This is a VERY LARGE step forward and one that many have been working toward for the past 3~5 years. NOW is the time we each should be contacting our State Senators and House Members asking them to sign on as co-sponsors of this most important, and very over due legislation.

Please see Frank Maughan's message below...! This should NOT be a partisan issue, rather Utah taking a very large step toward thanking Utah's nearly 160,000 veterans for their sacrifices for OUR freedom.

From: FRANK MAUGHAN

As of the minute this leaves my computer, Governor Jon Huntsman will have convened a press conference to announce his recommended budget for 2008.
 
Among the items he recommends to both houses of the Utah Legisdlature will be full funding of construction of the Northern Utah State Veterans Nursing home, to be built immediately west of he Weber County Fair park. By the time federal funding for this approved project comes back to the
state, the Nursing home will have been operational (and filled) for at least a couple of years.
 
This project has been the #1 priority of the Governor's Veterans Affairs Advisory Council for the past four years.
 
Earlier this year, the State Building Board designated this project as their #3 priority for the next fiscal year.  That action cleared away numerous "hurdles" that the Council has previously encountered.
 
South Ogden Representative Brad Dee has prefiled a legislative bill that would allow the funding to be advanced by the state, so construction of the 120 bed Nursing Home could begin construction in mid- to late 2008. There are several signs that the Utah House of Representatives will pass this important legislation overwhelmingly.
 
It remains to be seen what action the Utah State Senate will take. Veterans all over the state are anxiously anticipating that reaction.
 
Just thought you might be interested in this progress report.
 
Frank Maughan
Chair, Legislative Subcommittee
Veterans Affairs Adsvisory Council