Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Richard Piatt ReportingUtah lawmakers were once again forced to put off a hearing on a bill that would ban gay-straight alliance clubs in Utah high schools. The reason is Senator Chris Buttars, who sponsored the bill, has been seriously ill; but it appears the bill is not dead yet.
No one knows when Senator Buttars will come back to the Capitol, but it looks like a lawmaker in the House is willing to take on the gay clubs issue this year if Buttars can't.
Rep. Aaron Tilton, (R) Springville: "My feelings are that this is a bill that needs to go forward. There are many important provisions in the bill and some other chances that will strengthen it, and will protect parents' rights."
Today there was supposed to be a hearing on the issue, but it was cancelled. Still, a group from Hunter High school's gay-straight alliance showed up, deciding to try and get their lawmakers attention.
Natascha Fuller, Hunter High Junior: "By having GSA, we've taught our school to be more tolerant. We're bringing diversity to the table. I am the junior class vice president. By having an openly homosexual person come in, we're bringing the student government together. Our school has definitely benefited by having a GSA."
That fight will play out later.
Also today, the full Senate has passed a bill that makes not wearing a seat belt a primary traffic offense--in other words, police officers could cite you for not wearing your seat belt. The measure now goes to the full House.
And another no-go in the effort to require health insurance companies to cover the contraceptive pill. Many already do, but some do not. The bill died after those in the insurance industry argued it would raise health care costs.
Those for women's rights are angry.
Karrie Galloway, Planned Parenthood: "I'm so disappointed in their attitude. We're going to pass mandate after mandate, and on this issue we're going to pass. It makes no sense."
The idea of teaching intelligent design alongside Darwin's theory of evolution in schools also passed the House education committee. Debate now goes to the full House.
