By Representative Christine Watkins, District 69
Week three was a busy one at the Capitol. We are working on finalizing Requests for Appropriations in our Appropriations Subcommittees this week. I presented two of my bills in committee and attended a few events. We concluded my constituent survey and I posted the results on my Facebook page. A special thanks to all who responded. We have many moving parts and it can get a bit tricky to keep up with amendments, substitutions and issues that rise to the top.
BEDL Priorities: As the chair for Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee, I spent the week hearing many RFA’s and attending meetings to discuss our priorities. My co-chair, Senator Mike McKell, Vice Chair, Jordan Teuscher, and I are responsible for prioritizing all of the requests from our committee and presenting them to the Executive Appropriations Committee at the beginning of next week. Many great requests were heard in the BEDL Subcommittee. I was honored to present so many great requests that I feel will make a difference, especially in my district. Next week, after all of the chairs for Appropriation Subcommittees propose their priorities, the Executive Appropriations Subcommittee will finalize the requests into the budget.
I presented HB 207 Inmate Treatment Amendments to the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standing Committee. This bill requires county and municipal jails to allow the continuation of a Medically Assisted Treatment program (MAT) for people who are on the program and for whatever reason return to jail. I wrote this bill because a constituent came to me with concerns regarding issues involved in MAT programs. However, I still need to have some conversations and spend more time on this bill, so it was held in committee. I believe this is an important issue, and I want to work with all providers and jails.
I presented HB 64 for the third time to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee. It’s true what they say, the third time is the charm. We came into the committee with the second substitution already in place. The substitution says that this bill creates the Drinking Water Capacity Account and generates an ongoing appropriation from the General Fund. The committee passed out HB 64 with an unanimous vote for a favorable recommendation.
Monday, Jan. 31 was the annual Utah History Day on the Hill where students from around the state come to the Capitol to present their history projects. This year, I recognized all of the students during floor time, where all of the House of Representatives could see them and acknowledge their hard work. I’m proud to recognize excellent students and teachers from Price each year. This year, we had Pierce Bryner and Bradley Sweeney from Carbon High School and Leah Sweeney from Helper Middle School. I always enjoy seeing students from my district at the Capitol, and I loved seeing their hard work on display.
I have had a number of emails and texts asking me to support the removal of tax on food. The idea has been discussed by many on the hill but so far it has lacked the support of legislators to get it out of committee. I believe the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) bill will pass and this credit helps the working poor. Utah does not currently have this EITC program. With any bill that is filed, the bill goes through a vetting process and what may not pass in one session might pass the next year.
Thanks for allowing me to serve you.