Utah
Advocacy group releases scorecards evaluating Utah legislators
![Advocacy group releases scorecards evaluating Utah legislators](https://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.com/www.heraldextra.com/images/2022/04/09204116/3H2A8628-1200x815.jpg)
Whereas Utah County legislators acquired constantly excessive scores on the Individuals for Prosperity-Utah legislative scorecard, one vote stood out to Heather Andrews, the group’s state director.
Andrews was dissatisfied to see most of the space’s representatives unsupportive of Home Invoice 331, the Hope Scholarship Program.
HB331 was thought of “main laws” to AFP-U and was price two level in direction of or in opposition to every legislator’s scorecard relying on in the event that they voted for or in opposition to the invoice. AFP launched its annual scorecard on April 26. Every card highlights how legislators voted on points the group deemed vital throughout this yr’s legislative session.
HB331 would have “created a scholarship program for all college students in Utah, permitting their schooling {dollars} to comply with them to the most effective choices for his or her academic wants,” in response to AFP-U’s description of the invoice.
“I used to be actually dissatisfied to see what number of Utah County representatives weren’t supportive of giving extra households alternatives and decisions in schooling,” Andrews stated.
The varsity voucher invoice, acquired intense consideration and scrutiny all through the legislative session.
“The hope scholarship invoice would have funding comply with the coed versus this system or system. If COVID-19 taught us something, it’s that one-size-fits-all doesn’t work. Dad and mom, particularly these in low-income and minorities households, want extra choices for his or her kids concerning their academic wants,” Andrews stated. “The invoice would have given extra decisions for his or her children. I used to be shocked what number of Utah County representatives voted no on that problem as a result of there’s such a powerful base of assist for it within the county.”
The invoice was opposed by members of the schooling neighborhood, and Gov. Spencer Cox promised to veto the invoice had it reached his desk. At a Feb. 14 rally on the Utah State Capitol, Provo Rep. Marsha Judkins, a former member of the Provo Faculty District Board of Schooling, apprehensive that the invoice might have “unintended penalties.” It will definitely failed within the Utah Home by a 22-53 vote.
Andrews informed the Every day Herald that elected officers at present campaigning could also be affected by their scorecards.
“I feel it would have an effect on upcoming campaigns,” she stated. “I’ve already heard from some individuals, particularly delegates on the Utah County Conference, share their disappointment in legislators on how they voted on sure points, notably the hope scholarship. There have been a number of delegates who had been upset with how the votes turned out on it.”
A rating of 100 is taken into account an ideal legislative file by the group. Utah representatives and senators from Utah County acquired the next scores, from highest to lowest:
- Rep. Cory Maloy, R-Lehi — 100
- Sen. Michael S. Kennedy, R-Alpine — 97
- Sen. Daniel McCay, R-Riverton — 96
- Rep. Brady Brammer, R-Nice Grove — 94
- Rep. Kay J. Christofferson, R-Lehi — 94
- Rep. Jefferson Moss, R-Saratoga Springs — 94
- Rep. Norman Ok. Thurston, R-Provo — 94
- Rep. Nelson T. Abbott, R-Orem — 91
- Rep. Val L. Peterson, R-Orem — 91
- Rep. Adam Robertson, R-Provo — 91
- Rep. Keven J. Stratton, R-Orem — 91
- Rep. Doug R. Welton, R-Payson — 91
- Rep. Jon Hawkins, R-Nice Grove — 90
- Sen. Jacob L. Anderegg, R-Lehi — 89
- Rep. Jefferson S. Burton, R-Spanish Fork — 88
- Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo — 83
- Rep. Stephen Whyte, R-Mapleton — 83
- Sen. Keith Grover, R-Provo — 82
- Rep. Marsha Judkins, R-Provo — 82
- Sen. Michael Ok. McKell, R-Spanish Fork — 81
“We offer individuals a chance to have one thing to measure and maintain their elected officers accountable with,” Andrews stated.
AFP doesn’t plan to have interaction or endorse anybody within the Utah Senate main in Utah County between incumbent Keith Grover and challenger Brandon Beckham. The group has endorsed Rep. Kera Birkeland, from Morgan.
“Kera Birkeland has a lifetime rating of 92 and could be very aligned with us, so we’re wanting to assist ensure she will get reelected,” she stated.
AFP considers payments coping with quite a lot of matters — together with well being care, free speech, taxes, financial points and legal justice reform — to go on the scorecards.
“It’s an enormous labor of affection,” stated Andrews. “First, we have now to select from an inventory of payments to function. We had extra payments that we really engaged on over the past legislative session, however we have now to select those we felt had been substantive sufficient so as to add to the scorecards.”
Individuals for Prosperity is a conservative advocacy group based by Charles and David Koch in 2004.
- Officers pay attention through the 2022 Utah County Republican Conference on Saturday, April 9, 2022. The conference was held at Cedar Valley Excessive Faculty in Eagle Mountain. Doug Welton, middle, and Keven Stratton, proper, sit on the underside row. Norm Thurston sits between the 2 within the row above and Stephen Whyte stands to the facet.
- The Utah Legislature convenes its 2022 basic session Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Salt Lake Metropolis.
Publication
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Utah
Utah gets $20 million for transportation and traffic light technology
![Utah gets $20 million for transportation and traffic light technology](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/057952a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4608x2419+0+155/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe5%2F76%2Fc0dec5284bd3a795fb0da877d733%2Fgreen-line-trax-at-gallivan-plaza.jpg)
The Federal Highway Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a $20 million grant to Utah.
Drivers of snow plows, public transportation buses, and other government-operated vehicles are using technology that can direct traffic lights to change in order to improve safety and travel time.
Under the “Saving Lives and Connectivity: Accelerating V2X Deployment” program, Utah will receive $20 million of the $60 million that is aimed to improve vehicle technologies. The other $40 million will go to Texas and Arizona.
“Connecting vehicles and infrastructure is a great way for us to be able to take advantage of technology to help improve safety and other outcomes. And Utah’s DOT has been a leader in this space for a long time,” Shailen Bhatt, US Federal Highway Administrator said.
UDOT will use this $20 million to fund projects in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming, where each state represents different population concentrations and transportation facilities.
Bhatt says protecting personal private information can be one of the challenges when using these types of technology.
“So we will want people to understand what is being exchanged is called a basic safety message of DSM. The vehicle is going to report to the intersection that I’m approaching, and the intersection is going to report back ‘oh, the light is about to turn red or my light is red’, but it’s all anonymous data,” Bhatt said.
The technology is being used in Salt Lake City, where travel time reliability and bus performance have improved.
“It is unequivocal that when you deploy technology, we are able to reduce crashes, we’re able to reduce congestion, we’re able to reduce the amount of time people sit in traffic, and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from our system. And we look forward to more investments being made on the basis of the data that we get from this initial deployment,” Bhatt said.
Utah
As the Youth Group Hiked, First Came the Rain. Then Came the Lightning
![As the Youth Group Hiked, First Came the Rain. Then Came the Lightning](https://img1-azrcdn.newser.com/image/1543224-12-20240628083202.jpeg)
Seven members of a youth group hiking in Utah were transported to hospitals on Thursday after lightning struck the ground near them. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints youth group from Salina, Utah, were in the eastern part of Sevier County around 1:45pm local time when a light rain began and the lightning hit, Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis said in a statement. “Approximately 50 youth felt the shock of the lightning,” Curtis said, adding that seven of the young people had “medical concerns due to the electrocution,” per the AP.
Two of the victims had serious symptoms and were flown by helicopter to Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi, Utah. Five others were transported by ambulance to Sevier Valley Hospital in Richfield and Gunnison Valley Hospital in Gunnison, Curtis said. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening, according to Curtis, who said the other hikers were returned to their families in Salina, about 140 miles south of Salt Lake City. (A man trying to warn kids was killed by a lightning strike on a New Jersey beach.)
Utah
7 Church youth group members hospitalized after lightning strikes Utah hiking area
![7 Church youth group members hospitalized after lightning strikes Utah hiking area](https://images.foxweather.com/static.foxweather.com/www.foxweather.com/content/uploads/2024/06/1024/512/state-park.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Here are 7 facts about monsoon season.
SEVIER COUNTY, Utah – Seven members of a youth group from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were hospitalized Thursday after lightning struck near their hiking trail in south-central Utah.
The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office said a group of around 50 members were near an area known as Fremont Junction when the sudden rainstorm happened around 1:45 p.m. local time.
“Two of the youth were experiencing some serious symptoms and were flown via medical helicopter to Primary children’s hospital in Lehi. The rest of the youth were taken to Gunnison hospital and Sevier Valley Hospital,” deputies stated.
All of the injuries were thought to be non-life threatening, and the rest of the members were transported safely off the hiking trail.
SOUTHWEST MONSOON SEASON SHOWS SIGNS OF LIFE AFTER SLUGGISH START
Authorities praised the swift response of multiple agencies involved in the remote rescue operation.
The thunderstorm that triggered the rainfall and the lightning us part of an uptick of the monsoon season that has been scarce across the region.
The Southwest monsoon season typically kicks off around June 15 and lasts through late September, but its activity varies dramatically year by year.
Some communities in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and West Texas see half of their annual precipitation during these months, which is vital for the replenishment of waterways.
Lightning often accompanies the strongest storms, which can spark wildfires where dry vegetation exists.
![FOX Weather App photo of radar over Utah](https://images.foxweather.com/static.foxweather.com/www.foxweather.com/content/uploads/2024/06/668/376/radar-e1719543186747.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
FOX Weather App photo of radar over Utah
(FOX Weather)
LIGHTNING FATALITIES WERE SECOND-LOWEST ON RECORD IN 2023, SAFETY COUNCIL SAYS
Every year, hundreds of millions of lightning bolts occur throughout the U.S. but only a handful become deadly.
Data compiled by the National Lightning Safety Council shows fishing is one of the top activities where most deaths occur.
In 2023, 14 people were killed by lightning strikes, with many taking part in outdoor sporting activities when thunder roared.
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