It was the largest way, but not the only way, the Legislature let the state's military members know they were appreciated this year.
How smooth was the ride? No bill directly benefiting military members, veterans or their families saw so much as a nay vote from the time the Legislature convened Jan. 21 through Feb. 19, when Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, cast a preliminary vote against a proposal intended to protect military members from employment discrimination. Dayton changed her stand on the final reading of the bill, however, and the legislation progressed unanimously.
Among the pieces of legislation from this session expected to see the governor's signature:
* Easier access to honorary diplomas for veterans who left high school to join the military during prior wars.
* Expanded eligibility for a higher-education tuition waiver for the families of fallen service members.
* Increased pay for National Guard members called to active service for state emergencies.
* Clarification of laws exempting the families of fallen service members from paying property taxes.
* Expanded protection from eviction for military members and their families.
* A $30,000 injection into the Utah Department of Veterans Affairs for outreach work.
- Matthew D. LaPlante
