Capitol Beat: Feb. 6

Another week up on the hill has flown by. As I look back at the week it all feels like a blur. A lot of the issues that were first talked about during week one were debated and voted on during week two. Bills passed that pit Utah against wolves in the western U.S., made it possible for gun regulations to be a states right not a federal right, and Congressman Bishop, Sen. Bennett and The Rev. France Davis all gave interesting talks to the Senate members. Here are some random bullet points on all the action this week:

• Congressman Bishop spoke to the Senate about federalism this week. He proclaimed that the only way Washington can fix all the problems that we see in government is to give the power back to the states. I agree with this thought, but do we have to be careful? Utah does benefit from federal money to help build roads, fund schools, etc. I'm all for local governments keeping power but we do have to remember that the Federal government does help...sometimes.
  
• One senator introduced a bill that would make it so guns and ammunition manufactured in Utah would not be subject to federal gun regulations. The senator who introduced the bill proclaimed this wasn't really about gun rights, but about giving power back to the states and getting the federal government out of our lives. One interesting lesson was learned in prepping for this bill, one of the constitutional experts on the hill stated to us that it is the job of the legislature to test the boundaries of the law. It was a reminder that we the people should question and test laws to make sure they are in the best interest of our citizens. And if we find there needs to be change, we should fight for that change.
  
• The tunnels at Capitol Hill aren't all that exciting. There are underground walkways that can get you from the Capitol Building to the East and West buildings. When you first hear about this, you think it may be cool, but really it just takes the joy out of walking outside and enjoying the beautiful view you get of the valley from the Hill.
  
• Who knew a Roaming Gnome could make my day? Fridays are always a fun day, because the weekend is just a few hours away, but the Roaming Gnome visited the Capitol yesterday. The Gnome belongs to travel company Travelocity. Travelocity held an online contest this week about where the Gnome should go skiing this week, Utah or Lake Tahoe. Utah won the online vote by 64 votes and the Gnome came to the Capitol to celebrate our victory. He was a two foot tall statue but it made for a random fun morning.
  

So those are some random things from this week. Four weeks and some change to go! I did have a job interview for a job that would send us to St. George. It sounds interesting, but it's very early in the process. We'll keep you posted if anything exciting happens. Below are some links to more senate stuff if you need something to read. Have a great week!

Congressman Bishop speaks to the Senate
Wonder what the first week was like for interns/staffers & new Senators?
The Rev. France Davis reminds us to keep MLK's dream alive (great speech)
Insight from the Majority Leader on the process of passing a law
The Roaming Gnome is in the Upper House

Capitol Beat: Jan 30

The first week of the 2010 legislative session has finally come to an end. I don't want to say the week has reminded me of my mission, it has been nothing like my mission, but the days on my mission felt long but the weeks flew by fast; that's how this week felt. The days have been long but the week went by fast.

On Monday the session began with a special presentation. The Taylorsville High School Madrigals performed a few musical numbers and Elder Neal L. Anderson give the opening prayer for the day. Then the Senate President gave his opening remarks where he encouraged the members of the Senate to work together and to remember to serve the voters.

The rest of the week has been a mix of times of hurry up and wait, and times where I wished I had another hour or two to research and write on a certain topic I was asked to write about. I enjoy the press conferences. I feel at home in these meetings. I have been going to conferences for quite a while now with my various jobs so I feel comfortable in this setting. Times when I'm one on one with the Senators and trying to give them advice on press matters or trying to learn from them about the bills they are sponsoring can be a bit daunting but I'm enjoying the work.

The thing that has stood out to me the most, so far, is the senators are exactly how they appear in the news and then at the same time are nothing like how they are on the news. One senator, who we all know here in Utah, made a suggestion that getting rid of the 12th grade in public schools would save Utah somewhere around $260 million. He said it and he thinks it is a good idea, and is being criticized by everyone for saying it. What is being missed from the story though is the context of the whole situation. The statement was made at a summit on government spending reform. At this summit everyone was encouraged to look at the state budget and look for creative, outside the box ideas that would save Utah money. Utah has a budget shortfall of $700 million dollars. To balance Utah's budget, cuts and creative ideas are the only way to make the budget work.

This senator was using the idea of cutting 12th grade as a way to show those in the audience at the summit the kinds of ideas that will be needed to really change Utah's budget for the future and not just put a band-aid on it. Now like I said, he did say he thinks it is a good idea, and he should be held accountable for that. But, I think he should be applauded for trying to actually bring change and reform to the government instead of just swaying to the latest public opinion polls.

Finally, it's been a good week. I have learned a lot and have enjoyed every minute of the work. I enjoy my co-workers. They are unique and talented. I have plenty I can learn from them. The only downside to this current experience of working two jobs at once, is the time I'm missing out on being with Melissa. But like all things, this too shall pass. Have a great week! Below are some links on what happened this week in the state senate.

A look at SJR3 - Ethics
Harvesting Rain Water
Keeping Wolves out of Utah?

Capitol Beat: Jan. 21

All the storms have finally cleaned the air up and we have some of the best views of the valley and the mountains this week. Here's some of the pictures I took from up here.

Capitol Beat: Jan 15

Friday was a tough day for the staffers at the senate offices. The morning began with news quietly being released that one of the senators had been arrested on suspicions of driving under the influence of alcohol. I don't know the senator, I met him once and he seems like a good man to me, I was impressed with how those who did know him reacted.

It's so easy in the skeptical/cynical times in which we live for people to immediately pass judgment and to feel betrayed by those who they trusted. But the people I worked with yesterday were neither of those things. They were saddened for his family and wanted to know how they could help. They didn't judge him, they didn't try to find out every detail and sensationalize the situation. The only direction that was given yesterday was that we should pray for him and his family.

That impressed me. While many others would be quick to say he needs to lose his job, or would spend their time trying to craft an argument of what type of hypocrite this person could be, we were just asked to pray. It was a sobering reminder to me that we are talking about a person and his family. Not a TV show. Not a fictional character in a book that we may not like, but a person. Someone who made a mistake.

The mass public often loves a scandal and drama. They want accountability and justice. They want a juicy story. I don't blame them. I like a good story. I like justice and enforcement of rules and laws. I like seeing those that I'm in opposition with lose. But maybe this is wrong. Maybe sometimes we need to make a paradigm shift and not seek out the tantalizing details but wonder what would this be like if I were in their shoes? How is their family? How will this affect their ability to provide? Will their neighbors still be nice to them?

I'm not saying the story shouldn't have been reported, it should have. Accountability is important and the proper actions should and will be taken on this man. I just hope that we as a people can be more like those that I work with and follow their example to just pray. We should pray for him and his family and learn the lesson that any of us can make a mistake.

Capitol Beat: Jan 12

Poking your head in and out of different appropriation committee meetings this morning, you could feel the headache that is about to hit the Utah legislature called the state budget. Many of the lawmakers spent the morning scratching their heads as they endeavored to find ways to balance the budgets for the state. One lawmaker expressed his sympathy for those whose budgets are being cut by simply stating with a frown, “I can only spend the money I got.”

That summed up the general feeling of the morning as the committees discussed all avenues to cut the current budgets and planned how to budget for the years to come. “All items are on the table,” was mentioned in one committee, while others were going through their budgets meticulously finding ways to keep as many state programs afloat as possible.

On a lighter note, there was a celebration today in the senate as the senators gathered for their seventh extraordinary session of the fifty eighth legislature. The senate convened to consider two new judicial appointments and to swear in Utah’s newest senator. Judge Keith A. Kelly was confirmed by the senate to serve in the Third District Court, and Thomas L. Low was confirmed to the Fourth District. Both were given the opportunity to address the Senate and expressed gratefulness for their families and vowed to serve to the best of their abilities.

The Senate welcomed Ben M. McAdams to their ranks today. Sen. McAdams, D-Salt Lake City, will fill the vacant seat left by Sen. McCoy in the 2^nd district. McAdams quickly addressed the Senate recognizing and thanking his family for their support and stated he’s “looking forward to working with all of you [the Senate] in this capacity.”

Me and the Beatles

A few weeks ago we were watching NBC's sing off show and one group did a montage of Beatles songs. I mentioned that I don't really like the Beatles and was reminded of the last time I uttered those words out loud.

Our family gave the usual reaction of "what is wrong with you?" (A standard response when I give my opinion) And then (like always) they started naming songs that surely I must enjoy. After they exhaust the list of Beatles songs they love, they then just pass me off as a ninny who wouldn't know good music if it hit me in the ears. It's probably a fair assessment, I don't claim to be a music genius or anything, I just know what I like to hear and I never have heard a Beatles song that I just loved. It's not that I hate any of their songs or don't think they were amazing musicians, I just haven't heard a song of theirs that made me go, "wow, that song speaks to me."

I love listening to music. I was a radio DJ at a top-40 radio station for 4 years and loved every minute of it. I loved hearing new music (even if it was "pop" music) and I loved seeing live performances. If I learned anything about the songs that we played it was people loved to hear songs that resonated with them.

They liked hearing songs about relationships, going out and having a good time, getting revenge (women seem to love the girls get revenge on their past man songs), inspirational songs, and the ever popular (in the more hip-hop category) ego boasting songs. People want to hear something that they can go, "Yes I feel that way!" or "Wow that song was fun to listen to!"

Getting back to the point that is why I'm not a big Beatles fan. I haven't heard a Beatles song that made me think those phrases. I don't listen to them and think it was terrible but I haven't had one that made me say, "You're right guys! I know what you're singing about!" Most of the time, I'm just confused by them.

The most fun thing about music is we all like different music and the even more fun part about music is our guilty pleasure music. No one should be ashamed that they know the lyrics to an LFO song, although they probably shouldn't admit it. But if a song speaks to you and it makes you feel better about a situation or inspires you to work harder at a goal or dream, then crank it up and sing as loud as you can as you fly down the road (yes, I've been busted singing to the radio when stopped at red lights, the cars next to me always get a good show). From rap to rock, to country to Broadway show tunes, from Elvis to Eminem, if you like it, turn it up! But if you're close to my car maybe turn it down if you are playing the Beatles.

Random thoughts while listening to an Aggie game...

Tonight I am running the board for a Utah State Aggie game. The Aggies are up by 20 or so, needless to say the game isn't very exciting anymore. So how about some random notes and thoughts from life...

• I'm excited that it is Christmas time. I'm not one that wants Christmas year round, but I do enjoy this wonderful time of year. I love the decorations (I love putting my train around the tree), I like the music (although FM100 and 106.5 could expand their libraries), I like the lights (we have a neighbor who does lights to music, it's way cool!), and of course I love this special time of year to celebrate the birth of our Savior and remember what he has done for us.
• I will probably always go by Billy. I was talking with someone today who was having a hard time wrapping their head around the idea of calling me Billy, I promise, once you get to know me, you'll know that I'm a Billy.
• Melissa and I celebrated out 2 year anniversary of when we got engaged earlier this month. Time has flown by so fast. I can't believe it's been two years. I love you Melissa! Thanks for putting up with me for so long!
• I'm still searching for some full-time employment. I've had a few interviews lately but haven't had success quite yet, but we keep hoping and praying, something will come soon!
• Melissa and I traveled down to Provo, UT for the BYU/Utah football game last month. It was a boring game with a great finish. I'm sad the Utes lost but I'll take a 9-3 season coming of a 13-0 year. While at the game we decided that the fans take themselves and the rivalry way to serious. I don't feel the need to give a BYU fan a hug and say good game, but I wouldn't do anything to disrespect them or say I hate them. My life doesn't really revolve that much around football.
• We now have two very cool and very crazy nephews. My oldest sis gave birth to her 2nd son in October and he is so special. He is the only baby I've ever met that whenever you hold him he snuggles in and falls asleep. Our oldest nephew continues to wow us with his imagination and energy. The world is his playground and we're just living in it, but it's a pretty cool place to be.
• I'm okay with winter so far. I'm not a snow person. But the little bit that we have had has been okay with me. Just give us a break and don't snow much around Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and I'll be happy with you snow

Well that's all for now. I hope all of you have a very merry Christmas! I feel very blessed right now. Life isn't quite how I thought it may be (not having a full-time job etc.), but we have been blessed so much! I'm grateful for my supportive wife, her faith and patience never seem to run out. And I'm grateful for my amazing family and my amazing in-law family. You all teach me so much!

What a wonderful time of the year! I hope all of you are doing well and embracing the many great things that are going on in your life! Again, Merry Christmas!