Political mumbo jumbo

[Unorthodox]

https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2018/12/03/utah-house-passes-medical/

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welcomed the opportunity to participate in a broad community effort to alleviate pain and suffering,” Marty Stephens, director of community and government relations, said in the statement. “Today the passage of the Utah Medical Cannabis Act once again shows how organizations with diverse interests can come together to resolve difficult issues for the benefit of those who suffer while simultaneously protecting our children.”

So, this new bill: 

Reduces the number of dispenseries from 40 to 7 in the state. 
Reduces the list of approved illnesses
disallows edibles
and removes employment protection.  You can be fired for being on medical marijuana. 

Nowhere near what was voted on.  And the church isn't even shy about saying it was involved. 

[E_T]

If your Governor Veto's it, could the Legislator have enough to overturn?
Sad that they won't listen to the voters (Whom they are supposed to be representing, not the Church). 

[Unorthodox]

Gubner already signed. 

[Unorthodox]

https://fox13now.com/2019/02/05/against-all-odds-the-utah-supreme-court-will-hear-a-challenge-to-the-legislatures-medical-cannabis-replacement-bill/

Supreme court will hear arguments against the legislature changing the bill voted on by the public.  That was unexpected. 

But wait...the govt is not done, they're now rolling back a second proposition:

https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2019/02/04/utah-senate-readies-its/

Utah Senators voted 22-7 on Monday for SB96, sending to the House a replacement Medicaid expansion plan that initially costs considerably more money to cover fewer people than the voter-approved Proposition 3, and which would automatically repeal itself if the state fails to receive funding waivers from the federal government.

Yeah, that's right, they've changed it to cost more (as much as 7x more), cover fewer (about half), and likely be done away with all together (but it'll be the "fed's fault" if that happens).


 

[Geo]

How do these people get re-elected?

[Unorthodox]

It's Utah, you're supposed to walk in, select the 'vote republican only' box, and walk out.  Presuming you're a good Mormon (or whatever their preferred name is these days) 

And most area religious leaders have come out against what they are doing with this medicaid bill....Except for those leaders from TEH Church.  So, it's wouldn't surprise me if it was put forth BY the church behind closed doors, since the church owns a megacrapton of pharmacy stocks. 

There's motions being put forth to remove party ticket voting from Utah ballots, like most states have already done, but the Republicans are definitely opposed. 

I'm waiting for the next shoe to drop as the other proposition that passed was anti-gerrymandering that COULD make Utah a lot closer to a purple state.  They'll fiddle with that somehow to keep us red. 

[E_T]

or mildly red with purple outlines...

[Unorthodox]

or mildly red with purple outlines...

I don't know the demographics really, but it would be a purple heart.  Most the blue is centered around SLC. 

Likely wouldn't change utah for, say, a presidential election, but the house and senate positions as well as the state govt would definitely get a lot more mixed. 

[Buster's Uncle]

[E_T]

That's not realistic...  He left him his shorts...

[Unorthodox]

I'm posting this simply because it's quite possibly the most "Utah" thing possible. 

https://fox13now.com/2019/02/11/lds-church-says-it-opposes-bill-eliminating-3-2-beer-in-utah/

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it does not support a bill to eliminate 3.2 beer in Utah.

"The Church opposes Senate bill 132 in its current form. We, along with other community groups, oppose legislation which represents a fifty percent increase in alcohol content for beer sold in grocery and convenience stores," Marty Stephens, the LDS Church's Director of Government Relations, said in a statement to FOX 13.

The Church's statement did not surprise the bill's sponsor, or groups who support Senate Bill 132.

"I don’t believe there’s any way they can support that bill," said Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton. "And, in fact, I doubt there’s a way they can stay neutral."

The LDS Church is a powerful presence on Utah's Capitol Hill and the faith's positions on alcohol policy are well known.

"They are, of course, a significant factor," said Kate Bradshaw of the Responsible Beer Choice Coalition, which supports SB132. "Ninety percent of the Utah State Legislature adheres to their faith so it does make them a significant player and a factor. We hope to just appeal to the reasonableness of what we’re putting forward. It’s a small modest change. It’s respectful of Utah’s unique culture. It’s respectful of public safety concerns, but it does address the significant market pressures of being the last significant 3.2 beer market."

As a result of bigger beer states ditching 3.2 beer, Utah is left with dwindling product on store shelves. SB132 raises the legal definition from 3.2 to 4.8% alcohol by weight.

See the list of beer brands disappearing from store shelves here

Local brewers have opposed SB132, wanting to raise the alcohol content even higher. They have argued the bill benefits only "mega-brewers" like Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors.

During the Senate Business and Labor Committee's hearing last week, lawmakers questioned whether increasing the alcohol content truly represented a 50% increase. The bill passed unanimously.

Sen. Stevenson said the LDS Church's position won't change him running his bill. He believed there are enough votes to pass the Utah State Senate, but was not sure about the House of Representatives.

"I’ve looked at this for three years now. There’s momentum building, has been for quite a while now and I don’t just think it’s a retailer-sponsored bill now. This is real. There will be active constituents if we don’t look at doing something," he said, suggesting beer drinkers would be angry at a lack of choice on store shelves.

SB132 could come up for a vote in the Utah State Senate later this week. Previously, supporters of the legislation have told FOX 13 they would not rule out a 2020 ballot initiative for beer (and wine) in grocery and convenience stores.

"I would say nothing is off the table at this point," Bradshaw said.

[Unorthodox]

Oh, and the above medicaid rewrite of what was voted on is now official too. 

https://www.ksl.com/article/46485207/gov-herbert-signs-prop-3-medicaid-expansion-replacement-into-law

[Geo]

https://www.ksl.com/article/46485207/gov-herbert-signs-prop-3-medicaid-expansion-replacement-into-law

Utah really isn't into non-Americans reading their stuff.
I see a simple "Forbidden" when I try to open that link.

[Mart]

Maybe some free proxy server would help. There are some online.

[Geo]

Maybe some free proxy server would help. There are some online.

Thanks, but I'm not that interested in opening the link.