Utah Democrats Stand with Teachers, Firefighters and Police Against Keith Grover
Why does Rep. Keith Grover (R-Provo) want to punish our teachers, firefighters and police by taking away their chance to talk to their bosses about their own safety on the job or how they can do a better job for Utahns? HB106 prohibits state and local government entities from talking with groups of employees about policies on subjects other than wages and health benefits. Utahns will pay the price for Grover’s arrogant, grandstanding legislation. Jim Dabakis, Chair of the Utah State Democratic Party issued the following statement:
“We want our elected officials looking out for Utahns and Utah families, not taking away their constitutional rights to free association and petitioning for redress of grievances!” declared Utah State Democratic Party Chair Jim Dabakis. “You’d think that’d be required reading for a member of the Patrick Henry Caucus, but apparently Representative Grover skipped that part of the Constitution.”
“As an educational administrator himself, we understand that Representative Grover might have personal reasons for avoiding actually discussing things with his employees – we’ve all had bosses like that. But to codify Grover’s personal management style into law is a serious mistake. Utah companies and state agencies should be allowed to discuss with their employees issues that are important in their workplaces – whether it’s how to be safe when busting up meth houses, serving arrest warrants to drug dealers, or time for teachers to plan how best to educate our kids”
Dabakis continued, “Employees should be encouraged to work together with their administrators to address their workplace issues. Taking away that right is governmental nannying at the highest level. Democrats stand with teachers, fire fighters, police officers, and all public employees against this assault on their abilities to speak with their supervisors about workplace issues. Working conditions are a matter best left between an employer and their employees, and Keith Grover should leave big government out of the conversation entirely, not hand down dictates from the legislative chamber.”
read moreChairman Dabakis: Rep. Powell Should Serve Utah, and Leave the Jokes to Stephen Colbert
Last week, Rep. Kraig Powell (R-Heber City) submitted HB 89, a bill that “requires a political caucus to be open to the public” so that Utahns can be informed on what legislative ideas both parties are working on.
Two days later, that very same Rep. Powell submitted HB 226, deciding that he would amend his own bill to close caucuses to the public if the caucuses felt it “preferable” to do so.
Confused yet?
Well, after some high profile double-takes, Rep. Powell admitted that HB 226 was a “joke,” intended as a stunt to draw attention to his opposition to his own party’s reluctance at holding open caucus meetings.
While we here at the party do appreciate Rep. Powell’s decision to go against his own party on this important issue (at least, we think that’s what he’s decided, you’ll forgive us for being a little uncertain), the fact remains that there are better uses of the short time the Utah Legislature has to pass laws that can help Utahns and their families than processing prank bills.
Rep. Powell claims that HB 226 only took about “10 minutes” to write, but as someone now entering their 3rd term as a state representative, he should know that the filling and hearing of bills takes up other people’s time, as well. This is the political equivalent of “52 Card Pick-Up” — quick for you to play, but longer for others to clean up — and Rep. Powell should know better.
If Rep. Powell really wanted to make an satirical statement on HB 89 and buck his own party, he could have filed a resolution, made a statement on the floor, or even given a press conference at the Capitol (what an original idea!). The Utah Democrats would even be glad to donate their official podium for just such a purpose if he thought it could get the GOP’s attention. But filing a phoney bill is simply not appropriate.
Further, for a GOP-led government that claims it has its hands too tied to honor a GRAMA request promptly, they’ve sure found the time to delve into amateur satire.
Rep. Powell should leave the jokes to professionals like Stephen Colbert, and the GOP party in Utah at large should embrace transparency, and stop wasting everyone’s time. Oh, and can we have the documents we’ve requested and paid for yet? Or is everyone too busy drafting fake legislation to make copies?
-Chairman Jim Dabakis
read moreHouse Candidate Chris Robinson Speaks Out
County Council member Chris Robinson, candidate for HD 54
Summit County – County Council member and candidate for Utah State House District 54 spoke out on the radio show “Impact” Thursday about the issues facing the new House District 54. Click the link below to listen!
You can also find more about Chris on his website: www.electchrisrobinson.com
read moreState Democratic Chair Loves Democrats’ Chances In Utah
via the Cache Valley Daily:
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is extremely popular with most Utahns and some people say if Romney is at the top of the ticket this fall Democrats might as well not even field any candidates.
State Democratic Party Chairman Jim Dabakis says that is simply not true, Utahns through the years have shown they have a fiercely independent streak and besides, he says, Democrats have a great candidate for governor.
“He’s a two star general, he’s LDS, he’s got a great family, tremendous successful business guy, he’s a Democrat and he’s going to be taking Governor Gary Herbert on for the mess this state is in.”
Read the rest of the story HERE
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