Legislative Updates
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Crystal Young-Otterstrom
Feb 19, 2008, 7:20:02 PM2/19/08
to mesj-sl...@googlegroups.com, MESJ-steering
Hello MESJ of SLC:
Below are a few updates on a number of bills that MESJ of SLC is either in support of or is lobbying against. Please look at the following and take action as you wish. MESJ of SLC is particularly concerned by SB81. Please visit le.utah.gov for additional updates and information on how to contact your legislative representatives about this bill. Encourage your representatives to follow the advice the Church made in a statement released last week, that encouraged our legislators to have compassion towards immigrants.
Both HB239 (which revoked the driver privileges card) and HB241 (repealed exemptions of resident tuition to illegal immigrants) passed last week by narrow margins. These are troubling bills. I am not sure what the numbers are on the corresponding bills in the senate, but I will let you know as soon as I find out. SB81 would be even worse, so please take action. If this law were to pass, it would be a crime for you to drive an illigal immigrant--say someone you visit or home taught--to Church, the doctor, or even Welfare Square.
Best wishes,
Crystal Young-Otterstrom
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This bill was hijacked in committee. The original was replaced with a substitute bill. The original bill asking for further sales tax reduction was wiped out and no longer exists. In other words our chance to get more of the sales tax off food this year is gone. The substitute bill is asking for ongoing revenue of $1 million to reimburse food pantries for sales tax monies they can currently claim on donated food items. When the sales tax on food is gone, this revenue stream will also be gone. If you wish to read the new bill it can be found on the legislative web site le.utah.gov.
SB81 and SB251 - Payday lending:
SB81 asking for collection of a few pieces of data from payday lenders and requiring a 24 hour cooling off period passed out of committee and will be up for a vote by the full Senate in a few days. This bill is very weak but we support it. SB251 is the bill that would have required lots more data collection and given the public lots of information on the industry is being "held" in committee. That means it is dead. No vote was taken on the bill and it will not be heard again this session.
SB81 - Comprehensive illegal immigration bill:
This is Senator Hickman's bill that is based on a similar bill passed last year in Oklahoma. There are numerous items of concern but we are most concerned about the clause making it a crime to transport, conceal or harbor a known illegal immigrant. While there is an exemption for non-profit organizations there are many questions. One example would be giving someone a ride to church. Would that now become a crime? The discussion and vote on this bill is scheduled for 11:15 on Thursday, time certain. You can go to the legislative website le.utah.gov to see and hear the discussion from wherever you are. It is going to be quite a debate.
Funding items:
Medicaid vision funding will be rolled into the Department of Health at the request of it's director. He stated he was tired of being embarassed by this. All that is needed is final approval of intent language which should happen late this afternoon.
Dental funding was put as #13 priority for funding by the Health and Human Service appropriations subcommittee. Funding this item was looking promising before the revenue numbers were reported yesterday. That funding is now in greater jeopordy. We will keep you posted.
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Crystal Young-Otterstrom
801.652.0737
Below are a few updates on a number of bills that MESJ of SLC is either in support of or is lobbying against. Please look at the following and take action as you wish. MESJ of SLC is particularly concerned by SB81. Please visit le.utah.gov for additional updates and information on how to contact your legislative representatives about this bill. Encourage your representatives to follow the advice the Church made in a statement released last week, that encouraged our legislators to have compassion towards immigrants.
Both HB239 (which revoked the driver privileges card) and HB241 (repealed exemptions of resident tuition to illegal immigrants) passed last week by narrow margins. These are troubling bills. I am not sure what the numbers are on the corresponding bills in the senate, but I will let you know as soon as I find out. SB81 would be even worse, so please take action. If this law were to pass, it would be a crime for you to drive an illigal immigrant--say someone you visit or home taught--to Church, the doctor, or even Welfare Square.
Best wishes,
Crystal Young-Otterstrom
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CORC Legislative update
HB304 - Sales tax on food:This bill was hijacked in committee. The original was replaced with a substitute bill. The original bill asking for further sales tax reduction was wiped out and no longer exists. In other words our chance to get more of the sales tax off food this year is gone. The substitute bill is asking for ongoing revenue of $1 million to reimburse food pantries for sales tax monies they can currently claim on donated food items. When the sales tax on food is gone, this revenue stream will also be gone. If you wish to read the new bill it can be found on the legislative web site le.utah.gov.
SB81 and SB251 - Payday lending:
SB81 asking for collection of a few pieces of data from payday lenders and requiring a 24 hour cooling off period passed out of committee and will be up for a vote by the full Senate in a few days. This bill is very weak but we support it. SB251 is the bill that would have required lots more data collection and given the public lots of information on the industry is being "held" in committee. That means it is dead. No vote was taken on the bill and it will not be heard again this session.
SB81 - Comprehensive illegal immigration bill:
This is Senator Hickman's bill that is based on a similar bill passed last year in Oklahoma. There are numerous items of concern but we are most concerned about the clause making it a crime to transport, conceal or harbor a known illegal immigrant. While there is an exemption for non-profit organizations there are many questions. One example would be giving someone a ride to church. Would that now become a crime? The discussion and vote on this bill is scheduled for 11:15 on Thursday, time certain. You can go to the legislative website le.utah.gov to see and hear the discussion from wherever you are. It is going to be quite a debate.
Funding items:
Medicaid vision funding will be rolled into the Department of Health at the request of it's director. He stated he was tired of being embarassed by this. All that is needed is final approval of intent language which should happen late this afternoon.
Dental funding was put as #13 priority for funding by the Health and Human Service appropriations subcommittee. Funding this item was looking promising before the revenue numbers were reported yesterday. That funding is now in greater jeopordy. We will keep you posted.
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Crystal Young-Otterstrom
801.652.0737
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