Support Growing for Criminal Justice Reform: My Visit with Sheriff Winder
Apr 22, 2014
Today I had the opportunity to meet with Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder. Among the several things we discussed, I wanted to make sure he was aware of my efforts to reform our criminal justice system with the Smarter Sentencing Act. He was supportive of my efforts, and I am committed to passing these reforms out of the Senate:
If you want to learn more about why criminal justice reform is overdue, a new article in The American Conservative outlines the bipartisan consensus that is building to pass these reforms: http://www.theamericanconservative.com/conservative-sentencing-reform-politically-savvy-morally-right/
Recap of Mobile Office Visit to Sanpete County
Apr 11, 2014
ON April 10 my mobile office visited Nephi, Gunnison and Mt. Pleasant. During these visits members of my staff met with local residents and city officials to open a dialogue about the issues that are most important to them. Several law enforcement officials shared their concerns about tensions that exist between local law enforcement officials and federal law enforcment officials from agencies such as ICE and the BLM. My staff also learned about trucking regulations that were having an impact on a local small business. Local officials also took the time to showcase some of their local facilities and historical sites. I appreciate the feedback that was relayed to me by my staff from those who took the time out of their busy day to connect with my office.
Crony Capitalism and the Export-Import Bank
Apr 9, 2014
The American economy is the envy of the world, primarily because it is still seen as a place where anyone – regardless of who you are or where you come from – can work hard, play by the rules, and succeed.
That belief is predicated on the notion that America has a thriving, competitive and free enterprise economy in which the best ideas and hardest workers win the day, while those who are less successful always have a fair chance to try again.
Lee’s Opening Statement at Comcast-Time Warner Hearing
Apr 9, 2014
Today Senator Mike Lee delivered the following opening statement in the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee Hearing on the Comcast-Time Warner Cable Merger.
Senator Lee praises the Utah National Guard's 1-211th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion
Apr 8, 2014
Senator Lee praises the Utah National Guard's 1-211th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion and discusses his concerns about transferring Apache helicopters out of the National Guard.
Lee Plans to Offer Amendment to End Comp-Time Discrimination Against Private-Sector Employees
Apr 8, 2014
When the Senate moves to the Fair Pay Act, Senator Mike Lee plans to propose an amendment that would give private-sector employers the ability to offer their employees the option of compensation time or overtime pay.
Ex-Im Bank and the GOP’s Cronyism Test
Apr 7, 2014
Imagine a reformed Republican party seizing the moral high ground against political corruption and economic dysfunction. Imagine its leaders, advocating populist, free-market reforms to restore jobs, growth, and fairness to the economy. Faster than you can say “TARP,” we could pin the Left between their egalitarian facade and their elitist agenda, and force them to choose between K Street and Main Street.
Ending our Opportunity Crisis by Developing our Abundant Natural Resources
Apr 4, 2014
A vote to confirm Rhea Suh is a vote against energy production. A vote against energy production is also a vote against increased energy exports, because you can’t export natural gas that is still in the ground.
April 2014 - Mobile Office Schedule
Apr 1, 2014
Thursday 10 April 2014 – Juab County
What: Mobile Office Visit to Nephi City
When Thursday 10 April 2014 @ 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Where: Nephi City, Utah @ Juab County Courthouse, 160 N Main St, Nephi, UT 84648 (Commission Room)
Thursday 10 April 2014 – Sanpete County
What: Mobile Office Visit to Gunnison City
When Thursday 10 April 2014 @ 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Where: Gunnison City, Utah @ Gunnison City Hall, 38 W Center St, Gunnison, UT 84638 (Court Room)
Thursday 10 April 2014 – Sanpete County
What: Mobile Office Visit to Mt. Pleasant City
When Thursday 10 April 2014 @ 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: Mt. Pleasant City, Utah @ Mt. Pleasant City offices, 115 W Main St, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647 (Council Chambers)
What: Mobile Office Visit to Nephi City
When Thursday 10 April 2014 @ 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Where: Nephi City, Utah @ Juab County Courthouse, 160 N Main St, Nephi, UT 84648 (Commission Room)
Thursday 10 April 2014 – Sanpete County
What: Mobile Office Visit to Gunnison City
When Thursday 10 April 2014 @ 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Where: Gunnison City, Utah @ Gunnison City Hall, 38 W Center St, Gunnison, UT 84638 (Court Room)
Thursday 10 April 2014 – Sanpete County
What: Mobile Office Visit to Mt. Pleasant City
When Thursday 10 April 2014 @ 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: Mt. Pleasant City, Utah @ Mt. Pleasant City offices, 115 W Main St, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647 (Council Chambers)
Lee Files Amendments to Create Jobs, Make Higher-Ed More Accessible, and Improve Work-Life Balance
Apr 1, 2014
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee filed three amendments to a Senate bill being considered this week that would extend the time people have to collect unemployment insurance beyond six months. The amendments continue Senator Lee’s push to enact solutions to problems in the Obama economy by focusing on job creation, accessibility of higher education and training, and improving work-life balance.
The first amendment is modeled after Sen. Lee’s Transportation Empowerment Act (S. 1702) and would significantly reduce the administrative and regulatory burdens the federal government places on states’ use of transportation funding. Under this proposal, states could respond more quickly to the needs of citizens, start and finish projects sooner, and spend less money to complete them – all while creating and maintaining good jobs.
“Americans aren’t looking for unemployment insurance, they are looking for employment,” said Senator Lee. “The Democrats’ solution is to keep people tied to unemployment programs, rather than addressing the underlying problem. My amendment would lift unnecessary burdens government imposes and give states and businesses the freedom to invest, grow, and hire more workers.”
The second amendment is built on Sen. Lee’s Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act (S. 1904), legislation that would open up new educational opportunities for many low-income and non-traditional students. The bill allows states to set up a new and parallel system for accrediting educational institutions, curricula, apprenticeships, programs, and even individual courses, which are then available to receive federal student loan money.
“In today’s economy, employers need individuals with specialized skills,” said Senator Lee. “But the current accreditation system – which drives up costs and leaves behind many non-traditional students, like working parents – acts as a barrier for millions of Americans who need the education and training to fill those jobs. This amendment would make higher education and training more accessible and affordable to those who need it most.”
The third amendment is based on Sen. Lee’s Working Family Flexibility Act (S. 1623), which allows private-sector employees the same choice between comp time and overtime pay currently enjoyed by government employees. Currently, federal law unfairly discriminates against these employees by prohibiting the use of comp time, forcing them to sacrifice family time for the family budget.
“For many families, especially with young children, their most precious commodity is time,” said Sen. Lee. “But today, federal labor laws restrict the way moms and dads and everyone else can use their time. This can lead to tough decisions about how many hours parents can work, or even if they’re able to work at all. My amendment would make that choice easier and help working families achieve the right balance.”
