Notes on SLC, part II

Today's installment, in honor of the general session of the legislature being finished, is a tribute to a series of "Only in Utah" laws.

1. Economic Justice.

There are NO usury laws on the books in Utah. None. Which means that it's not uncommon for payday loan or cash advance companies (of which there are more per capita than just about anywhere else in the US) to charge 400, 500, even 1,200% APR interest on one-week loans that can roll over for up to 3 months. I sat in on a committee hearing where one of our allies was trying to pass legislation that would limit APR to 100% - still an enormous profit. Even with our testimony from an expert economist and from a payday loan victim who lost everything (collectors came to her door and literally carted away her things), the bill was voted down and was dead in committee. Here's our payday loan victim telling her story to a reporter from the local Public Radio station.

What's the best way to raise revenue? Taxes, right? Well in Utah, Republican lawmakers wanted to double the sales tax on food, a measure that would disproportionately impact people living on the economic margins (me included!). The religious community banded together in a serious way on this - and we won!
The photo on the left is Rev. Steve Klemz from the Lutheran church delivering our letter of support to Lisa Roschelli (center) from Governor Huntsman's office. The Governor urged Congress not to raise the tax.
The photo on the right is Rev. Erin Gilmore of Holladay UCC (where I've been attending) and Linda Hilton, Advocate for Crossroads Urban Center, with whom I worked during my week there.


The final victory was 11th hour - literally! According to the State Constitution, the legislature has to be finished by midnight, this year on this past Thursday. At 11:51, a substitute bill was signed which allowed the Committee on Consumer Services to remain a policy-making committee rather than relegate it to an advisory committee, which the original bill suggested. The committee, commonly referred to as the "utilities watchdog" is made up of community members who keep an eye on utility companies who are looking to increase rates.

2. Alcohol and the LDS.

Here's what's been illegal in Utah: homebrew. It is illegal in Utah to make your own beer in your home. But not anymore! Good news for local company "The Beer Nut," which sells beer and wine-making kits :)

In bars here they have what's commonly referred to as the "Zion Curtain". It's a wall, made out of wood, plastic, metal, sometimes even clear glass, that's about 17'' high and stands between the bartender and the customer, behind which bartenders are required to mix drinks. Many places, bartenders aren't allowed to hand you your drink over the wall - they have to walk around the bar to hand it to you!

3. Paved History

One piece of legislation that went poorly regards a Native American archaeological site - a whole village discovered found underground just outside Salt Lake City. The Utah Transit Authority wants to dig it up to build a new Trax (metro... sort of) station. And... the Congress just gave them permission. This, in the State House where lies a display of Native American and other artifacts with a quote that reads "In Utah, everyone is from someplace else." Only in Utah.

PS - one more thing I'm not used to? Avalanche forecasting!