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.
