Latest news with #UtahHouse
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Highland approves golf carts on 25 mph city roads
HIGHLAND, Utah (ABC4) — Golf carts are now conditionally allowed on Highland streets after the city council voted on an ordinance Tuesday. Four out of five councilmembers voted in favor of allowing golf carts on 25 mph roads in Highland, with Councilmember Scott Smith objecting due to safety concerns. The ordinance passed with a few restrictions, namely that golf carts are only allowed on city roads with speed limits of 25 mph and under, drivers must be at least 18 years of age, and no driving after dark. Utah House Majority leader resigns to take new role in Governor's Office The council also added penalties for cart owners who allow minors to drive a golf cart on city roads. Penalties would also be given to those who drive under the influence. The council's debate was between personal liberty and safety, with concerns centered around children on laps and speeding vehicles on the same roads as carts. 'The problem is we have neighborhood after neighborhood come in here complain about speeding, so no one follows the 25 mph,' Smith said. 'I just think we've got to be really careful because they're going to be competing at a lower rate with cars that are going 25 plus … So what street is really safe is my question.' Councilmembers in favor of the ordinance argued that this is 'a desire of our residents,' with many community members expressing interest in driving golf carts to visit neighbors or go to church and parks. WATCH: Bodycam footage released after over 150 dogs rescued from Ogden home 'Why are we restricting things when we don't have to restrict them?' Councilmember Ron Campbell said in his argument for the ordinance. 'We all have a right to risk, we all have a right for liberty, and golf carts are a part of the community that has come forward and said we would like this.' Smith, who is a physician, said he is 'very concerned' about safety issues and isn't against liberty just because he thinks this is an 'act of foolishness.' Ultimately, Smith said he would support what the majority votes for. The council decided to pass the ordinance and look at it after some time to see if changes needed to be made to the regulations. Highland is now the sixth Utah community to allow golf carts on city roads. Baby fox rescued after falling into irrigation drain in Farmington Keeping hydration delicious and effective Utah couple flown to hospital after semi-truck crashes through Wellington home CBO: House GOP plan exceeds $880B savings target Trump signs executive order aimed at slashing prescription drug costs Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Donald Trump's Pardon For NBA YoungBoy Could Be In Jeopardy
Hip-Hop fans were elated when Donald Trump chose to pardon YoungBoy Never Broke Again's probation sentence for gun charges. However, Utah lawmakers didn't share that excitement and may look to fight against the decision. 'We are extremely proud of the work our investigator and prosecutors did on this case, as well as grateful for all the help we received from other local and federal agencies,' Cache County attorney Taylor Sorensen and Sheriff D. Chad Jensen wrote in a joint statement to KUTV. 'Mr. Gaulden [YB] pled guilty to the charges in this investigation, and we feel strongly the Justice System in Cache County is far from a 'weaponized system of justice.' We have highly trained, honest, experienced and professional sheriff's investigators and county prosecutors, along with respected District Court Judges and Defense Attorneys.' Trevor Lee, a member of the Utah House District 16, supported his perspective on X. 'As a state we should still go after him,' he wrote in a now-deleted tweet. It is unclear whether Utah lawmakers will be successful, but it is clear where they stand on YoungBoy Never Broke Again. The Baton Rouge, La. rapper had been living in the state for a few years now while serving his house arrest sentence. Last year, he pleaded guilty to felonious gun possession charges and was sentenced to 23 months in prison, five years of probation, and had to pay $200,000 for a separate gun charge. This past March, he was released from prison and credited for time served, allowing him to return to home confinement, which he completed in April. Donald Trump's pardon eliminated his probation sentence and he expressed his gratitude via social media. 'I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building — as a man, as a father, and as an artist,' he wrote on Instagram. More from Donald Trump Announces Travel Ban And Restrictions Affecting 19 Countries Following Terrorist Attack In Colorado Elon Musk Slams Donald Trump Agenda Bill Days After White House Exit New Orleans Prison Escapee Claims His Innocence, Pleads For Help From Donald Trump, Meek Mill
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah House Republicans elects new leadership members
SALT LAKE CITY () — Just days after former Rep. Jefferson Moss and his role as the House Majority Leader, Utah's House Republicans have elected new leaders. In a special leadership election, Rep. Casey Snider (R-Logan) was elected to replace Moss, who will now serve as the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. Rep. Candice Pierucci (R-Herriman) was elected House Majority Whip, replacing Rep. Lisonbee (R-Syracuse), who , and Rep. Bridger Bolinder (R-Grantsville) as House Majority Assistant Whip to replace Snider. Report: Sen. Mike Lee to return public land sale to 'big, beautiful bill' 'I am excited to work alongside this new leadership team as we represent our caucus and work on behalf of all Utahns,' said Speaker Mike Schultz. 'Congratulations to Rep. Snider, Rep. Pierucci and Rep. Bolinder. This leadership team stands ready to work on behalf of all Utahns.' The three new members of House Leadership each said it was an honor, and they were grateful for the opportunity to serve in their new roles. 'Our leadership team is committed to serving the members of our caucus and the people of Utah with integrity and foresight as we continue to advance meaningful policy for the benefit of every Utahn,' said Snider. A bat in Morgan County has tested positive for rabies, health officials warn Historic Hill Air Force Base chapel reopens following years of extensive renovations Utah House Republicans elects new leadership members Elon Musk blasts spending bill Surge of moisture brings storms to southern Utah, raising flash flood potential Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah Democrats to choose between seasoned legislator and young campaigner as new leader
Campaigner Ben Peck and former Rep. Brian King are the two major candidates seeking to lead the Utah Democratic Party. (Photos courtesy of Ben Peck and Brian King) Utah Democratic Party officials expect between 800 to 1,000 people to attend their organizing convention in person this year, one of the largest headcounts for a non-election year gathering the party has seen in recent years. Diane Lewis, who has chaired the party's Utah chapter for the last four years, didn't throw her hat in the ring for another term in her role. But, with four other candidates eager to pick up where she left off, she's hopeful for the future of organized Democrats in deep red Utah. 'I have never seen as much excitement and turnout at our conventions. I would say that our turnouts probably have doubled (in different Democratic events across the state),' Lewis said on Thursday. 'New people, young people, people wanting to get involved, run for office.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX There are two major candidates for chair this year — former Rep. Brian King, a widely-known face in state politics for about 16 years who left his spot at the Utah House to compete in last year's gubernatorial elections with no success, and newcomer Ben Peck, who has been behind campaigns that have flipped some red offices to blue. Jonathan Lopez, an IT technician who has been behind other Democratic campaigns and is also running for chair, didn't answer an interview request, and the fourth candidate, Archie A Williams III, didn't list his information on the party's website prior to the convention. Committing to such a role didn't come easy for King, he said on Thursday. But, after seeing President Donald Trump's election and bracing to witness another legislative session with a Republican supermajority, this time from the sidelines, he couldn't stand the idea of sitting on his hands. He sees that ubiquitous red presence in Utah politics as a monopoly that needs to be of lower intensity with more competition. Strategizing before election, Utah Democrats plead 'come back home' 'People may not realize how damaging it is to have a monopoly of political power, like we do in Utah,' King said. 'The Republicans have a supermajority in the legislature. They control the executive branch with the governor. They control the great majority of counties here in the state, and it's not good for Utahns to not have more healthy competition.' Most Democratic elected officers represent areas along the Wasatch Front. However, King believes that Utahns in rural counties are ready for a change of policies to tackle issues they deal with daily. 'When you're in the supermajority for long enough, like the Republicans are, you get complacent. You think that you don't have to address people's problems, you don't have to work hard,' he said. During his campaign, he has also seen more engagement from affiliates who, since Trump took office, have felt the need to step up, he said, 'and push back against government overreach at the state level and the federal level.' While King has been around for longer and has an extensive list of flashy endorsements, including Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County mayors, among other prominent Utah Democrats, Peck said he's 'cautiously optimistic' about his chances on Saturday. 'My message seems to really be resonating with people,' Peck said. 'I know it's going to be an uphill battle. Brian has a long history here in the state and in the party, but I think that people are ready for a change, ready to try something new.' He knows what it takes to win in Utah, he said, highlighting the successful campaigns he ran that elected Natalie Pinkney in a tight race for a Salt Lake County Council seat, and Sheila Srivastava, the first woman elected to serve as Salt Lake County treasurer. At 25 years old, he also believes the party needs representation from younger people, as support appears to be slipping in that group and the state Legislature keeps its Republican supermajority. 'It's hard for people who have been involved in politics for decades to credibly tell people 'I'm going to fix it. Things are going to change now,' because people rightly come back with, 'well, why haven't you done it yet?'' Peck said. The day will start and end early at Ogden High School, with delegates convening in smaller caucuses to discuss issues like approaches to health care, education and labor, among others, and to elect new leadership, including the party's vice chair, secretary and treasurer. Delegates will also vote on a party platform highlighting Utah Democrats' belief in economic security, equality of opportunity and investing in the common good for all. Additionally, they'll make their choice on two resolutions, one relating to veterans, and the other to take an official stand against presidents running for three terms. While Lewis is looking forward to her retirement, she is also excited about seeing where the party goes now. 'We have amazing leaders in each county party, and they're willing to work. I hope that the new leadership of the state party sees that whole thing, and that they continue to build from where we are now,' Lewis said. 'Because the only place we can go is up.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can the 2034 Winter Games help preserve Utah's quality of life? Here's what a former governor says
Former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt has a long list of ways the 2002 Winter Games moved Utah forward, including the rapid rebuilding of I-15, and wants to see the same from the next Olympics. At an Envision Utah breakfast Wednesday in the University of Utah's Rice-Eccles Stadium tower, Leavitt recalled a moment from the finale of the 2002 Closing Ceremonies held there that made it clear the efforts were appreciated. 'The fireworks are going. The music is playing. There's smoke in the air and it was just fabulous,' he said, describing how a man in front of him suddenly started chanting, 'Utah, Utah, Utah,' before turning around and recognizing the governor. 'He was embarrassed,' Leavitt said, but then explained he no longer feared the impact of the Olympics. 'He said, 'Governor, I was against this. And I was wrong.' That's really worth remembering. There was a lot of opposition on the same basis. But they were wrong.' Hosting the 2034 Olympics and the Paralympics that follow for athletes with disabilities, and possibly more in the future, provides a way for Utahns to maintain their quality of life as the state grows, he said. 'We won't have the quality of life we want without the Games. We can have it using the Games as a catalyst to preserve it,' said Leavitt, who was elected governor three times before serving in former President George W. Bush's administration. In 2002, that meant creating an 'internal brand' for a state then associated overseas with John Wayne but little else, said Leavitt, now president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. The branding intended to put Utah on the map was part of a larger agenda, to make the state both a winter sports and a technology capital. Using the deadline of the Olympics, Leavitt said the state was able to make major transportation and other improvements. Hosting the 2034 Winter Games offers a chance to do even more, organizing committee CEO Brad Wilson, a former Utah House speaker, assured the audience of community and business leaders. 'I would argue that the 2034 Games, if we do this right, may be the biggest opportunity in Utah's history,' Wilson declared. 'This time we have more runway and we have the ability to engage the entire state.' The International Olympic Committee voted to give Utah a second Winter Games last year under a new bidding process. That gives organizers, who already have the necessary venues in place, two years more than they had to get ready for 2002. Wilson said unlike many prior Olympic hosts that have abandoned costly competition venues, the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation has been a 'much better steward' of the taxpayer dollars initially invested in the sliding track, ski jumps and speedskating oval. While those and other Olympic venues will need to be 'spruced up' before 2034, he said the Games can serve as a motivator to get Utahns to 'do the right thing' when it comes to issues such as saving the Great Salt Lake and improving air quality. 'There are some risks we need to lean into and be willing to take,' Wilson said, adding that Utahns should be able to look back at the lead-up to 2034 and say the community involvement 'paid off big time.' Last week, organizers began a 'listening tour' to find out what that involvement should look like. The private meetings, which started in Ogden, are expected to eventually be held throughout the state. Wilson said the job of the organizing committee is 'executing the Games and doing it flawlessly,' something that will require 25,000 volunteers. They're set to be selected in 2033, he said, with preference given to those who've shown 'a commitment to making our community better.' Envision Utah interim CEO Jason Brown said the nonprofit organization focused on planning for the state's growth can play a role in a second 'era of transformation,' helping to determine what progress can be made on priorities like housing, transportation, water and education. Growing up, he said having an Olympics in Utah made him feel like he lived in 'the coolest place in the world.' When the Olympics return in 2034, 'it's going to be a great time. I'm really excited for the Games themselves,' Brown said. 'But what I really hope we don't miss is this opportunity, this excuse, this chance and reason to make Utah everything that we really hope that Utah can be.'
