Saturday, February 18, 2012

2012 General Session Weeks Three and Four

2012 General Session Update:
I have 2 more Town Hall meetings scheduled during the session.

If you have not already, please attend one of the remaining Town Hall Meetings at the Hunter Library, 4740 West 4100 South West Valley City, Utah 84120

Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Thursday, February 23, 2012, 7:00pm to 8:30pm

During the first two weeks, the legislature passed 33 bills. That list is now 118 bills. A list of those is at:

One of those on the list I sponsored. I have 3 more bills to go.

Again, this session I am sponsoring 4 bills which can be tracked from here:

One bill has passed both houses (Kidnapping), one bill is still being worked on in committee (Stormwater), one bill is waiting for similar bills in a committee (Land, to be finally heard on Tuesday at 8am) and one bill was held in house rules committee for 3 weeks and in standing committee for one week (Building Code). It should be finally heard the end of this week. I really didn't ask the Sierra Club to promote it. Sometimes you don't need the "help".

Of course they only picked 8 bills out of hundreds to support/oppose. I just got lucky to have 2 of them.

The other one they don't like. After reading their review, I wouldn't like it either. Perhaps they should read it again for real.

See:

My bill doesn't require or stop the federal government from selling our public land, it just makes a safe place for the land to go, makes sure the schools get their 5%, and makes sure if we really do end up with Bryce Canyon, we don't sell it off.

Some explanation is at:

My Stormwater Capture bill has been facing opposition from those that believe every rain drop and snow flake that hits your property belongs to and should belong to the State of Utah. I am trying to increase the amount you can capture, store, and beneficially use without hurting the farmers in the state.

My 2012 HB 18 passing was a success, especially with only one person voting against it in committee and no one from either house voting against as amended. Ron Bigelow started this bill years ago.

In the mean time I have been reading lots of bills, amending, or attempting to amend when the bills could be saved and generally trying to make the bills that pass good bills, or trying to kill them if they are not.

Some very good bills, which have unfairly been targeted, I have defended. Needless to say, my "request to speak" button gets used, both in committee and on the floor, and I try really hard not to abuse that.

Again, I am on the following committees this session:
Again, for 2013, a new House District 30 will represent much of this area, and during the 2012 Neighborhood Caucus Elections, Conventions, Primary and General Elections citizens residing here will determine who will represent this new District 30 beginning in 2013.

The Republican Neighborhood Caucus Elections will be at 7:00pm on March 15, 2012 and the Democrat Neighborhood Caucus Elections will be on March 13, 2012.

Remember, for the 2012 Election, I am running for the new State House District 30 (notice the new number) For 2013, House District 32 is moving to Sandy, so try not to get confused.

Please, don't just show up at 7:00pm. I would recommend showing up at 6:15pm so you have time to sign in and know which classroom you might be sent to for your precinct. If you find out you are at the wrong place, you have time to get to the correct location.

The Democrats have chosen Hunter High School Auditorium on March 13th. See:

The Republicans have chosen two elementary schools, and I don't know yet which location to send you to. See:

Whittier Elementary School
3585 S 6000 W
WVC, UT 84128

Carl Sandberg Elementary
3900 S 5325 W
WVC, UT 84120

I should know more in a week or two.

Yes, I would really love for you to come to the Republican Neighborhood Caucus and support those running to be a county delegate who would truthfully consider voting for me at the County Convention on April 14th.

The County Clerk has the new precincts figured out and should have the maps here in the next week or two:
What is there right now is old. You need the 2012/2013 maps.

You can see what the new precinct boundaries look like at:

Some have not changed, but most have, and several have been combined.

More information can be found at my blog or on several social media sites which can be reached from:
http://www.fredcox4utah.com/

The best website to track the session is at:
Official Government and Constituent Email:
fredcox@le.utah.gov
Campaign Related Email, including volunteering, signs, donations, etc:
fred@fredcox4utah.com
(No donations during the Session)

Fred C. Cox, Representing State House District 32 and running to represent the new District 30

PS,
I have received a request for survey results to be posted on my website or blog. I have posted some of the results on my facebook page, and I am including what results I have here:
Based on over 200 of my surveys that came back this year in our area

The following are results/notes. The actual wording is at:

Funding Priority
#1 Fund Growth in Pub. Ed
#2 is a tie between no tax increases and maintaining existing roads
#4 is a public education teacher raise
#5 is to stop using one time funds for ongoing needs
#6 is public safety/corrections
#7 is maintain existing buildings
#8 is replenish rainy day fund
#9 is to reduce the state bonding debt
#10 is to fund growth in higher ed
#11 is to fund a higher ed teacher raise
#12 fund a state employee raise.

Liquor Laws
No Change, Keep them 40
Increase DUI penalties 115
Privatization 100
Grant More Licenses 87
Locate News stores in Commercial areas 49
Other 18

Daylight Savings
Keep 86
Get rid of 105
Modify back 13
(I did vote to move the bill to get rid of DST to the House, but the bill failed 5 for and 7 against in committee)

Constitutional Carry Bill (We didn't get one after all)
Don't require the Concealed Carry Permit 46
Keep the Concealed Carry Permit 146
Other 13

National Popular Vote Compact
Don't Join 131
Join 56

Immigration
Repeal Guest Worker 2011 HB 116
Yes 71
No 104
(The "repeal" bill got killed in the Senate, the "modify" bill HB 300 is still in the House)
Increase Enforcement using E-Verify
Yes 158
No 21
(Rep. Sandstrom is still working on that one, I believe it will be 2012 HB 477, and if so, the media will love that bill number.)
Improve Legal Immigration
Yes 151
No 31
(2011 HB 469 is still available to use)
Utah should just wait for the Feds on Immigration
Yes 34
No 144
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