Here are notes from the town hall by our local representative Brad Dew. I was late for the meeting and only got the following. Any misinformation is the fault of the note taker.

This is a submission to my caucus corner occasional blog.

– There is a bill to clean up the process of how bills are processed. Currently, a request for objections to a proposed bill can be submitted to a city council. The city can take its time on responding to giving the applicant the necessary signature papers to gather from citizens. It might take sever lays to as week thus cutting into the signature time. The bill means that the clock for gathering signatures doesn’t start until the applicant gets their signature papers.

– Some bills are an executive and others are legislative. One bill at the state says that a city can’t use city finances to share any info to citizens if the city council objects to what some citizens want. Any time info is shared with the public, each side (Pro and Con) can give 500 words on their stand on the issue. Then each side gets an additional 250 words as a rebuttal. The city can’t unfairly use city money to tilt the balance of opinion.

– Brad is chair of the health and human services committee. That committee oversees the two abortion bills

– Bill presented by Nelson: cannot change the gender on a birth certificate. and not change the gender of a driver’s license.

– Tax code: Medicaid expansion will be very controversial. The issue is on how the state can finance it.

– There are two bills on vaping: vaping is a particular problem with youth. It is proposed to move to age 21 and tax vaping like cigarettes are taxed.

– Brad, are you opposed to public servants such as firemen and police offices getting 50% of their salary in retirement if they have served 25 yrs. He is not opposed to that.

– There is a bill on school fee waivers. cut back on what high schools can charge for fees. We need school fees or increase taxes.

– Is there any legislation on oppornity(sp) zones No. what is oppornity(sp) zones? oppornity(sp) zones is where investors can direct funds to run-down properties and can get a capital gains return and get tax benefits.

– Maybe be a bill on a Lake Powel pipeline: looking at finances. St. George is running out of water. It can’t support its rate of growth. This does not involve the Colorado compact which shares water from the Colorado River to multiple states.

Since I missed much of the meeting, if anyone else attended the meeting, please feel free to add to the notes.