Hi Fred
...
Have you read HB 3009? If so please give me your impressions.
Thanks
Answer
When I read the bill, I noticed it was putting checks and balances
on the existing [potential] abuse of executive powers, of the Governor, County and
City Mayors.
I have felt like current emergency laws
needed that. Some have assumed that the bill was meant to add to
existing powers. It was not. It could be amended to be more clear.
I
believe some of the existing emergency powers are unconstitutional. Is a
judge going to rule that way? Good luck with that. Is the Utah
Legislature going to vote to repeal those powers? I am not sure they
have the votes. If with a 2/3 vote they can add checks and balances to
those powers, that is at least a step in the right direction.
Over
a week ago I had said this, and also had sent it to Governor. I posted
it in a group with tens of thousands of people, liberal and
conservative. The reaction was 95% positive. The comments, close to 1000
before they removed the comments were hardly civil. I am happy the
country, state and county is starting to go this way. I hope I was
helping in this process.
"Most people in this state
feel that a mayor or governor shutting down private businesses generally
or by category and requiring papers to travel is an abuse of power and
is not constitutional. Period. We have shut down a restaurant for
norovirus or other reasons before. This is not the same. There is no
reason each and every business can't figure out a way to stay safe and
stay open. I have been working from home generally. That doesn't work to
go visit a building. Most people are doing their best to wash hands and
keep distances. That is a good thing for now. The last thing we need is
the government taking over everything. Be civil. Be caring. Be safe. Be
free."
For more on HB 3009, this has valid points.
An opposing view also raises concerns. The sponsor has put the bill on hold for now.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10219163194363779&id=1025123423
Fred C Cox
for SLco District 2
PS, Rep. Watkins has a floor amendment to remove the most controversial line. The bill is still stuck in Rules.
https://le.utah.gov/~2020S3/bills/static/HB3009.html