Press Release

2/21/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Frederick Van Der Veur Executive Director

Ph. (801) 580-3905 (cell) · Fax: (801) 264-8879

UPEA asks Gov., A.G. if state will honor H.B. 179

MURRAY - As part of its aggressive drive to halt House Bill 179 (1st Sub.) - Voluntary Contributions Act, Fred Van Der Veur, executive director of the Utah Public Employees' Association, sent letters to Governor Mike Leavitt and Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, asking each of them whether the state of Utah will honor existing payroll deduction authorizations if the bill becomes law.

The letters, sent Tuesday Feb. 20, request a written reply from each official. If the existing authorizations will not be honored, Van Der Veur has informed the Governor and Attorney General that UPEA will be forced to sue each of them in UPEA's forthcoming legal challenge to the constitutionality of H.B. 179. Copies of Van Der Veur's letters are attached.