BENEFITS - The Salt Lake Tribune

House passes bill on lying about military medals

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:22:55 MDT

House passes bill on lying about military medals

By JIM ABRAMS The Associated Press

Updated May 20, 2013 10:22PM MDT

Washington • People who falsely claim they have received a military medal in order to obtain money or government benefits could face up to a year in jail under legislation that easily passed the House Monday. The Stolen Valor Act, sponsored by Nevada Republican Joe Heck, is a second attempt by the House to revive a law on fraudulent claims to medals that was struck down by the Supreme Court in June last year. The legislation is identical to a measure that passed the House overwhelmingly last Se...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Military sex abuse has long-term impact for vets

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:54:26 MDT

Military sex abuse has long-term impact for vets

By KEVIN FREKING The Associated Press

Updated May 20, 2013 10:54PM MDT

Washington • New government figures underscore the staggering long-term consequences of military sexual assaults: More than 85,000 veterans were treated last year for injuries or illness linked to the abuse, and 4,000 sought disability benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ accounting, released in response to inquiries from The Associated Press, shows a heavy financial and emotional cost that affects several generations of veterans and lasts long after a victim leaves the service. Sexual...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

No tax exemptions

Sat, 18 May 2013 01:01:08 MDT

No tax exemptions

Updated May 18, 2013 01:01AM MDT

I have a solution for the possibly illegal and politically targeted scrutiny applied by the IRS to tax-exempt organizations. Remove tax exemption status from all organizations. If an organization operates in the United States, enjoying all the benefits of being in this country, then it should participate in funding the country. This approach would solve the current issue with the IRS, and it would allow churches like the Catholics and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to spout of...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Tooele County approves changes to retirement benefits

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:38:23 MDT

Tooele County approves changes to retirement benefits

By Cathy McKitrick The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated May 14, 2013 11:38PM MDT

Tooele • With cash flow evaporating in this sprawling county’s budget, Tooele County commissioners voted Tuesday to change the structure of retiree medical benefits. Speaking to a packed house, Commissioner Shawn Milne said they heard constituent concerns expressed two weeks ago and adjusted accordingly. “What we were proposing at that time was that all retirees be obligated to pay for 25 percent of their medical coverage, [and] ceasing coverage on dental and life insurance,” Milne said, “and ...

Utah’s Golden Rule

Sat, 11 May 2013 01:01:07 MDT

Utah’s Golden Rule

Updated May 11, 2013 01:01AM MDT

May 17 is the ninth anniversary for marriage equality in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In the past nine years, not one individual, not one family, not one religious or civic organization has been harmed by secular equality. Not one. The average fifth-grader understands that some words are spelled the same but have completely different, unrelated meanings. For example, “nut” can mean: (a) an edible seed, or (b) a manufactured part used with a bolt to hold stuff together. Similarly, “marriage...