Sue

Yesterday I had an interesting experience that demonstrated to me how we politicos on the Hill are seen by the average citizen.

I had left the Capitol for a meeting downtown and was returning during the lunch break.  I dashed into the cafeteria in the East Bldg. and grabbed a wrap and bag of chips to carry to the lunchtime coalition meeting I needed to attend.  Because of the timing of my meeting, I was almost an hour late for the coalition, so I was in a hurry.  I exited the cafeteria doors, headed for the revolving door to get me onto the plaza, when I noticed an elderly couple standing tentatively near the doors and watching all the people zooming through the doors.  Just as my mind registered the fact that maybe they needed help, the gentleman moved to stop me.  He politely inquired if I could help them.  I responded, “Of course”, and asked what they needed.  Turns out they had come to the Hill for a public tour of the Capitol and had no idea where to go.  I explained that they were in the wrong building and gave them directions on how to find the tour guides in the Capitol.  They were so appreciative and told me they were glad that they had decided to stop me and ask for help.

I smiled and told them “No problem”, but as I raced across the plaza, I wondered how long they had been standing there hoping for help.  I replayed in my mind the busy advocates and lobbyists running back and forth and realized that we are an intimidating group.  Did they stop me because I was wearing a Utah PTA badge or had a friendly face?  I hope it was because of both.  I hope I looked friendly and not distracted, and I hope my badge made me seem non-threatening.

This was the first week of the Utah Legislature.  I listened at home on Monday and Tuesday while watching over Brian’s recovery, but on Wednesday it was off to the Hill.  Up early, home late.  I spent Wed-Fri up there talking to legislators, reading bills, listening to committee hearings, and digesting budget numbers.  Same old, same old.

So far, the bills I’m following are flying through committee because several of them were worked on heavily during the interim and were passed as committee bills.  This allowed them to be heard first or go straight to the board so I’ve been busy in committee and working with sponsors on details.  Most of the bills don’t have fiscal notes which is also allowing them to move quickly.  Because of the budget woes, fiscal note bills are being held.

Some of the bills I’m currently following would increase the statute of limitations on felony child abuse homicides, amend the definition of incest, allow a perpetrator of domestic violence in the presence of a child to be prosecuted for separate offenses for each child present, and prohibit a sex offender from requesting, inviting, or soliciting a child to accompany them.  This tightens up the current statute.  I have several others, as well, and you can see that I get into some interesting testimony.

The 2009 budget amendments were approved in Executive Appropriations yesterday.  I was lucky enough to get a seat in the room and not in one of the two overflow rooms.  $15 million was added back to public education during the meeting, making the cut there only 3%, instead of the 3.8% of other state agencies.  For the most part, they were able to find money to backfill many of the vital human services in the section of the budget that I follow.  So most programs will not be cut drastically in 2009.  But discussions are going forward in the Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee on the fiscal year 2010 budget and programs will have to be cut.

Overall, it’s a grim year up there.  One amusing note:  it was really weird to be hanging out in front of the House doors yesterday waiting to speak to some legislators and find myself standing by Mark Walker.  He resigned his House seat last year amidst ethics allegations in the State Treasurer race, was charged, recently plea bargained to a misdemeanor, and now is a registered lobbyist for some health organizations. 

As a volunteer child advocate, I am not a registered lobbyist, which means that I do the same work but don’t get paid for it.  On the up side, I have a better reputation than some of the paid lobbyists, so there are compensations.  😉

 

1. It’s January; my snow is piling up and my driveway is getting narrower.

2. A vacation in Hawaii is what I crave most right now.

3. Cork and wine go together like hot chocolate and whipped cream (sounds yummy).

4. Chocolate  is so nourishing.

5. Let us dare to leave the house without slipping on ice; always an adventure for me.

6. When it’s cold outside, I love  my home.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to being done with my interview on a radio show and hearing Brian and his friend sing the National Anthem at the Lone Peak basketball game, tomorrow my plans include shopping, laundry, PTA work on my computer, and attending the District Honor Choir concert  and Sunday, I want to go to bed early and read!

I detect a theme here in my fill-ins-it’s darn cold and snowy here!