Healthy Difference of Opinion

One of the great things about being a legislator is the ability to witness and take part in the great debates of our time. I am very pleased that the Legislature has taken steps to make these debates more open to the public through audio and video links at the legislature's website. In my case, it is true that the camera adds 30 pounds. (Or was it the Aggie Ice Cream that Utah State University mercilessly bribes us with when it wants something?)

Trying to bring more of this good debate to the public, I've started the daily debate. Okay, actually, I had the idea and my wife has done all the work.

Today, Dr. Wendell Gibby and Kelly Atkinson debate any-willing-provider legislation (SB 34 -- Patient Access Reform). Some of my entries on this topic are found here and here.

Coming soon, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and Rep. LaVar Christensen will debate hate crime legislation (though you'll see that they both regard that title as a misnomer). As I've stated before, hate crime legislation is my favorite topic of legislative debate. It cuts to the core of America's greatness -- liberty and equality -- while showing that passionate opinions can peaceably differ on how we get from here to there.

Gayle Ruzicka and Karen Crompton will debate whether child welfare laws in Utah give too much power to the State. This year, several pieces of legislation address child welfare reform, such as Rep. Harper's HB 202 (Revisions to Child Welfare) and Sen. Thomas's SB 83 (Medical Decisions of a Parent or Guardian).

Doug Holmes of Utah Education Excellence will debate Joanne Neilson, State PTA President, on HB 39 (Tuition Tax Credits). A recent article describes the current status of tuition tax credits, and my entries on this topic are found here, here, here and here; read them all -- there will be a quiz.

Other debates in the works include state Republican Party Chair Joe Cannon and Democrat Party Chair Donald Dunn on the health of Utah's political system, Don Peay and Debbie Goodman on the introduction of wolves into Utah, and Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson and former House Speaker Marty Stephens on the representative nature of the Utah Legislature. If we can get any of these shrinking violets to speak out, it should be fun.

Thanks to my wife Sara (and her brother Jared) for setting up the site, arranging these debates, and working with the participants to make it possible -- and for being practically perfect in every way; Sara, that is.