GLSEN to Release Report on Educational Exclusion Among LGBTQ Youth
Report Will Explore Discipline, Dropout and Involvement with Justice System
What: GLSEN will release Educational Exclusion: Dropout, Pushout, and the School-to-Prison Pipeline among LGBTQ Youth, a report on the conditions that effectively push lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth out of school and potentially into the criminal justice system. The report will address:
When: Wednesday, June 29, 2016. A free webinar discussing the findings of the report will be held from 4-5 p.m. EDT. Click here to register.
Who: GLSEN’s Executive Director Dr. Eliza Byard and members of the GLSEN research team are available for interviews.
About GLSEN
GLSEN champions safe and affirming schools for all students. We envision a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach tens of thousands of K-12 schools across the United States, largely through our network of chapters working in their local communities. GLSEN's progress and impact has won support for our work at all levels of education in the United States and sparked an international movement to ensure equality for LGBTQ students and respect for all in schools. For more information on GLSEN’s policy advocacy, student leadership initiatives, public education, research and educator training programs, please visit glsen.org.
--------------------------------------
Mitt Romney endorses Gov. Herbert’s re-election
SALT LAKE CITY (June 16, 2016) – Former Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney has endorsed Gov. Gary Herbert’s bid for re-election.
“I know these last eight years have been extremely challenging for our country,” said Gov. Romney. “Our national economy remains sluggish and it seems our country is drifting off course more and more every day. But in Utah, the story is remarkably different.
“Under the leadership of Governor Gary Herbert, Utah is showing the rest of the country how conservative principles help businesses grow and families prosper. Utah has kept taxes low—the lowest they’ve been in 20 years. Working with business—not against it—unemployment in Utah has dropped to one of the lowest rates in the nation and businesses small and large have created over 219,000 jobs.
“Our strong economy has allowed us to invest in education like never before: an unprecedented $1.8 billion over the past five years. That’s a record Gary Herbert can be proud of and that’s a record Utah can be proud of. I encourage you to vote to keep Utah strong. Vote to re-elect Governor Gary Herbert.”
The Utah Republican Primary is June 28, though 20 of the state’s 29 counties are voting by mail and received ballots earlier this month. Ballots must be postmarked by June 27.
---------------------------
Rep. Love Bill Protects Consumers from Debt Collection Abuses
Introduces H.R. 5434, the “Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act of 2016”
WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Mia Love is taking a stand for consumers by closing a loophole that allows abusive practices by debt collectors hired by federal agencies. Rep. Love has introduced H.R. 5434, which extends the protections of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to include private debt collectors who work on behalf of federal government agencies.
Some companies in the debt collection industry have argued that debts to government entities do not qualify as “consumer debts.” This bill clarifies that government-hired debt collectors are subject to the same rules as debt collectors collecting on private debt.
“Consumers deserve protection from bullying scare tactics from government-hired debt collectors,” Rep. Love said. “This is also about fairness by putting government-hired debt collectors on a level playing field with private debt collectors.”
Congresswoman Love worked closely on this bill with Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, sponsor of a similar bill in the United States Senate, and cosponsored by Utah Senator Mike Lee. The bill also has bipartisan support in the House, and was introduced with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri, Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minnesota, and Rep. French Hill, R-Arkansas.
The Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act of 2016 promotes fairness and strengthens protections for ordinary consumers against predatory practices.
The bill makes clear that:
· FDCPA protections will apply to overly aggressive debt collection practices from debt collection agents hired by the federal government.
· Overpayment, fines, penalties, and fees owed by private individuals to federal government entities will fall under the federal protections of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
· Prevents private debt collectors from charging exorbitant and unfair fees when collecting on federal debt.
· Debt collectors are prevented from taking aggressive action unnecessarily quickly after a debt has allegedly gone unpaid.
---------------------------------
UTAH SENATE REQUESTS PUBLIC COMMENT ON SEVENTH DISTRICT JUVENILE COURT NOMINEE
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee is seeking public comment on Craig Bunnell, who was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Seventh District Juvenile Court.
Those who desire to comment should contact Jerry Howe at the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, Utah State Capitol Campus, House Building, Suite W210, PO Box 145210, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5210, by 5 p.m. on Monday, June 27, 2016. All statements should include the respondent’s name, telephone number, and mailing address.
The Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee plans to hold a public hearing, then issue a recommendation to the full senate. If confirmed by the senate, Mr. Bunnell will fill the vacancy resulting from the retirement of Judge Scott Johansen, which was effective January 1, 2016.
The Seventh District Court includes Carbon, Emery, Grand & San Juan Counties.
# # #
NOTES:
1. Members of the 2016 Judicial Confirmation Committee are Senator Scott Jenkins (Chair), Senator Jim Dabakis, Senator Lyle Hillyard, Senator Peter Knudson, Senator Karen Mayne, Senator Stephen Urquhart, and Senator Todd Weiler.
2. Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee information is available on the committee page.
http://le.utah.gov/asp/interim/Commit.asp?Year=2016&Com=SPESJC
3. The governor's press release announcing Bunnell’s nomination is attached, below, and archived at
http://www.utah.gov/governor/news_media/
From: Kirsten Rappleye [mailto:rappleye@utah.gov]
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2016 12:54 PM
Subject: Governor appoints Bunnell to the Seventh District Juvenile Court
-----------------
Voters denied debate in Utah’s 3rd Congressional District
Jason Chaffetz refuses Dr. Chia-Chi Teng’s invitations to debate ahead of June 28th Primary Election
Provo, Utah - June 16, 2016 — Incumbent Jason Chaffetz has so far escaped a debate before Utah voters, even as many votes have already been cast via mail and early voting. Teng has repeatedly called for public examination of the candidates’ positions on important issues. Chaffetz’s refusal is in attempt to hide from a substantive discussion about his voting history, according to Teng.
“It is no surprise that Mr. Chaffetz does not want to debate me, but that doesn’t make it right. Every voter has the right to know the candidates, our thoughts and our relevant history. He knows that when we get into discussions about his voting history, he only stands to lose votes,” said Chia-Chi Teng.
“He doesn’t want to talk about earmarks, trillion-dollar spending bills, skipping key votes on issues like Obamacare’s individual mandate, and authoring bills that make us pay more taxes and subject us to out-of-state audits. I consider it weak and very revealing that he not only puts Utahns in these government-growing situations, but then he refuses to defend what he has done.
“Our campaign has called his campaign directly and left messages. We know his campaign has been contacted by at least one radio station, and so far, his response has been ‘no.’ He’s cheating the public out of chance to consider both candidates,” said Teng.
------------------------------
