Word is reaching that Count My Vote is willing to stop their petition. A negotiation with the Utah Legislature.
Count My Vote = Pirates?
From a year ago:
http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2013/03/fair-elections-in-utah.html
Why would Count My Vote now "cave" ? Several good reasons, they wanted the Utah Legislature to bail them out.
1. They never had a well written proposed law.
http://www.neighborhoodelection.org/flaws_in_count_my_vote_proposed_legislation
2. Their Legal brief was finally discovered to be a con.
http://www.countmyvoteutah.org/s/Constitutional-Memorandum-and-Letter-wso2.pdf
In a soon to be released counter brief it was discovered that Count My Vote / Buy My Vote based part of their argument on a minority opinion form the SCOTUS and not the majority opinion. It shows that the Legal Brief put out by Count My Vote to be as flawed as the proposed law. Not only is the conflicting sections in Count My Vote going to give a judge pause and kick it back to the Utah Legislature to fix, and the 2% system obviously not treating candidates from different parties equally, but the whole premise of Count My Vote being able to stand up to the courts is flawed.
3. 2014 SB 2014 passed the Senate.
4. Protect Our Neighborhood Elections files a complaint with the Lt. Governor's office re: Count My Vote asking for signatures, perhaps even all to be thrown out.
from
http://fox13now.com/2014/02/21/complaint-claims-count-my-vote-collected-signatures-in-violation-of-the-law/
The complaint outlines four accusations, which include the following:
1 – Only one of eight corporate donors for Count My Vote has filed
the required financial disclosures with the Lt. Governor’s Office.
2 – Washington County School District member emailed Count My Vote materials from a school email account during school hours.
3 – Count My Vote signature collectors have, on documented occasions,
verbally misrepresented the nature of initiative, going so far as to
completely lie about it.
4 – Count My Vote petitions were allegedly left unattended in public
places, which could have allowed anyone to sign without first having
their identity verified.
What did Count My Vote do? They pulled in more money, this time from Sen. Orin Hatch, and they called in Mitt Romney, who likely was just acting at the request of Mike Leavitt.
It is in doubt that Mitt Romney is up to speed on the flaws of Count My Vote:
http://www.redstate.com/diary/fredccox/2013/11/07/perhaps-mitt-romney-should-be-blasting-count-my-vote-having-no-run-off/
Passed problems with 2014 SB 54
http://www.fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2014/02/2014-sb-54-elections-amendments.html
Pirates or Just Cowards?
Count My Vote had their public hearings when the least number could come and even scheduled them during UEA and a Legislative Session.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/56992046-90/count-vote-group-public.html.csp
"They have scheduled four of their seven public statewide meetings at
noon during the week with two of those during a special session of the
Legislature," said Fred Cox, a former state representative and opponent
of the Count My Vote movement. "They also scheduled two of the required
regional public meetings during UEA (Utah Education Association), so
they don't seem to want the UEA teachers or their invited parents to
attend."
Their Press Conference tomorrow is during the State GOP Central Committee meeting so that none of the GOP Party Leaders could be there.
Count
My Vote: a Lexus lane to the ballot for the rich and famous. Always has
been. With the proposed compromise it is just more obvious.
Fair Elections in Utah. It matters. You can remove your signature using this process:
http://www.neighborhoodelection.org/faq
Friday, February 28, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
Why we should not have a new hotel funded with tax rebates
My concerns are the existing businesses that compete against this
not only state sales rebate blessed business but likely also
county property tax rebated blessed business.
I am not sure what taxes the city will rebate but likely will.
With a rebate on the taxes, after they are paid first, of up to $75 Million x 2 or x 3 IF you feel government has to help an specific industry get off the ground to help the economy - this proposal is better than some other options.
The fact that we have an existing same industry of multiple businesses in the target location that don't get the same deal it is totally unfair.
Also a lot of money. $75 Million or $150 Million or $225 Million is tax rebates.
Against.
Update: The final bill that passed the Legislature has money set aside to minimize the damage to other private businesses.
Disclaimer: One of my past clients has property in the area. It would be a benefit to my industry and possibly my firm for a hotel with large meeting room space to be built. The reason for me opposing this plan was because of free market principles and government competing in the private sector, or picking winners or losers and finally cost.
Can something be done? The size of the Salt Palace Convention Center is a problem, too big and too small at the same time and it has not worked as well as it could with the private sector.
I am not sure what taxes the city will rebate but likely will.
With a rebate on the taxes, after they are paid first, of up to $75 Million x 2 or x 3 IF you feel government has to help an specific industry get off the ground to help the economy - this proposal is better than some other options.
The fact that we have an existing same industry of multiple businesses in the target location that don't get the same deal it is totally unfair.
Also a lot of money. $75 Million or $150 Million or $225 Million is tax rebates.
Against.
Update: The final bill that passed the Legislature has money set aside to minimize the damage to other private businesses.
Disclaimer: One of my past clients has property in the area. It would be a benefit to my industry and possibly my firm for a hotel with large meeting room space to be built. The reason for me opposing this plan was because of free market principles and government competing in the private sector, or picking winners or losers and finally cost.
Can something be done? The size of the Salt Palace Convention Center is a problem, too big and too small at the same time and it has not worked as well as it could with the private sector.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Do Not Move the Prison
Moving the prison will help Draper, at the expense of the rest of
Salt Lake County and Utah. Lets move it to where we forget it? No, that
really is a bad idea. Keep it to where it is close to colleges,
hospitals, the courts, and lots of visitors and volunteers. We don't
actually want the prisoners to stay prisoners.
There is enough room to add 576 beds and you wouldn't notice which would allow the few non-pod type facilities to be replaced. We also have this really cool system in Gunnison where the prisoners work with wild horses. For those prisoners that the Draper facility doesn't work, we have that option.
With the Mountain View (Corridor), the Draper Prison isn't the bottle neck it was. There are many acres of developable land in that general area that could actually be worth less if more land is added. Will it increase population in that area for schools, likely. Will the money end up going where the schools will be needed, not likely.
Where: In Salt Lake County? Why move it. Outside of Salt Lake County, further from resources and courts.
Don't move the prison.
Disclaimers:
I am an architect. Moving the prison would likely help my profession. I have drawn thousands of jail and prison cells many years ago, including working on the Gunnison Prison, Oxbow Jail, and others out of state.
I also invested 2 years as a volunteer for a church service mission at the Draper Prison.
Update, what passed the Legislature was a decision to move the prison, sometime, somewhere weighing many of the concerns I have listed.
There is enough room to add 576 beds and you wouldn't notice which would allow the few non-pod type facilities to be replaced. We also have this really cool system in Gunnison where the prisoners work with wild horses. For those prisoners that the Draper facility doesn't work, we have that option.
With the Mountain View (Corridor), the Draper Prison isn't the bottle neck it was. There are many acres of developable land in that general area that could actually be worth less if more land is added. Will it increase population in that area for schools, likely. Will the money end up going where the schools will be needed, not likely.
Where: In Salt Lake County? Why move it. Outside of Salt Lake County, further from resources and courts.
Don't move the prison.
Disclaimers:
I am an architect. Moving the prison would likely help my profession. I have drawn thousands of jail and prison cells many years ago, including working on the Gunnison Prison, Oxbow Jail, and others out of state.
I also invested 2 years as a volunteer for a church service mission at the Draper Prison.
Update, what passed the Legislature was a decision to move the prison, sometime, somewhere weighing many of the concerns I have listed.
Friday, February 7, 2014
2014 SB 54 Elections Amendments
2014
SB 54 Elections Amendments, A proposal for the Utah Legislature to
adopt Count My Vote, prior to knowing if they get enough signatures, and
prior to a vote in November if they do. It provides exceptions, one of
which would ruin the Same Day Ballot that the GOP is adding to increase
participation for Neighborhood Caucus Election night.
Many citizens who attend their neighborhood elections and caucus meeting become interested in politics and get involved in their communities, the state and the nation. They meet and help candidates become elected. Some then later become candidates. This should be encouraged through education. SB 54, lines 796 to 800 ruins that and should be amended.
Again, we need to amend it to allow greater participation by those that are new to the process. Delete lines 796 to 800. This will allow someone new to run the night of the meeting. We have and should have incentives to file and run for delegate or precinct chair prior to the meeting, but as drafted, the bill reduces participation.
My letter to the Utah Republican State Central Committee:
Dear SCC members,
Many citizens who attend their neighborhood elections and caucus meeting become interested in politics and get involved in their communities, the state and the nation. They meet and help candidates become elected. Some then later become candidates. This should be encouraged through education. SB 54, lines 796 to 800 ruins that and should be amended.
Again, we need to amend it to allow greater participation by those that are new to the process. Delete lines 796 to 800. This will allow someone new to run the night of the meeting. We have and should have incentives to file and run for delegate or precinct chair prior to the meeting, but as drafted, the bill reduces participation.
My letter to the Utah Republican State Central Committee:
Dear SCC members,
It is my opinion that if the proposed bill should be amended, particularly lines 796 to 800.
If not, the bill should not pass.
794 (b) permits members of the registered political party to vote for neighborhood
795 delegates remotely or by absentee ballot;
796 (c) accepts a vote cast remotely or by absentee ballot, under Subsection (12)(b), for a
797 period of not less than two days after the day on which:
798 (i) all delegate nominees of the registered political party have been identified; and
799 (ii) the name of each delegate nominee described in Subsection (12)(c)(i) is made
800 available to members of the registered political party;
The 2 day system in the bill for the caucus will ruin it.
You either can't find out that night who won any race, or
you have to file before you know who won.
Someone running for State Delete that night and losing and running for Prec. Chair or County Delegate if they lose goes away.
I have talked to Sen. Bramble last night [Tues. Feb. 4] about these concerns to no avail.
We, the SCC, have spent months coming up with a Same Day Ballot to solve the concerns and not ruin the meeting.
If not amended or deleted, lines 796 to 800 ruins the meeting.
See:
as well as:
We have made huge improvements for the 2014 Neighborhood Elections.
For some of these, see:
For
purposed of reviewing Sen. Brambles 2014 SB 54 bill, and to allow the
Count My Vote language to be put directly in statute with an exception
to parties that qualify for the 4 items covered in the bill, I am
willing to temporarily look past many of the flaws from the initiative,
since they may not apply. See:
http://www.neighborhoodelection.org/flaws_in_count_my_vote_proposed_legislation
I
am opposed to changing the system we have to allow unaffiliated voters
to affiliate the day of election. It has proven to decrease cross voting
during a primary and still allow individuals to vote. I believe that
requirement, "allow unaffiliated voters to affiliate the day of
election" could be part of SB 54 on lines 792 to 793.
As you know, I am not in favor of changing the threshold percentage to avoid a primary.
See:
I have no problem with electing alternate delegates, and we currently allow counties to do so.
If Lines 796 to 800, were modified to allow our Same Day Ballot to meet the requirements of lines 794 and 795,
we might have a bill to work with.
To replace the the threshold percentage item, the following items could be discussed:
legal notice requirements for caucus and convention and
require election day affiliation for UAF so that law Isn't removed later.
We could add voter info protection and
remove straight party voting in the general.
We could also fix the check a buck program so it comes out of the taxes of the person that checked the box instead of everyone else.
require election day affiliation for UAF so that law Isn't removed later.
We could add voter info protection and
remove straight party voting in the general.
We could also fix the check a buck program so it comes out of the taxes of the person that checked the box instead of everyone else.
The final point is the bills timing. It is a big risk. See the critical dates from March 1st to May 15th.
Notice the bill would have to pass the legislature, both houses by March 13.
The Governor has until April 2 to sign or veto it.
The legislature has until May 12, to override a veto.
Count My Vote has until April 15 to get the signatures they need.
The
county clerks have until May 1st to the 15th to verify the signatures
and turn them in to the Lt. Gov. those that have requested to be
removed.
The Lt. Gov. has until June 1st to decide if the number of signatures meets the law.
We
do not know if between March 13th and April 15th if the number of
signatures coming in will increase or decrease if the bill passes. It
could either add fire to their initiative or crush it. It is a risky
move.
In
a nutshell, 2014 SB 54 lines 796 to 800 must be amended or deleted
before we even have something to discuss. (The 2 day requirement) it
isn't the 48 hours it is the other requirements.
Fred C. Cox
Salt Lake County representative to the State Central Committee
Monday, February 3, 2014
Fred Cox for Utah House Distirct 30
"I believe we must stand up and be
heard or watch our constitutionally protected rights disappear. As a
former member of the State House for 2011 and 2012, I have been heard,
standing up to protect your rights. That fight continues. "
Education Excellence, Clean Air and Water, States Rights and the Economy
Education Excellence
As a taxpayer and architect, I see the money spent on buildings and will continue to advocate for an improved balance between cost savings and quality to the process. I would hope we can reduce costs while still maintaining the quality.
Teachers often do not have the supplies they need, and in most cases deserve more pay for the critical work they do. Education Funding is too complex and funding doesn’t seem to make it to the classroom. We need to work to help make that better.
Education Excellence, Clean Air and Water, States Rights and the Economy
Education Excellence
As a taxpayer and architect, I see the money spent on buildings and will continue to advocate for an improved balance between cost savings and quality to the process. I would hope we can reduce costs while still maintaining the quality.
Teachers often do not have the supplies they need, and in most cases deserve more pay for the critical work they do. Education Funding is too complex and funding doesn’t seem to make it to the classroom. We need to work to help make that better.
Clean Air and Water
I was the Salt Lake Solar Day 2012, "Greenest Republican in the State" for sponsoring 2012 H.B. 262 Building Code Amendments, and continued working to adopt the current IECC (energy code for houses and buildings) during the 2013 session. That bill passed and the current code is expected to be effective July 1, 2014. The amount of energy use and pollution caused by buildings is critical. I also worked for over a year to increase flexibility and ability for property owners to capture and use storm / rain water. At the end of the 2013 session, that bill passed the House, 75 to 0, and was signed by the Governor.
I was the Salt Lake Solar Day 2012, "Greenest Republican in the State" for sponsoring 2012 H.B. 262 Building Code Amendments, and continued working to adopt the current IECC (energy code for houses and buildings) during the 2013 session. That bill passed and the current code is expected to be effective July 1, 2014. The amount of energy use and pollution caused by buildings is critical. I also worked for over a year to increase flexibility and ability for property owners to capture and use storm / rain water. At the end of the 2013 session, that bill passed the House, 75 to 0, and was signed by the Governor.
States Rights
The US Constitution specifically states: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people". The US Government continues to trample on this and others of our constitutional protected rights. The government powers are not only separated in 3 branches, but between the Federal and the States. This is an area that is worth fighting for Utahns.
The US Constitution specifically states: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people". The US Government continues to trample on this and others of our constitutional protected rights. The government powers are not only separated in 3 branches, but between the Federal and the States. This is an area that is worth fighting for Utahns.
Economy
Utah is the best fiscally managed state. Utah repeats this year as Forbes top 3 Best States for Business and Careers. We need to continue to improve. The Economy will grow when Government will allow it. In many cases Government is holding business growth back through too many regulations.
Utah is the best fiscally managed state. Utah repeats this year as Forbes top 3 Best States for Business and Careers. We need to continue to improve. The Economy will grow when Government will allow it. In many cases Government is holding business growth back through too many regulations.
Civility
We should play a role as responsible citizens in our communities, including becoming informed about issues and voting in elections.
We should engage in the political process in an informed and civil manner, respecting the fact that others come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and may have differences of opinion in partisan political matters.
Parties
I have no problem working with both parties. All four bills that I sponsored that passed the House in 2011 and 2012 were floor sponsored by a democrat senator.
I was the only member
of the Legislature that sponsored a
bipartisan congressional redistricting map, co-sponsored by a member of
another
party.
I don't look at bills
as republican or democrat sponsored. I
vote on bills based on what the bill says and would do, and I have
spoken
against bills and spoken for bills based on the bill and not the
sponsor or
party.We should play a role as responsible citizens in our communities, including becoming informed about issues and voting in elections.
We should engage in the political process in an informed and civil manner, respecting the fact that others come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and may have differences of opinion in partisan political matters.
Parties
I have no problem working with both parties. All four bills that I sponsored that passed the House in 2011 and 2012 were floor sponsored by a democrat senator.
Continuing Work
For the 2013 Session, I had prepared several bills. Due to the results of redistricting and the 2012 election I was able to transfer 4 bills to other legislators, and help to get those bills though both Houses and signed by the Governor. One bill was dropped when the state agency reversed their policy and it was no longer needed. A sixth bill was not needed when a similar bill was passed and signed into law.
During the last year I have actively fought to improve our current system of elections and to educate those that the proposed initiative is flawed and will favor incumbents, wealthy and famous and will not improve our elections. For more information on this subject see my other blog:
http://fairelectionsutah.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Problems with 2014 SB 100
The bill 2014 SB 100, has problems. This lists just a few of them. For more about my general attitude on this subject, see:
http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2012/05/support-for-traditional-marriage.html
re: 2014 SB 100:
Senator, I wish you had revised this more from last year. I think you are heading the correct direction generally, but still have some concerns you didn't address: (This has the same concerns from last year's 2013 SB 262 )
I don't like lines 499 to 529. The toilet room situation isn't helped by what is there. To delete those sections primarily, I suggest the following:
For purposes of discrimination, "Gender identity" means an individual's internal sense or belief of gender, without regard to the individual's designated sex at birth.
For purposes of physical employment accommodation, "Gender identity" includes notification by an individual they have undergone or are undergoing physical gender transition.
Both Sexual orientation and Gender identity need to have the word belief or believed added. Some can argue if someone is gay or not, but they should allow the same treatment we require for differences of religious belief. I don't have to agree with another religion. I can still treat their practitioners with respect and not fire them because we disagree in that area.
For purposes of discrimination, "Sexual orientation" means an individual's actual, believed, or perceived orientation as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.
It should be 4 or more housing units with exceptions. That isn't clear.
Covered places of residential accommodation include 4 or more units, including 4 single family houses or a four-plex or larger, except owned by or operated by religious organizations, non-profit organizations, or an Affiliate.
It should be companies with 15 or more employees with exceptions.
Covered places of employment include 15 or more employees, except owned by or operated by religious organizations, non-profit organizations, or an Affiliate.
I am not sure Affiliate is the correct term.
It should allow exceptions for the Boy Scouts, BYU, Beehive Clothing, but not KSL TV or Deseret News.
New for this year is coordination with the fight to protect Utah Art. 1, Sec. 29.
http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2012/05/support-for-traditional-marriage.html
re: 2014 SB 100:
Senator, I wish you had revised this more from last year. I think you are heading the correct direction generally, but still have some concerns you didn't address: (This has the same concerns from last year's 2013 SB 262 )
I don't like lines 499 to 529. The toilet room situation isn't helped by what is there. To delete those sections primarily, I suggest the following:
For purposes of discrimination, "Gender identity" means an individual's internal sense or belief of gender, without regard to the individual's designated sex at birth.
For purposes of physical employment accommodation, "Gender identity" includes notification by an individual they have undergone or are undergoing physical gender transition.
Both Sexual orientation and Gender identity need to have the word belief or believed added. Some can argue if someone is gay or not, but they should allow the same treatment we require for differences of religious belief. I don't have to agree with another religion. I can still treat their practitioners with respect and not fire them because we disagree in that area.
For purposes of discrimination, "Sexual orientation" means an individual's actual, believed, or perceived orientation as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.
It should be 4 or more housing units with exceptions. That isn't clear.
Covered places of residential accommodation include 4 or more units, including 4 single family houses or a four-plex or larger, except owned by or operated by religious organizations, non-profit organizations, or an Affiliate.
It should be companies with 15 or more employees with exceptions.
Covered places of employment include 15 or more employees, except owned by or operated by religious organizations, non-profit organizations, or an Affiliate.
I am not sure Affiliate is the correct term.
It should allow exceptions for the Boy Scouts, BYU, Beehive Clothing, but not KSL TV or Deseret News.
New for this year is coordination with the fight to protect Utah Art. 1, Sec. 29.
Friday, December 20, 2013
The Same Day Ballot for the Neighborhood Caucus Election Republican Meeting
The Same Day Ballot for the 2014 Neighborhood Caucus Election Republican Meeting
It started about a year ago with
some at the Utah Republican State Central Committee (SCC) trying to
figure how to grant an exception or maybe even a proxy vote for some
that couldn't come to the the Neighborhood Caucus Election Meeting.
The
idea of a Proxy Vote was defeated, and it has taken many months to come up
with a Same Day Ballot (SDB) system. It has many protections so it isn't
a proxy vote. The person prints out their own ballot, which has a
number to avoid copying it. They fill out their own ballot that day and
put it in an envelope, seal it, and sign across the seal, so we know it
wasn't someone else. They provide the ballot and copies of their state
ID to whoever is bringing the ballot that allows those receiving it to
check the signature and make sure the person is a registered voter in
the precinct. The ID is given back to the person that brought in the
ballot so we don't have issues with ID theft or party liability for the
ID copies.
It was structured in such a way to allow
the mom who was planning on coming to the neighborhood caucus election
meeting, but her kids got sick to still vote, or the firefighter, for
example, that had to work that night. We want people to come to the
meeting, but things can come up that can't be controlled. The Same Day
Ballot (SDB) is designed to not provide an incentive for people to avoid
the meeting. The person that just had knee surgery that uses a SDB, is
not likely to be able to come, and the SDB will actually increase the
number participating and not decrease it.
Because the
ID with the ballot was given outside the envelope, the party never gets
control of it, and the person selected to deliver the ballot is going
to be a spouse, family member or trusted friend. People will not give a
copy of their ID to someone they don't know. That would make sure
someone representing a campaign didn't try to abuse the system.
We
added a pre-meeting before the Neighborhood Caucus Election Meeting
from 6pm to 7pm and advance registration, to encourage, but not require,
those wanting to run for delegate or precinct chair, etc. to let people
know in advance so those that couldn't come would know who to vote for,
and have time to call them up and ask questions. The SDB allows a write
in vote, so if they know or want someone to be nominated that night,
they can vote for them as well.
The next
concern, which was discussed in Filmore, during the October 26th SCC
meeting, was a limit as to how many of the Same Day Ballots could be
brought in by one person.
Since we live in
Utah, and we also have small rural towns, there are people that are
trusted in each community that could pick up quite a number of the SDB.
The proposal in Fillmore was to limit the number of SDB's a person could
bring in to one (1). That was discussed and rejected. five (5) was a
number discussed, but it wasn't approved either. We wanted to have a
large enough number to make sure the mom or the firefighter could find
someone to bring their SDB in, or if a family got sick, the voters in
the household would turn in their votes, but small enough so as to not
encourage abuse. On Saturday, Dec. 14th, the SCC decided three (3) was
the best number for the limit of SDB's a person could bring in.
Some
have raised concerns that the number 3 would be limiting. In the
September 21st SCC meeting, a resolution titled "Resolution to Increase
Voter Participation and Defend the Utah Neighborhood Election" passed
the committee with no one voting against it, so the majority, and
perhaps all the members of the SCC believe we want increased voter
participation. We had over 110,000 voters come to the Republican
Neighborhood Caucus Election Meeting, and we made improvements so that
number can continue to increase. It has doubled and then doubled again.
We don't know that we will have 250,000 voters show up in 2014, but we
want to be as prepared for that as we can, and we want to hear more from
those running at the same time.
It was
made clear that the limit of 3 would not limit the number of
firefighters that could participate, as they would each have family and
friends that could deliver the ballot for them. It was also make clear
that this limit would not apply to the Same Day Military & Mission
Ballots that are sent to the precinct chair and vice chair. That had
other protections to make sure we know who is voting.
I would be happy to provide more information.
Fred C. Cox, representing Salt Lake County on the Utah Republican State Central Committee.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)