Becky Edwards

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. The Scouts have long been one of the most influential organizations in the life of many young men, including my own son who is an Eagle Scout. We were privileged today to be visited in chamber by an actual bald eagle and scout leaders from councils across the state. Rep. Brad Daw’s resolution celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Almost everyone in the chamber joined in as current or past scout leaders, parents of eagle scouts or those who were eagle scouts were asked to stand. I am grateful for the principles, character, and service taught to boys the world over through the scouting program, and for the universality of the message and program. Government could learn a lot from the Scout motto, slogan, and law.   A Scout is: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Other noteworthy events from the day include a visit from Congressman Jason Chaffetz to the chamber. He expressed thanks for the fiscal discipline of Utah and emphasized the tremendous debt the federal government is continuing to build. Raising the debt ceiling now to $4.5trillion means that $600M a day now goes to pay off the national debt. Chaffetz also spoke about areas of focus for him: the Narrows project in Sanpete, the Beaver/Piute Wilderness bill, the NSA/Camp Williams project (the $1.5B Department of Defense project which will employ 1000 people), and wolf management and fire fairness bills.

This morning we met with the Davis Chamber Legislative committee. Several bills were discussed that held interest to the Chamber, but two were the main items discussed:  Electronic Cigarettes (more on that bill from Rep. Paul Ray later) and State Retirement. Sen. Dan Liljenquist shared that he will not be proceeding with SB42 as SB 43 will get the same savings as SB 42 by addressing the rehires. SB 94, a suspension of the 1.5% 401K for employees hired after 1986, and SB 63 also address URS reform. Included in this package of bills is a commitment to meet 100% of obligations to current employees, implementing a 2nd actuarial study analyzing the framework of the bills passed this session, a July 2011 implementation date for all the bills (URS needs 1 1/2 years to study and restructure their system). Also, the current system will remain in place so we can roll back into it if the state needs to or wants to down the road.

Work on two of my bills continued as well…. on HB 153, “Recycling of Electronic Items” I met with all the stakeholders who have been working on recommendations for this bill and we tried to hammer out some of the details and build consensus. Three hours later we were in a position were most of the people got most of what they wanted. There is a quote up at the Capitol, “Never let perfect get in the way of good.” This bill exemplifies that. It is a good bill and would go a long way to helping the hazards incurred from electronics in our landfills which is the fastest waste stream in the state. Rep. Roger Barrus and I continue to work with refinery operators and municipal leaders on our two goals: process safety management and land use/planning related to refineries.  I’m very appreciative of the efforts and time put forth by the refinery operators in their efforts going forward to implement best practices for process safety management.  HB 169, “Refinery Amendments,” is my bill providing structure for municipalities and counties as they make land use and zoning decisions related to refineries. We are still working on language for this bill and I’m hoping to have it numbered in body by the end of the week.

Any requests for a topic for this week’s Bagels and Briefings?  Let me know.  Next Saturday, Feb. 20, the topic will be Utah’s Retirement System and Sen. Dan Liljenquist will be our guest.  10:30 am, 1121 Eaglewood Loop, North Salt Lake.  Let me know if you’re going to be attending so I can be prepared (just thinking like a Boy Scout) with enough handouts.

Thanks to those who came to the first “Bagels and Briefings” on Saturday morning. We had a great conversation about funding and revenue streams for public education, trends over the past decade, and specifics related to possible legislation to increase equalization of funding. I’ll work to put the materials on the blog for others who may be interested.

The point of the “Bagels and Briefings” series is to conduct indepth discussions about timely topics. I’d like them to meet your needs or interests. Please send suggestions for future meetings my way.

This weekend was spent trying to catch up on reading of bills coming to my committees this week and preparing my bills for their final draft. Things are going to start to accelerate this week both in our committees and in chamber as we vote on bills. Stay tuned!

The House passed out a series of ethics bills today. In many ways I couldn’t be more pleased to see the legislature take some action on an issue that I know is of utmost importance to the people in our district. You can see the five bills on the right side of this blog page under “Recent votes” and click to see the full text. They deal with stricter conflict of interest disclosure forms (to include all state office holders from Governor to legislators, school board, and even candidates for those offices), ban on gifts from lobbyists over $10.00, creation of an independent ethics commission, and restrictions on campaign expenditures. I’d have liked stricter standards on a few of the bills, a total ban on lobbyist gifts for instance rather than the $10.00 limit.

All the bills were passed without much fanfare on the floor although there were many comments. However, considering the public uproar surrounding ethics I almost expected the Capitol bells to start pealing in celebration. The question remains as to what will happen if both the independent commission put forth by the legislature that changes the state’s constitution thus requiring a vote of the people AND the ethics initiative gets signatures sufficient to place it on the ballot as well and BOTH PASS in November. Will the change in the constitution supersede or invalidate the ethics initiative if it passes as well? Legislative research has said they don’t actually know how that will all play out. It is clear that the independent commission aspect of the initiative would be invalidated, but what would happen to the other components of the initiative like the code of conduct remains to be seen.

The Salt Lake County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner was this evening and it was a really lovely event. I have the pleasure of serving in two counties as District 20 spans both Davis and Salt Lake Counties. I sat by two gentlemen who were both first time attenders at this event and were so invigorated about getting involved in campaign work in the U.S. Senate race this year. We had a great discussion about what issues were important to them and how best to get people engaged in the political process. Thomas Wright, SLCounty GOP chair, did a fantastic job with the event.

The best part of the evening was seeing an extensive collection of White House china that included place settings from Lincoln, , Hayes, Johnson, Roosevelt, Bush, and others. Our neighbor Ron Fox was helping with the exhibit and, as he so frequently does, brought this exquisite and artistic piece of history to life.

By the way, someone pointed out tonight that the session is 1/4 of the way over. We are down 11 days with 34 left. I do not feel like we have done 1/4 of the work so that just means we have some very busy days ahead.

There are some key deadlines during the session and one of them happened today. We had until noon to either pass or defeat each base budget bill. HB 1, “Minimum School Program Base Budget,” Rep. Merlynn Newbold, and SB 1, “State Agency and Higher Education Base Budget,” Sen. Lyle Hillyard, each propose base budgets. Neither is a final product. In fact, there is a fair amount of trust involved in passing a public ed budget that does not include funding for new student growth and decreases the weighted pupil unit from $2577 to $2477, assuming and expecting that this is the starting point, and we will work forward to something that truly meets the needs of the students in our state. The same situation holds true with the senate bill.

This afternoon I attended a reception sponsored by the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities in the Capitol rotunda. I met and spoke with several people in our area who are involved in this arena, either as family members, providers, or clients of the services. Their stories are amazing examples of people enduring through the most difficult circumstances and making a life oftentimes with the most meager assistance from the state. Autistic adult children, deaf/blind support service providers, 18 year stays on the DSPD “wait list,” early intervention for children, three severely disabled children in the same family, work programs that provide opportunities to contribute to our community, and the stories go on. For me, further cuts to these programs that serve the most vulnerable among us are almost unbearable.

As the rotunda filled with children and adults as varied as their disabilities and needs I was reminded of Romania in 1990. My parents served as the first LDS humanitarian missionaries in Romania after the fall of Communism. Their work centered around helping children in the orphanages that were beyond capacity as a result of a disastrous plan by their leader Ceacescu to populate the country in a hurry. They set up the first Special Olympics in that country as well. And this was done as the people there were still reeling from an official policy that literally outlawed people with disabilities. They were not allowed on the streets during the daylight hours. There were no services and in fact no acknowledgement of their existence. There are a lot of things I love about America, including that we strive to help all people achieve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And that we believe they deserve nothing less. Here’s hoping we don’t ever lose sight of that.

Reverend France Davis of the Calvary Baptist Church spoke in the House chamber this morning. He was representing the Martin Luther King Commission for the State of Utah, which was established by the legislature. I could have listened to him for a good while longer than he spoke this morning. His passion was inspiring and made me wish I attended his congregation each Sunday. I typed much of his talk on my laptop as he was speaking and I’ll share some of the highlights below.

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of my mentors. I was with him on the march from Selma to Montgomery and when he gave his speech in Washington. That all started the modern civil rights movement. But, the original civil rights movement began with the Bill of Rights, then the Emancipation Proclamation built upon that. Martin Luther King led the massive nonviolent crowd to achieve rights for all people living in the United States. He was a drum major for justice. He started a mass grass roots organization demanding the attention of the world and pricking the conscience of every individual with a sense of decency. Some called him a communist, a socialist, but he was a man with a vision and a dream about a country that could reach it’s fullest potential.

It is midnight. It is midnight in terms of our struggle and it is time for us all to decide if we are going to wake up in the morning to a better world or not. Just like others who have been oppressed, victims of injustice or wars. Martin Luther King would be pressing for changes to take our swords and turn them into plows, to let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

Martin Luther King became the voice for the voiceless. Is there one in this body who can be the voice for the voiceless? Is there one among us this morning who can be the face of change? Is there one who will be the hope for a brighter future for our children?  Even when you kill the dreamer the dream lives on.  We are still dreaming for a better world.  We can stand up on behalf of those who cannot stand.

Langston Hughes once said, ‘Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is like a broken winged bird that just cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams, for when dreams go, life is a barren field frozen with snow.’

The Martin Luther King Commission of Utah is alive and well. Our goal is to trump the unrealized hopes of others. To do the work of service for the people. Come along side of us and together we can turn this world into what it ought to be.”

Two shout outs to Davis County…..

One of the great assets legislators from Davis County enjoy is the opportunity we have to meet weekly with the Davis Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Affairs Committee. This committee consists of business and community leaders in the county who come together every Monday morning at 7:00 (!) during the legislative session to discuss the bills and issues that have a direct impact on our county. This morning was our first meeting and we discussed HB48, “Amendments to the Tourism, Recreation, Cultural, Convention, and Airport Facilities Tax Act,” Rep. Craig Frank. This bill repeals the 1% restaurant tax and the LAC is in strong opposition to this bill as they feel it shifts the tax burden from tourists to locals. Barbara Riddle, President and CEO of the Davis Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Louenda Downs, County Commissioner, both spoke against it and referenced the good the 1% tax has done for tourism and recreation efforts in Davis County.   Another bill discussed was HB24, “Economic Development Incentives Act Amendments,” Rep. Brent Wallis, which provides incentives to draw businesses to Utah.  Other issues they support: the Utah Procurement Team, the WSU Bachelor of Engineering program, Falcon Hill Infrastructure Development, Transportation prioritized list for East/West Corridors, and maintaining funding for higher and public ed.  Each of the legislators present had a chance to discuss the bills they are working on and get feedback from the committee. This meeting is known to be tremendously effective and is actually now being copied by Salt Lake County.

The second shout out is to Congressman Rob Bishop.  While technically not a Davis County resident now, he was born in Kaysville and graduated from Davis High School.  Congressman Bishop was at the Capitol today and spoke in the House chamber. He spoke passionately about federalism and the horizontal and vertical separation of powers. He feels three concepts regarding federalism are important:
1. Educate people about federalism.
2. Find ways the federal government is duplicating state programs and help that money state in state.
3. Empower states to fight against the federal government.

More tomorrow!

During floor time we voted on two interesting bills. Actually every bill is interesting, it’s just that some are more interesting than others (think Animal Farm).  HB 79, “Valid Voter Identification Amendments,” by Rep. Marie Poulson deserves the award for the bill that received the most debate on the floor.  Basically it allows for elderly voters to utilize their Medicare card as a valid form of ID voting.  I voted for the bill and it did not pass.  The arguments against the bill centered on this making a way for voter fraud by illegal immigrants and that the mechanisms in place are necessary to serve the purpose of protecting the sacred right of voting.  While I agree that voting is a special privilege and right of Americans and think appropriate protections of that right are necessary and good, I believe the group this bill is intended to help deserves an additional level of ease in their attempts to vote.  The group this bill intends to assist are those aged 80-90 primarily, many of whom live in assisted living, and who treasure their right to vote, but do not have a drivers license or a form of secondary identification (such as a utility bill or concealed carry permit proving address).  To me, this bill was a good common sense bill and I was disappointed to see it failed 27-47.

The other bill was by Rep. Jim Dunnigan, which was a 2900 line bill that amended many aspects of the insurance industry.  The thing that sold me on it was the ability it laid out for children, who are no longer available for the CHIP program, either through aging out or parents’ income escalating beyond the qualification levels, to have a window of 30 days to get enrolled in their parents’ insurance program rather than waiting for the annual open enrollment period.  CHIP is an example of a government program that really works and to the extent that we can continue to make it work efficiently for the children it serves all the better.  Another example of a good common sense bill.  I voted yes and it passed unanimously.

In the afternoon the Transportation, Environmental Quality, National Guard and Veterans Affairs Appropriation Committee I sit on was cancelled.

I had an opportunity to meet with several people from our district today.  One was a USU student Ben Brown of North Salt Lake and now Logan, who was at the Capitol today as part of the USU Research Posters on the Hill day.  I’ve known Ben for many years and he served as a senior class officer with my son and a fantastic girl, Jenny Badham,  who is returning from an LDS mission in a few weeks, just in time to help these two young men plan their five year reunion.  They couldn’t be more thrilled!  Anyway, Ben has just completed a complicated and impressive research project on neuroaminidase (?) proteins and their involvement with the influenza virus.  Ben is a good example of all that is right with Utah’s colleges and why it is so important to maintain sufficient funding for strong higher ed programs in our state.

Next, I attended an event for an organization called Women for Decency.  It is a non-profit organization created to combat pornography and provide support for women who endure the pain of a loved one’s use of pornography.  Several people in our district were there:  Kim Jensen, North Salt Lake, who serves on their board, Daryl and Diony George of Salt Lake City, Shannon Wright of North Salt Lake, and Steve and Marcia Bennion of Bountiful.  Seeing this group of folks from our area all involved in this good enterprise is a reminder of all the activities so many of you are involved in that enrich and enhance our communities, schools, neighborhoods, and families.  I’m inspired by the choices you make to spend your time and resources pursuing good ideals.  And tonight, I was inspired by this group.

Lastly, I attended the opening night of the Woods Cross High School production of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” My daughter and niece are in the cast and I must say it is fantastic.  If you’re in the mood for a return to the golden age of Broadway and a simple love story, this is it.  They run every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday until Presidents Day in February.  Woods  Cross HS is just off the 2600 South exit of I-15 in Woods Cross.

I had the opportunity to meet the Youth Councils for both Bountiful and North Salt Lake cities today. They were at the Capitol as part of some training provided by the Utah League of Cities and Towns. I know many of these youth and can assure you they are well rounded, interesting, and inspiring. The Youth Councils in both cities provide great service for the community and also are given opportunities for learning leadership. Today’s focus for them was on what it takes to be an effective leader. They spent some time at the Capitol observing elected leaders, heard from Dale Murphy, former major league all-star baseball player, and also heard from Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City. Legislators were invited to attend the Giuliani speech. It was a treat. Having lived in New York City for some time I know how well respected and loved he is by New Yorkers, especially after the attacks of 9/11.

Giuliani shared the six essential skills a leader must have:
1. Operate from a sense of purpose.
2. Be an optimist.
3. Have courage–the ability to overcome fear, their own and the fears of others.
4. Turn fear away by relentless preparation.
5. Have a clear understanding of the importance of teamwork.
6. Be able to communicate–care about and love the people you lead.

As I discussed his six characteristics with a colleague following an afternoon Transportation Appropriations Committee meeting I realized the youth council members I met earlier are well on their way to becoming the very type of leaders Giuliani described in his speech. They have what it takes!

We started off the floor time this morning by discussing and voting on a few bills that I think will really make a big difference in the state. Two were sponsored by Rep. Brad Daw and dealt with the Controlled Substance Database maintained by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). The first, 1SHB35, outlines a procedure for notifying a practitioner following an overdose of a person to whom they have prescribed a controlled substance. The hospital initially notifies DOPL, who after receiving the report notifies each practitioner who may have written a prescription for the controlled substance of the overdose. The second bill, HB28, requires physicians who are licensed to prescribe a controlled substance to register to use the Controlled Substance Database and take a tutorial and test related to the database and prescribing of controlled substances. This would happen when the physician applies for or renews their license. Both these bills begin to take seriously the problem our state has with prescription drug addiction. I applaud the efforts of all involved in the creation of the bill and enthusiastically voted yes on both.

The other bill, HB24, sponsored by Rep. Brent Wallis, “Economic Development Incentives Act Amendments,” sets forth requirements of applicants for tax credit under the Economic Development Incentives Act to provide documentation that it has in fact met it’s obligations to create high paying jobs, had significant purchases from Utah vendors or providers, and made significant capital investment. I am wholeheartedly in support of economic development measures to attract and retain businesses and industry to our state, but am pleased to see the tightening up of responsibilities these entities have to our taxpayers.

We also met briefly in our standing committees. As a reminder the two standing committees I sit on are Political Subdivisions and Education. In Education we passed out of committee a bill by Rep. Rhonda Menlove that provides an option for school districts to expand the provisional teaching status from 3 to 5 years. We also passed out a bill by Rep. Sheryl Allen that requires background checks on non licensed employees in a school district (secretaries, custodial etc.) to be paid for by the applicant, rather than the school district. These tests for this level of employee typically run from $20-$40 but would save Davis School District around $250,000 a year, for instance. Teachers are already required to pay for their own background checks. Both groups must get background checks at the time of initial hiring and then every 5 years for teachers and every 6 years for non-licensed employees. A good move I think, that also happens to save school districts some money.

This evening Governor Herbert gave his State of the State address. His focus remains on three issues: Education, Energy, and the Economy. He recommitted to maintaining funding for public education and announced a new Energy Commission, which will also discuss air quality (hooray!!). More to come tomorrow….

As you are probably aware today was the first day of the 2010 legislative session.  The day was spent in the chamber as we began the day with some formal pomp and circumstance including an opening prayer given by Elder M. Russell Ballard, the national anthem and several other selections from BYU’s Vocal Point (including a rousing rendition of “Rise and Shout” as an encore), introduction of our two new House members and the rest of the Representatives, and introduction of the interns and most importantly all those who serve primarily behind the scenes as legislative pages, support staff and security.  Speaker Clark spoke on the challenges we are expected to face this session and his commitment to face those challenges in a manner consistent with Utah’s being voted the number one best managed state.  Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Christine Durham also spoke on some of the innovations the judicial system has put into place in light of the budget cuts they have experienced this past year.   It was a great day in the chamber, full of inspiration and motivation.  During the lunch hour I was part of a panel of women legislators who spoke to a group representing “Leadership Park City,” which identifies, encourages and trains emerging leaders.  It was great to hear from my colleagues about their bills and principles that guide them during the session.  One theme that came across from us all was the need to work together to find common ground and solutions we can all agree on.  Tomorrow we get on with the work of actually putting that ideal into practice.