Terry Gildea

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. 

The Utah Department of Health announced that it will allow open enrollment for its health coverage plan known as Primary Care Network or PCN.  The plan is designed to provide low income people and families with preventative care options, but there are many services it does not cover.

PCN has been closed to enrollment since March 2012, but enough funding currently exists to allow for open enrollment over the next three to four weeks.  Kolbi Young is a spokesperson for the Utah Department of Health.

Join Ira Flatow, Flora Lichtman and the entire crew from NPR's Science Friday as they unlock the scientific mysteries of dinosaurs, the Great Salt Lake and other wonders from Utah. 

We were unable to broadcast the show Friday because of breaking news events in Boston, but you can listen to the program here in its entirety

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.

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. 

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

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

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. 

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.  

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.

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.

The Utah House passed a bill today that would provide tax credits to those who purchase clean fuel vehicles over the next five years. 

Republican Representative Jack Draxler’s bill, HB 96, would change the current tax incentive program by eliminating credits for gasoline and propane vehicles.  The Logan lawmaker hopes his legislation would motivate people to buy cars and trucks that produce minimal or zero emissions.

February 27, 2013

The High Costs of the High Cost of Healthcare: Cost to Health, Education, the Economy, and National Security

Robert Huefner:  Professor Emeritus, Political Science Department, U of U

February 20, 2013

Egypt Today: Tragedy or Opportunity? Islam, Democracy and the Crisis of Good Governance

James Mayfield: Co-founder, CHOICE Humanitarian, author, Professor Emeritus, Public Administration & Middle East Studies, U of U; Consultant, Government in 15 Countries

February 20, 2013

The Impact of the Federal Government on Local Government

Peter Corroon: Salt Lake County Mayor 2005-2013

Presented by the Representative Rob Bishop Civic Engagement Fund

Utah Democrats in the state legislature called on Governor Gary Herbert today to move forward with increasing Medicaid coverage. States have the option to expand their programs under the Affordable Care Act.  

As Utahns persist through one of the worst winter inversion seasons in a decade, many have focused their frustration and anger over dirty air on elected officials in the Utah legislature.  In part two of our series Clearing the Air, KUER News explores the  short and long term solutions lawmakers are proposing.

February 6, 2013

The Importance of Boards and Commissions in State and Local Government

Sidney Fonnesbecks - Former Government Consultant; Salt Lake City Councilwoman (1980-1992)

Sheryl Ivey - Salt Lake County Director of Volunteer Services

January 28, 2013

Engaging Youth in Civic Participation: Musical Models and International Perspectives

With International Visitors from Cameroon, Egypt, India, Mexico, Morocco and Oman

In cooperation with the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy under the auspices of the Department of State'sInternational Visitor Leadership Program

Democratic State Lawmakers are calling the federal government to protect and preserve Utah’s greater canyonlands.  

On the steps of the state Capitol Tuesday, State Senator and Utah Democratic Party Chairman Jim Dabakis sought to preserve one the state’s natural treasures. He introduced Senate Joint Resolution 10 that seeks public comment on how to protect the greater canyonlands.

Members of the Utah House passed a bill today that would give businesses a tax break if they hire people who are homeless.  

Salt Lake County Democrat Brian King crafted the bill that would give businesses a tax credit of between five hundred and two thousand dollars for hiring an individual who is homeless. King said the legislation is designed to help some live more stable lives.

Governor Gary R. Herbert delivered his State of the State address last night at the Capitol.  He showcased Utah’s strong economic growth and pledged to increase support for education. 

Governor Herbert focused on education during the first part of his speech calling for sixty-six percent of Utahns to have completed some form of higher education by 2020.  He pledged to invest up to 40 million dollars in the science, technology, engineering and math education or STEM program and Herbert promised to improve public education.

On the second day of the 2013 Legislative Session, Utah Democrats called for a dramatic increase in state education funding, but where that money would come from remains uncertain.  

January 18, 2013

A View from the Edge of the Fiscal Cliff—What Happened and What’s Next?

Elizabeth M. Gore, former Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

Alexander R. Dahl, former Deputy Staff Director and Senior Counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee and Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia

Jacob A. Johnson, former Legislative Assistant for Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT)

January 17, 2013

Giving Hope

Pamela Atkinson, Community Advocate

Anne Burkholder, Executive Director, Salt Lake YWCA

Vaughn Davis, Kelly Benson Apartment (Homeless Program Client)

Tamera Kolher, Director,  State Community Services Office

Matt Minkevitch, Executive Director of The Road Home

Karen Hale (Moderator) Communications Director, Salt lake City Corporation

Co-sponsored by the Bennion Center

January 17, 2013  

From the Legislators’ Perspective: Upcoming Issues and Advice for Advocates

Featuring:  Speaker Rebecca D. Lockhart  (R)

Senator Wayne L. Niederhauser (R)

Senator Luz Robles (D)

Representative Jennifer M. Seelig (D)

Spencer Nitz (moderator)

ASUU Government Relations Board

Presented by: Representative Rob Bishop Civic Engagement Fund

January 16, 2013

The U.S. Foreign Service: Behind the Scenes of  American Diplomacy

Featuring: Nicholas Kralev, author, journalist and lecturer; former Financial Times and Washington Times correspondent.

Click here for more information about the Hinckley Institute of Politics Forums at the University of Utah.

Wednesday January 16, 2013

Fighting Hunger Worldwide: The World Food Programme’s Global and Regional Reach

Featuring: Dr. Carlos Guevara Mann, Programme Officer, Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean United Nations World Food Programme.

Click here for more information about the Hinckley Institute of Politics Forums at the University of Utah.