Utah lawmakers hit final weeks with big issues unresolved


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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah lawmakers kicked off this year with a number of major initiatives on their plate, but they're poised to enter the final weeks of their annual session with many of them still unresolved.

Republican Gov. Gary Herbert's alternative Medicaid plan won hard-fought approval from the state Senate, only to meet a brick wall in the House, where GOP leaders said there's no point in debating or voting on it because it has no support.

Here's a look at where Medicaid and other major issues stand as lawmakers head into the last nine days of the session:

MEDICAID

Despite rejecting a Medicaid plan from the governor, House leaders say they're working on their own plan to help thousands of the state's poor get health insurance. The plan from House Majority Leader Jim Dunnigan is expected to be rolled out as a bill next week.

Greg Hughes, the House speaker and a Draper Republican, said Friday that Dunnigan's proposal will likely garner more support in the House than Herbert's idea.

The governor's plan uses a chunk of federal money to enroll the poor in private health insurance plans. Opponents of the idea argue there's no certainty about the price, and the costs to the state will be higher two years from now, when it will be tough for lawmakers to cut off the thousands who have been able to get care through the program.

In order to get something done before the session ends, Senate leaders said Friday they'll need to see some kind of offer from the House soon.

RELIGIOUS AND LGBT RIGHTS

After several weeks of backroom negotiations, lawmakers are expected to unveil a compromise next week that protects LGBT individuals against discrimination in housing and employment while also protecting religious rights.

Supporters of gay rights have unsuccessfully pushed for a statewide non-discrimination law for years.

After the Mormon church issued a nationwide call for laws that balance both sides of the issue, advocates said they expect they'll find a solution that works for Utah and includes the religious protections called for by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

GAS TAX

With roads and bridges in need of repairs across the state, state lawmakers are looking to raise the state gas tax for the first time since 1997.

A bill to hike the gas tax by 10 cents to 34.5 cents per gallon is awaiting a final Senate vote. If approved, it moves to the House, where leaders say they're not ready to embrace a politically-difficult tax increase.

Instead, they're working on a proposal to change the gas tax from a flat rate to a percentage that can adjust with the price of fuel and inflation.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

A bill allowing residents of Utah to use marijuana for medical reasons is set to be debated by the Republican-controlled Utah Senate on Monday afternoon.

The bill would allow those with chronic and debilitating diseases such as AIDS and cancer to consume edible medical marijuana products. Smoking would not be allowed. Saratoga Springs Republican Sen. Mark Madsen sponsors the measure, which he said offers compassion and freedom to those with chronic or debilitating diseases.

A Senate committee approved the bill Thursday, and Madsen said he thinks it will win similar report in the full Senate. It's unclear how the House will vote, but House leaders say they're not wild about the idea.

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

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MICHELLE L. PRICE and KELLY CATALFAMO

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