First Week of the 2019 Legislative Session

​Well, the session is up and running full steam ahead.  Here are some of the highlights from our first week: 

• We started working on base budgets. Currently, I am on the Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Environmental Appropriations Committee. The legislative process ensures that one branch of government can’t hold an agency budget hostage. Base budgets are the very basic elements of each agency’s budget. This allows the basic services to continue without the risk of a shut down.
• We recertified all the key staff positions that help with the legislative process.
• I presented my first bill of the session to the House. It passed with 69 votes.  House Bill 50 will put a hold on counties changing classifications for three years.  Due to the growth in the state, we have several counties that are close to changing classification status. Cache and Wasatch are the closest to changing classifications.  Cache, which has a transit district, would be required when it changes classification to start planning much in the same way as UTA.  This would require Cache county to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on planning for transit they may not actually need right now.  
• I am also the vice chair of the Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Environmental committee.  We have been listening to committee bills this first week.  Several have dealt with the reauthorizing of many of the agencies and the standing laws these agencies are governed by.  
• I have been contacted by many of you concerning the initiatives that were passed last year.  Medicaid seems to be the topic that concerns most individuals I have spoken with. I have 2 goals as we move forward with Medicaid for the State of Utah: First-That we cover 100% of those that fall below the federal poverty limit. Second-That we make it sustainable for Utahns moving forward.  If these two goals can’t be met, I will not vote in favor of any bill.   

On a personal note, my oldest daughter was able to spend the first day of the session with me. I was glad she got to spend a little bit of time with me before we dropped her off at the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday afternoon. I am grateful to her, and the example of integrity she sets for our family. 

As always, I am thankful for your support and trust. If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me at 801-940-2995 or loganwilde@le.utah.gov. I'm always glad to hear from you.