Thread by @BenWinslow

Greetings from another physically-distant #utleg interim committee meeting.

@CandicePierucci is presenting a bill right now that would put caps on "emergency procurement."

It's something I have reported extensively on: fox13now.com/news/coronavir… @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@CandicePierucci is proposing limits on emergency procurement. Basically you get 30 days and then it diverts back to a public bid process.

@UtahGOMB says it has no issues with her bill. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@CandicePierucci says after the 30-day period, there's a more competitive bid process that is more transparent.

FYI, here's how much @GovHerbert has racked up in emergency procurement: fox13now.com/news/coronavir… @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@cory_maloy asks if this could delay things in an emergency?

"30 days is a good stop gap," @UtahGOMB's Chris Hughes says.

The bill does ensure there's no gap in providing services.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Rep. Owens asks if when they throw open the bid and nobody bites, does it go back to the emergency contract winner?

@UtahGOMB says in their experience, it NEVER happens. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Rep. Owens asks if they're building up storage for PPE, adding "the best time to buy lights is the day after Christmas."

@UtahGOMB says right now, we have a 60-day supply of PPE. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@mike_winder asks about war or civil unrest?

@CandicePierucci says it's all basically triggered by the state of emergency.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@Political_Jake asks where a pandemic falls? Under the 30-day cap, @CandicePierucci says.

Sometimes emergency procurement is a pipe busted in the middle of the night, she adds. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@Political_Jake worries this bill might broaden power.

@CandicePierucci disagrees and says right now there's no limits and this is "reigning it in."

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@Political_Jake says he's in favor of where this is going, but still has concerns.

@mike_winder says there's a lot of holes in the boat and this plugs one of them.

No public comment. @StephenHandyUT makes a motion to recommend the bill out favorably. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Interim Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee PASSES with only @Political_Jake voting no because he wants more stuff addressed on it. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

And it was Chris Hughes with Division of Purchasing that testified NOT @UtahGOMB.

The coffee has NOT kicked in yet, kids. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Now we're hearing a presentation on @danmccay's bill on telework.

I reported on his legislation last night (and it appears like it's going to pass): fox13now.com/news/local-new… @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

@danmccay @fox13 Check out this data point from Utah's Department of Human Resource Management.

Who can work remotely within state government. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Here's what teleworking state employees think of it. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

This is really interesting summary from the state. On bad air days, an additional 27% of state employees can work remotely.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@danmccay asks for support of his bill, but says he's not going to fast-track it on the Senate/House floor (so he can keep working on it).

It PASSES UNANIMOUSLY: fox13now.com/news/local-new… @fox13 #utpol #Utah

We're getting a briefing on a new economic strategy. Governor-elect @SpencerJCox is in the meeting.

@timothyhawkes is presenting and says they're looking at changes to the state's economic development strategy. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@timothyhawkes says out of the recession, it was "jobs, jobs, jobs."

But he wants a "refocusing based on new challenges and new needs for the state."

Growth is the big issue now. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Economic opportunities across Utah have been "a little spotty" (particularly rural areas).

@timothyhawkes says they want to create economic opportunities around clusters (like tech, aerospace, life sciences, etc.) @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@timothyhawkes notes telework can create new opportunities for rural Utah.

@SpencerJCox says this is a big policy initiative and changes do need to be made in @BusinessUtah. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@SpencerJCox outlines goals:

- Strengthen business ecosystem
- Low tax burdens for all biz
- Light regulatory environment
- Support entrepreneurs better
- International competition
- Industry clusters

@fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@SpencerJCox says they need to change the way they do incentives in the state and wants more analysis of them.

He wants corporate stewardship incentives that encourage best practices.

More support for rural Utah. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@SpencerJCox says he is working with the #utleg on these strategies.

The internet connection keeps stuttering out on the Governor-elect.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@annmillner now up.

"Having a prosperous Utah is not just @BusinessUtah's responsibility in this state," she says.

She says it will be a "coordinated effort across the state." @fox13 #utpol #Utah

"Let's focus on how we set a statewide vision and strategy for economic development in the state," @annmillner says.

@BusinessUtah plays a central role, but what about @JobsUT she asks? They also need to involve @UtahDOT and broadband. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

"We do need to align under a common vision and strategy," @annmillner says.

This whole thing feels like it's building to a much bigger announcement. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

THERE IT IS. @annmillner says they want to create a NEW commission.

She says it's not a "feel good thing" but something that sets goals and metrics and people are accountable. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

"This is our statewide economic strategy that many players are a part of," @annmillner says.

@BusinessUtah will play a part, she adds.

But it sounds like this commission will definitely have more oversight of economic development in Utah. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@timothyhawkes says the commission will pull all disparate pieces together.

He is planning legislation to create this.

Rep. Owens says he's very excited about this. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Rep. Owens does pour a little cold water on it by saying "a lot of this sounds the same."

As a rep from rural Utah, he says he's encouraged (but he also comes across as a little skeptical). @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@Political_Jake says he's thrilled and says he's run a bill for the last 4 years to do exactly this.

He never ran it because he was worried about @GovHerbert taking offense.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@Political_Jake notes every program gets dumped on @BusinessUtah and they need better coordination.

He says with #COVID19 "remote working is here to stay and we need to look at infrastructure in rural Utah." @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@Political_Jake says they have had missed opportunities by ignoring international trade.

He says @GovHerbert's last trade trip to Mexico "was a complete waste of time."

"This needs to be more of a Team Utah approach vs. executive branch vs. legislative branch." @fox13 #utpol

.@RepPatriceArent says she's on board.

@RepCarolMoss also makes a pitch for preserving quality of life and affordable housing to be considered with Utah's growth.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@CandicePierucci says her district (Herriman) is the fastest growing area.

Infrastructure, transportation, etc. are issues.

"The impact on quality of life and need for responsible growth are important to us," she says. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

"We've got a good foundation. Let's make it better," @annmillner says.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@danmccay is bringing back his bill to create a State Flag Commission! It would re-design the new Utah State Flag.

The bill died on the last night of the #utleg earlier this year. He's just trying to get it through, kids. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@danmccay says it will be a PUBLIC process in designing the new state flag.

He's making a hard sell to his colleagues. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@danmccay gives props to @slcmayor for the new #SLC flag.

"I think it's beautiful," he says. "It really is distinctive and stands out."

@fox13 #utpol #Utah

Meanwhile, on the monitor, @RepPatriceArent has changed her virtual background.

@danmccay says he recognizes people have *feelings* about flags and they can honor the existing flag but move forward. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@danmccay's flag bill is BACK!

The committee passed it (with one nay vote). It'll be reconsidered in the 2021 #utleg. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

That's it for this committee hearing.

Thanks for following along, kids.

Remember, I sit in public meetings so you can complain about your elected lawmakers on social media.

#utpol #Utah