Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Multiple public commenters, trade group and activists urge committee to back gold-payment option
Summary
Representatives of a trade association, advocacy groups and an economist urged the committee to support HB306, contending gold preserves purchasing power and is a constitutional alternative to the dollar; testimony was uniformly in favor at this hearing.
Several public commenters told the committee they support HB306 and the idea of a state transactional platform for gold. Lawrence Hilton, general counsel for the United Precious Metals Association, said the association has engaged in electronic and physical gold transactions and appreciated being involved in the treasurer's study: "We have about 50,000 members, 0.5 of which, are in in the state of Utah," Hilton said and stated UPMA's support for the legislation.
Other witnesses echoed that line. Brooke Stevens, civic engagement director for Utah Moms for America, said the bill would give families greater confidence in future home-buying power; Mary Anne Christiansen of Utah Legislative Watch described moving assets into gold as prudent amid recent inflation; Gail Rizika of Utah Eagle Ford urged a yes vote; and Kevin Freeman of the Economic War Room framed the measure as part of a national movement and a constitutional approach to currency, saying, "gold and silver are money, true biblically, historically, constitutionally." The public testimony provided consistent advocacy in favor of allowing the state to facilitate gold-based transactions.
