2014 Legislative Session: Week 1

The 2014 Legislative Session has started and it has been a busy first week. The week was filled with Appropriations Committee meetings as we addressed the base budget of the different departments of the state government. The committees are asked by the different departments to analyze and prioritize their needs in the upcoming year’s budget. Our goal is to look for ways to streamline services and save dollars. I am currently serving on the Retirement and Independent Entities as well as Infrastructure and General Government Appropriation Committees.

Next week, legislators’ bills will go to their proper Standing Committees for review. I will have five pieces of legislation being heard during the first two weeks of this session. You can track my legislation on the State Legislature’s website here.

My Legislation for 2014:

A. Labor Commission Decision Amendments
-Legislation to record wages paid with cash.

B. Advanced Placement Test Funding
-Making funding available to disadvantaged children to help pay for AP testing.

C. Workplace Safety Week Designation
-Designates third week of June for celebrating and rewarding safety in the work place.

D. Voter List Protection
-Requiring the state of Utah to protect voter files.

E. Township Protection Bill
-Forming a new structure of government for the SLC Townships.

F. Workers Compensation and Employee Misconduct
-Defining use of illegal drugs or misuses of legal drugs.

G. Paraeducator Funding
-More money for Para education in failing schools.

H. Privatization of Government Services Joint Resolution
-Suggested guidelines for privatization of government.

I. Public Meetings Amendments
-Making sure all meetings at the capitol are posted and placed on the calendar so that public access is easier.

IMPORTANT ISSUES TO WATCH IN THIS SESSION:

CLEAN AIR INITIATIVES, WATER ACCESS, TRANSPORTATION, VOTER RIGHTS AND PROTECTION.

Thank you for your participation in the legislative process.

Sincerely,

Karen