Cecilia says:

I am amazed that a legislator would propose to break up a state department with little information. The Utah Department of Health has a very fine reputation nationally for its work in a number of areas, such as information technology, innovative programs, results. One of the problems with public health is that people who work in the field do not advocate well for what they do every day to improve the public's health and well-being. Also, I do not think that most people know that federal funding is the majority of funding for many public health programs. Federal funding often has match requirements which means that non-federal funds have to be allocated to match the federal funds. Loss of the state general funds for a federal grant results in loss of the federal funding. I think that legislators should leave the micromanagement of Departments and budgets up to the Executive branch to determine where the cuts can be made with the least possible negative impact. I cannot understand why a legislator would cut services to citizens (that they themselves represent, so they say) in need at the expense of roads, etc. I believe that it says a lot about a society that is not willing, and in fact is punitive, to fund services for those in need. There is not way that any legislator has enough time to fully understand any Department's programs and work - so leave it up to those who do.

Nan says:

I have a response to "Amy": One always has to remember that things are not always as they seem. Could it be that the person who surfs the net all day is reseaching information about birth defects? I know enough about the work that the Birth Defects Network does to say that much of their work requires research into factors that may be associated with a particular birth defect, such as folic acid and neural tube defects. The science of birth defects and associated factors is just that, a science. People use the internet all the time to research issues that relate to their work. Don't be so quick to judge.

B says:

Why was the SCHIP van in Evanston over Labor Day weekend?

Utahnonldsnative says:

Valley Mental health is a waste of money. They suck in the money and except for the rep payee program has not been substanial in helping anyone else. THy take medicaid for a ride and refer most people elsewhere full well knowing anyone on medicaid will be denied mental health care. They are the only contract provider in the SL valley. They have a monopoly!

Doug B. says

It is unbelievable that you are considering breaking up the Dept. of Health. 20 years ago it and Human Services became to large to keep as one so it split. Here we are 20 years later wanting to go backwards and put them together again. You guys seem like you in a panic. Slow down and consider what you are doing. After all, we elect people we believe are going to be strong leaders, but sometimes you don't seem to be leaders at all. A few years back you considered doing away with DCFS and giving it to a private company. Anymore thoughts on that? Why don't we get rid of the State Police and turn it over to the local police. Cuts are needed and they need to be thought through very carefully.It seems that we never save as much money as we thought we would save. What about the General Fund? These slow times are not going to last forever.

Allen says:

Taxpayer health support should only be for those who are in this country legal. Employers who are found employing people who are not here legal should be charged criminally and given fines and jail. If we don't allow people to work who are not here leagl then they will not stay here. Proof of citizenship or a valid green card should be required to obtain any governmental assistance.

Amy says:

Utah Birth defects network... They do NOT need a receptionist. The receptionist sits and does the job of the coordinator, while the coordinator sits and surfs the internet all day.

Utah's Departments

We've listed the main governmental agencies here for your convenience. Please share with us places where you've found government waste - and feel free to vote and comment on other folks' posts!

Agriculture, Commerce, Corrections, Public Ed, Higher Ed, Health, Human Services, Insurance, Legislature, Natural Resources, Public Safety, Transportation, Workforce Services, Other.