Week 5 Legislative Newsletter

Greetings,

This week at the Capitol we were given revised revenue projections that provided the final numbers on revenue growth and the last piece of budget info we need to finish balancing the budget. This is a highly anticipated number and one that is tracked throughout the year.

Unfortunately, with the shifting numbers and failed policy of Washington DC looming around us, it is incredibly difficult to build a budget.  The Federal government’s tax increase earlier this year caused a $100 million negative impact.  Despite these challenges, we in Utah will balance our state budget on time and to the penny. We will do the very best with the funds we have and match needs with the appropriate funding source, hoping Washington will follow our lead. 

Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions on bills during the session. I always enjoy feedback from constituents and find it very helpful when gauging how to vote on the important issues that come before us.  The easiest ay to reach me during the session is by email at dipson@le.utah.gov or at 435-817-5281

Representative Don L. Ipson

Dipson@le.utah.gov

Current Legislation

           

HB 209 Public Assistance Restrictions

This bill prohibits the recipient of any type of public financial assistance from using the benefits at a liquor store, gaming establishment or adult-oriented entertainment establishment. I think we can all agree that when the taxpayer is providing assistance to someone in need, we expect them to use the money to support themselves and their families in appropriate ways through the purchase of food or housing essentials. Using those public safety net funds in inappropriate ways or places is a violation of the public good will and trust for which those funds were set aside.

HB 129 Amendments to Powers, Functions, and Duties of Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst

Would you like to see exactly where your dollars are going? The idea behind this bill is a taxpayer receipt that would be available on the state’s transparency website (transparent.utah.gov).  It would build a custom receipt based on your tax input for state income tax and sales tax, complete with graphs. Information is power. By making a receipt available, the taxpayer has a greater ability to assess the expenditures, weigh the pros and cons of policy areas, and then get involved in changing the funding formulas. 

H.B. 268 Substitute Disorderly Conduct Amendments

This session there are several “gun bills” that have been proposed. This is a very sensitive area given recent tragedies and closely held 2^nd amendment rights. This bill attempts to strike a balance between our state laws that allow for fire arms to be openly carried, but gives law enforcement personnel the ability to engage with persons that may be causing a disturbance in a public place when open carrying a fire arm. After much debate and some amendments, this bill seems to strike the right balance on the issue of the open carrying of firearms.