Comments on: 58th Legislative Session — the First Day

By: End of the Session » Pursuit of Liberty

End of the Session » Pursuit of Liberty — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:10:15 +0000

[...] the legislative session started in January my representative, Becky Edwards, promised to blog each day of the session . Now that the session has ended I want to thank her for keeping that promise as well as the rest [...]

By: David

David — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:23:23 +0000

I’d like a survey.

By: Becky

Becky — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 07:05:51 +0000

The surveys were sent out by the Utah Republican party to people in District 20 who voted in the General 08 election and included all Republicans, Unaffiliated, and Democratic voters alike. Their list was generated from the county clerk’s office, I believe. However, I can say that my own parents, who definitely voted in November, didn’t receive surveys in the mail either, so some people have definitely been missed. We are working on getting the online version up and going, but until then if you’d like a survey and didn’t receive one in the mail, let me know and I’ll send you one.

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:27:55 +0000

Becky,
Was everyone in district 20 supposed to get a survey? I didn’t receive one. I did, however, receive all of your postcards when you were running. Is there some place I can see a survey and answer to it?
Thanks

By: David

David — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:42:37 +0000

Based on the pictures you have posted, I suspect we are pretty close.

By: Becky Stauffer

Becky Stauffer — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:59:09 +0000

Yes, Becky, I agree with David’s suggestion.

And thank you, Becky, for stating that each of those bills should be examined on its own merit. I think there is a lot of fear-mongering going on relative to these bills and some people who seriously need some legal protections may not get them as a result.

P.S. David, I didn’t realize you and I were in Dist 20. We must be neighbors!

By: David

David — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:16:08 +0000

Becky,

You might ask that gentleman for permission to post his notes here on your blog.

By: Becky

Becky — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:29:08 +0000

Two points related to the recent stream of comments:
1. As far as getting announcements about town meetings out early enough for people to make arrangements to attend…we can, should, and will do better. An announcement was in the Davis County Clipper for two issues prior to the meeting and then also was announced on the back of the surveys, but I know many of those didn’t arrive in the mail until the day of the meeting. Not enough lead time, agreed. There is a gentleman who took copious notes on the meeting and has compiled them into a pretty extensive and accurate record of the evening. If you’d like a copy of those notes let me know and I’ll forward them to you via email.

2. The so called “Common Ground” initiatives actually include 5 different bills all surrounding a broad theme of clarifying and delineating rights to those in domestic relationships, including extended family and gay relationships. Each should be examined on it’s own merit. The first bill, which addressed wrongful death suits, did not pass out of the senate committee today. The others deal with wrongful termination of employment, fair housing, and he creation of a domestic registry.

By: Ralph Johnson

Ralph Johnson — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:58:09 +0000

I’m not saying I understand the issues, or that I even quoted him correctly. He just said something to the effect that in regards to things such as gender and race: we cannot discriminate. It’s against the law. However, when “relationships” come into the equation, it takes lawyers and a judge to sort it out. The courts create the “gray” area in an otherwise “black and white” environment. Again, it made sense at the time, but I’m afraid I’ve botched it. Maybe I should not have contributed.

And yes, I learned about the meeting a few days beforehand on the flyer that was sent to our home. It was VERY interesting. I don’t envy our politicians, because there are so many good points on all sides. But I admire the ones who are doing it for the right reasons. I think our community is in good hands with Dan, Sheryl and Becky.

By: Becky Stauffer

Becky Stauffer — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:28:29 +0000

Becky,

Your survey included the announcement of the meeting at the library, but unfortunately it was delivered to my house on the day of the meeting, and I picked up my mail too late to attend. I would like to have heard what Sen. Liljenquist said, too.

I’m not quite following Ralph’s explanation, above, and I’d like to understand why ‘common ground’ covers five elements that cannot be debated. And even if that is the case, just because this group of bills uses the name of ‘common ground’, it’s just a name for convenient reference for all the bills together. That alone should not disqualify the bills for consideration. Each should be considered on its own merits. It seems like Sen. Liljenquist may be too focused on the semantics of the name and not recognizing the important effort behind these bills.