Tuesday, February 27, 2007
This Morning,
Omnibus tax bill Second Substitute SB 223 passed the Senate yesterday. Next it goes to a House vote. It's 82 pages long and covers not only income tax and grocery tax cuts but other credits and exemptions for businesses and individuals. Meanwhile the legislature is working on appropriations bills today.
Floor sessions will last from 9 am until as late as necessary, with a caucus lunch break and a 2:00 EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE meeting to discuss budget issues and USTAR, the project that aims to attract high tech academics and businesses.
Senate bills that are up for debate in the House include Second Substitute SB 49, a $7.5 million proposal for OPTIONAL EXTENDED-DAY KINDERGARTEN classes in public and charter schools. Funds would go to schools with the greatest need, as measured by the percentage of students eligible for free school lunch.
Also awaiting House approval are SB 50, which expands statewide a pilot program to assess and treat drug offenders prior to sentencing instead of putting them in prison, and Substitute SB 234, which would establish an OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CENTER at the University of Utah. Third Substitute SB 246, GOVERNMENT LAW CHANGES, increases reporting by lobbyists of the gifts they give and disclosure of which public officials receive them.
The Senate is debating bills that have already passed the House. HB 341 sets up a CRIME AND VIOLENCE PROTECTION FUND in the Attorney General's office, which would accept private donations and allow the donor to designate a "specific purpose," not defined in the bill, for use of the gift. If the donor doesn't designate a purpose, the gift can be used for state programs such as Amber Alert, prevention of crimes against seniors or suicide prevention.
Third Substitute HB 158, explains how to finance a $300 million dollar bond needed for Mountain View Highway right-of-way and construction costs in west Salt Lake County. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds of the Public Transit Tax in Salt Lake, 25% of the Salt Lake County Option Sales Tax for Transportation, and a local corridor preservation fee imposed on Salt Lake County would be used.
Sandy Peck
League
of Women Voters,
801.272-8683 fax 801.272-5942
Return to Legislative Updates ** Return to Legislative News ** Return to Home