While these may not be the hot bills for everyone, these are the bills that I’m receiving the most email feedback on over the past few days:
SB48, “Teacher Licensing by Competency Amendments,” Sen. Chris Buttars, allows for someone to receive a competency based license to teach if they pass an exam, pay a fee, and complete a criminal check.
HB187, Rep. Ben Ferry, “Recreational Use of Public Waters on Private Property,” enacts provisions and prohibitions on recreational use of public waterways that flow over private property.
HJR8, Rep. Carl Wimmer, “Joint Resolution Regarding Secret Ballot,” amends the Utah Constitution to allow secret ballots for employee representation, along with elections for public office and initiative or referendums. Two thirds of the House and the Senate will have to pass this bill and if done, it will be placed on the ballot this Fall for a public vote to change the constitution. The controversy of the bill surrounds the “employee representation,” or union representation portion.
HB180, “Modifictaion of Exemption From Nonresident Tuition,” Rep. Greenwood, requires that noncitizen students who’ve attended at least 3 years of high school in Utah and have filed an application to legalize his/her immigration status, are not permitted to work during the year or the year before they receive the instate tuition for a Utah institute of higher education.
HB107, “Economic Impact of Illegal Aliens,” Rep. Steve Clark, provides for a study on the economic impact of illegal immigrants to the state of Utah, including costs incurred from providing services to and revenues received from illegal immigrants through payment of taxes and fees. This will also delay the effective date of SB81, “Illegal Immigration,” from the 2008 session.
You know, Buttars doesn’t have an ounce of PC in him – but you gotta give him points for expressing himself and for his candor. It’s refreshing in a politician. People may not agree with him, but why should he agree with those whom he doesn’t agree with? I’m sure he’s not stupid. I’m sure he knew that this latest diatribe would be controversial. People may want homogenity, but let the voters in his district decide his destiny at the polls.
I like the idea of allowing people to teach if they meet competency standards. Having raised 3 kids, one of the problems in education is that they teach by rote, with no effort to teach kids “HOW” to learn. Practical application is the best way to learn. Some of our kids’ teachers were totally incompetent – they had teaching degrees, but couldn’t teach a kid how (or why) to attach a postage stamp to a letter. My dad used to slam teachers (and I know this is SO not PC), by saying “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach”. Yet, there’s a lot of people who “did” who would make GREAT teachers by applying English, Social Studies, Science and Math to the practical applications in a kid’s life. Buttars has interesting ideas.
As a retired teacher I do not like the idea of competency based licensing. Having knowledge of a subject does not nearly prepare one for the rigors of handling a room full of students with the varying needs, learning styles, family dynamics and so much more. There is much more to being a good teacher than just knowing your subject. I learned that the first day I walked into a classroom of High School students and attempted to teach them Math…something I knew well. I was very grateful for all the training I had in classroom control, grading, varying my teaching techniques and so much more. I continued to take classes to keep current and try new things. I would not have survived if all I knew was math!
I was very disappointed with the reaction to Senator Butterslast week. An elected official should use better judgment than he did. Mr Butters is an embarrassment to the state. Along with free speech comes consequences
I am actually really disappointed that Utah allows illegal immigrants to receive instate tuition. Our state is hurting and a lot of us who have moved here and pay taxes don’t get instate tuition.
These two bills are not good legislation and should be voted against.
HB187, Rep. Ben Ferry, “Recreational Use of Public Waters on Private Property,” enacts provisions and prohibitions on recreational use of public waterways that flow over private property.
HJR8, Rep. Carl Wimmer, “Joint Resolution Regarding Secret Ballot,” amends the Utah Constitution to allow secret ballots for employee representation, along with elections for public office and initiative or referendums. Two thirds of the House and the Senate will have to pass this bill and if done, it will be placed on the ballot this Fall for a public vote to change the constitution. The controversy of the bill surrounds the “employee representation,” or union representation portion.
HJR-8 is great legislation. It is supported by Gov. Huntsman, Sen. Hatch, Attorney General Shurtleff, House and Senate leadership and many business owners and civic leaders. Let’s be clear what the resolution is: it simply refers to the 2010 November general election ballot a state constitutional amendment that guarantees the right to a secret ballot in any elections managed by state and federal authorities — including union organization. It protects Utah voters from intimidation and harassament. Again, this resolution simply allows Utah voters to decide the issue int eh privacy of a voting booth in Noveberm 2010. All Rep. Edwards is voting on is giving her constituents the right to vote on this amendment. Recent polling shows this Resolution supported by 89% of union hopuseholds and 9 out of 10 Utah voters. Same logic that applied to over turning vouchers via referendum applies here: voters support this and legislature should take the wishes of the public seriously.
I’m in favor of the Secret Ballot resolution. Regardless of how you feel about ensuring that these voting instances remain secret and confidential (how democratic societies normally work), the resolution simply puts the issue to the people for a vote (which, by the way, they will do by secret ballot). If it affects their voting rights, why not allow them to decide for themselves? Also, if their workplace ballot regarding union representation is secret, then they’re legislated further protection against management overlords and union bosses.
I posted a comment on this but it either didn’t appear or was erased. I say support the Secret Ballot resolution and let the people decide for themselves on the ballot.
Keep the secret ballots
HJR-8 is definitely needed. I can’t believe that anyone would think that secret ballots aren’t a good idea. The notion that employees are unduly influenced by employers, but not by unions, is just silly. At the end of the day, if they have the chance to vote in secret, no one is improperly able to influence them. We should do whatever we can to preserve this.
It is important that we keep the secret ballots for the safety and well being of those voters who wish to vote without discrimination. We must allow the people to choose for themselves. We should all have this right.
Sincerely, Kara and Lynn
Thank you for helping to save our secret ballot.
I want to urge Rep.Edwards to support the secret ballot bill. This is a good bill. A secret ballot is so vital to out democracy and to all the ways that we cast a vote from our grade school elections to the President of the US. Even in the elections that both Republican and Democrats hold to choose who their leadership will be in the Legislature, are done by secret ballot. Please reserve the right for everyone, the same right that you have. Support the secret ballot bill.
Please support the secret ballot resolution. This is such a important issue to all struggling middle class families that union representation remain decided by a secret ballot.
Concerning HJR-8, what could be more important than having Utah voters cast an up or down vote at the ballot box to determine whether or not they want to preserve the sanctity of secret ballots? Who could possibly be opposed to this?
I think that any Utah legislator that opposes this bill is in an absolutely indefensible position. I have been a union member most of my adult life and virtually all of my fellow rank-and-file workers support keeping the secret ballot in labor relations matters. I would like to see those parties that oppose HJR-8 stand up and explain themselves, if they can.
Let me preface this by saying that I have no inside information on Rep. Edwards’ position on this bill.
There is an obvious campaign here to get Rep. Edwards to support this bill. There is also some misinformation about the bill here. HJR-8 does not amend the Constitution, it starts the amendment process – which also requires that voters vote on the proposed amendment. If Rep. Edwards supports it she is, in effect, endorsing the amendment not simply giving voters the choice. In case anyone is confused on this point, not passing this bill will not imperil our right to a secret ballot in most elections. What the bill really does is preemptively react to the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) which has not yet passed in Congress and which would allow the formation of unions without requiring that secret ballots be used to decide if the Union will be formed.
My one concern with this bill is that if EFCA passes our amendment might just get invalidated in Federal Court (after we, as a state, pay to defend it). I believe that the secret ballot provisions in EFCA are a bad idea but I’m not sure that we can address that potential problem on a state level.
Please please support the secret ballot legislation on the hill. I have many family members that have been a union member for many years. The are all so dismayed that someone could actually deny a fellow American the right to vote their conscience in private. A secret ballot. Please support the secret ballot bill.
With regard to HJR 008. This is absolutely a good bill. I really do want Becky Edwards to support this bill. Voting in a secret ballot is as American as apple pie. It is a win win to vote in favor of HJR 008. Keep all ballots private. It is my business and my business alone how I vote, Unless I share that information freely. It is my private right to not tell anyone how I voted. Keep it secret and personal. Support HJR 008.
Please support & preserve our right to privacy! Keep our ballots secret please. Isn’t it enough worrying whether or not you have a job? Now, image if your boss knew you voted against something they really wanted. Do you feel more afraid of losing your job now? You should, considering you are in a right-to-work state! The Attorney General has reviewed this bill, and they have found no constitutional concerns with it. Please save our secret ballot! Protect your privacy!
I would like you to vote for the “Save Our Ballots” bill. We need to keep the privacy of voting in all areas. If we do not, it will lead to arm twisting, threats, etc. and pesecution.
Thank you!!!
Im am for HJR-8, please vote in favor of this bill.
I strongly support this. They Can not take away are privacy in voting in the Unions. They should not allow the Unions just walk on us
I’m hoping you will support save our secret ballots HJR-008 I think we need to keep our ballots secrets and not go public with them, this way we have our privacy, and ther is no need for it to be changed… it is as very important issue to most people.
Re: Save our Secret Ballot #HJR-08
Please support, Save our Secret Ballot.
Please support Save our Secret Ballot Bill HJY-008. I believe all ballots including Union votes should allways remain secret.