FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2012
Contact:
Maryann Martindale
Executive Director
Alliance for a Better UTAH
(801) 557-1532
maryann@betterutah.org
BETTER UTAH CLAIMS A VICTORY FOR THE PEOPLE WITH GOVERNOR’S VETO OF HB363
Salt Lake City, Utah – With the decision to veto HB363, Governor Herbert acknowledged the important role the citizens of Utah in public policy. “Every person who signed the online petition, rallied at the Capitol, and called the Governor, should take credit for this victory,” said Better UTAH Executive Director, Maryann Martindale.
Despite comments that public opinion or petitions would not influence his decision, the Governor not only heard but also heeded the overwhelming call for a veto. The voices of over 40,000 petition signers and several hundred parents, children, and most importantly, voters at the Thursday’s rally, were clearly too much to ignore.
During the Better UTAH sponsored rally, speakers stated repeatedly that this was not only bad policy and would create a dangerous level of ignorance among our youth, but that HB363 also showed a shocking lack of regard for local school boards, and most importantly, PARENTAL CONTROL.
Current law teaches abstinence-based sex education and allows some degree of leeway in discussing topics such as condoms, sexually transmitted disease, and homosexuality, provided they are not advocated for. But most importantly, current law also has a crucial element of parental involvement, allowing them to determine by several options, exactly what their children will be taught, or even allowing them to opt out completely.
As the Governor stated, “In order for parents to take on more responsibility, they need more information, more involvement, and more choice—not less. I cannot sign a bill that deprives parents of their choice.”
Alliance for a Better UTAH applauds the Governor for making the right decision to veto, and congratulates the tens of thousands of Utahns that spoke out for the rights of parents, teens, and voters throughout the state.
Alliance for a Better UTAH | 801.427.3397 | www.betterutah.org