Proposed funding

takes a $5M hit

The state's only fund devoted to purchasing and protecting open space and other critical lands began the legislative session with a record allocation of $6 million. But as the session winds down, that figure has been whittled to $1 million.

The LeRay McAllister Fund, named for the late Utah County legislator, was fully funded for the first time in its history by the Capital Facilities and Administrative Services Appropriations Subcommittee in January.

Rep. Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake City, hopes some of the remaining $23 million surplus can be diverted to the fund before the session ends.

- Joe Baird

Credit reports

Guv's OK would give

people more control

The House unanimously approved a bill on Monday that would give people more control over their credit reports. SB71, sponsored by Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights, would allow consumers to place a freeze on their credit reports by sending a letter through registered mail to the three credit bureaus.

The bureaus would then issue a personal identification number. The credit bureaus would have to lift the freeze within 5 minutes if consumers wanted to use the PIN to allow a potential creditor to access their credit report. The bureaus could charge consumers for the service. SB71 would take effect in September 2008. The bill now needs the signature of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to become law.

- Matt Canham

Speeding tickets

House leaves revenue

for localities intact

House members killed on a 49-21 vote legislation that would have stripped local governments of revenue generated by speeding tickets.

After substituting and amending the bill, legislators rejected St. George Republican Sen. Bill Hickman's SB54, which would have required justice courts to turn over half the revenue collected for speeding tickets issued on interstate highways and the Legacy Parkway.

Despite rumors of rural cities and counties' setting up speed traps to generate revenue, representatives argued that speeding enforcement saves lives.

Rep. DeMar "Bud" Bowman, a retired highway patrolman, said much of the revenue raised by such tickets ends up in state coffers.

- Rebecca Walsh

Environment

Vigil to seek guv's veto

of waste measure

The Healthy Environment Alliance (HEAL) of Utah plans a "glow-stick" vigil at the state Capitol tonight in support of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s veto of SB70. In a power struggle between Utah's Republican-controlled executive and the legislative branches, lawmakers have passed a bill that would strip from the governor the final say on commercial facilities for garbage, hazardous and radioactive waste. Lawmakers say the bill would give them the same veto override authority they have for statutes. The vigil, according to HEAL, is aimed at shedding light on "any efforts by legislators to make it easier to dump nuclear waste in Utah."

- Judy Fahys