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House leaders debate collective bargaining, election bill negotiations and Salt Lake City public-safety concerns
Summary
Lawmakers discussed a proposed change to public-employee collective bargaining (noting that Salt Lake City is the only jurisdiction with bargaining for police and firefighters), ongoing negotiations over Representative Burton’s election bill with Senate counterparts and county clerks, and collaboration with Salt Lake City on public-safety and jail capacity issues.
Unidentified Speaker expressed skepticism about expanding collective bargaining for public employees in Utah, saying they have seen negative effects on schools and stressing most Utah jurisdictions do not have collective bargaining for firefighters or police. “I think it’s important to know that there’s only 1 city that has collective bargaining ... That's Salt Lake City,” the Speaker said, and added that representation for teachers, firefighters and police could continue without legally mandated collective bargaining agreements.
On election legislation, the Speaker said Representative Burton’s election bill remains under negotiation with the Senate and that lawmakers have met with senators, county clerks and the lieutenant governor’s office to address concerns: “It was a 3, 3 hour meeting ... and we had really good conversation making sure that we’re addressing all the concerns that are out there,” the Speaker said. The Speaker cited a Heritage Foundation study that, in their account, places Utah in the bottom third of states for secure elections and said the study offers objective criteria for improvement.
Members also raised Salt Lake City public-safety issues; the Speaker said state leaders plan to work collaboratively with Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County on jail capacity, enforcement and related court processes and that they broadly agree with a plan put forward by Mayor Mendenhall.
No formal votes on collective bargaining or the election bill were recorded in this session; the Speaker characterized both as ongoing policy conversations that will continue as bills move through the Senate and House processes.
