Written by Louis Gary Welch
I live in the great state of Utah, and I have learned that Utah, although predominately Republican, is not a conservatively run state. It is quite the opposite. I am going to let you think about that while I tell you about some of the bills that Gov. Herbert has signed into law and others that he has chosen to veto. Then, you can decide just how conservative Utah really is.
Three years ago, Congress passed a bill called “Common Sense Carry” allowing citizens to openly carry or conceal weapons without a permit. It passed with a veto-proof majority, but Herbert chose to veto the bill, wanting to control who carries a concealed weapon in Utah.
Almost four years ago now, Herbert had a chance to meet with many of us in the Governor’s Room at the Capitol. We were there to let Herbert know that signing HB116 Utah Immigration Accountability and Enforcement Amendments was not a good idea and that it would end up being bad for the state of Utah.
Herbert said that according to poll numbers, most people supported HB116, allowing illegal citizens the opportunity to stay in Utah as long as they could prove residency in a manner as simple as having a piece of mail addressed to them. They would have to get a visa, which would only cost them about $1,500 rather than the thousands of dollars it usually costs. Not only could they get cheaper visas, but they were allowed to invite their families including cousins, parents, brothers, sisters, or any relative to come to stay with them. When Herbert was asked where his poll came from, he stated that it was from the Salt Lake Tribune, which brought much laughter from the crowd. Herbert’s policy strategy, as with most career politicians, is what I call, “poll approved and consultant certified.”
Herbert decided that he would still sign the bill into law, and now, about four years later, we can see the trouble in HB116 with President Obama wanting to bring in refugees from Syria that the terrorist group ISIS has infiltrated. ISIS will exploit anything that it can, and HB116 will be used to do just that unless it is stopped.
HB116 was also used by Obama as a model for immigration to give those who are here illegally the right to stay as well as citizenship, which means rewarding those who came here illegally and punishing those who chose to follow the law. Herbert signed HB116 into law.
Another bill that Herbert signed into law is called the “Seat Belt” law. It gives police officers the right to pull you over if they believe that you are not wearing your seat belt. The seat belt law was already a law enforceable by police officers, but this bill made it a primary offense, another reason for police to claim probable cause to pull you over.
A “conservative state” wants to run your life once again and micromanage it.
As Benjamin Franklin said, “Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” Great words, but how many freedoms has Herbert taken from us with his signature?
These are a few of the reasons that I am supporting Jonathan Johnson for governor. It is time that we elected a conservative governor with conservative principles, not a sellout who only pushes federal agendas in order to become the chair of the National Governors Association. I would ask that you listen closely to Jonathan Johnson. You will find that he is the kind of leader we need to stand strong for the citizens of Utah, not just the elite few!
The state legislature passes laws in the state, not congress.