Politics

Survey Shows GOP Favor Changes to Delegate System

Whittney Evans — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:47:40 +0000

Some members of the Utah GOP Caucus favor changes to the delegate system that could increase the number of primary elections in the state, according to a recent survey. This weekend at the state Republican convention delegates will consider the proposed changes including an increase in the vote threshold candidates must obtain to avoid a primary.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Investigating Attorney General's Office

Brian Grimmett — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:29:18 +0000

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill has confirmed that he and Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings are looking into whether or not the Utah Attorney General’s office has violated any state laws.

Utah Legislative Committee Discusses Appointing Attorney General

Brian Grimmett — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:30:31 +0000

The State Government Operations Interim committee discussed today the possibility of making Utah’s Attorney General an appointed position rather than an elected one.

Utah House Not Yet Discussing Impeachment of Attorney General

Brian Grimmett — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:48:48 +0000

The Utah legislature is meeting this week for their monthly interim meetings but they don’t plan on discussing the fate or potential impeachment of Attorney General John Swallow.

Speaker of the House Rebecca Lockhart says she’s concerned about the recent allegations brought against Attorney General John Swallow and that they’re looking into how the legislature might address them.

Police Integrity Crucial to WVC Mayor Candidate

Dan Bammes — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:41:25 +0000

Restoring the credibility of West Valley City’s police department is the top priority for Margaret Peterson, who announced her candidacy for mayor of Utah's second-largest city this week.

Lt. Governor to Seek Special Counsel in Swallow Investigation

Brian Grimmett — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:24:27 +0000

Utah Lt. Governor Greg Bell will seek special counsel to investigate three of the 12 allegations brought against Attorney General John Swallow that he violated election law.

Salt Lake Boy Scout Officials Will Vote Independently on Gay Ban

Terry Gildea — Wed, 08 May 2013 23:32:46 +0000

Members of the Boy Scouts Great Salt Lake Council met today to discuss how to vote on a proposal to partially lift a ban on gays in the organization. A final vote on the plan will take place at a national meeting later this month.

Utah Governor Wants to Hurry AG Investigation

Dan Bammes — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:48:51 +0000

Utah Governor Gary Herbert wants to see federal authorities hurry up with their investigation of Utah’s attorney general. The governor said this morning that the delay is impacting the Attorney General’s office and the investigation has taken too long.

Valentine Won't Challenge HB 76 Veto

Terry Gildea — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:44:22 +0000

Utah lawmakers are still in the process of deciding whether or not to override Governor Gary Herbert’s veto of House Bill 76. Some who voted for the bill have decided not to challenge the Governor.

Hatch and Lee Vote Against Proceeding With Gun Control Bill

Terry Gildea — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:34:58 +0000

Utah’s Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee voted no today on a motion to proceed with legislation in the U-S Senate that could alter regulations for buying and owning guns.

Chaffetz Calls for Piecemeal Immigration Reform

Brian Grimmett — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:48:01 +0000

Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz called for a piecemeal approach to immigration reform while speaking at the Hinckley Institute of Politics today. He says if you want to solve the overall problem you have to start by fixing legal immigration.

“You never ever solve this problem unless you fix legal immigration," he says. "I don’t care how big, far, wide your fence is, if you don’t fix legal immigration you never solve the problem.”

LDS Democrats Announce National Organization

Whittney Evans — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 21:23:40 +0000

Democrats in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have launched a national organization to promote their political values. Leaders of LDS Democrats of America announced the development during a virtual press conference this morning .

Thomas Wright Not Seeking Re-election as Utah GOP Chairman

Terry Gildea — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:03:23 +0000

Utah Republican Party Chairman Thomas Wright announced today that he will not seek re-election when the state GOP meets in May.

Lee Joins Senators Paul and Cruz Threatening Block of Gun Control Legislation

Terry Gildea — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:06:09 +0000

Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee has joined two other lawmakers who say they will block any legislation dealing with gun control.

30-Year-Old Deal Could Save Salt Lake County Millions of Dollars

Brian Grimmett — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 23:09:33 +0000

A deal made more than 30 years ago between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Salt Lake County could end up saving taxpayers millions of dollars.

Utah Lawmakers Consider Possible Veto Override

Terry Gildea — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 01:32:08 +0000

Governor Herbert Vetoes Constitutional Carry Bill

Whittney Evans — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:44:14 +0000

Utah Governor Gary Herbert has vetoed HB 76, a bill that would allow any Utahn over the age of 21 to carry a concealed firearm without a permit unless the weapon has a round in the chamber. Now it’s up to Utah lawmakers to decide if they want to overrule the governor’s decision.

Governor Herbert says he vetoed HB 76 because Utah’s current gun laws have served the state well and have become a model for the nation.

Pollster Dan Jones Retires from the University of Utah

Andrea Smardon — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:25:38 +0000

Prominent Utah pollster Dan Jones is retiring from his position as Political Science Professor at the University of Utah. Jones is stepping down after more than 50 years of teaching, but says he will continue his work in political polling.

The end of Jones teaching career was marked by a crowd of politicians, academics, and students at the U’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.

“Dan Jones has had the largest impact of probably anyone in Utah on civic participation,” said the institute’s Director Kirk Jowers.

Three Bills Aimed at Improving Air Quality Pass Legislature

Terry Gildea — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 05:03:26 +0000

When the 2013 Utah Legislative session ended at midnight on Thursday, lawmakers had passed three bills aimed at improving air quality, but let four other bills expire without consideration.

Quick Action on Election Law Bill

Dan Bammes — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 22:49:54 +0000

Current Utah law would have required Utah’s Attorney General to investigate a complaint against himself of violating Utah’s election rules. But the Utah State Senate passed a bill Thursday afternoon to give that job to an independent lawyer.

2013 Utah Legislative Session Live Chat

Brian Grimmett — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 22:05:59 +0000

Join KUER's team of reporters for a live chat from the Utah State Capitol as we track down the most important stories on the last day of the Utah State Legislature. Join in on the conversation and tell us what you think about this year's legislative session. Let us know what you think, be it the good, the bad, or the ugly.

Constitutional Carry Bill Passes Legislature, Sent to Governor's Desk

Brian Grimmett — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:12:17 +0000

HB 76, the bill eliminating the need to get a concealed carry permit, is moving to the governor’s desk after the Senate gave it final approval today.

Sen. Allen Christensen, R-Ogden, is the Senate sponsor of the bill. He says he simply wants to make it easier for Utahns to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights that they already have.

Two Air Quality Bills Moving Through Legislature

Terry Gildea — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 03:40:18 +0000

With the last week of the Legislative session underway, lawmakers approved two bills in the Senate and House yesterday geared toward improving the region’s air quality.

Antidiscrimination Bill Dies Without a Senate Debate

Brian Grimmett — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 23:27:03 +0000

Republican Senator Stephen Urquhart’s LGBT antidiscrimination bill did not receive a vote on the Senate floor Monday, effectively killing it for this year’s legislative session.

By passing out of committee SB262, which would prohibit employers and landlords statewide from discriminating against homosexuals, made it further than any other similar legislation ever has. Democratic Senator Jim Dabakis co-sponsored the bill and while he says that he’s disappointed that it didn’t receive a vote in the Senate, he acknowledges that they’re moving in the right direction.

Second Amendment Rights Bill Passes Utah House

Terry Gildea — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 00:26:34 +0000

A bill that would make Utah gun laws superior to federal law passed the state House on Friday. Republican Representative Brian Greene of Pleasant Grove is the bill’s sponsor. He says his legislation is not just about preserving gun rights but also the rights of states to stand against the federal government.

Medicaid Battle Looming

Dan Bammes — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:25:55 +0000

A battle could be shaping up in the Utah House of Representatives over a bill that would stop the state from expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

Lawmakers Advance Anti-Discrimination Bill

Whittney Evans — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 04:57:50 +0000

Utah lawmakers have given preliminary approval to state-wide housing and workplace protections for gays and lesbians. Last night, members of the Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services committee advanced the bill. It’s the first time a statewide non-discrimination measure has survived a committee hearing in Utah.

Republican Senator Steve Urquhart sponsored Senate Bill 262. He told the committee the basic principle behind the bill is straightforward.

Election Day Voter Registration Bill Approved by House Committee

Terry Gildea — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:44:53 +0000

A bill that would allow citizens to register to vote in Utah on election-day was approved by a House Committee today. HB 91 would allow voters to register at the polls on and require county clerks to count those votes. Democrat Rebecca Chavez Houck of Salt Lake County is the sponsor of the bill. She hopes the legislation would increase voter turnout.

Matheson Says Both Parties to Blame for Sequestration

Andrea Smardon — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 23:03:02 +0000

Democratic Utah Congressman Jim Matheson says sequestration or sweeping federal budget cuts that went into effect Friday are a collective failure of Congressional leadership in both parties.

Representative Matheson says everyone in Congress agrees that 85 billion dollars of spending needs to be cut from the federal budget, but he says sequestration is not the way to do it.

Modified Constitutional Carry Bill Advances

Whittney Evans — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:57:39 +0000

A bill that would allow anyone 21 years of age or older to carry a concealed weapon was amended and passed on the house floor today.