Author: Utah Senate

Sen Adams & Rep Gibson letter to colleagues: Visit UPSTART family and early intervention reading schools

Utah Senate

The following is a letter Senator Stuart Adams and Representative Francis Gibson sent to members of the Senate and House. Visit UPSTART family and early intervention reading schools Dear Colleagues: As you know, Governor Herbert made a line item veto to SB2 eliminating funding for five education programs including funding that would have expanded UPSTART and provided continued support for early intervention reading programs in our schools. This means about 2,300 4-year-olds will not be able to use UPSTART and will have an adverse effect on about 22,000 Utah students…

Senator Jerry Stevenson: Please support IT Academy

Utah Senate

During the Session we approved an appropriation for our IT Academy, which unfortunately was vetoed by the Governor. This is an excellent program that provides high school students the opportunity to graduate from high school certified in Microsoft and other software programs, which helps these students gain employment straight out of high school. I appreciate that this program offers these high school graduates the potential to support themselves through higher education as they find employment with their certification. I have attached a letter from the IT Academy and a PDF with more information…

Utah Senate: Senator Howard Stephenson veto override statement

Utah Senate

Dear Colleagues, I write for the purpose of providing you with context and information related to the Governor’s veto of SB 2, Item 6 (found on lines 205-220). I strongly believe that we should exercise our Constitutional authority to override this veto. This veto significantly impacts funding for important educational programs in our state which we had carefully studied and vetted through the legislative process. In his veto letters, the Governor explains his reasoning for vetoing this item – but I don’t believe he had complete context, or accurate data,…

Sen. Daniel Thatcher: To vote yes on medical marijuana, we need reliable data

Utah Senate

To vote yes on medical marijuana, we need reliable data. We won’t have that until the Federal Government reclassifies marijuana and the FDA can properly research it, including what conditions are helped, dosage, potential side-effects, and warnings against drug interactions, just like any other drug. Throughout this process, I have seen individuals being shamed and attacked for holding differing opinions. These tactics are causing many good people who hold strong and valid opinions to keep their heads down and their mouths shut. This does not make for good policy. I…