[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6253007,"mediaKeyId","3183726-ee6e1864eb23f18f3c33cef458ebb50d","parentId",3183726,"title","Lawmakers at local club warn of initiative-driven policy changes, outline next steps on education lawsuit","audioSeconds",600,"startMs",3053000,"endMs",3653000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183726-ee6e1864eb23f18f3c33cef458ebb50d&start=3053&end=3653","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183726-ee6e1864eb23f18f3c33cef458ebb50d/thumbnail_3053000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6253007/Utah/Lawmakers-at-local-club-warn-of-initiative-driven-policy-changes-outline-next-steps-on-education-lawsuit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253007-6012e135748aab8ac8498e7603b7085b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447826&Signature=cB7bkLr2JtSF-s4wErsIL4xwAM73hQR6Fq6ZfLDM2kSadSbNDlj3TwwUrr6P~YXti1Ar2sJkTta3gkek4XLgQd4VRru60Gx~Bty58PAEyQPiCFVun26ECZCCF0lxbTYs4SfD6L~o~mGdSlm82fk2U7oA2V9IyFbp9YPT7zx588dc-LVk6xYpU8l5jjQotTrOAoG5-Mv5mno9GiGyl~S7RvcMBTFPsoURmWsBtgu9-LkMjbul4ByCO0MxCEVRlMKeIczRi9iHaUHa0czTLf-dWLLNfgi505CkaW8t78G1j4EakgcUvCkXqdMt59YvU1Ch5iwWwCTk6mfrSc0hiWMCxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-03T00:55:59.403Z","article","State legislators who spoke at the Washington County Republican Women meeting urged members to remain engaged on election and education issues and described next steps after recent court and audit developments.

Representative Carrie Ann Lisenby and other legislators discussed the initiative and referendum process, saying a proposed constitutional change known in the meeting as “Amendment D” was designed to limit outside initiatives from overriding legislative authority. Speakers argued the initiative process can produce laws approved by a minority of registered voters and cited three 2018 initiatives (medical marijuana, Medicaid expansion, and boundary changes) as examples.

Legislators referenced two Office of Legislative Auditor General (OLAG) election audits released in late 2024 and said the audits found maintenance problems on voter rolls; one claim cited in the meeting was that about 1,400 deceased registrants remained on rolls as of December 2024. Speakers also said the audits raised other questions about registration and verification processes.

On education, lawmakers described a pending judicial matter affecting a scholarship program called Utah Fits All. A speaker said a judge issued an initial decision that raised questions about the legislature’s authority to create programs that do not serve every school-aged child; the legislators said they plan to appeal the final decision, expecting to pursue appeals-court review and ultimately a state supreme court decision if necessary.

Why it matters: speakers argued initiative-driven lawmaking and certain judicial rulings can limit legislative flexibility and affect programs such as targeted scholarship and education initiatives. They urged members to apply for scholarship programs, follow legal developments and engage in confirmation or election processes for judges.

What was proposed: legislators described a plan to appeal the court decision on Utah Fits All as soon as the final decision is issued and to continue legislative work to improve information available to voters about judges and judicial retention elections.

Ending: the group was asked to follow upcoming county and state election events, and the legislators encouraged civic participation in the processes they described.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WCRW May 2025 Luncheon","oneSentenceSummary","At a Washington County Republican Women meeting, state legislators discussed concerns about ballot initiatives and the initiative process (including a failed 'Amendment D' effort), cited legislative audits of voter rolls, and described plans to appeal a judicial decision related to a scholarship program called \"Utah Fits All.\"","taxTitle","Washington County Republican Women, Utah Lobbyist / NGO, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",77249,"location","Utah","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6253012,"Lawmakers say new jail capacity, reentry programs followed 2025 session reforms",131,2217000,2348000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183726-ee6e1864eb23f18f3c33cef458ebb50d&start=2217&end=2348","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183726-ee6e1864eb23f18f3c33cef458ebb50d/thumbnail_2217000.jpg","/articles/6253012/Utah/Lawmakers-say-new-jail-capacity-reentry-programs-followed-2025-session-reforms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253012-0a5f9b12218bb648e20e5362319b8127/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447826&Signature=bQDSaAVK52awBdVvJQlvOMdoNs8a88LPVyGCl2OLwKuXGW5DlxGSbAZk65taLHctChj95xfZvN8dX~BST38e-WZUTKGBkT4Qxb1Q1YhMGqpxrfF6CmuGP~~V9iUGbikLTWnDgJsPyjso9sB~SitkxWDP6ZGlBGja3P7Y78bUGt6Z3pezKtKq4klDRSrOPmTt6szcqJiZRK-uCfiWV5mXYSdYvUEPt5fXoNQ222qUCUxcVAz8YtTPmQzEOpl5QKv1237O4UDJ458~cKWNqdgAAD5s-2gUi5v7FBDuarwf7JHJO5J7-8DCWgpkcb31hxL0lmqcjT5TYdhYuUBaVYEU1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State legislators at a Washington County Republican Women meeting described criminal justice measures they said the Utah Legislature advanced this year: additional jail capacity in Salt Lake County, funding and leadership changes in corrections, and expanded reentry programming aimed at reducing recidivism.

Senator Darren Owens said overcrowding had led to thousands of people being released without ever seeing a judge in recent years and that the Legislature passed measures to increase jail beds and support corrections staffing. \"In 2023 and 2024, approximately 4,000 individuals were released from jail without ever seeing a judge for something called overcrowding,\" he told the group.

Lawmakers said Salt Lake County has opened more than 200 jail beds following the session and that the state hired new leadership in corrections; one official named Brian Redd as a new hire who helped stabilize the department and later moved to a city police leadership role. Speakers also described expanded reentry services — including probation and parole coordination, driver’s license assistance, job placement help and halfway houses — to support people returning to the community.

Why it matters: speakers linked jail capacity and reentry supports to public safety and said the measures allow officers to arrest and hold people charged with serious crimes pending judicial review. Legislators said these steps are intended to reduce a cycle of repeat offending by offering treatment and transition services.

What was not decided at the meeting: club members heard descriptions of legislative work and outcomes; no local votes or funding decisions were made at the club meeting.

Ending: lawmakers encouraged local volunteers and organizations to participate in reentry and prison-ministry programs described as complementary to the legislative changes.","Visiting state legislators told the Washington County Republican Women the Legislature passed measures this year to increase jail capacity in Salt Lake County, expand reentry supports and fund corrections staffing; officials said the changes followed concerns about releases without a judge and staffing shortages.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6253017,"Utah lawmakers point to Intermountain Power Plant option, back battery storage and ratepayer protections",237,1795000,2032000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183726-ee6e1864eb23f18f3c33cef458ebb50d&start=1795&end=2032","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183726-ee6e1864eb23f18f3c33cef458ebb50d/thumbnail_1795000.jpg","/articles/6253017/Utah/Utah-lawmakers-point-to-Intermountain-Power-Plant-option-back-battery-storage-and-ratepayer-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253017-b3da163f9d27302dfe1143480d6c3e21/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447826&Signature=AU6pyETPuXgnz~IndvQdOWaDYMOexILx-kddZJ0vsAE-QQjB2HSUMx0GqFWb5fdMboQRChpPGWYdJk9vNb-Mg9GHAAFLNtST9u-ne4XJlwKS5OlHuM5RhNH5UoigY~ihYb7nX3tklq248zAUfbXpprMF~kgCM4QRokK2bm5Lgkvg~pUbQ6Beju32Y0pkFRHodfEEctawnrid-3rwUbAInUVpSw~yBSSJI-Ixay9a0dj50mmZOlMdELkww90KgrBFoyWb7BnW9rp~Y55S1sSB5399-FdDS8Us~64fH5lBpntSiaFJO0q~iHdeyNRRv4WjgHfhgd5cVD3q1zHQ8hPOVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State legislators who spoke at a Washington County Republican Women meeting described a package of energy measures they said the Utah Legislature advanced this year, including a provision that gives the state an option to purchase the Intermountain Power Plant and a change in incentives to require battery storage alongside new wind and solar projects.

Senator Darren Owens, who spoke at the meeting, said the Intermountain Power Plant (IPP) produces about 1,900 megawatts and that the state “has the option to purchase that plant.” He framed the move as a way for Utah to decide how and when to wind down coal operations and to use the site as a bridge to other generation options, including nuclear.

Lawmakers described several related actions: reducing earlier incentives for solar and wind as the market matured, redirecting incentives toward battery storage (“firming”) so intermittent generation can supply power under peak demand, and adopting a change in state code meant to prevent the cost of new generation built for large industrial users from being shifted to existing ratepayers. Representative Paul Jack was cited by speakers as a leading House voice on energy policy.

Why it matters: legislators said the combination of state ownership options, storage requirements and incentives aims to expand available capacity for both existing residents and prospective large users such as data centers or AI facilities, which need guaranteed power. At the meeting, lawmakers also said the governor had hosted a nuclear summit and that industry interest is growing.

Supporting details: speakers described the IPP as roughly equivalent to statewide demand and said incentives had been adjusted because solar deployment had reached a point where new projects should include storage. One speaker said the Legislature is pursuing policies to make new energy development financially self-contained so current ratepayers will not shoulder the cost of building capacity for large new customers.

Discussion and next steps: legislators described the package as already advanced in the session and said industry would follow with new projects; they also said some regulatory and permitting steps remain. No vote or local implementation action was taken at the club meeting itself.","State legislators visiting the Washington County Republican Women meeting highlighted this year’s energy measures, saying the state gained an option to purchase the Intermountain Power Plant, shifted incentives toward battery storage, and added code protections to prevent development costs from being passed to existing ratepayers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers at local club warn of initiative-driven policy changes, outline next steps on education lawsuit

Lawmakers say new jail capacity, reentry programs followed 2025 session reforms

Utah lawmakers point to Intermountain Power Plant option, back battery storage and ratepayer protections