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The Eagle Eye Blog

Ask the Governor to SIGN HB 332 - Special Needs Tax Credit Scholarships

3/31/2020

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Please contact Governor Herbert and ask him to sign HB 332, a bill that creates Special Needs Tax Credit Scholarships. This parental choice bill provides additional options to families with special needs students.
  • This scholarship will help families struggling to find solutions an opportunity to choose the education options that best meet their child’s unique learning needs.
  • Utah parents need a solution that is more flexible and most importantly can serve many more special needs students.
  • This bill allows parents to use some of the income tax dollars that they are already paying to pursue education opportunities of their choice.
  • HB 332 focuses on those students who need it the most.
  • HB 332 uses a proven funding model that is used in over 20 other states.
  • The end result of these tax credits would actually be a win-win,  increasing per-pupil spending for Utah students, while allowing parents to choose the best options to fit their child's needs.

Contact the governor's office: You can call directly: 801-538-1000 
You can use this online form to send a message/email the Governors Office: https://servicecloudtrial-155c0807bf-158b6dc6793.force.com/governor/s/comments​
Some FAQs about HB332:

What is the revenue source for this new scholarship? This new special needs scholarship will be funded using income tax credits, therefore avoiding taking funds directly out of the education fund.

What is a tax credit scholarship? Tax credit scholarships are funded by corporate and individual taxpayers who divert all or a portion of their state income taxes to non-profit organizations who then, in turn, provide scholarships to students in need.

Is this tax credit scholarship capped and if so, how will it grow? This new special needs scholarship caps how much each taxpayer could give at $1 million and caps the overall program at $6 million. Built into the program is a growth mechanism that allows that overall cap to increase each year there is sufficient demand for the scholarship program. If a 90% threshold of donations is reached in relation to the cap, then the cap itself will increase 10% next year.

Would this program just be for private school tuition? No, this new special needs scholarship would operate as a Flexible Education Spending Account. You, the parent would be able to spend the money on a variety of educational products and services that would best benefit your child.

Who would be eligible for this scholarship? The same conditions that currently allow a student to qualify for an IEP (Individual Education Plan) are used to determine who would be eligible as outlined by federal law.

What are some examples of what products and services the scholarship could be used for? The following isn’t an exhaustive list: tutoring, online classes and/or curriculum, private school tuition, educational therapy, mentoring, textbooks, specialized software, and equipment.

What would the amount of the scholarship be? Students exiting the public school system would be eligible for scholarships up to around $7,000 (2 WPUs). Students that are already in a private school or homeschooled would be eligible for scholarships up to around $3,500 (1 WPU). These caps would automatically increase year to year.

Who would oversee these non-profit organizations that would grant the scholarships? The State Board of Education and State Tax Commission would oversee the scholarship granting organizations
​
How would families actually be able to use these funds?In other states that use these kinds of funding models, there are three primary ways funds are dispersed: debit card, a third-party “marketplace” app, and traditional physical checks.

Read HB 332: le.utah.gov/~2020/bills/static/HB0332.html
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We Must Have Faith not Fear - WE MUST PROTECT OUR GOD GIVEN CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED LIBERTY

3/26/2020

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Overnight our world has changed! The threat is real. The fear of the Coronavirus Pandemic has caused the government, in many cases, to unjustifiably force us to conform to unreasonable mandates and infringe on our God given, constitutionally protected Liberty. Force creates fear, non-productive behavior, and economic chaos. This is not the time for fear, but for clear-headed thought through faith in God, our spiritual leaders, rational government leadership at all levels, and our capacity to unite and work together. The State of Utah is doing a good job keeping the people informed so they can make wise choices and govern themselves. This is working and most Utahns are trying to do whatever is necessary to be safe.  Anne Schlafly Cori, Chairman of National Eagle Forum and daughter of founder, Phyllis Schlafly, wisely said, “In previous pandemics, the sick were isolated. In this pandemic, every single person is isolated.” Stay-at-home orders are already a fact in 42 states.

Utah Eagle Forum believes that our personal Liberty is the most important thing to protect, and we all need to recognize that with Liberty comes responsibility. It is not the proper role of government to force private businesses to close. This will force small business owners, the foundation of our economy, to lose their businesses, employees to be out of work, causing lives to be ruined and families put at risk because there is no income for food, rent, and the necessities of life. There are no financial reserves to carry them through this crisis. When the pandemic is defeated, large and small businesses and their employees will have to live with the reality of the financial dilemma forced on them by government, and the general conversation will be focused mostly on the economic catastrophe and its ongoing fallout. Families will mourn the loss of their loved ones. Faith in government will be further eroded.


Government does have a proper role in any situation of this nature, and its role should be to facilitate and provide every resource necessary to prevent contamination from the Coronavirus as well as developing and distributing all possible solutions and materials for those who ultimately contract the disease. We further believe government has a vital role and responsibility to disseminate, without spin or agenda, the most current, accurate and relevant information regarding threat status and local conditions. Government also has the authority to close the public schools or any other government offices or agencies. In order to promote consistency and continuity, guidelines for the public and the private business sector on how to protect themselves and each other are also an appropriate and needed government responsibility. These defensive measures are appropriate for the common good.

Utah Eagle Forum does not believe that applying force in our current situation, individually or collectively, is appropriate within the scope of the proper role of government, or necessary in promoting the common good. The only exception may be in a specific situation to protect individual lives in imminent danger. We have seen the result of government forcing closures or shut-downs in the private sector. They are devastating and economically catastrophic individually and collectively. This is “shotgun” government mandating, producing no measurable results. Under no logical or rational definition can this be seen as working for the common good. We believe the same result would be achieved voluntarily by virtue of realistic individual and corporate responsibility and self-interest. That is the virtue and reality of a free society and the free market. My husband Don and I have made the decision to stay in our home isolated from family and friends to protect ourselves. We are in the age category of high risk and Don had major heart surgery recently. We did not need the government to force us into quarantine. We also believe most Americans will make wise choices without government coercion. We have already seen this happen as churches and private schools have made the choice to close their doors without government mandates.

Utah Eagle Forum believes that individuals and businesses, given the truth about their situations will do the right thing. Blame is easy but counter-productive, and at this point, irrelevant. We also believe that our governments, federal and state, along with their agencies need to restore fundamental liberties to the people and to the private sector in order to begin to restore the faith they expect of us in them.

Now is the time for all to Stand Up For Liberty. Contact all elected officials, federal, state, counties and cities and let them know that it is not the proper role of government to unnecessarily force closure of private businesses or criminalize peaceful gatherings over an arbitrary limit, or to force citizens into quarantine unless they have tested positive for the virus. Also send this message to all your friends and family. Talk about it on all Social Media. Urgency and panic have prompted acceptance and we cannot, must not accept any unwarranted infringement on our Liberties. The message must be Protecting Liberty and the Proper Role of Government. Do not get into the “weeds” or most people will not listen. God has said, “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land and unto all the inhabitants.” And that is what we must do.  
​

May God bless us, and may God bless America.
​
Gayle Ruzicka, President - Utah Eagle Forum

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We Need Your Help To Save Unborn Babies

3/7/2020

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We need your help. Please just take 20 minutes today and email the members of the House Health and Human Service Committee and ask them to vote to save thousands of unborn babies.  Monday morning, March 9, at 8:00 am, Dan McCay's excellent pro life bill, Abortion Prohibition Amendments, SB 174, will be in the their committee. The bill has already passed the Senate with all the Republicans voting yes and the Democrats all voting no.  Now we must get the bill through the House and on the way to the Governor's Desk.  This can only happen with your help.

Senator McCay's bill will prohibit doctors from performing abortions in Utah with only limited exceptions. The bill states: "the intentional termination or attempted termination of a human pregnancy after implantion of a fertilized ovum through a medical procedure carried out by a physician or through a substance used under the direction of a physician;"

https://le.utah.gov/~2020/bills/static/sb0174.html

​SB 174 would go into effect when the Supreme Court votes to overturn Roe v. Wade. Most importantly, it protects babies from all elective abortions, regardless of gestational age.

This bill met stiff opposition when it was heard in the Senate and we expect the same opposition in the House Committee. Please show your support and solidarity to stop the atrocity of abortion.

Please come to the Capital Monday morning.  The meeting will be in the Senate building in room 210. Remember to contact the members of the committee (listed below) today and urge them to vote FOR SB 174. 

There is only 4 days left of the legislative session and there is a lot to accomplish in a very short time.  Only with your help will this bill pass.​

Thank you for working to save unborn babies.

Rep. Brad M. Daw (R), Chair
Republican, District 60, 801-850-3608,
bdaw@le.utah.gov, Utah

Rep. Kelly B. Miles (R), Vice Chair
Republican, District 11, 801-458-8270,
kmiles@le.utah.gov, Davis, Weber

Rep. Stewart E. Barlow (R)
Republican, 
District 17, 801-289-6699,
sbarlow@le.utah.gov, Davis

Rep. Steve Eliason (R)
Republican, District 45, 801-673-4748
seliason@le.utah.gov, Salt Lake

Rep. Marsha Judkins (R)
Republican, District 61, 801-669-6962,
mjudkins@le.utah.gov, Utah

Rep. Candice B. Pierucci (R)
Republican, 
District 52, 385-414-1488
cpierucci@le.utah.gov, Salt Lake

Rep. Paul Ray (R)
Republican, 
District 19, 801-440-8765
rayward@le.utah.gov, Davis

Rep. Rex P. Shipp (R)
Republican, District 72, 435-590-1073
rshipp@le.utah.gov, Iron

Rep. Robert M. Spendlove (R)
Republican, District 49, 801-560-5394
rspendlove@le.utah.gov, Salt Lake


Rep. Norman K. Thurston (R)
Republican, 
District 64, 801-477-5348,
normthurston64@gmail.com, Utah

Rep. Raymond P. Ward (R)
Republican, 
District 19, 801-440-8765
rayward@le.utah.gov, Davis
Comments

Thank You!  Abortion Prohibition Amendments Passed The State Senate

3/3/2020

Comments

 
PictureUtah State Senator Dan McCay and Wife Tawnee after the vote
Yesterday, March 2nd the Senate passed SB 174 "Abortion Prohibition Amendments” it passed 23 to 6. All the Republicans voted Yes and all the Democrats voted No.
This bill, Sponsored by State Senator Dan McCay, will prohibit a doctor from performing an abortion with limited exceptions. The bill states: "the intentional termination or attempted termination of human pregnancy after implantion of a fertilized ovum through a medical procedure carried out by a physician or through a substance used under the direction of a physician;" This legislation will go into effect when Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court and the authority is returned back to Utah and the other States to set their own Abortion laws.

When introducing the bill Senator McCay said "I have long felt that Abortion is wrong" he went on to say that is why he is sponsoring this bill.  https://le.utah.gov/~2020/bills/static/sb0174.html

PictureSenator McCay and his two daughters that joined him on the Senate floor after the vote.
Your emails, phone calls and texts to legislature are extremely important and made a huge positive difference in passing this legislation to protect the unborn.  
​
SB 174 now moves to the House of Representives for a vote. We need you to contact your State Representative and ask them to vote in favor of the bill (SB174) that will stop elective abortions except in certain circumstances.   
Here is news on the bills passing:

Comments

IN THE NEWS!!  ABORTION BAN PASSED OUT OF THE UTAH STATE SENATE

3/1/2020

 
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Here are links to local and national news on the bill passing:

https://apnews.com/7b4c43686ed0955f116489cb28e89c0a
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https://www.deseret.com/utah/2020/2/28/21157622/utah-abortion-ultrasound-bill-fuels-heated-debate-in-house-committee

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https://www.ksl.com/article/46723581/utah-abortion-prohibition-bill-clears-first-senate-vote

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/abortion-ban-passes-utah-senate-reading-after-debate

https://www.newsweek.com/utah-senate-passes-elective-abortion-ban-would-punish-performing-procedure-15-years-prison-1489812

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https://www.abc4.com/news/politics/proposed-senate-bill-would-prohibit-abortions-in-utah-except-under-certain-circumstances/

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/utah/articles/2020-02-27/utah-abortion-ban-proposal-gets-early-nod-from-lawmakers

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