Latest news with #SB75
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Here are the Utah cities and counties that generate the most revenue from traffic fines
A Utah Highway Patrol traffic stop. (Getty Images) Six Utah municipalities got at least 10% of their overall revenue from traffic fines in 2024, according to the annual report by the Utah State Auditor, though none came close to the state limit on such fines. Sunset, a city of only about 5,000 people in Davis County, generated the highest percentage, with $502,013 of its $3,359,325 general fund revenue in 2024 stemming from traffic fines. That's about 15% of its annual general revenue. According to the auditor's office, here are the 10 Utah cities and counties that generate the highest percentage of revenue from traffic fines: Sunset (pop. 5,400): $502,013 out of $3,359,325, or 14.9% Mantua (pop. 1,300): $206,820 out of $1,596,394, or 13% Wellsville (pop. 4,100): $335,888 out of $2,779,116, or 12.1% Orderville (pop. 570): $48,240 out of $464,330, or 10.4% Willard (pop. 2,200): $230,269 out of $2,282,692, or 10.1% Monticello (pop. 1,700): $278,995 out of $2,779,751, or 10% Vernal (pop. 10,500): $651,998 out of $6,746,045, or 9.7% Uintah (pop. 1,400): $39,358 out of $738,155, or 5.5% Box Elder County (64,100): $783,374 out of $14,346,450, or 4.9% Holladay (pop. 30,200): $2,142,732 out of $23,179,672, or 3.2% The state legislature caps the amount of revenue cities can collect from such fines in a year. Anything above 25% of annual revenue must be handed over to the Utah Department of Transportation, which would then redistribute it around the state to improve class B and C roads, which are locally maintained. No other punitive action would be taken against the city, or county. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The 25% threshold was set by the Utah Legislature in 2021 through a bill sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan. SB75 was intended to 'make sure police officers don't turn into revenue agents,' said Fillmore at the time, referring to a widely publicized instance in Mantua, where the city leaders used traffic tickets to bring more money to the city. According to reporting from FOX13 in 2021, the Mantua Police chief believes he was fired over his opposition to the city's policy. Fillmore's bill is similar to attempts by the Legislature to rein in money and resources taken by law enforcement, so seizures of property used in crimes didn't become a revenue stream for specific municipalities. 'It's to make sure that municipalities are focused on the distribution of justice and making sure people are doing what they're supposed to, and not providing any kind of incentive for a municipality to use it as a revenue source to fund other things in the city,' said Seth Oveson, Local Government Manager for the Office of the Utah State Auditor. SB75 tasked the auditor's office with reviewing whether municipalities are compliant. 'Our local government division is diligent in its review of all levels of local governments — towns, cities, counties, school and special districts — to ensure statutory compliance. This report ensures all municipalities are complying, and provides them and the legislature with accurate information as they plan and set policies,' said Auditor Tina Cannon in a statement last week. The general fund is generated from various operations or taxes in a city and town, like property taxes, sales tax, business license fees and court fees. If a Utah Highway Patrol trooper writes a ticket that results in a fine in a city, the money still goes towards the city. If the fine is collected in a municipality that doesn't have a justice court, the money goes to the county instead, which is also required to stay under the 25% cap. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill lowering the age to carry a concealed weapon in Kentucky moves forward
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — A bill that would lower the age for carrying a concealed weapon in Kentucky without a permit is moving forward after a vote on Thursday. The Kentucky Senate Judiciary Committee approved the bill on Thursday afternoon, which would lower the age from 21 to 18. 2 charged for allegedly taking photo with gun at Kentucky high school 'At 18 years old, a Kentuckian is legally an adult. They can vote, sign contracts, marry, be tried as an adult in court, and most importantly, serve in the United States military,' said Sen. Aaron Reed, R-Shelbyville, who introduced SB 75. 'We trust them to carry a rifle on the battlefield to defend our freedoms, yet we deny them the right to carry a concealed weapon for self-defense at home. This is an unjust double standard that must be corrected.' Federal law sets the concealed carry age at 18, along with 18 other states. Parents of children who threaten Kentucky schools would be fined if House bill passes Bill lowering the age to carry a concealed weapon in Kentucky moves forward Kentucky bill to increase toughness on repeated protection order violators advances in senate Opponents of the bill argued that adults from 18 to 20 years of age should be required to go through gun safety training before being allowed to carry one without a permit. The bill still needs full approval from the Kentucky Senate before it can move to the House of Representatives for debate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate Republican promotes ‘education freedom' with $125M voucher program for private schools
Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Senate Republicans have revived an attempt to enrich private schools and the families they serve through a $125 million voucher program. Private schools from around the state delivered their students en masse Tuesday to demonstrate support for Senate Bill 75, which is similar to legislation considered in past sessions. Republican leaders, bolstered by enlarged supermajorities, have promised to pass a voucher program this year. Supporters of the bill promote it as a 'school choice' initiative, even though the money would flow to families whose children are already enrolled in private schools, there are no private school options for large swaths of the state, and the credits may not be enough for low-income families to afford private school tuitions that exceed $20,000 annually in some places. The students who were bused to Wednesday's rally on the south steps of the Statehouse carried signs that read 'let me learn,' 'put kids first,' 'parents know best' and 'choice means hope.' Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican who chairs the Senate Education Committee, told the students 'education freedom is the key to education,' and she promised to 'get it done' this year. She said it was time for the state 'to truly value the diversity and learning styles and individuals for every single student in Kansas.' Erickson sponsored SB 75, which would give parents an $8,000 tax credit for each child enrolled in an accredited private school. Parents who homeschool their children — which is classified as a nonaccredited private school — would receive $4,000 per child. They could claim the credits in advance or when they file their tax returns. Any student who is enrolled in a public school for any period of time would be ineligible to receive a tax credit that year. Students who receive a low-income student scholarship would be excluded from the tax credits. The legislation is capped at $125 million for the first year, but would increase by 25% each year, as long as tax credits reach 90% of the cap. Kansas State Department of Education data shows there are currently 26,000 students enrolled in private schools, which means the annual cost for the voucher program could exceed $200 million by the fourth year. Private school officials and students spoke in favor of unlocking funding that would support faith-based learning. Opponents questioned the merits of using tax dollars to promote religious ideology. Emily Aragon, a 15-year-old student at Maranatha Christian Academy in Shawnee, said she valued the unconditional support and guidance she receives at her school, which she has attended since fourth grade. She said she was was previously homeschooled. Aragon said she has learned through her private school teachings 'that no dream or goal is too big when it is fueled by dedication and passion.' 'I passionately believe that all Kansans should have access to an education that not only prepares them for their future, but also empowers them to make a positive, lasting impact on our society,' Aragon said. John Walker, superintendent of Central Christian School in Hutchinson, said it was his 'fundamental belief' that 'parents have the sovereign rights over their children.' He said it would become clear decades from now that proponents of 'school choice' were on the right side of history. 'We do lots of things that the public school does,' Walker said. 'We teach from a different world view, and that's what parents want to sign up for.' Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Senate President Ty Masterson speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Senate President Ty Masterson speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Pastor Wade Moore, of Urban Prep Academies in Wichita, speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Sen. Renee Erickson speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Senate President Ty Masterson speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Pastor Wade Moore, of Urban Prep Academies in Wichita, speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Pastor Wade Moore, of Urban Prep Academies in Wichita, speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Private school kids rally Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Sen. Renee Erickson, who sponsored legislation to funnel public cash into private schools, speaks at rally of private school kids Jan. 28, 2025, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Bart Kooiman, who identified himself as a U.S. citizen, Kansas resident and small business owner, drew a correlation in his written testimony between 'school choice' and the option to terminate a pregnancy in Kansas. The state's perspective on 'choice,' he said, 'is upside down in the worst ways.' He pointed to the volume of abortions performed in Kansas for out-of-state residents. 'What does that say about the priorities of our state?' Kooiman said. 'Is that what you want our state to be known for? In Kansas, parents can freely choose to end the life of their unborn child, but they cannot choose which school their child attends.' Speaking in opposition to the bill, Laurel Burchfield, advocacy director for the Mainstream Coalition, said it would be wrong to divert taxes away from public services to pay for religious teachings. She said Christian school textbooks have been shamed for the way they teach about science in history. They describe the Loch Ness Monster as a real example of a modern day dinosaur that proves creationism, or characterize slavery as a former of immigration for Black people to leave Africa, she offered as examples. 'This bill essentially is making me now donate or tithe to churches to which I do not belong,' Burchfield said. 'It also promotes a very specific view of the world that can be based in narrow extremist religious teachings that don't represent the beliefs of many people of faith.' Lynn Rogers, a banker and former state senator, lieutenant governor and state treasurer, predicted the voucher program would 'devastate rural communities.' If a small school lost 5-10 students, he said, the school could close. He testified on behalf of Kansas Interfaith Action Group. 'You lose a school, you lose a post office, you lose a co-op, you lose the entire community,' Rogers said. 'I've seen it happen many times.' Because families would be eligible no matter their income, he said, a family with two students in private school and annual earnings of $300,000 would not pay any state taxes after receiving the credits. 'That's going to blow a real hole in your budget,' Rogers said.
