From Deseret News archives:

'05 Legislature: Helped or hurt?

Published: Wednesday, March 2, 2005 11:36 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
With the 2005 Utah Legislature now history, which Utahns were helped or hurt by lawmaker's actions?

Helped

• NATIONAL GUARDSMEN: If called up for active duty, they will qualify for a state income-tax break.

• DAY CARE PROVIDERS: Health department investigators are prevented from checking anonymous complaints.

• UTAH CORPORATIONS: Now they can figure their state income taxes two different ways, potentially costing the state $7 million in lost tax revenues.

• MOVIE AND TV PRODUCERS: There's now a newly minted $1 million fund to promote film development within Utah.

• LEAD-FOOT DRIVERS: No Photocop will look over their shoulders in 2005.

• HILL AIR FORCE BASE: An approved $5 million kitty will help keep the base open.

• TRANSPLANT DONORS: Someone giving a kidney for transplantation will qualify for a tax credit for unreimbursed expenses such as lost wages and lodging.

• HOME SCHOOLERS: School board requirements, including standardized testing and home inspections, have been barred.

Story continues below
• BICYCLISTS: Motorists may be ticketed for failing to maintain a distance of 3 feet when passing a bicycle.

• LOBBYISTS AND LEGISLATORS: Lawmakers didn't see a need to further restrict their gifts from lobbyists.

• HATEMONGERS Lawmakers once again failed to boost penalties for those who commit crimes based on hate or bias.

• THE HOMELESS AND LOW-INCOME: Separate $500,000 expenditures were given to the Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund and Olene Walker Housing Trust Fund.

• MENTALLY ILL CRIMINALS: More than $1.2 million was OK'd to provide more open beds at Utah State Hospital.

• LARGE UTAH FAMILIES: They dodged a big tax bullet when the Jones-Mascaro bill, which would have taxed them more to educate their children, was shipped off to interim study.

• SURROGATES: Couples wanting to contract with a surrogate mother to have a baby will now have an easier time

• MEDICAID INELIGIBLE MENTALLY ILL: They can now receive services at community mental health centers.

• STATE OFFICE OF EDUCATION: Lawmakers failed to hear a bill codifying HIV/AIDS prevention education, which would have opened the door to unwanted sex education restrictions.

Hurt

• PARENTS OF CHILDREN ENROLLED IN DAY CARE: Health departments prohibited from investigating anonymous complaints against providers.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

The reason that won't be the case is because, unlike your teams line, our...

This freedom of speech issue is enough to make me want to remain as a private...

4A: Springville holds off Dixie

What is everyone talking about? Good luck next game? I could have sworn I...

4A: Springville holds off Dixie

yeah, TV might be rude. but springville isn't smart for trying to compare...

Thanks, Robinson, for a laugh-out-loud funny article which makes a point then...

Aggies edge Weber State

WAC 1-0 vs the MWC this year, next week will be 2-0 for the WAC when Utah...

This weekend on TV

"Three Rivers" is an excellent program. I hope everyone will tune in!

A real man! What a pro that Mathis is! He's great! I thought Matthews played...

I wouldn't call Brown "big". Tall, maybe, but he's maybe the skinniest high...

Smoking up nationally, down in Utah

Tobacco prevention saves lives and money.

Advertisements
Advertisement