Dear friends,
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. This will keep you updated on what is going on in the Legislature and give you information you need to know to be engaged and effective citizens.
My work on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee has kept me busy. It’s JFAC’s job to create the budgets that the Legislature must approve before adjourning for the year. We decided to do things differently this time, taking a more active role in setting the budgets of the 180 boards, departments, and commissions that make up your state government. It’s my job to make sure that the voice of the taxpayer is represented in this process so that the money you entrust to us is spent wisely.
Here’s just one example of how this works. The Dept. of Health and Welfare wants $9.8 million for immunizations for children because Covid-19 shots are now recommended by the CDC:
They also requested an additional $2.45 million to supplement the pediatric vaccine program:
Do you think this is a good use of taxpayer money?
When I’m not busy combing through budgets I am working on a few other subjects, like House Bill 405, which would make the death penalty an option for extreme child molestation. I also just introduced a new bill dealing with ESG — that’s the “environmental, social, and governance” ideas that big investors like Blackrock use to push a leftist agenda through the free market.
In addition to JFAC, I also sit on the House Resources & Conservation Committee, which recently held an informational hearing on “natural asset companies”. Have you heard of these? They wanted to be able to give private companies control of public resources for “conservation” purposes, and even list them on the New York Stock Exchange. It looks like that idea is dead for now, but this kind of thing always comes back.
We have a lot of bills to consider on the House floor next week, from little issues to big ones. For example, House Bill 415 would make it so public schools can’t be gun free zones. Is that the right call? Should teachers and staff who have enhanced permits be allowed to carry on campus?
Thank you for your support. I’m honored to represent the citizens of Gem County and Eagle in the Legislature. Stay tuned for more information as the 2024 session continues. Subscribe and share this newsletter to stay in the know!