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Governor Jon Huntsman vetoed three bills tonight.
- House Bill 100, which required -collateral before enviromental groups could sue to block development
- House Bill 148, which addressed custody and visitation issues with children in non-traditional families.
- And House Bill 151,which addressed universities charging partial tuition for classes taught in public schools for college credit.
Earlier
Richard Piatt Reporting
Will the Governor's signature help shape Presidential elections in the future? He hopes a new bill will make the West more relevant. Senate bill 60 insures Utah's participation in a Western States Primary in 2008. Governor Huntsman's signed the bill today, at the same time leaving 16 to the last minute.
Politically, the Western States Primary is a powerful statement. It was a priority for the Governor to create it, but there are a few bills that are languishing tonight, perhaps on purpose.
In Presidential elections, candidates never talk about energy development, public lands and river management and endangered species. With the Western states primary, Western Governors hope that will change.
Brian Schweitzer, Montana Governor: "We have unique issues. We don't believe in the west that we should let Iowa, New Hampshire and North Carolina pick our presidents."
With the stroke of a pen, Governor Huntsman okayed $850-thousand for Utah to take part in the primary, along with New Mexico and Arizona. It may be a fight for other states to joins up. Utah's major political parties see the primary as a positive thing.
Wayne Holland, Utah Democratic Party: "We just need attention to the Intermountain West. We may even have a presidential candidate come from the west, maybe two."
Joe Cannon, Utah Republican Party: "The truth is we area a flyover region to people on the right and left coast. Just to have people have to come here."
This bill got the Governor's signature, but a decision is still needed on 16 other bills, including some high profile issues.
House bill 100 would requires a bond if environmental groups sue to block development. It's a clear reaction to the Legacy highway lawsuit.
Bill 148 addresses custody and visitation with children, targeting same sex couples, but possibly affecting stepparents and grandparents as well.
And Senate Bill 117 would keep governments from using eminent domain laws to create trails.
The Governor has until midnight to decide on these and the others. We may be able to report decisions on these bills by 10:00.
