As we wait for the California Senate to hear and ultimately vote on the consequential California Journalism Preservation Act this session, similar legislation is being proposed in Illinois, where the efforts are already being hailed as “the most ambitious package of local journalism policy.” According to Mark McCormick on Linkedin.
Introduced by Senator Steve Stadelman last week, the Journalism Preservation Act (SB 3591) calls for tech companies to pay a usage fee to local news organizations for their work, 70% of which would then be required to be invested into journalism jobs.
“The future of local journalism is in danger,” says Stadelman, “which is why I have sponsored the Journalism Preservation Act. Local journalism is an essential part of our lives, and Illinois residents deserve access to accurate and important information.”
What do you think about this act? Should Utah have a similar act?
SB195 Golf Course Amendments also failed in the House last night. This bill by Sen. Dan McCay would have made water data from golf courses a protected record under GRAMA. This bill had 9 minutes of discussion and previously had only one no vote.
The bill requires a study of water use by golf courses; outlines the process to be followed in, requires the Division of State Parks to develop a master plan for state-owned golf courses and to report on the master plan; and makes technical and conforming changes.
Why are we creating bills that don’t help the general public?
- Utah Oversees 3rd Highest Increase in Fatal Crashes
A new study has revealed a concerning trend in fatal motor vehicle collisions across the United States. Between 2012 and 2021, certain states have seen a significant increase in fatal crashes involving another vehicle, with Delaware, Massachusetts, and Utah at the forefront of this troubling development.
Utah comes in third place, showing a 34.35% increase in the same period. There were 63 fatal crashes involving a collision with another vehicle in 2012, which equates to 31.5%. The figure increased to 124 in 293 by 2021, representing 42.32% of all fatal crashes.
The comprehensive research was conducted by Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Anidjar & Levine
There are going to be changes to Utah liquor laws including a slight raise in what the state charges customers for booze, and a gradual increase in the number of liquor licenses issued, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The bill is on its way to Gov. Spencer Cox’s desk. The liquor bill passed out of the Senate on Wednesday night on a unanimous vote. The House, which passed the bill last week, voted unanimously Thursday to approve some minor changes the Senate made to the bill. If Cox signs the bill, it will take effect May 1.
Before Wednesday’s Senate vote, Rep. Jefferson Burton, R-Salem, the bill’s sponsor, told The Salt Lake Tribune that there’s something for “everyone” in the bill, including those who produce and distribute alcohol and those who want to increase prevention and enforcement.“What we try to do is a balanced bill that meets the needs of everyone, but no one’s totally happy,” Burton said. “And I think that means you’ve got a pretty good bill.”
Just before a ceremony at the Utah State Capitol, the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games formally submitted its application to the International Olympic Committee to be the preferred host for the event, according to Fox News. Governor Spencer Cox and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall were part of the festivities that moved Utah a step closer to hosting the Games for the first time since 2002. “Utah is the state of sport and we look forward to bringing the Olympics back to the Beehive State!,” Cox posted to social media.
The official application is made up of thousands of pages and includes a local vision for elevating the Winter Olympics, sustainability goals, and plans to curb corruption and sports betting.
Can Salt Lake City handle hosting the Olympics? Or will the homeless problem cause issues?
*Content for this article curated from other sources.
