“Pursuit of Happiness”: Not if some legislators have their way….

....all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Are our state legislators really interested in the values of our Founding Fathers? Or are they more interested in property rights.....including owning the "pursuit of happiness" as property? … Continue reading “Pursuit of Happiness”: Not if some legislators have their way….

Si se puede! — Yes we can! – More Images from the March and Rally

(click image to enlarge)

Still We Rise

The last day of the Utah Legislature for 2010 saw a rally by students called “Still We Rise”, a group of activists, students and community members which unveiled a “Student Bill of Rights.” (Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune)Rally Statement:“We the Communities take back the power to declare our inalienable rights that have been … Continue reading Still We Rise

SB44: Health care for “legal” immigrant children garners approval

Utah Senators gave their nod of approval yesterday for SB44 Health Amendements for Legal Immigrant Children. The bill would lift a 5 year waiting period for immigrant families to obtain health care for their children. What is puzzling is the sentiment by adults towards children and tax paying workers. Today’s Deseret News: “These kids are … Continue reading SB44: Health care for “legal” immigrant children garners approval

Nursing Mothers Bill Shot Down by Mostly Male House Committee

The Workplace Accommodation of Breast Feeding Bill, HB252, which would have afforded nursing mothers accommodations in the workplace, was shot down by members of the Utah House Committee after hearing testimony in support of the bill. The action is being called a “blatant slap in the face of Utah’s working mothers” by bill sponsor Rep. … Continue reading Nursing Mothers Bill Shot Down by Mostly Male House Committee

Immigration Reform – Repairing a Broken System

There are a number of immigration bills that have been signed into law in the past and new bills this year addressing immigration issues in Utah. Mark Alvarez, Utah Attorney, had a piece published in the Salt Lake Tribune in which he says, In 2000, George W. Bush said, “Immigration is not a problem to … Continue reading Immigration Reform – Repairing a Broken System

“Unless you have been in our wheelchairs, you don’t know what it’s like….”

This is the message that disabled citizens wanted to get across to legislators as they rallied yesterdayat the Utah Capitol in protest of the cuts being made to health care in Utah as part of HB67 Health System Amendments and the budget cuts being made this year. The bill is before the Senate after passing … Continue reading “Unless you have been in our wheelchairs, you don’t know what it’s like….”

Health Care Crisis: Groups Organize to Ask Important Questions

The Disabled Rights Action Committee (DRAC) and the Anti-Hunger Action Committee (AHAC) have together organized a rally at the Utah Capitol for Tuesday to confront legislators on the HB67 Substitute Health System Amendments in advocacy for the rights to adequate and equitable health care for all, particularly addressing the current crisis of those who are … Continue reading Health Care Crisis: Groups Organize to Ask Important Questions

UT Senate Pres Threatens LGBT Community

This was posted to Utah Legislature Watch by Eric Ethington from his blog PRIDE in UtahUT Senate President Michael Waddoups SLC – With the controversial “compromise” between the pro-human rights legislators and the extremist right-wing hanging in the balance, a closed-door meeting between leading Republican Senators ended with a slap in the face to Utah’s … Continue reading UT Senate Pres Threatens LGBT Community

How the Insurance Industry”incarcerates” the purse strings of lawmakers

(cross-posted to Utah Legislature Watch)It is no secret that medical care is inadequate for inmates. Legislators have a history of not approving adequate funding for the care of those who are incarcerated. So when a bill is proposed that would save taxpayers money and still allow for inmates to receive medical care (under the provisions … Continue reading How the Insurance Industry”incarcerates” the purse strings of lawmakers