Howard A. Stephenson
| Howard A. Stephenson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Utah Senate from the 11th district | |
|
Assumed office 1992 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 7, 1950 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Julie |
| Residence | Draper, Utah |
| Occupation | Public Administrator |
| Religion | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
Howard A. Stephenson is a Utah politician representing the State's 11th senate district in Salt Lake County including Draper. He was elected to the State Senate in 1992.
Personal Life, Education, and Career
Stephenson received a B.S. degree in psychology and aerospace studies from Brigham Young University, and a Master of Public Administration, also from Brigham Young University.[1] Since then, he has worked as a taxpayer advocate and in 2014, he served as President of the Utah Taxpayers Association.[2] Stephenson is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon).[3]
Political career
As a Utah State Senator, Stephenson is well-positioned to influence Utah legislation relating to education and to state revenues. As a state Senator, Stephenson has won the following awards:
- Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly Recognition
- Utah Council for Exceptional Children Legislator of the Year
- Utah Association for Gifted Children Community Service Award
- Coalition for People with Disabilities 1995, 1998, 2001, 2002 “Hero on the Hill” Award
- Alpine School District Children’s Behavioral Therapy Unit Autism Preschool Recognition
- Education Leadership Coalition Recognition
- Utah Valley Autism Preschool Recognition
- Utah Food Industry Association 2001, 2004 Outstanding Legislative Service Award
- Utah Farm Bureau Federation Friend of Agriculture Award
- Utah Information Technology Association Recognition
- National Federation of Independent Business Guardian of Small Business Award
- Utah Taxpayers Association Friend of the Taxpayer Award
- Utah Restaurant Association Legislator of the Year, 2003, 2004
- Utah Health Insurance Association Legislator of the Year
- Utah Correctional Industries Award
- Sandy City Outstanding Elected Official
- Grassroots Distinguished Service Award
- Utah Association of Realtors Distinguished Service Award
In 2014, Stephenson served on the following committees:
- Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
- Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee (Senate Chair)
- Senate Education Committee
- Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee
2014 Sponsored Legislation
| Bill Number | Bill Title | Bill Status |
|---|---|---|
| S.B. 19 | Substitute Appointment and Qualification of Members of the State Tax Commission | Governor Signed 4/1/2014 |
| S.B. 34 S003 | Statewide Data Alliance and Utah Futures | Governor Signed 4/1/2014 |
| S.B. 35 | Administrative Rules Reauthorization | Governor Signed 3/25/2014 |
| S.B. 65 | Sales and Use Tax Exemption Modifications | Governor Signed 4/1/2014 |
| S.B. 80 | Substitute Statewide Online Education Amendments | Senate/signed 3/13/2014 |
| S.B. 93 S002 | Internal Audit Amendments | Governor Signed 4/2/2014 |
| S.B. 136 | Substitute Local Elections Amendments | Governor Signed 4/1/2014 |
| S.B. 157 | School-based Budgeting Amendments | Senate/filed 3/13/2014 |
| S.B. 167 S002 | Regulation of Drones | Governor Signed 4/1/2014 |
| S.B. 171 | Student-centered Learning Pilot Program | Senate/filed 3/1/3/2014 |
| S.B. 181 | Online Course Reporting Requirements | Senate/filed 3/13/2014 |
| S.B. 183 | Proficiency Levels of Statewide Assessments | 3/13/2014 |
| S.B. 218 | Charter School Amendments | Governor Signed 4/1/2014 |
| S.B. 256 | Asset Forfeiture Amendments | Governor Signed 3/27/2014 |
| S.B. 257 | Parent Review of Instructional Materials and Curriculum | Governor Vetoed 4/2/2014 |
| S.J.R. 18 S002 | Utah Broadband Friendly State - Joint Resolution | Senate/filed 3/13/2014 |
In 2014, Senator Stephenson was the Floor Sponsor for the following bills:
- HB0001S02 Public Education Base Budget Amendments
- HB0014 Administrative Rulemaking Amendments
- HB0023 Suicide Prevention Revisions
- HB0045 In-state Tuition for Military Servicemembers and Veterans
- HB0093 Property Tax Assessment Amendments
- HB0138S02 Underground Petroleum Storage Tank Amendments
- HB0170 Local School Board Bond Amendments
- HB0213S01 Criminal Penalties for Sexual Contact with a Student
- HB0249 Grants for Digital Textbooks
- HB0318S01 Rights of Parents and Children Amendments
- HB0337 Teacher Salary Supplement Program Amendments
- HB0364 Eminent Domain and Public Recreation
- HB0366S01 Expungement Amendments
- HB0417 English Language Arts Instructional Tool
- HB0419 Charter School Revisions
- HB0423 School District Postemployment Health Insurance Benefit Amendments
- HB0433 Peace Officer Merit Amendments
Pivotal Bills/ In the News
Stephenson is a proponent of year-round schools. He believes that moving public schools to a trimester schedule will save money.[5] On his campaign website, he states that he supports "tuition tax credits or vouchers."[6]
He has proposed a bill which would require surety bonds for guest workers, to "ensure that . . . the people who are here have no criminal background, are disease free, and are paying their own cost of policing."[7]
References
- 1 2 "Stephenson, Howard". Utah State Senate. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- 1 2 "Meet Howard". Howard Stephenson. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Howard A. Stephenson's Political Summary". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- 1 2 "2014 General Session Legislation Stephenson, H.". Utah State Senate. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ↑ Stewart, Kirsten (November 18, 2009). "Year-round schools pitch fails -- for now". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- ↑ Howard Stephenson campaign website, statement on education
- ↑ "Lawmakers crafting numerous immigration bills," KSL news, August 9, 2010
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