The Utah Government

Utah really is a great place to live, here are some recent stories from the news:

I think I mentioned this before, but I believe Utah is going in the right direction. We have created State Laws that have exempted us from further (any) federal regulation with Firearms for any firearm manufactured in the State. This doesn't prevent Utah from instituting their own regulations, but it does prevent the Feds from getting involved in INTRA-State Business. We have also taken a stand on the Real ID act, as an infringement on States Rights. Go Utah!
Utah House votes to not comply with Real ID Act
Gun Bill Shootout On Capitol Hill

Under the "DUH" Category, it seems there is another "substance" that, when smoked" produces a "marajuana-like high". First off, kids, you should know better than to play with stuff like that. It is bad for you and it could kill you. Taking that chance is like playing Roulette with a Semi-Auto pistol. Secondly, the Weber School District has now banned the substance. We shouldn't leave that kind of thing to the Schools, it should be put under the control of the Law Enforcement agencies. If it produces the same or similar effect as a controlled substance, then it should fall into that "spirit of the law" category.
Weber School District bans ‘Spice'

In another pointed effort of the State to push States Rights (under the 10th Amendment) Utah has ok'ed the use of Eminent Domain on Federal lands. Since, by Federal Law, the Federal Government cannot Own Land, this seems fair to me.
Utah House OKs eminent domain on federal land

You know Utah is starting to grow up when they do things like "loosen the rules for bicycles". Why? Well, look at any big city. They have thousands of people riding around on bikes going from place to place. If they are all constricted to certain places on the road or sidewalk, it gets really crowded really fast. These new "looser" rules will help with efficiency, and give bicyclists another option and maybe even more incentive to ride instead of drive.
House OKs bill to loosen rules for bicyclists

Later on, I will write a blog about some cool new technologies that have come out in the past little while, one would solve this problem. However, we already have laws that cover it, but it is nearly impossible to enforce them. I am talking about texting or talking while driving. The Utah Legislators want to make more rules. I think they should be making rules or thinking of was to make current laws more enforceable, but then, I am more practical about my approach to law.
But in sticking with the "status quo", they approve it and defeat it all in one day. Well, maybe not a bad thing, but really, can we make up our minds?
Utah Senate defeats bill on teen drivers, phones
Senate Approves Bill Banning Teen Drivers From Using Cell Phones

With all this focus on "open government", it never ceases to amaze me that there are those who will still try and limit public exposure to what is going on within the Government. I think, if we are to survive without a full-on civil war, we need to start being really and truely OPEN with Government and letting people know what is going on. I am not sure why the Jordan School District thinks that limiting public opinion on a policy or project is a good idea. They should welcome the public's input because the public, ultimately, wants what everyone wants from the education system, a good education for the next generation.
Jordan School Board votes to limit public comment

Here are a couple kids intent on learning and participating in their government. The problem, people are trying to force them into the mould of "toe the party line". Why? We need more people to "think out of the box" so that we can start to deal with and fix the problems caused by people being in government for so long. People become complacent and get into the corruption racket far sooner than they should, but as I have said before, "power corrupts". I would encourage these guys to continue to "buck the system" and ask their questions. I do. It is the only way to find out who is on your side.
Orem teens appeal dismissal from youth council
Orem teens dismissed from youth council after posing question to Guiliani

Next item on the list, the Unified Police Department in SLC has gotten themselves some new uniforms. How? In this economy, they cut back on service, reduce workforce and buy new uniforms? First off, if they received "grant money" from the Federal Government, then the Federal Government is obviously collecting too much tax and should be giving some of that back (they aren't but there are better and more important things to do with the current funds than give them away.). Secondly, they have been complaining about not having enough money to operate so they "double dip" the residents of Salt Lake, Salt Lake County and Unincorporated Salt Lake County by receiving tax money and charging directly for their services.
So, if they are that hard up for money, spending it on uniforms is really a bad choice of things.
Unified Police Department unveils new uniforms

Any time we start to hear "warrantless" anything coming out of the Legislators, we should FIGHT IT. The protections provided by the Constitution apply to all US Citizens and to all Utah Citizens. These protections prevent the Government from running amok. However, every once in a while, we hear about it
Utah Considers Warrantless Internet Subpoenas

This is a bad and possibly unconstitutional proposition. If my data is stored outside of Utah, it falls under federal protections. If it is inside the state, it falls under state protections. To remove that is to invite trouble.