Latest news with #HB41
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
As Sundance leaves, Utah Gov. Cox allows first-in-the-nation flag ban to become law without his pen
A pride flag flies at the Salt Lake City & County Building on Thursday, March 13, 2025. (McKenzie Romero/Utah News Dispatch) Saying Utahns are 'tired of culture war bills that don't solve the problems they intend to fix,' Utah Gov. Spencer Cox will allow a bill aimed at banning many flags — including pride or LGBTQ+ flags — from schools and all government buildings to become law without his signature. Cox explained his reasoning in a letter to legislative leaders issued with just over an hour to spare before his midnight deadline Thursday to sign or veto bills passed by the 2025 Utah Legislature. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'HB77 has been one of the most divisive bills of the session, and I am deeply disappointed that it did not land in a better place,' wrote Cox, who also explained he agreed with the intent behind the legislation. 'My understanding is that there was a deal on a compromise that would have removed problematic portions of the bill while retaining others that would support political neutrality in the classroom. Sadly the sponsors did not move that deal forward.' Supporters of HB77, sponsored by Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, argued it was meant to promote 'political neutrality' in government spaces. But critics argued a broad ban that extended to all government properties would invite free speech litigation while also leaving some Utahns, especially the LGBTQ+ community, feeling unwelcome and erased. Now slated to take effect on May 7, HB77 will ban almost all flags from being displayed on or in public buildings, except for flags explicitly allowed in a prescriptive list included in the bill, such as the U.S. flag, the state flag, military flags, Olympic flags, college or university flags, or others. Pride flags or other LGBTQ+ flags — which Utah lawmakers in recent years have repeatedly tried to bar from schools in various ways — would be prohibited. It's slated to make Utah the first state in the nation to enact such sweeping flag restrictions in government-owned buildings. The Idaho Legislature recently passed a similar bill, HB41, which Gov. Brad Little signed last week, but that legislation won't take effect until July 1 and it only applies to schools. Idaho lawmakers are also advancing a separate bill to restrict government entities from displaying certain types of flags. Utah Legislature bans pride flags from schools, public buildings Utah's largest LGBTQ+ rights group, Equality Utah, had negotiated with lawmakers on the bill, which originally focused the flag ban on school classrooms. However, in a House committee last month, Lee changed the legislation to broaden the flag ban to all government property, leading Equality Utah to oppose the bill even though it was prepared to take a 'neutral' position on its earlier version. Cox faced numerous calls to veto HB77 from advocacy groups including Equality Utah and the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, as well as from Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, whose city hosts the annual Utah Pride Festival. He could have vetoed the bill — but he indicated in his letter that it would likely just be overridden by the GOP-supermajority Utah Legislature. Instead, he's urging lawmakers to work to fix it. 'I continue to have serious concerns with this bill,' Cox said. 'However, because a veto would be overridden, I have decided to allow the bill to go into law without my signature, and urge lawmakers to consider commonsense solutions that address the bill's numerous flaws.' Cox encouraged lawmakers to consider allowing the Utah State Board of Education to 'go further in ensuring the political neutrality of our classrooms, while also considering repealing the local government piece of this legislation and allowing elected representatives to answer to their own constituents.' 'If you are willing to pursue this kind of solution, you will have an open door in the executive branch,' Cox wrote. Cox's comments on the flag ban came after the bill cast final-hour drama over Utah's multimillion-dollar bid to entice the Sundance Film Festival to stay, with some saying it could impact Utah's chances. Earlier Thursday, festival organizers announced they'd opted to move the event to Colorado to help the festival grow. By the time they'd reached their decision, Cox had not yet acted on HB77, but a veto was looking unlikely. Sundance is leaving Utah, moving to Colorado While Cox told reporters last week Sundance organizers had told state leaders 'very clearly that political issues have nothing to do with the decision,' others, including Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, worried that HB77 could indeed be 'harmful to our effort to retain Sundance.' In the end, Utah lost its bid. Cox — who earlier Thursday called Sundance's decision a 'mistake' — also included a note in his letter that he'll be calling a special session to address, among other issues, what the Legislature should instead do with the $3.5 million it had set aside as part of Utah's bid to keep Sundance. 'Let's reappropriate that money to efforts in Utah to create a new festival and a world-class film economy right here in our state,' he said. Cox, in his letter, dove deeper into why he had misgivings with HB77 but said he agreed with the 'underlying intent' of the bill. 'I deeply believe that our classrooms need to be a place where everyone feels welcome — free from the politics that are fracturing our country,' Cox wrote. 'Parents are rightly upset when they bring their kids to publicly funded schools and see culture-war symbols in a place that should be apolitical. In an attempt to make some kids feel more welcome, other kids feel less welcome.' Cox also said he appreciated that the bill is 'neutral on the types of flags in question,' while adding that 'I find it strange that no headline reads 'MAGA flags banned from classrooms.'' Drama over Utah's bid to keep Sundance heats up over LGBTQ+ flag ban bill 'I agree with the underlying intent of those legislators who supported this bill in an attempt to bring political neutrality to the classroom,' he said, though he added, 'Unfortunately, this bill does not do that.' He said because it's aimed at only flags, 'there is little preventing countless other displays — posters, signs, drawings, furniture — from entering the classroom.' 'To those legislators who supported this bill, I'm sure it will not fix what you are trying to fix,' Cox said. He noted that many schools have already enacted their own 'political neutrality' policies in classrooms, and he argued 'we have a better place' to make regulations: the Utah State Board of Education. While he said the board has already set expectations for political neutrality in teacher code of conduct, 'I believe more needs to be done by USBE to provide direction in this regard.' 'I have asked the Board of Education to continue their work to find ways to make our classrooms both more politically neutral and more welcoming to every student to exercise their own individual freedom of expression,' Cox said. 'The idea that kids can only feel welcome in a school if a teacher puts up a rainbow flag is just wrong. Let's do everything possible to make our classrooms one of the last remaining politically neutral places in our state.' The governor added that the flag ban 'goes too far' by extending the ban to local governments. 'While I think it's wrong for city and county officials to fly divisive flags, I believe that election have consequences and the best way to stop that behavior is to elect people who believe differently,' Cox said. 'All this bill does is add more fuel to the fire, and I suspect it will only ratchet up the creative use of political symbolism.' Ultimately, Cox urged legislators to focus on solutions rather than legislation that deepens divides. 'As tired as Utahns are of politically divisive symbols, I think they are also tired of culture war bills that don't solve the problems they intend to fix,' he said. The governor urged lawmakers to work with the LGBTQ+ community, as they have in the past, to find common ground. 'Utah has always had a reputation of trying to find a way to work together and solve issues between sides that have strongly-held, opposing points of view,' Cox said. 'There are so many examples of the LGBTQ community and the conservative community coming together to find helpful and hopeful compromise. I hope we can retain this as our model and North Star.' The governor also shared a message directly to LGBTQ+ Utahns, acknowledging that 'recent legislation has been difficult.' 'Politics can be a bit of a blood sport at times and I know we have had our disagreements,' he said. 'I want you to know that I love and appreciate you and I am grateful that you are part of our state. I know these words may ring hollow to many of you, but please know that I mean them sincerely.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Police, firefighters rely on drones made in China. Texas shouldn't ground them
Nearly a decade ago, as fire chief and emergency management coordinator for the Texas city of Joshua, I saw firsthand how drones could transform public safety. That experience inspired me to help pioneer their use among first responders — a journey that began in the Lone Star State and continues today in my role at the drone manufacturer DJI. Now, Texas stands at a crossroads with House Bill 41, which would ban state and local agencies — including police, fire departments and sheriff's offices — from purchasing or operating drones made in China, such as those from DJI, the most widely used and capable drones available. While it claims to address data security concerns, HB 41 ignores safeguards already in place and threatens to strip life-saving tools from Texas first responders, waste taxpayer money and put communities at risk. As a 26-year veteran of the fire service, I've witnessed drones become indispensable to emergency professionals. They provide eyes in the sky quickly and affordably when every second counts — often making the difference between life and death. In Texas, this isn't hypothetical; it's proven. In 2024, the Arlington Police Department used drones to assess dangerous situations before sending in armed units, improving efficiency and officer safety. In 2023, the Orange County Sheriff's Office aided area fire departments by gathering critical intelligence during wildfires, helping firefighters save lives and property. That same year, the San Marcos Police Department and Hays County Sheriff's Office deployed drones to track and apprehend a fleeing suspect in a stolen vehicle pursuit. These are just a few examples of how DJI drones have become a cornerstone of public safety across Texas. Yet HB 41 would ground these proven tools — not because of actual security risks, but simply because of where they're made. This blunt approach dismisses the reality that DJI drones already offer robust data security features. Users can activate 'Local Data Mode' to sever the flight app's internet connection, or operate the drone with the controller's phone in 'airplane mode' for total disconnection. Agencies can also bypass DJI's app entirely by using third-party software, including options from American companies. Images and videos are never shared with DJI unless users opt in — and U.S. users can't even sync flight logs with our servers. Multiple third-party audits, including from government agencies, have validated these protections. Texas first responders already follow strict IT and network standards, layering additional safeguards to keep their data secure. Some argue that agencies can simply switch to American-made drones, but as things stand that's not feasible. A similar ban in Florida has cost taxpayers millions of dollars to replace drone fleets, forcing first responders to adopt less reliable, less capable alternatives or give up their programs altogether. In Texas, replacing DJI drones could cost agencies 8 to 14 times more for inferior technology — drones with weaker cameras, shorter battery life and fewer safety features. The bill's proposed 'Law Enforcement Secure Unmanned Aircraft System Grant Program' is no fix; it lacks a budget and would waste taxpayer money by scrapping functional fleets. This legislation is also premature. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 mandates a federal review of DJI's security features within the year. Texas should wait for those findings rather than rush into a sweeping ban that upends proven programs. I've spent my career protecting Texans, first as a firefighter and now by ensuring agencies have the tools and training they need. HB 41 doesn't enhance security; it undermines it. Instead of grounding drones, let's educate agencies on the security features already available and allow for the free market freedom of choice for our public safety agencies. Our first responders — and the people they serve — deserve nothing less. Wayne Baker is the director of stakeholder engagement at drone manufacturer DJI. He is a paramedic and 26-year veteran of the fire service who also served 10 years as fire chief and emergency management coordinator for Joshua, Texas. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas, don't ground life-saving drones for first responders | Opinion
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gambling bill prospects uncertain as Alabama legislators return for 2025 session
Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, speaks with Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Cottondale, on the floor of the Alabama Senate on April 9, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The prospects for any sort of gambling bill in the 2025 legislative session are unclear after a bruising battle over a comprehensive package last year. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) Prospects for bills addressing gambling in Alabama in the 2025 legislative session remain unclear even after legislators have had ongoing discussions among themselves for the past several months in the offseason. Lawmakers had protracted discussions about the provisions they would like to include as part of the gambling package, so much so that they have the different elements laid out, but finalizing a complete package, one that would get the required votes, remains an open question. 'The question is, which cut and paste would get a vote and which one loses a vote,' said Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, chair of the Senate's General Fund budget committee who had been leading the efforts to introduce a gambling bill in the Senate. 'We have got to find the magic combination that gains us four and loses two.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The discussions come after a high-profile bill to create a lottery and establish casino gaming in Alabama failed to pass in 2024 amid sharp disagreements between the Alabama House, where the bill originated, and the Alabama Senate over sports betting and gambling expansion. The Alabama Constitution bans lotteries and gambling. Any measure to allow one or the other that wins legislative approval would then need to be approved by voters as a constitutional amendment. Those who support legislation aimed at regulating, and taxing, gambling said it would be difficult to find a compromise that will address all the concerns of different lawmakers, from the amount of revenue to the types of gambling that should be permitted. Albritton, who handled last year's gambling package in the Senate, voted against it in a key vote. 'The problem hasn't gone away,' Albritton said. 'In fact, it is getting worse, particularly the sports gaming. It continues to grow in Alabama, and it is growing completely unregulated. We are just sitting around and watching it grow. Whether I can get the votes to get it out of the Senate to do something different, I don't know that yet.' As of Thursday afternoon, one bill related to gambling had been filed. HB 41, sponsored by by Rep. Matthew Hammett, R-Hozier, would enhance criminal penalties for some elements considered gaming. Promoting or allowing gambling would be a Class C felony for the first offense followed by a Class B felony for subsequent offenses. What has been clear is the consensus among lawmakers from both chambers is that any legislation pertaining to gambling must start in the Senate. 'We had it on our platform last time, and we pushed it out of the House, it remains in the Senate, and that is where it died,' said Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, at a news conference Tuesday. 'So, until the Senate decides that they want to prioritize it, we are not even going to think about it.' Rep. Chris Blackshear, R-Smiths Station, one of the two co-sponsors of last year's comprehensive gambling package, agreed. 'Any gaming legislation in the 2025 session must originate in the Senate,' he said. 'If the Senate does choose to take up a gaming package, and they pass something and send it to the House, then and only then, will we in the House engage and determine how we move forward.' Blacksher and Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, proposed a package after what Blacksher said was 14 months of research that would have created a state lottery, allowed limited casino gambling, as well as a state commission to tax and regulate the industry. The package passed the House easily but stalled in the Senate amid disagreements over the scope of the bill and how money generated from it would be dispersed. After the Senate stripped the legislation down to a lottery and a gaming compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, a federally-recognized tribe with casinos in Atmore, Montgomery and Wetumpka, the House sent the bill to the conference committee. A compromise measure that emerged from the committee passed the House late in the session but failed in the Senate. Several members of the Alabama House spent the last day of the 2024 session complaining about the bill's defeat in the Senate. 'The House proved, on two separate occasions, to be able to pass a comprehensive gaming plan out of our body, to allow the citizens to vote,' Blacksher said. 'We also saw, on one occasion, we were not able to see that same thing in the Senate, so there is no need for us to tie up time, our members' time and other important bills, to address something we have already done until the Senate is able to do the same.' Blackshear said that he and Whitt proposed comprehensive gambling legislation last year after taking a tour throughout the state to better understand the impact of gambling. 'We saw a significant amount of illegal activity for ourselves,' Blackshear said. 'We were in the back of clothing stores that had machines, florists who had machines, nutrition stores that had machines, gas stations that had machines. We saw them with our own eyes.' Albritton said he was not surprised by the House members' attitude. 'I embarrassed them two years ago and threw them under the bus several times,' Albritton said. 'They are reciprocating this year.' Outside interest groups have spoken to lawmakers in the hopes of beating back efforts once again. Among them is the Alabama Farmers Federation, one of the largest insurance companies operating in Alabama and a major player in state Republican politics. 'The Alabama Farmers Federation has a longstanding written policy opposing gambling in any form,' said Jeff Helms, director of the department of public relations and communications for the Alabama Farmers Federation. 'Our policy comes from our members.' Helms added that 'They object to gambling on moral grounds but they also object to government-sanctioned gambling as a smart way to fund government functions.' The 2025 session of the Alabama Legislature starts on Tuesday. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
