Session dominated by budgetary concerns may include Stockton Bar, air quality

The two members of the state House of Representatives that represent Tooele are looking forward to a busy legislative session starting Monday — one dominated by budget discussions and ethics reform, along with local proposals to protect the Stockton Bar and fight against an Environmental Protection Agency air quality ruling.

Jim Gowans, D-Tooele, whose 21st District takes in northeastern Tooele County, and Ronda Menlove, R-Garland, whose 1st District includes the rest of Tooele County along with parts of Box Elder County, both said budgetary issues will take center stage this session.

“The state budget affects the entire county,” Gowans said. “The governor is trying to do his best to protect education and services for the disabled and elderly, but what finally is done will be up to the Legislature.” Gowans said the governor has already ordered a 3 percent across-the-board budget cut for all state departments, except public education, for the balance of this year. The governor’s budget for next year calls for replacing the federal stimulus money that was used to backfill cuts in the ongoing state budget last year with more one-time money from the state’s rainy day fund this year.

The governor’s budget as written contains no new taxes, but there is still talk of a cigarette tax and partially reinstating the food tax, according to Gowans.

“The governors budget relies on some pretty rosy projections,” Gowans said. “Even if the recession is over, economists have told us the recovery will be slow.”

As state agencies respond to budget cuts, it remains to be seen how those cuts will affect people in Tooele County, according to Dan Tuttle who works as a lobbyist for both the county and US Magnesium.

“Cuts in the budget for the state division of drinking water could mean less money for drinking water infrastructure,” Tuttle said, citing one example.

“There needs to be continual communication between legislators and the county and local communities so we can protect valuable local resources and programs,” Menlove said.

Ethics legislation will be another important issue in this session, according to both of Tooele’s representatives.

“Both parties, along with the Senate and the House, are very sincere about meaningful ethics reforms this year,” Gowans said. “We should see campaign donation limits, more frequent reporting and tighter rules on gifts.”

“We are well on our way to limiting gifts and campaign contributions and establishing an independent ethics commission to oversee Legislative ethics complaints,” Menlove said. “The Legislature is very serious about establishing new ethics guidelines and procedures.”

Menlove has prepared a non-binding resolution designating the Stockton Bar as a state geological treasure — a move she said will help preserve the Bar.

“The resolution is drafted and waiting committee assignment,” Menlove said.

She is also pushing to reverse the EPA’s designation of Tooele Valley as a non-attainment area for fine-particle air pollution.

“The Legislature does not have jurisdiction for this issue,” Menlove said. “But we will be working with the governor to continue our work with the EPA and the Utah Division of Air Quality to address this issue.”

Menlove also has several bills introduced on other topics. After hearing concerns from local firefighters, she sponsored a bill to ban novelty lighters — small lighters that often look like toys to children. She’s worked on drafting legislation to address kids’ use of electronic cigarettes — cigarette-looking devices that produce a nicotine vapor for inhalation. And she’s sponsoring legislation to provide a $10 discount for motorcycle and ATV riders who are wearing helmets when they receive a ticket for a moving violation — a positive way to encourage helmet use, Menlove said.

This will be Gowans second term as minority whip — the No. 2 leadership position among House Democrats.

Gowans has one bill ready that will repeal the authority of the state engineer to plug artesian wells. He is also preparing legislation providing for a license plate for the Utah High School Rodeo Association.

“I also plan on keeping my eye on the school lands trust program that generates funds distributed by community councils,” Gowans said. “There has been some discussion but no action as of yet to move that funding into the State Board of Education. I want to keep the current program.”

The legislative session opens Jan. 25 and will conclude on March 11.

Tim Gillie: tgillie@tooeletranscript.com