Here we go! The only meeting for folks to comment on the redistricting maps which will impact communities for the next decade is now underway.

With the website to give comment being down, this is the only way many people will be heard.

This process has been a travesty. #utpol Co-Chair, Paul Ray, while presenting the congressional map they drew in secret, is now talking about the public tour lawmakers went on to listen to input.

Turns out, you can listen to input then simply ignore it when you work in the shadows. #utpol

We've got more #utleg map analysis! This time from the mathematicians at MGGG Redistricting who helped the UIRC run impartial analysis on the their maps. #utpol

Starting with the Legislature's congressional map: "The Legislative Redistricting Committee’s congressional map splits counties and municipalities
at a significantly higher rate than the Independent Commission’s maps." #utpol

We're in the House listening to H.B. 258, Rep. Shipp’s bill creating a gun instruction & safety course for high school credit:

abu.buzz/3k3eJJh #utleg It's a 3 year pilot program for 3 school districts. The course would cover safety, shooting and marksmanship, state law, and suicide prevention.

A school district could develop their own curriculum or contract with a 3rd party provider. #utleg

Good morning from House Health & Human Services where they're hearing HB92, Rep. Shipp's bill which would prohibit trans kids from accessing medical care.

le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/st… This bill would go against medical best practices for transgender youth which have been well-established and are supported by a number of major medical & mental health orgs.

It's another example of some lawmakers furthering a culture war which is backed by extremist groups.

Good afternoon, we're listening in on the Senate Health & Human Services Committee where they're discussing Sen. Winteron's bill which says schools are not required to enforce mask wearing.

le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/st… A mother from Vernal helps Winterton present on the bill. She tells a heartbreaking story about her youngest son who has had issues with masks.

We're listening to the Senate Judiciary committee this morning, which is hearing Sen. Vickers' bill allowing the #utleg to override public health orders during an emergency: le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/st… #utleg The bill prohibits the Governor from renewing a state of emergency after 30 days if the #utleg refuses to do so themselves.

(This is a direct response to what happened last year: sltrib.com/news/politics/…) #utleg

The Senate Judiciary committee just voted 5-2 to advance SB 138, Sen. Hinkins' riot crackdown bill allowing rioters to be held without bail and granting immunity to drivers who run people over if they believe their life is in danger.

le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/st… #utleg The committee removed a few egregious lines of the bill, like the provision making blocking traffic during a riot a felony and the part cutting people off from government benefits (like SNAP) for 5 years.

But this bill still has a lot of problems. #utleg

We’re watching the House floor where representatives will be voting on Rep. Birkeland’s anti-trans bill, barring transgender girls from participating in school sports.

abu.buzz/37qmrrH #utleg Rep. Birkeland has a substitute that offers more protection for school districts (but not trans girls.)

The sub is quickly adopted. abu.buzz/37qmrrH #utleg

THREAD:

The @sltrib has been doing excellent reporting on Utah senator Kirk Cullimore. The latest story does a great job outlining his brief but clear history of using his position to line his pockets.

Here are some points worth highlighting:

sltrib.com/news/2020/07/1…
#utpol Cullimore is an eviction attorney, and his dad’s law firm (where he works) represents most of Utah’s landlords. Its website boasts that Cullimore Sr. “directly wrote” & works with the #utleg on landlord & rental laws, and that they file the most eviction cases in the state.

Yesterday, a story about Senator Vickers’ business interests in the pharmaceutical industry broke. Sen. Vickers, the Senate Majority Leader, has two family-owned pharmacies in Iron County which distribute 34 percent of the County’s opiates–more than even Walmart’s pharmacy... The story: medium.com/@angelabacca/d…

#utpol

Another list of ALEC members was recently obtained, showing more Utah lawmakers who are part of the secretive, corporate-backed organization which is making its way into the news more often lately, most recently over the weekend on Netflix's @patriotact This new list was members of ALEC's task force on "Commerce, Insurance, and Economic Development." Utah members include:
- Speaker Brad Wilson
- Senators Dan Hemmert, Jerry Stevenson, Gregg Buxton, Don Ipson, & Jacob Anderegg
- Rep Kirk Cullimore
#utpol