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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah’s Republican governor on Saturday voted to ban youth from receiving gender-affirming medical care and allow families to receive scholarships that pay for education outside the public school system. signed. Both of these are part of a larger national movement.
Gov. Spencer Cox, who has not taken a public stance on the transgender care measure, signed it the day after Congress sent it to his desk. The state’s Republican-dominated legislature took precedence over the ban, two days after the legislature began its session this year, Jan. 17. We reviewed the first draft of the bill in less than 10 days.
Cox’s bill’s approval comes as legislators in at least 18 states are considering similar bills aimed at health care for young transgender people.
In a statement, Cox said his decision was to “pause these lasting, life-changing treatments for new patients until more and better studies can help determine long-term outcomes.” is wise,” he explained.
“We understand that our words are of little comfort to those who disagree with us, but as we strive to better understand the science and results behind these procedures, we will continue I sincerely hope that I can treat my family with more love and respect.”
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Among the critics was Utah’s ACLU, which prompted Cox on Friday to veto the bill.
In a letter to Cox, civil rights groups said they were “deeply concerned about the damaging and potentially devastating effects of this law on people’s livelihoods and health care, and the grave violations of people’s constitutional rights it causes. ing.
“This bill jeopardizes the health and well-being of gender dysphoric youth by cutting off medical care supported by all major medical associations in the United States. By restricting access to based care, it binds the hands of doctors and parents and impedes their ability to fulfill their professional duties.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Mike Kennedy, a Republican family physician, said critical health policies related to gender and youth require government oversight.
Cox also signed another bill that would give students school-choice scholarships to attend schools outside the public education system. and raised welfare benefits.
At least a dozen states are considering similar legislation, making it an important year for school choice. The controversy has stoked teachers’ unions and resurfaced concerns about efforts to gradually privatize public education. You can deepen the difference between getting to school in the states and blue states.
Utah’s bill allocates $42 million in taxpayer funds to pay for scholarships so students can attend private schools. About 5,000 students receive her $8,000 scholarship. That’s about double the state’s “weighted student credit” funding for students to attend school. To quell strong opposition from the state teachers union, the bill also includes her $6,000 in Utah teacher salaries and benefits.
In explaining his decision, Cox’s statement described the measure as “balancing” while focusing primarily on raising teacher salaries.
“School choice is most effective when it provides adequate funding for public education and removes unnecessary regulations that burden public schools and make it difficult for them to succeed,” Cox said.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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