The 2018 session of Utah Legislature finished up last Thursday with several bills having particular interest to the Uintah Basin from Representative Scott Chew’s point of view. Among the items he found concerning were a potential gas tax for education that could be on the election ballot statewide and a state tax to help address the issue of homelessness in Utah. Representative Chew makes it clear he doesn’t mind recognizing the issue of homelessness but he feels the tax will make rural areas pay more than their fair share for an issue that is dominantly an urban issue. Representative Chew was pleased that SCR4, the Resolution inspired by Parker Stewart that will further research prescription opioid use after surgery, was passed. He also emphasized that the legislature is trying to address the seriousness of the opioid issue as well as suicide rates in the state.
