Page 14 - Derek Kitchen News Today

Deseret News Funding is ‘the most money that housing has ever received,’ director says Share this story Kristin Murphy, Deseret News SALT LAKE CITY — Amid an ongoing housing crisis as the Beehive State’s population continues to grow, the Utah Legislature set aside $35 million for affordable housing projects this year, drawing gratitude from advocates. “This is the most money that housing has ever received. Homelessness has received lots of funding in terms of building infrastructure ...

A bill that seeks to rename Dixie State University passed through the Utah House Wednesday and is on its way to the governors desk.

| Updated: 1:32 a.m. Utah legislative leaders said the process of setting next year’s $21.7 billion budget was one of the easiest they’ve ever experienced. Having more than $1.5 billion in extra money to spend can help clear any roadblocks that pop up. “This is probably the smoothest budgeting process I’ve seen in my nearly decade of doing budget negotiations with the Senate,” House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, told reporters Friday. Last year, the unfolding coronavirus pandemic...

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate is poised to pass a bill to prevent voters from switching party affiliation in the months before primary elections after frustration over alleged “party raiding” during last year’s election. HB197 co-sponsor Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, noted that over 79,000 Utahns switched their party affiliation to vote in the 2020 Republican primary. The bill would have originally blocked Utah voters from changing their party affiliati...

Separately, a bill that would clarify the use of nicknames on the ballot failed. (Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) Ballots are sorted at the Salt Lake County offices in Salt Lake City on Nov. 4, 2020. Utah state senators voted Thursday to make it harder for voters to switch parties.   | Feb. 26, 2021, 12:33 a.m. The bill, which passed with a 19-6 vote, would prevent affiliation changes after March 31 in an election year. If a voter modified their registration after that date, it would no...

The Utah Senate killed a bill Monday that blocked local governments from enacting many restrictions on outdoor advertising. Opponents said the bill gave too much power to billboard companies.

In 2019, when Tekulve Jackson-Vann told his supervisor at the Payson Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about his decision to wear his hair in locs, he was fired. “We’re asked to have our hair in a conservative style so it’s not a distraction to the patrons,” Jackson-Vann told a local network news reporter. “My first thought immediately was, ‘This is a moment — this is a moment where I can help educate my brethren in the Gospel that there are standards which...

Bill would let Utah schools spend special education funds on students without special needs Courtney Tanner © Rick Egan (Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Sen. Jacob Anderegg, R-Lehi, is pictured in this 2019 photo. A bill that would loosen the restrictions on how Utah schools spend special education funds was approved by lawmakers Wednesday, despite outcry from parents and advocates saying it would mean less support for the kids who have the most needs. The proposal, SB175,...

KUER A Utah legislative committee approved a bill that creates harsher penalties for people charged with rioting. A bill that increases penalties and eliminates bail for rioting passed a Utah legislative committee Wednesday. The proposal from Sen. David Hinkins, R-Ferron, is in response to last year’s protests against police brutality and racial injustice. During the presentation to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Hinkins brought members of the armed neighborhood watch group United Citizens ...

Two bills born from last summers protests get approval by senate committee Committee passes two bills tied to Utah protests and last updated 2021-02-18 00:34:45-05 SALT LAKE CITY — Two bills on Capitol Hill with links to last summers protests are moving forward to the Senate floor. While one focuses on protesters who incite violence, another targets police deescalation and arrest training. The latter received overwhelming support during Wednesdays Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Cri...