Utah Legislature may start day after King Day
2 parties favor change in state Constitution
Jeanetta Williams, president of the Salt Lake Branch of the NAACP, couldn't think of a better way to kick off Black History Month in February "with a tremendous joy and pride."
"It is rewarding to have them come out ahead of time and say that we are all together we need to support it," said Williams, who remembers the contentious struggle to establish a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in Utah.
Because the start date of the session is set by the state Constitution as the third Monday in January, the resolution to change the start date would need the votes of two-thirds of both the House and Senate to place it on the 2008 general election ballot.
A similar resolution failed in 2000, the same year lawmakers established the state's Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, by renaming Human Rights Day.
Like Williams, the Rev. France Davis of Calvary Baptist Church remembers the lengthy struggle to establish the state holiday.
"I'm excited," Davis said. "My position was, and still is, if they are going to meet on that day, they need to do some substantial business on behalf of the people to reflect the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."
Valentine and other lawmakers have said meeting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day drew more attention to the holiday.
"This is a great tribute for Martin Luther King, to have the time we spend on the opening day of the session," Valentine said. "But the community has asked for the change. I think it's past time we actually listen to the request."
The change is not expected to affect the cost of the legislative session since the holiday taken during the session falls on a Monday, meaning those who travel to Salt Lake would simply delay their trip by a day.
The resolution would be amended so that lawmakers would also recess during Presidents Day and any future federal holidays that would fall during what will remain a 45-day session.
The new Senate resolution, SJR12, began has a House bill, HJR8, sponsored by House Minority Leader Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake.
Becker said the Senate version is not a compromise.
"I think it makes great sense to recognize our federal holidays and our state holidays," Becker said. "Having a day off toward the end of the session may be healthy for all of us, having another day away and come back with a fresh perspective."
Comments
- 'Mates: Millsap deserves big payday 5:22 p.m.
- Millsap offer: $10.3M up front 4:59 p.m.
- Questions about osteoarthritis 4:43 p.m.
- Logan canal breaks; people missing 3:58 p.m.
- Man's body found 3:47 p.m.
- 'Love advocates' plan 'kiss-in' 3:46 p.m.
- Many-splendored container garden 3:29 p.m.
- California's $26B deficit 3:25 p.m.
- Eat your squash and blossoms 3:21 p.m.
- Searchers shovel seeking giant worm 3:18 p.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Logan canal breaks; people missing
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Jazz rookies quiet Thunder youngsters
- LDS seminary principal arrested
322 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
191 - 2 men cited on LDS plaza
162 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
140 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
124 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
99 - Fairness of BCS debated
83 - Letters: Single-payer system best
76 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
By now you've probably read about the investigation that showed just how...
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
The Church is just so true. Can't these people see that?
Have all the homosexuals with overt hate agendas moved west?
Yes, I can honestly say i've never violated the trust of parents that put...
Rather than an easement why don't we respect the property rights of others...
You've blamed the girl You've blamed pornography. Why don't you put the...
Questions to ask: 1) Crunch time, can feed the ball to Millsap in the post...
To force the issue and then make a huge thing out of a little confromtation....
The problem with a lot of homosexuals kissing in public is that it makes...
"I'm sorry, but heroes should be at minimum a good family man, and I'm not...
Hey, my family is full of love and would like to use your back yard for our...




You can be the first to comment on this story.