HUGE transportation package that will fund major road projects, like the completion of overpasses on Bangerter at 2700 S, 3100 S, 3500 S, 4100 S, 4700 S, and 9800 S, turning it into a much-needed freeway running through the middle of the west side of the valley. It will also increase the efficiency of Frontrunner to prepare for future growth and improve the infrastructure at state parks, among other things. It will touch every region of the state. HB433 should pass the House this week with ease, but it’s a much tougher sell in the Senate. Stay tuned.

COVID BRIEFING BY THE GOVERNOR, LG, AND UDOH

Gov. Spencer Cox, LG Deidre Henderson, and Utah Department of Health's Rich Saunders visited our caucus this week to lay out the plan for getting Utah the rest of the way back to normal. The governor predicted we'll be burning our masks by the 4th of July. That news was very well received!  

NO VACCINE MANDATE,

BUT IT’S EASIER TO GET ONE IF YOU WANT ONE

HB308 COVID-19 Vaccine Amendments (Spendlove) passed the House this week. It prohibits a government entity from requiring an individual to receive a vaccine for COVID-19.

If you are 65 or older (or 16 and older with an underlying condition), you are now eligible for the vaccine, and no insurance is required. Just register for a time slot online. You can get more information about the COVID vaccine (and qualifying underlying conditions) at coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine.

SOME INTERESTING BILLS THIS WEEK

HB76 Firearms Preemption Amendments (Maloy) clarifies that firearms laws are made at the state level, and not in individual municipalities. 

HB381 Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor Pipeline Program (J. Moss) creates a grant program for Utah’s school paraprofessionals to help them become licensed teachers or school counselors.

HB358 Guardian Amendments (Spendlove) allows grandparents to have guardian rights (like signing permission slips, seeking medical care, etc.) without severing parental rights. This is an important bill, because children are sometimes left in the care of their grandparents for long periods of time without parental involvement in their lives. 

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS. I invite you to give me input on every bill you care about by texting me at (801) 809-3571 or emailing cacton@le.utah.gov.  

Cheryl