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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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's lawmakers are feeling the pressure as everyone wants money. There is tension over where and how to spend a billion dollar surplus, and some of the lobbying that's going on may not be helping the people who are asking.
Whenever you want something, it's a fine line: How aggressive should you be? One group working for a worthy cause may have come close to crossing that line.
Armed with signs, flyers and 'certificates of cruelty and cowardice', this group invaded the non-confrontational environment lawmakers are used to. Senator Curt Bramble was among those awarded a cruelty certificate.
Otherwise peaceful, this group is also desperate to tap into the state's billion dollars surplus. They want a fraction of it---about 4-million dollars-- to restore vision and dental care to the needy.
Jerry Costley, Anti-Hunger Action Committee: "Most of the citizens of Utah would rather have their vision and dental taken care of. So I think it's an easy matter. I think we not give as much back in a tax rebate or tax cut."
Some lawmakers are friendly to their cause, others are not.
Bill Germundson, Anti Hunger Action Committee: "He told us to our face he didn't want to hear us and took our flyer and threw it in the garbage. Apparently that's what he thinks we are is garbage."
But differences between the House and Senate on tax cuts have lawmakers on each other's nerves; they're already testy. Some fear confrontation may do more harm than good at this point.
Sen. Curt Bramble, (R) Provo: "I applaud their passion, but their tactics are less than persuasive."
Frazier Nelson, Disability Law Center: "I think there's a way to work with one voice to meet human needs. I personally don't think getting in someone's face is particularly helpful."
At this point, no decisions have been made about how much human services will get. 65 million dollars would take care of a lot, but this year, everyone is asking for 'just a little'.
