Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, will fill the majority leader position and Sen. Gregory Bell, R-Fruit Heights, will take Killpack’s place as assistant majority whip.
Both men will officially take over in January with the start of the 2009 session; however they will start working on forming committees and making assignments prior to that.
Killpack replaces Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, who was serving as the current majority leader.
“I was encouraged to run for the position by other legislators in the body,” said Killpack. “One of my primary goals will be to address the state’s economy. We are certainly better off than other neighboring states, but I want to be proactive.”
Killpack said he would also like to improve communication between the House and Governor’s office. “We need to sit down and work through things, and instead of fire, ready, aim — ready, aim, fire.”
Ethics reform is a hot issue with the recent hearings, and Killpack said he’s sure it will be addressed this session. “Two years ago I ran a bill that tightened things up considerably but there are more things that need to be looked at besides gifts and meals such as campaign financial disclosure. The whole process needs to be addressed in light of the accusations against legislators recently. There should be a measure in place before disparaging names.”
Killpack looks forward to working with Bell, too. “Greg will serve well,” he said. “He’s an articulate, capable individual.”
Bell believed he had something to offer by seeking the assistant majority whip position. “I have not liked the negative tenor between the House and the Senate,” he said. “I’m also worried about the public perception of the Legislature. I would like to protect the integrity of the institution of the Senate and start cooperation between the House and Governor for the good of the people.”
Bell believes his reputation for dealing straight with people in a gentlemanly, inclusive fashion will help him in his goals. “I hope to be a voice for reform and to reestablish our (Senate) good name,” he said. “It has been somewhat tarnished by recent scandals.”
Both Killpack and Bell have been involved in the healthcare task force during the interim. Bell plans to continue with his involvement on the task force but will most likely not continue as Judiciary Chair.
Both parties saw a shakeup in Senate leadership with President John Valentine, R-Orem being replaced by Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville and Sen. Pat Jones, D-Holladay replacing Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake as minority leader.
UTA plans bus open house
The Utah Transit Authority is hosting open houses in south Davis County to explore bus service options.
The open houses are: Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 5-8 p.m. at North Salt Lake City Hall, 20 S. Highway 89; Nov. 18, from 5-8 p.m. at Centerville City Hall, 250 N. Main; and Nov. 19, from 5-8 p.m. at the South Davis Recreation Center, 550 N. 200 West, Bountiful.
With the addition of Front- Runner and renewed interest in mass transit, due to high gas prices, UTA is looking at new route concepts that better connect south Davis County with FrontRunner, as well as help to develop those new ideas.
mwilliams@davisclipper.com
Folks, the Realtor Assoc. lobby has just engineered a nother takeover of the bought and paid for legislature where 60% are corrupted by extensive Realtor Assoc. (and their PACs disguised as "Private Property Rights, etc." ironically)
What is Killpack's connection to Charter Schools? Any investigative reporters left in this Country? Creg Bell was quoted to say he was in favor of nondisclosure laws, so he could lie about how much he paid for his home to the tax assessor. Now there is some REAL Ethics reform for you.
This just gets better and better folks!