We are especially grateful that Utah’s politicians can’t help but be interesting creatures who generate ample news and controversy to keep us busy every week.
Rep. Stephen Christiansen, who pushed for an audit of the 2020 election in a state that went to President Donald Trump, has suddenly quit the Utah State Legislature.
Deseret News
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Steve Griffin, Deseret News
HCR3 failed on a 27-45 vote, with all nays supplied by Republicans, even though some of the GOP joined Democrats to vote in favor of it.
Rep. Elizabeth Weight, D-West Valley City, urged her fellow lawmakers to support the nonbinding resolution, arguing that Native American mascots “often are disrespected.” Weight, a retired schoolteacher, said in her talks with leaders of Utah tribes many told her, “It’s time, time for people to consider retiring those mascots.”
Her resolution would have also encouraged the Utah State Board of Education, school districts and charter schools to provide instruction in Native American culture and history.
| Updated: Feb. 19, 2021, 12:43 a.m.
State leaders gave their initial approval Tuesday for a $13.5 million legal settlement â one of the largest in Utah history â to be paid to the parents of slain track athlete Lauren McCluskey.
It got unanimous support from committee and will next go to the full House floor, where itâs also expected to sail through without issue.
âIf we felt there were no basis for liability ⦠we wouldnât be before you today,â acknowledged Brian Nelson, the stateâs risk management director.
But, he added, there were shortcomings in how police responded to McCluskeyâs case, and âwe feel this is the appropriate way to resolve this matter and the appropriate amount.â Nelson confirmed it was among the largest settlements on record for the state.
HCR3 failed on a 45-27 vote, with all nays supplied by Republicans even though some of the GOP joined Democrats to vote in favor of it.
Rep. Elizabeth Weight, D-West Valley City, urged her fellow lawmakers to support the nonbinding resolution, arguing that Native American mascots often are disrespected. Weight, a retired school teacher, said in her talks with leaders of Utah tribes, she said many told her, It s time, time for people to consider retiring those mascots.
Her resolution would have also encouraged the Utah State Board of Education, school districts and charter schools to provide instruction in Native American culture and history.