ST. GEORGE — Local legislators met with constituents over breakfast to take questions on pending issues in the upcoming legislative session starting later this month.
Hosted by the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce, the “Issues Over Eggs” breakfast allowed members of the chamber and the public insights into the issues elected officials feel will be primary during the session.
Legislators in attendance were Reps. Don. Ipson, R-St. George; Brad Last, R-Hurricane; V. Lowry Snow, R-St. George, and Jon Stanard, R-St. George. Among the main issues discussed were medicaid expansion, medical marijuana and the ongoing issue of funding education.
Medicaid expansion
Medicaid expansion is “probably the biggest issue looming this year,” Snow said.
“We’ve not been able to find a solution, a resolution on how that can be handled,” he said. “… You’re going to see that debated.”
The matter was discussed heavily during the 2015 legislative session, yet no bills were passed regarding the matter.
Currently, it is estimated that anywhere between 50,000-60,000 Utahns at or below 138 percent of the poverty line are caught stuck in a coverage gap created by the Affordable Care Act and the state’s Medicaid limitations.
“We need to provide the care to those people that are the most vulnerable,” Ipson said, yet also noted it was a matter of funding and how much of that funding Utah may ultimately be left with.
“You’ve got to have a way to pay for this thing,” Last said.
Lawmakers who opposed Medicaid legislation last year are still in the Legislature this year, Stanard said. He also said that, depending on the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, issues surrounding the ACA and Medicaid expansion could change a great deal.
Medical marijuana
The legislators said they weren’t exactly sure which way they would go with proposed bills dealing with making medical marijuana legal in Utah. However, they expressed worry making the medicinal aspects legal could potentially lead to legal recreational use.
Currently two bills are proposed. One is from Rep. Brad Daw, R-Orem, while the other is proposed by Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Saratoga Springs. A difference between the two bills is that Madsen’s bill allows THC, the active ingredient of cannabis, to be used in medical cannabis and related products.
There are groups of people who push for medical cannabis with the ultimate goal of getting society comfortable with the idea of medical cannabis so they can ultimately push for recreational use, Last said.
“I have grave concern where it leads,” Stanard said. “It has plenty of negative side effects,” he said, speaking of marijuana in general.
Nobody likes to see people suffer, Ipson said and, “I think we need to do everything to make that process available.”
Education funding
“I think education is always on the forefront,” Snow said. “That’s both with respect to legislation and funding.”
One of the challenges is making sure funding keeps up with population growth, Snow said; adding, “our funding is not keeping up with the need,” he said.
With the funds the state extends to education, Ipson said, Utah schools do an incredible job.
Last year the Legislature approved $500 million in new spending for public education, Ipson said.
The 2016 session of the Utah Legislature begins Jan. 25 and concludes March 10.
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Twitter: @MoriKessler
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.
Medicaid yes, Medical Cannabis, Absolutely, it’s here anyway, the state can turn that would be Revenue into Money For Education! Wake the *~=# Up! Cannabis is All Around You Everywhere !
PEOPLE WHO BENEFIT FROM IT ARE TAKING THERE MONEY OUTSIDE THE STATE!!!!!!! Hello Any OLD FART HOME???! Friends with MS and Other Ailments are Going to Nevada Arizona Colorado California ECT. Only Filling Those States Coffers, and in A lot of Cases Just Moving There, Especialy Colorado!! I spent The Winter There Last Year And Was Abel To, With The Help of TRAINED BUD TENDERS, GET OFF OF THE HIGHLY ADDICTIVE PAIN MEDS ALL THESE UTAH DOCTORS SHELL OUT!
It’s a NO BRAINER, EVERY DAY UTAH LOSES $$$$$$$ . And We All Know How Greedy This State Is.
GO WITH SENATOR MADSEN AND LEGALIZE CANNABIS. ITS A GOD GIVEN HERB MORMONS!!!!
ALL YOU RICHIS SUNDAY GOERS, GET A REVELATION! Jeeeezzzz ??
What’s with all the capital letters? You been smoking dope?
we know you do
We know you do what?
What ya doin 422 ?
well, mormons love their codeine and oxy. what can ya do?
nothin, they own the State
Heck yeah ! Legalize it and let’s partly on ! say nope to Jesus dope !
There are no real negative side effects. Other, than with constant use, lethargy and laziness abound. Which is all reversed with a day or two of abstinence. Certainly, much better than alcohol. Stop lying to people about this plant. Save yourself some prison money and the constant abuse of users. The medical benefits way outweigh the negative, if there is any. This state seems to be big on natural remedies. So exercise your common sense.
Right On GrandmaB!! THUMBS UP!!!
Marijuana is not dope….yes to legalizing marijuana!!! Marijuana helps people,legalize it and get the people off those painkillers made in a lab!
Say Nope To Jesus Dope !
TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT