Watchdog- Febuary 2023
New Year New Look
Author- Arlene Anderson
I’m so excited to be writing to you from our new and improved website. We are working really hard to create a hub for ALL Weber County League of Women Voters information that will provide you interactive information and links to Social Media Platforms [FB and Instagram]. We will also have a distribution list that will go directly to your email as information is given.
Bills to watch
Author- Terri McCulloch
Lobbying the legislature concerning issues we have a position statement on from consensus on a national or state study provides the cornerstone for the League of Women Voters. We support, oppose, or watch the bills related to anything we have a position on. Our legislative action corps and many members are lobbying our legislature to act according to our position statements. Below is the link to many bills we currently support, oppose, or watch. Action alerts are issued should help be needed from the entire membership. When these come to you, please take a moment to act on the request. It usually means that community and member support is needed in some way. Citizens’ input is vital – the representatives support their constituency (or should).
EDUCATION HB215 BILL
Author- Terri McCulloch
The HB0215 bill that was recently passed and signed is intended to help students in public schools by giving the average schoolteacher up to a 6.5% salary increase and allowing participating students access to the $8,000 Utah Fits All Scholarship to help with online, private, or at-home education expenses. However, many citizens question why the salary increase is paired with scholarship activities.
A recent study ranked Utah second for opportunity and competition with our current system. The state ranked 12th for academic and work environment. At the same time, Utah ranked 51st for pupil-teacher ratio and 50th for public school spending on each student. Utah gets an excellent result for the money spent. The question of why money is being spent to direct students to alternative forms of education would be something the legislature would support when the bang for the buck is currently quite successful. Directing state money away from increasing the WPU leaves some citizens wondering.
The scholarship funding bill was passed on the fact that it would increase innovation, competition, and choices. The pros of this bill include allowing parents to play a significant role in selecting education for their children, smaller class sizes in many schools, offering lower-income students an opportunity for alternative education, curriculum targeting toward student/parent interest, and public involvement in choices. Some cons focus on accountability, accreditation, consistency, participation in sports, social interaction issues, and allowing people who are not trained to ensure that educational goals are met.
The League of Women Voters supports fair and equitable education for all. Parents should be heavily involved in education at a supplemental level. There must be choices for all types of students, both college- and vocationally-oriented. The partnership between vocational schools allows students to utilize their curriculum for free while in school. The partnership present between college credit in the current setting also addresses the higher-level education interested students. A significant question is whether these types of partnerships will still flourish under this system.
The public school system is often considered a “one for all.” This bill does allow for differences in student and their learning styles. It is left to see if this bill will address the “one for all” approach and maintain accountability and achievement. It might actually discriminate against the students still in the public education system.
The most important question we all should wonder is why salary increases would be grouped with scholarship options. Our current system is working relatively well. Why would we not address the current problems and put our money into improving a good foundation such as the one Utah currently has? All of these questions remain to be answered. The League wants fair and equitable and will be watching to see if this will be the case.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION CORPS
The League is an active lobbying organization that follows bills that support our priorities based on position statements and studies. These meetings are held in person and on zoom on Thursdays from 11:30 to 1:00. The more help and support we can get to help in this endeavor, the better. The in-person meeting is in Room 210 at the Capitol, and the
Zoom link (Meeting ID: 825 5203 9117 Passcode: 380445)
We are a significant influence at the legislature, and everyone is encouraged to attend in person or on zoom at least once to see what we do. There are other opportunities for people who wish to be more involved, but you do not have to.
The priorities and bills we are focusing on are on the topics listed below. However, they have committee meetings for many issues if you are interested in something like natural resources, education, reproductive rights, etc.
If you want more information or have questions, please contact legislativeaction@lwvutah.org
PLEASE LISTEN IN AT LEAST ONCE. IT IS VERY INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE!
Equality Utah – November 2022
Author- Sue Skordos
The Weber County League of Women Voters and the Ogden Branch of the NAACP sponsored an informative discussion on November 29, 2022, at the Weber County Library, main branch, from and about Equality Utah. Mindy Young, the managing director of Equality Utah, stressed that the group’s main focus is education, particularly regarding the LGBTQ community. The organization may also participate in political action and protests regarding issues.
Young emphasized that the major goal of Equality Utah is to make the state more inclusive for everyone, making our world better. When we are tolerant of everyone, we show love for all.
Those attending the discussion divided themselves into groups for a game in which cards containing terms were matched up with the definitions. Some terms unfamiliar to many were defined, such as “cisgender,” meaning someone who identifies with the gender assigned at birth. “Pansexual,” or “pangender” identifies an individual who does not identify with any particular gender and may live as transgendered.
Young stated that Utah has been very progressive in recognizing different genders and passed SB296 in 2015, preventing discrimination on the basis of sexual gender, religion, race and ethnicity. The bill passed with bi-partisan support.
Then in 2019, Utah’s Hate Crime legislation passed, becoming effective in May of 2020. Also in 2020, Conversion Therapy for children regarding sexual orientation became unlawful. Additionally, the Respect for Marriage Act, passed on November, 29, 2022.
Young emphasized we must all feel safe in order to move forward. We must have conversations regarding identifying sexual “pronouns.” Fear of difference breeds misinformation, misunderstanding, and hate.
Weber County League of Women Voter—Gun Violence
Weber County League of Women Voter—Gun Violence
Author- Sue Skordos
Weber County League of Women Voters sponsored a presentation concerning gun violence on January 10, 2023 at the Weber County Library Main Branch. Nancy Halden, a board member of Gun Violence Prevention in Utah, reported that her organization was involved in planting daffodils for 426 victims of gun violence in Utah.
Since 2009, more people have died in Utah from gun violence than from auto accidents, yet there has been more of an interest in making cars safer than getting control of guns. In 2020, 45,000 people died from gun violence in America. Eighty Utah children have witnessed the murder of a parent.
Congress passed the Dickey Amendment in 1996, preventing any funds from being used for the study of gun violence, however, in 2019, Congress voted to end that restriction.
Utah gun violence if higher than the national average. Seventy-eight percent of gun deaths in Utah are from suicide. Concerning homicides 42%, are the result of gun violence. Easy access to guns makes it easier to use a gun to commit suicide, even concerning kids and teenagers. No safe storage laws are in place in Utah, making it easier for most anyone to obtain of a gun. Cable locks are ineffective. A fingerprint locking device on a gun safe could prevent unauthorized persons from obtaining a gun. Surprisingly, only foster families in Utah must lock up their guns.
Utah also has no “Red Flag” law in place, which could keep a gun away from a person who in mentally unstable. Steve Handy, of Layton, introduced a Red Flag Law at the last legislative session, but it was defeated. It is believed that the gun lobby was instrumental in keeping Handy from making it out of the Republican Caucus so he had no chance of being re-elected.
The gun lobby, mostly funded by the NRA, prevents lawmakers from requiring background checks. The goal of the group is to sell guns. Background checks are especially needed in private sales, where no records of the sale are made. The Republican majority in Utah prevents lawmakers from listening to the other side concerning gun sales. Ghost guns, which can be purchased online in parts, then assembled by the purchaser, are impossible to
track. The Utah Gun Exchange has at least 4,000 guns available for purchase or trade on any given day.
Utah had been given a “D” grade regarding gun violence, but with the removal of “Concealed Carry Laws” in Utah, and “F” grade is now presented. Other states have been graded with an “A” or “B.” In New Jersey, only 15% of the population has ownership of a gun, so that state has a very low homicidal death rate. Alaska has higher gun ownership, few gun laws and a higher incidence of gun violence. Colorado passed gun control laws after the shooting in the Columbine in 1999, as well as the Aurora theater shooting in 2012.
To conclude, Nancy Halden presented Utah bills to be discussed in the 2023 Legislative Session:
1) A safe storage bill, 2) a waiting period to purchase a gun, 3) a waiting period to purchase an assault weapon, 4) a law concerning firearm reporting; collecting data to find out where people go to purchase guns, 5) a law preventing felons from purchasing guns, 6) a law that would require police to following threats regarding domestic violence.Local Debates
Author- Terri McCulloch
We will be sponsoring debates in most of the cities in Weber County in the Fall. A full schedule will come out with a cry for volunteers. We would love as many people as possible to help us with this project. E-mails will come as the debates come closer.
INDEPENDENT STATE LEGISLATURE THEORY
Author- Terri McCulloch
The Supreme Court recently agreed to consider a case in the fall that is centered around the North Carolina congressional maps. This has far-reaching implications for the future of the election process in our nation.
This theory has been pushed recently by a small group of advocates based on their reading and interpretation of the Constitution. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court ruling will have a great potential to violate some of the rights concerning elections. This theory gives authority to each state legislature to gerrymander electoral maps and pass numerous voter suppression laws.
Currently, the power to administer federal elections has been delegated to the states. There are two clauses that proponents of this theory base their opinions. The first is the elections law clause which reads, “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations.” The second is the Presidential elections clause stating, “Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors.”
Supporters reject this interpretation and believe that they give state legislatures exclusive and absolute power in regulating federal elections. Legislators would have the ability to violate the state constitution, and state courts couldn’t stop them.
The Supreme Court has rejected this theory three times and allowed election activities to continue in the current process. However, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch, current judges on the Supreme Court, supported the theory. This fact is disturbing.
Passing this theory violates many position statements the League of Women Voters has concerning fair and equitable elections, including access to voting. Should the Independent State Legislature Theory be upheld, the legislative body in each state would have the right to regulate all federal elections, even if they violate the state’s constitution. This stance is not in line with anything the League stands for. Many people believe that this theory is being visited because of the recent allegations that the results of elections were flawed. Should this be how elections
are handled, many of the rights the League of Women Voters has fought hard for will be dismantled. The people in each state indeed elect the legislature, but at the same time, giving such power to that body would create a sort of dictatorship among these elected officials. All power would be given to a small body of officials with no checks or balances in place. State constitutions would become useless. The voice of the citizens could become muted. Our current government would take on a different path. Citizen-supported candidates could be pushed aside.
The League believes that voting rights must be protected, and laws and regulations followed by all. Does this theory do this? It moves our country back many ages and allows an inequitable and unethical government to arise.
Save the Dates! March 24-27, 2023
Dr. Debra Turner, National President of the League of Women Voters and Virginia Kase Solomon, CEO League of Women Voters will be visiting Utah. This is their first trip here, and we are working to make it a memorable one. It is our hope that we can involve as many Weber League members in this opportunity as possible and other league members from across our great state of UTAH!
What we need from our league members is to show up and personally share with Dr. Turner and Ms. Solomon, what an amazing league we are! We will also be gathering pictures that will be sent to our President Terri McCulloch of any event or highlights we can share in a collective video that will be made with other leagues in Utah and presented to our National President and CEO.
Tentative Schedule (subject to change):
Fri March 24 - Spiral Jetty visit with Dinner in Ogden on 25th Street (Venue TBD)
Sat March 25 - Brunch with League Leaders
Evening event with League members and spouses/significant other. Dinner and entertainment by the Saliva Sisters at Old Town Country Club in Salt Lake City (Every League member is invited)
Sun March 26 - Drive to Moab (Virginia will be leaving from SLC)
Lunch in Moab + hike at Arches (everyone invited. carpooling will be planned)
Dinner in Moab, stay the night
Dr. Deborah Turner
Ms. Virginia Kase Solomon
Ogden HUD Meeting for Comments and Input
April 10, 2023 – Zoom Meeting – 6:30 p.m.
Presenter Cathy Fuentes – Ogden Grants Administrator
Zoom Link
ATTENTION: Have you paid your dues?
Author- Terri McCulloch
Please get your $45 dues in if you haven’t already done so. If you paid after January 1, 2022, you do not have to pay again this year. Whether you participate in all meetings and activities or want to support our organization in the things we do, we want to invite you to join. You can pay online at www.lwvutah.org and click the join/renew button in the right-hand corner. College students are free. You can also mail your dues to Prasanna Reddy at 5974 Sharon Circle, Ogden UT 84403. PLEASE MAKE THIS A PRIORITY IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY PAID.
New Member Highlight- Denise Green
Denise Green I was raised in Washington Terrace, and am a proud graduate of Bonneville High school. I do not have degrees to list here, but have a strong resume based on “if it must be done, we will find a way to do it.” I spent my working years at my husband’s software company, which he founded, and in the beginning employed just three people, my husband, me, and a computer programmer. Over the course of thirty years it evolved into a company with clients all across the country and over forty employees. In the early years of the company my job was anything that needed to be done. As a result I have had experience in accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, accounting, training clients on the use of the software, technical writing, newsletter production, travel planning and arrangements, and event planning for groups of up to 250 people. I enjoyed my career immensely, and found each day to be both challenging and rewarding. I attended a debate last election cycle that was sponsored by the League. It was at that debate that I realized the importance of being more politically involved, and my relationship with the League of Women Voters began. It is my goal to increase my understanding of major public policy issues, use my vote accordingly, and to empower others by helping them to register to vote and to understand the importance of casting that vote. I am now retired. I am eager to become more involved with LWV, and to use my experience in any way I can to promote the cause.
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