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Richard Piatt ReportingPublic policy and a question of morality. It's not the first time the two have collided on Capitol Hill. But this week a number of bills are bringing up strong emotions.
A Capitol Hill rally: One of several this year protesting two bills that could affect gay-straight alliance clubs in public schools. Last week, the Senate passed one of the bills that would allow school boards to decide on the issue.
To some, the clubs are seen as a recruiting tool for the gay agenda. Some people are fighting that view of what the clubs are about.
Cameron Lopez, Author: "Gay-straight alliances are about being able to confide to the right people in the right way."
Outlaw Gay-Lesbian Clubs
Yes 44%
No 50%
Don't Know 6%
In a recent Dan Jones poll, a slight majority of 415 people reject any law that outlaws gay-straight alliances.
Another moral issue: Requiring doctors to notify parents if a girl under 18 is seeking an abortion. It got initial approval in the Senate. That means it's one step away from heading to Governor Huntsman.
Rep. Kerry Gibson, (R) Ogden: "We need to remember that parents have rights. And they have the responsibility to make those decisions until they're of a certain age."
Abortion: Parental Notification
Favor 54%
Oppose 43%
Don't know 2%
In fact, 54 percent of those in our survey agree. 43 percent object to it; some are concerned about how parental consent will be handled when it comes up.
Carrie Galloway, Planned Parenthood: "I don't want to be naive and say, 'People of Utah don't want parental consent.' But why not do it responsibly?"
Richard Piatt, Eyewitness News: "Right now, there are a lot of bills edging through the system. Some will make it, some won't. These bills at least have a chance to make it that far.
Also at the Capitol today, the House gutted then rejected a bill that would have allowed intelligent design to be taught along with Darwin's Theory of Evolution in public schools.
And budget talks continue. Medicaid funding issues are unresolved, as is funding USTAR, the Governor's key economic development initiative this year.