Politics

A bill making it illegal to smoke in a car with children is one step closer to becoming law after getting a favorable recommendation from the House Health and Human Services Committee.

Democratic Representative Patrice Arent says her bill is aimed at helping the thousands of children without a voice who are being harmed by second hand smoke in cars. Several doctors spoke in favor of the bill, including Dr. Kevin Nelson, a pediatrician at the University of Utah.

The Senate Revenue and Taxation committee chose not to move on a bill that would have allowed the state to tax water usage.

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.

Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson made a visit to the legislature Thursday where he shared a list of things that he believes will help economic development.

He says the first task in encouraging economic development is eliminating uncertainty.

“You can’t eliminate all uncertainty of course but, when public policy multiplies the amount of uncertainty that’s out there, for the private sector, for the public sector, that’s a burden,” he says.

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.

 A poll released by the BYU Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy gives new insight into how Utah voters feel about the alleged scandal involving Utah Attorney General John Swallow.

 The Utah House Health and Human Services Committee gave a favorable recommendation to a bill that would allow mental health and substance abuse counselors the ability to provide therapy remotely.

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.  

Utah courts are becoming stronger, more efficient and more transparent according to newly-appointed Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew Durrant. Durrant gave the annual State of the Judiciary to lawmakers this afternoon on day one of the 2013 legislative session. 

Chief Justice Durrant touted the high court's ability to handle a 10 percent cut in staff during the recession. In the face of reductions, the court system was able to reduce the age of pending cases by 34 percent, meaning cases are being resolved faster.

State House Speaker Rebecca Lockhart opened this year’s legislative session by calling on Utah to become less reliant on federal dollars.

Lockhart told House members that gridlock in Congress has a direct and immediate effect on Utah.

“It’s become increasingly apparent that the action or inaction of the federal government profoundly influences our success. We must have or implement a plan to get the state of Utah less reliant on federal revenue,” said Lockhart.