That Terrible Idea

In my first post I referred to a terrible idea that inspired me to write this blog. Well, that terrible idea has evolved into a bill being carried by Rep. Frank. Here is the run down.

Rep. Frank's bill (HB 76) may make your local rec center be a thing of the past. The bill forces government entities (counties, cities, etc.) to create a commission that would evaluate if government run facilities such as rec centers, reception halls and golf courses unfairly compete with businesses. If it is found that they do unfairly compete, those facilities would have to be sold to the private sector. This is what that means, Gold's Gym could make a push and possibly get the South Davis Rec Center, or Dimple Dell Pool or the Clearfield Aquatics Center sold. Source

How is this right? We, as taxpayers, paid for these buildings to be built. They provide opportunities for recreation that most families could not afford otherwise. They also provide services to a sector of the community that is not targeted by the private recreation sector. Senior Citizens. How many Senior Citizens, who get to use many of these facilities for free or at a reduced rate, could find the same services elsewhere? If these establishments are cheaper than the private alternatives it is because we are subsidizing them with our taxes.

In the days when obesity reigns and most cities are not planned to be walkable, these recreational facilities play a vital role. Privatization in not always better. Let's keep these facilities accessible and affordable for our families.

Please write a letter. This bill will be heard on Monday morning by the House Government Operations Committee. The Committee members and their emails are listed below. Rep. Frank, the bill sponsor, could also profit from a note.

Rep. Frank cfrank@utah.gov
Rep. Donnelson, chair gdonnelson@utah.gov
Rep. Mathis, vice chair jmathis@utah.gov
Rep. Aagard daagard@utah.gov
Rep. Bigelow ronbigelow@utah.gov
Rep. Bowman bbowman@utah.gov
Rep. Fowlke lfowlke@utah.gov
Rep. Grover keithgrover@utah.gov
Rep. Hansen neilhansen@utah.gov
Rep. Hendrickson nhendrickson@utah.gov
Rep. Hutchings ehutchings@utah.gov
Rep. Oda coda@utah.gov
Rep. Wiley lwiley@utah.gov