Happy almost Summer! Tis the season of Primary elections and an over-abundance of mailers, emails, and phone calls from candidates. I did not file to run again, but I am still your state representative through December.
Legislative Interim
Our interim meetings provide an opportunity for you to engage with the legislative process outside of the session. The legislature will meet in our Interim committees throughout the rest of the year to discuss issues and bills that will likely be brought up in the 2025 session. You can find the schedule of meetings HERE. This month’s Appropriations Subcommittees will be held on June 18th and regular Interim committees will be held on June 19th. Legislative meetings are open to the public and available to stream live or after the fact. You can also access agendas, study material, audio links and more at le.utah.gov. Click on the Committees tab and choose the committee you are interested in.
You can read a summary of May’s Interim meetings here.
Special Session June 19th
The Governor has called a Special Session for Wednesday, the 19th, after our committee meetings. You can find the proclamation, the bills being proposed, and other information HERE. As you might know, I am not a fan of special sessions unless there is an issue that can’t wait to be voted on in the next regular session. Bills introduced in Special Sessions rarely have enough scrutiny, input, and oversight. (Some of the bills introduced during the regular session don’t either–very frustrating!)..
I have not had a chance to thoroughly look at the bills being proposed, but the proclamation gives a short summary. Five have been proposed; three of these are public, and I am waiting to see the other two.
One that I have some concerns about is H.B. 3003 School District Amendments. It would change a bill that we voted on and passed in our most recent general session. The original bill created several processes for the redistricting of a school district to get on the ballot: 1. through a citizens’ initiative, 2. at the request of the local school board, and 3. at the request of a municipality or municipalities within the boundaries of the school district. The proposed bill, HB 3003, would remove local school boards from being able to submit a proposal.
Currently, there are three potential ballot proposals: one proposal from Alpine School District and two from various cities that have entered into an interlocal agreement. I know at least one of the interlocal proposals is for a three-way split, and Alpine District has proposed a two-way split.
Here are three of the biggest issues I have with HB 3003.
First, why shouldn’t a school board be able to make a proposed change to something that is so critical to their constituents? School board members are elected by their constituents and have the authority to set policy for the district. They are closest to what is actually happening–the budget, the curriculum, the issues, the students, etc. and they should have a say on redistricting.
Second, when a city or multiple cities propose a ballot measure, only the residents of those cities get a vote and a voice. The interlocal proposal that splits the district into three smaller ones will increase taxes substantially in Orem, Vineyard, Pleasant Grove, and Lindon. However, none of these cities are in the interlocal agreement, and so the proposal will not be on their ballots and they won’t be able to vote on it. I strongly support all citizens within the school district having the opportunity to vote on a measure that so directly impacts them.
Third, it is a little late in the process to throw Alpine School Board under the bus–pun intended. This bill is retroactive and would negate everything Alpine School District has done towards putting a fair and reasonable redistricting proposal on the ballot.
Last fall, the Board hired a consulting firm to do an extensive feasibility study on how various ways of splitting the district would affect taxpayers and students. The district also did an outreach campaign to get feedback from residents in the district. (Six of my grandkids attend school in Alpine District, and I went to one of their meetings, which was very informative.) If HB 3003 passes, all this work, money, and citizen input will be wasted.
I am very interested to hear the arguments for why this bill is being proposed.
Primary Election June 25th!
You should have received your ballot by now if you have an active voter registration. Ballots cannot and will not be forwarded by the post office, and only active voters will receive them. If you are registered and have not received a ballot, confirm that your address is current by looking up your voter information. The last day to request a mail-in ballot is June 18.
People can check their voter status at the vote.utah.gov. If you are not registered, you can do that online or at the county clerk’s office. The deadline to register for the primary was June 14, but those who miss that deadline can also register in person at an early voting site or polling location on Election Day, June 25. You will need two acceptable forms of identification to do so.
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Monday, June 24 or put in an official ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on June 25 to be counted.
Vote.utah.gov is a one stop shop where you can find a sample ballot, change your address, register to vote, and get most of your election questions answered.
The following link will take you to an informative article about the Primary election: Here are the crib notes you need to understand Utah’s June primary
Let me know if you have any questions or comments.