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Rep. Stephen Clark, R-Provo, showed his enthusiasm Saturday for the weekly Provo and Orem Chamber of Commerce breakfast, which allows local community members to hear from their legislators about their activities the previous week, and what they are looking forward to for the next.
"You guys are crazy! We eat, drink and sleep politics all week long and here comes Saturday morning and we come up and talk about them again," Clark said.
Clark was one of the new faces who attended the weekly gathering Saturday, along with Congressman Chris Cannon, Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, Rep. Keith Grover, R-Orem, Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, and Provo Mayor Lewis Billings, who came to share their insights and concerns.
A big day is coming up for the Legislature. The official budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year will be revealed on Feb. 18, just one week from Monday.
"For the last three years, we've just had so much money, historic surpluses," said Rep. Rebecca Lockhart R-Provo. "We've been able to do great things for education and transportation but the economy is cooling, and we're seeing those same signals in Utah."
Lockhart, who serves as the vice-chair on the executive appropriations committee, fears that the state budget will be affected negatively due to the federal government changing its budget around.
"Everyone has wants and needs, and (Feb. 18) it will be interesting to see what the true picture is. It probably won't be the Christmas like it has been," said Lockhart.
Among the many other organizations and interest groups asking for money from the state budget, the city of Provo hopes to join the funding list, asking for $1 million for a new radar system for the Provo Airport.
"Right now, we are doing aerial surveillance with binoculars and a chalkboard. That's pretty scary," said Mayor Billings.
The new radar system isn't just a "Provo issue" Lockhart said, who heard Provo's plea on the appropriations committee. Lockhart said the issue was received "very, very well" by the committee.
"When our priority list came out, it's very high on it," said Lockhart. "Our great challenge is that this is not a just a Provo issue, but a regional issue. Air controllers in Salt Lake are interested as well. We just need to keep giving people that message, that this is bigger than just a Provo issue."
Currently, there are no actual air surveillance systems in Utah Valley with the ability to monitor aircraft flying below 8,500 feet. This poses a problem because other airports use the Provo airport, including the Salt Lake City Airport when weather issues arise. As many as 18 aircraft have been diverted to the Provo Airport from Salt Lake at one time.
"(Other airports) choose to come here often," Billings said. "As we go forward, our airport will become a scheduled airport and it's a real safety issue not to have a radar system."
The Federal Aviation Administration has agreed to pay the balance of costs necessary for the instillation of the radar system if local and state stakeholders can raise $2 million.
"They'd like to see regional support, but also the 'get out the wallet' kind of support," Billings said. "I think we're very close to having about 3/4 of a million right now."
The city has asked the Legislature to approve $1 million out of state funds to add to the money raised by Provo city.
Asking for money specifically for Utah County is a new thing, as in the past Utah County has been almost completely "self sufficient" said Clark.
"We've never really gone after bringing home the bacon for Utah County in years past," said Bramble, confirming the county's "self-sufficiency."
A laundry list of other topics surfaced at the breakfast as well, including proposed legislation regarding midwives, cruelty to animals, sex offenses committed by teachers, health care reform and the Western States Primary. |
