Gary Herbert Vetoes 5 Day Work Week HB 328 Saves 3 day weekend for state employees

The Legislature passed Reb. Mike Noel's bill to return to a five day work week with a large enough margin in both the House and the Senate to over ride any veto by the Governor and yet he still vetoed it.  HB 328 status   

The House voted 62-11 to support the return to the five day work week House vote,  and the senate voted 18-8  senate vote to return to a five day work week.  Scott Jenkins was the Senate sponsor with 64 co-sponsors.  HB 328 text

At the very least this should give the clear message a veto proof majority of Utah's legislature prefer the five day work week to the governor.

If the intention is to save money why not just shut down ALL government operations ALL the time?
Governor Huntsman changed to a four day work week to save money, however all indications are that the projected savings did not occur.

Surveys over the years have shown that Utah State workers prefer the four day work week and like having a three day weekend.  When there is a holiday on Monday all state offices are closed four days in a row- go figure the state employees like three to four consecutive days off in a row.

Now if only the private sector could figure out how to make enough money in four days to close on Fridays, Utah could live happily ever after with a three day weekend for everyone, including grocery stores, doctors and hospitals, restaurants, schools, etc.

Salt Lake Tribune

Deseret News

April 1 Last day to file for candidate for Utah County Republican Officers

The Steering Committee has set April 1, 2011 as the filing deadline for candidate filing for 2011 officers of the Utah County Republican Party.  Those officers include Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.

Any registered Republican can file for any of the positions including the State Central Committee.

You can access the list of those that have already filed here:  Utah County GOP site documents-secretary-candidate filings

You can also file for one of 20 positions Utah County has on the Republican State Central Committee.  There are 180 State Central Committee members and they meet quarterly, around the state.  If you miss three meetings you are automatically replaced so you must plan to attend to stay on the committee.

To apply e-mail the party secretary of your intentions. lisa.shepherd@utahcountygop.org

2011 State Republican Organizing Convention June 18, South Towne Expo

The Utah State Republican Party 2011 Organizing Convention is Saturday June 18, 2011
  10:00 a.m. at the South Towne Exposition Center, Sandy.

There is a family Fundraising Event June 17.

If you did not receive a post card and you are a state delegate contact Lisa Shepherd to find out why.

May 19, 5 p.m. is the deadline to file for State Party Office.  Elections will be held for State GOP chair, State GOP Vice Chair, State GOP Secretary, and State GOP Treasurer.  You have to be a registered Republican to file to run.

June 10, midnight is the deadline to resign or be replaced as a state delegate.  Any replacements not done by this time, will NOT be allowed to VOTE at the state convention on June 18.

For more information visit  Utah State Republican  

or call 801-533-9777.

Brad Daw voted to repeal HB 477 and Margaret Dayton voted against repeal

The Utah Legislature met in a special session on Friday March 25, to vote to repeal HB 477.  Senator Margaret Dayton opposed the repeal and voted against HB 1001, sponsored by Rep. John Dougall to repeal HB 477.

Senators absent and voted against repealing HB 477:   Senate Vote

NAYS 5
       
       Dayton          Reid            Waddoups        
       Madsen          Thatcher        
       
       
       ABSENT 5
       
       Adams           Christensen     Stowell         
       Buttars         Okerlund        
       

House members absent and voted against repealing HB 477:  House vote

NAYS - 3
 
      Hendrickson       Noel              Webb              
 
 
 ABSENT OR NOT VOTING - 12
 
      Arent             Chavez-Houck      Mathis            Seelig            
      Barrus            Draxler           McIff             Wilson            
      Biskupski         Harper            Morley            Wright            
 

Deseret News

Salt Lake Tribune

Famous quotes regarding HB 477 during the 2011 legislative session quoted in the Salt Lake Tribune include:   "On the other hand, Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, had this to say about why HB477 was rushed through in a matter of days:

“Nobody likes to do this in an election year…So now is the time.”

He also said: “We want to do it today. It will complicate matters if it has a weekend to fester.”

Tribune Legislator's own words tell sad tale of HB 477

Legislative 60 Meeting with Legislators April 5 Cherry Hill Elementary

Come Speak with your legislators

Legislative Report

Tuesday April 5, 2011

7:30-9:00 pm

Cherry Hill Elementary School

250 E. 1650 So. Orem

 

Governor Herbert signed HB 75 which 60% of Utahns Oppose

According to a Dan Jones survey 60% of those surveyed opposed lifting a 1,000 foot gun-free perimeter around schools, and Governor Herbert signed the bill into law anyway.  Deseret News

HB75 eliminates a 1,000-foot gun-free buffer around schools. It was against the law for individuals without a concealed weapon permit to openly carry a firearm in that area.   During the Senate debate, Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, said Herbert would veto the bill if the Legislature didn’t leave in place a 50-foot buffer, but the governor signed the legislation anyway.

Status HB 75

text HB 75 substitute 1 

123 bills passed the legislature on the final day

The legislature passed a total of 504 bills, however 123 of them were passed on the final day. 
About half of the bills 243 were passed in the just the last four days.  Salt Lake Tribune

24% of the total bills passed were passed on the last day.  With about 50 % passing in the last 4 days.  I wonder why the legislature needs a 45 day session at tax payer expense.  How much money could be saved if the legislature cut the length of their session in half.

Why should Utah taxpayers pay for the legislature to meet 45 days when clearly they don't need that much time?  I would be happy with only 243 bills that they passed in 4 days.  I personally don't think Utah needs 782 bills or resolutions introduced each year and maybe Utah doesn't need 504 new laws every year either.


As a former school teacher I would like to ask what happened in the rest of the 45 day session.

 What would happen in the classrooms in Utah if teachers taught half of everything the students learned in only 4 days?

Salt Lake Tribune Photo Mike Waddoups Center