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Government Operations Interim Committee

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MINUTES OF THE

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS INTERIM COMMITTEE

May 21, 1997 . 9:00 a.m. . Room 416 State Capitol



Members Present:
    Sen. L. Alma "Al" Mansell, Chair
    Sen. LeRay McAllister
    Sen. Robert M. Muhlestein
    Sen. Robert C. Steiner
    Rep. Trisha S. Beck
    Rep. Perry L. Buckner
    Rep. Neal B. Hendrickson
    Rep. Joseph G. Murray
    Rep. Lowell A. Nelson

    

Members Excused:
    Rep. Jordan Tanner, Chair

Members Absent:
    Rep. Martin R. Stephens
    Rep. Michael R. Styler    

Staff Present:
    Mr. John Q. Cannon,
     Research Analyst
    Mr. John L. Fellows
     Associate General Counsel
    Ms. Junie G. Anderson,
     Committee Secretary

Note:    A list of others present and handouts distributed are on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.

1.     Call to Order - Chair Mansell called the meeting to order at 9:27 a.m.

2.    Committee Business - Approval of April 23, 1997 minutes.

    MOTION: Rep. Murray moved to approve the minutes of the April 23, 1997 meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Sen Muhlestein, Sen. Steiner, and Rep. Nelson absent for the vote.

3.    Human Resource Management Issues - Karen Suzuki-Okabe, Executive Director, Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM), spoke regarding compensation, turnover, and other human resource issues in state government. She gave an explanation of charts she distributed titled "Employment Turnover Rates;" "Employee Salary Increases;" "Salary Benchmark Comparison - Total Compensation Midpoint Comparison;" "Salary Benchmark Comparison - Actual Avg. Pay/Total Compensation Comparison;" and "Employee Pay Range Position." Con Whipple, DHRM, distributed a handout titled "Hard To Fill Positions, Hard to Retain Positions." Ms. Okabe asked that in future budget deliberations, committee members consider structuring compensation to give merit increases instead of cost of living adjustments. Committee members asked questions concerning market adjustments, turnover, and other issues.

    Kevin Passey, Director of Governmental Affairs, Utah Public Employees Association, spoke regarding compensation and rewarding employees based on performance. He suggested that State employees are asked for excellence but are not rewarded accordingly.

4.    Voting Rights of Felons - John Cannon, Research Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, distributed a handout titled "Voting By Felons - Relevant Provisions of the Utah Constitution," and "Dodge v. Evans - 716 P.2d 270 (Utah 1985)." He briefly explained some of the issues and brought attention to information provided in the packet mailed prior to the meeting regarding felon voting rights.

    Rep. Carl Saunders felt that felons convicted of crimes should not have the privilege of voting. The committee expressed interest in receiving more information. Sen. Mansell asked that Rep. Saunders pursue this issue and bring legislation back to the committee at a later date. Committee members expressed concern about the cost of passing a constitutional amendment and also asked about the impact on county clerks.

5.    Tax Increase Voting Requirements - John Cannon, Research Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, briefed the committee on this issue and distributed a packet of handouts titled "Tax Increase Voting Requirements." He provided information about each of the issues included in the handout.

    Rep. Glenn Way spoke regarding the issue of requiring a supermajority vote to increase taxes. He described "H.J.R. 2 - Resolution Requiring Supermajority Vote to Increase Taxes" as an effort to slow the growth of government and to provide a clear view into government spending. Sen. McAllister and Sen. Muhlestein expressed their concern about the concept.

    Jim Eldredge, Utah Education Association, was concerned that the proposal would inhibit the Legislature's ability to set good tax policy. He felt a majority vote has served the Legislature and the public well. Sen. McAllister suggested getting opinions from various groups of people who are interested in government spending.

6.    Adjourn -

MOTION:    Sen. McAllister moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:17 a.m. The motion passed unanimously.

    

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