Young Democrats meet with lawmakers, target 6 bills for action

Who said young people don't care about politics?

Dozens of members from the group Young Democrats of Utah, most of them in their early 20s, came to the Capitol Wednesday to meet with Democratic lawmakers and unveiled a list of six bills they have targeted for action during the current legislative session. Those include three bills they support and three they will work to defeat, and they deal with ethics, gay rights, voting reforms, abortion and gangs.

Young Democrats of Utah President Mark Hymas said the group tried to target specific issues that they thought would motivate young people to get involved in the legislative process.

"We want to make people understand that, even here in Utah, if you're a Democrat and a young person you can still make a difference," Hymas said.

The group's executive director, Justin Daniels, pointed to an ethics bill sponsored by Rep. Phil Riesen, D-Salt Lake, as the kind of thing that would help to get young people interested and involved in the political process.

"All people, but young people in particular, are really jaded with the political system," Daniels said. "A more open and ethical process will bring a lot of young people back into the fold."

Several representatives and senators spoke to the group, including Rep. Brian King, D-Salt Lake, who talked about his efforts to stop recent cuts in education funding and thanked the group for its efforts during the 2008 election, calling them "the future of the Democratic Party."

Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, encouraged group members to get their friends involved and praised them for the influence they have had so far.

"Young Democrats made a tremendous difference in last year's local elections," he said. "I appreciate your leadership in setting priorities and putting together a watch list."

Curtis Haring, the group's legislative liaison, said he wants to work with Republicans in the Legislature as well as Democrats.

"We have to get Republicans on board," he said. "Of course, some of them we know aren't going to budge, but with a few we think we can make some real headway."

Salt Lake resident Lauren Buchman said she was there for her first meeting with the group because she felt young people could be effective in a way older generations couldn't. Their familiarity with "new media" tools such as Facebook will prove to be a boon, in particular.

Group leaders said they would be encouraging members to write letters to committee chairs, wavering lawmakers and local publications and were planning a series of face-to-face meetings with senators and representatives.

E-MAIL: dservatius@desnews.com