Nearly two weeks have passed since my last blog entry, and things up on the hill are only getting busier. The good news is we are halfway done, and the bad news is there is still a lot of work to do. I met with the Executive Appropriations on Friday evening to discuss the 2010 budget for Higher Education. The metaphor that has been used up on the Hill most often these past few weeks is that we need to “cut the fat” on most program budgets. Though, as we progress into the 2010 fiscal year, we are hearing more and more on how we need to try to prevent cutting into the muscle of these programs, or worse still, into the bone. Resources are scarce and we are scurrying to come up with extra revenues. Let us hope for the best.
The House recently passed HB140 by a vote of 48-27, which would increase fees on motor vehicles by $2. This bill would go towards protecting Highway Patrol troopers who would otherwise be victims of severe budget cuts. There is a second bill on cigarette tax that is currently being considered as well.
There has been enormous uproar on HB187 on the Recreational Use of Public Waters that flow over privately owned beds. I have been bombarded with emails against this bill, and a huge crowd of avid fly fishers showed up in waders with their fly rods to protest the bill, which solidified my opposition to the bill.
I encourage any ideas or comments you may have. Please post below.

Well it has been quite some time since I've made a blog entry. It's much like my attempts to write in a journal, I have high hopes yet I'm easily distracted or delayed. Enough of that....

The legislative session has started and we are well on our way into many weighty discussions. It strikes me each session the privilege it is to be allowed the honor to represent neighbors and friends on issues that will affect their daily life. I'm reminded of the honor and responsibility each day as I look to the front of the chamber and read the term "Vox Populi" or Voice of the People just below the Speaker's dais. Thank you for this opportunity.

The word of the session is Budget.... Many of the discussions we are having in the halls and in the meetings I attend are centered around the budget. We have some serious challenges related to the budget shortfall. I'm working to try and help the members of the legislature more fully recognize the relationship between our economic viability and the investment we need to continue to make with regard to education funding. It's my feeling that unlike any other expenditure we make in the budget, the money we spend for education provides the greatest return on investment. There have been independent studies done that show for every dollar we spend on Higher Education there is a $7.oo dollar return. That return comes in the form of higher wages and greater opportunities for those that are trained. Utah has always been recognized as a state that values education; however, over the past few years our passion among our young people has not been as strong. There are fewer people graduating from our institutions of higher education. In my opinion the need for meaningful additional training for our citizens cannot be over stated. The strength of our country is in a educated and motivated work force. We need to keep our young people focused on those benefits and provide those opportunities.

Hopefully it won't be as long before my next post. Let me know what you think.....