Week Five

It’s been a good week. The session is winding down, or gearing up for the last two weeks, depending on your point of view. Really quick, here are the highlights from week five:

• SCR13-presented by Senator Curt Bramble gave us the opportunity to honor Senator Orrin Hatch for all that he has accomplished serving as our US Senator for the past 40 years. The resolution passed both the Senate and the House unanimously.
• HB357-Evaluating Tax Revenue Foregone from Federally Controlled Lands was presented by Representative Ken Ivory. This bill will enable the state to evaluate federally controlled lands and help us to understand the tax loss associated with federal lands. Senator Mike Lee spoke in favor of this bill on the house floor. It passed the house unanimously. Although I missed the floor vote, I am in favor of this one.
• HB259-Moderate Income Housing was presented in the Political Subdivisions. I finally had the opportunity to introduce one of my bills this week. It passed through committee with broad support from both sides of the aisle. I’ll have the opportunity to present it on the House Floor sometime next week. Fingers crossed that it passes through the House and Senate with no troubles. For more info on HB259, see my first post of the session.
• HB379-Death Penalty Amendments is one to watch this session. It is being presented by Representative Gage Froerer, and will eliminate the death penalty in the State of Utah. I have received many emails and phone calls about this bill. Currently, I feel that the public is not ready to eliminate the death penalty. However, I feel the costs that are borne carrying out the death penalty are significant enough that we should examine the need for the death penalty.

I had the opportunity to arrange the prayer and pledge Thursday morning. We were honored to have Morgan County Veteran Colonel Steve Smith lead the pledge, and North Summit Seminary Council member Kyler Kershaw give the opening prayer.
I met with constituents from Summit County Tuesday evening for a quick legislative update. As always, it is so good to meet with you and hear your comments, questions, and concerns. I’m hoping to get out to Duchesne County this week. In the meantime, I thank you for your continued support, it means so much to my family. Please contact me at loganwilde@le.ut.gov with any concerns.