Monday, February 5, 2007

 

 

This morning

HOUSE REVENUE AND TAXATION (8:30 in W 135) is debating Substitute HB 122, which offers individual and corporate income tax credits for buying or converting vehicles that meet air quality and fuel economy standards.  The credits would be $1,000 for purchase and $5,000 for conversion to propane, natural gas or electricity.  They could reduce the Uniform School Fund by  $191,800 beginning in FY 2009.

 

Income tax credits are also under discussion in SENATE EDUCATION (7:56 in W130).  Under SB 62 a taxpayer whose income is less than $30,000 and who claims a Utah college student as a personal exemption , could get a refundable credit for half of the student's expenses up to a maximum of $300 for each student.  The loss of revenue to the Education Fund is estimated at $8,400,000 in FY 2009.

 

HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (8:15 in W10) is considering HB 287, allowing Utahns  to register to vote on Election Day at their polling place.  Currently voters' last chance to register is 2 weeks before the election.

Also in committee is HB 233, which sets up rules for building within an environmentally restricted zoning district created by a municipality or county.  The purpose of these districts is to protect the environment and to guard against structural damage from natural hazards like floods, earthquakes or landslides.

                               

POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS (in W125) is debating HB 347, which exempts municipal elections from the federal requirement that 10 percent of the voting machines at each polling place must be accessible for people with disabilities.  Municipalities wouldn't have to use electronic voting machines, and the date of municipal primary elections would be changed from October to September.

 

WORKFORCE SERVICES, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (in W 025 at 8:30) will look at HB 278, a new Department of Community and Culture grant program for public and non-profit organizations.  The grants would be used for services such as housing and health care that help low income people become self-sufficient.

 

This afternoon

 

Five Appropriations Subcommittees meet one last time to set budget priorities.  Final votes will be taken on budgets for Public Education, Economic Development, Health and Human Services, Higher Education, and Natural Resources.

               

Sandy Peck

League of Women Voters, 3804 Highland Drive 8-D, Salt Lake City UT 84106

801.272-8683   fax 801.272-5942 

www.lwvutah.org

 

 

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