Utah Political News
Dems, GOP unite to pitch caucus meetings
To boost interest and especially attendance, Republicans and Democrats are jointly trumpeting their 30 meeting locations for Salt Lake County's 850-plus precinct caucus meetings March 23.
Friday March 12, 2010 11:08PM | sltrib.com
Salazar to tour dangerous border area
Washington » Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will tour the U.S.-Mexico border Saturday at a national monument that has been deemed so dangerous more than half is closed to the public.
Friday March 12, 2010 6:51PM | sltrib.com
Subpoena, DNA bills raise controversy
Civil libertarians were troubled by two bills -- one to broaden prosecutors' warrantless subpoena powers and the other to require DNA samples from all violent crime suspects.
Friday March 12, 2010 2:39PM | sltrib.com
Climate-change science panned
Environmentalists and climate-change activists faced several defeats in the legislative session this year, with lawmakers repeatedly taking a strident stances against climate-change warnings.
Friday March 12, 2010 2:34PM | sltrib.com
Kevin Garn statement
Statement from Representative Kevin Garn --- Delivered from the floor of the House on March 11, 2010 "Twenty five years ago I made a mistake that has now come back to haunt me.
Friday March 12, 2010 7:27AM | sltrib.com
The states' rights session
In a session otherwise devoid of fireworks, conservative Utah legislators were content to launch bottle rockets at a federal government they believe has overstepped its bounds.
Friday March 12, 2010 6:21AM | sltrib.com
State pension plan gets overhaul
Public employees benefits in the state may never be the same -- at least for future hirees. Grappling with a $6.5 billion hole in long-term obligations, lawmakers approved the most dramatic overhaul of the state retirement system in decades, mostly over the objections of government workers and
Friday March 12, 2010 6:19AM | sltrib.com
Schools' budget spared heavy cuts
Lawmakers struggled this session to leave the public education budget unscathed. But ultimately, lawmakers and the governor worked together late in the session to produce a $2.
Friday March 12, 2010 6:19AM | sltrib.com
Majority leader confirms payment to woman from past
In the midst of his 2002 congressional campaign, Utah House Majority Leader Kevin Garn paid $150,000 to a woman threatening to go public about a past relationship.
Friday March 12, 2010 6:09AM | sltrib.com
Independent panel gets OK, cap on gifts fails
After months of work, Utah lawmakers have passed an array of ethics bills aimed at increasing transparency and easing any sense on the public's part that corruption is a way of life on Capitol Hill.
Friday March 12, 2010 5:45AM | sltrib.com
Provo's State Hospital fails to make final cut
A House amendment allocating $2 million for design of a new pediatric unit at Provo's State Hospital failed to gain agreement from the Senate. Negotiations between the two chambers resulted in a bill passing Thursday without the amendment.
Friday March 12, 2010 5:43AM | sltrib.com
Power conservation bill passes
Legislation passed Thursday to enroll Rocky Mountain Power customers in the Cool Keeper program that cycles residential air conditioning off and on during peak use to conserve energy and save costs.
Friday March 12, 2010 5:41AM | sltrib.com
Driving-while-phoning ban fails in Legislature
A cell phone ban for driving teens -- originally passed through the Utah Legislature but pulled back for technical fixes -- failed Thursday when a House and Senate conference committee couldn't reach agreement before the session's end.
Friday March 12, 2010 5:39AM | sltrib.com
School districts to get break on funding rules
Relief is likely on the way for the cash-strapped Jordan School District and others across the state. With only hours left before the end of this year's legislative session Thursday, lawmakers passed two bills, HB295 and SB175, that would allow districts statewide, for two years, to use money
Friday March 12, 2010 5:35AM | sltrib.com
Toxic Topic --
This year's Legislature was notable for the topics it didn't touch. Gay rights Pro or con, they were off the table under an agreement with Democrats and Republican legislative leaders to let Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County's new nondiscrimination ordinances settle in.
Friday March 12, 2010 4:08AM | sltrib.com
Ranchers, property rights trump anglers
Lawmakers upset with a state Supreme Court ruling that they considered a taking of private property rights passed a bill to close off public access to many streams crossing private lands.
Friday March 12, 2010 4:05AM | sltrib.com
Teens get break on skills test
HB166 » High school students looking to graduate likely will face one less worry: The Utah Basic Skills Competency Test. Lawmakers approved HB166, which would suspend UBSCT for two years, meaning students now in grades eight through 11 wouldn`t have to take it.
Friday March 12, 2010 4:03AM | sltrib.com
Waterway dangers can be kept hidden
A newly passed safety bill requires canal companies that want state funding for repairs to prepare management plans identifying "potential risks" that could, if the waterways fail, threaten human life or transportation networks, utilities and government buildings.
Friday March 12, 2010 4:03AM | sltrib.com
Lawmakers approve transit-oriented districts
The Legislature approved a bill Tshurssday that would make it easier for the Utah Transit Authority to turn land it owns into mixed-use developments centered around public transportation.
Friday March 12, 2010 4:01AM | sltrib.com
Illegal procedure can net homicide charge
Two new abortion laws will go into Utah's books, including one allowing criminal homicide charges against a woman seeking or obtaining an illegal abortion.
Friday March 12, 2010 3:59AM | sltrib.com
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