Buy/Sell Properties?

Buy/Sell Automobiles?

Utah Lt. Governor's Office

Feb. 02, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — New technology is available to Utah information systems that will facilitate faster decision-making and improve management for government and businesses across the state.

Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox presented the mapping project at the state Capitol Wednesday, saying it will enhance the tools Utah agencies and governments use to manage and protect Utah assets that contribute to citizen quality of life, including "shared air, water, public lands and infrastructure investments."

"The UMIP partners' shared vision and leadership provides Utahns with an important tool to improve mapping applications and provide greater access to public data," Cox said in a press release. "This collaboration will serve our future generations well."

Utah Attorney General's Office

White Collar Crime Registry Legislation Introduced

Utah Attorney General’s Office and Representative Mike McKell Introduce White Collar Crime Registry During National Consumer Protection Week

SALT LAKE CITY (March 3, 2015) — As a longtime advocate for consumer protection and a member of the Standing Committee on Consumer Protection of the National Association of Attorneys General, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes highlighted National Consumer Protection Week (March 1-7) by promoting a legislative solution he has long championed to address white collar crimes and affinity fraud in particular. Today, in the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standing Committee, Rep. Mike McKell proposed H.B. 378, the White Collar Crime Registry, with Chief Deputy Brian Tarbet of the Attorney General’s Office testifying to the need of informing and protecting citizens from investing with those who have previously been convicted of second degree felonies for financial crimes. The bill passed the Judicial Committee unanimously today and will progress to the floor.

The proposed White Collar Crime Registry has been introduced to modify the Utah Code of Criminal Procedure to include a registry for persons who commit specified white collar crimes. While introducing the legislation, Rep. Mike McKell said, “Utah is a hot bed for financial fraud committed by repeat offenders. Many people in our state have trusting relationships with those who take their money in multi million dollar schemes and many times those particular people have already been convicted of financial crimes.” Rep. McKell pointed out that the information is already public in legal databases, but is not organized or easily accessible for consumers. Rep. McKell thanked the Attorney General for his foresight in bringing to the legislature such a simple but powerful educational tool and protection for Utah citizens.

Utah Attorney General Chief Civil Deputy Brian Tarbet testified to the need for the consumer protection resource by saying, “[Outside of budget], this is the Attorney General’s top priority for this legislative session because of the high level of affinity fraud we prosecute in our office and are aware of throughout the state. This registry is a tool to help empower and inform Utah citizens before investing with those who have illegal pasts and unsavory business practices that have led to second degree felony convictions.”

According to Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, despite so many positive economic indicators and a tremendous environment overall for business in the state, Utah is sadly known for its high level of financial vulnerability to affinity fraud (exploiting relationships of trust). “Utah’s unique personal interweavings and close relationships offer a rich environment for predatory behavior and financial crimes in our state. We trust those in our neighborhoods, in our churches, in our social circles and in our professions. While in many ways trust is a healthy community trait that fosters social strength and business success, it also leaves our citizens quite susceptible to those who would exploit that trust.”

AG Reyes further stated: “I have long hoped we could bring a bill that will further equip citizens to protect themselves from financial fraud. This registry will make already public information much more accessible for the average citizen in this digital age. It will inform anyone performing a simple name search if they are investing with someone who has previously been convicted of financial crimes. People spend all sorts of time reading reviews and searching information before they buy a computer, T.V. or even blender. Often they will invest their entire nest egg with no due diligence at all. A simple search on this registry may save you your life savings. And this tool will hopefully curtail some of the billions of dollars lost in Utah to investment fraud and other financial crimes. This will be a tremendous outcome for citizens if passed.”

White Collar Registry H.B. 378 is currently in its first substitute. After passing in the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standing Committee, it will now move to the floor. The current state of the bill authorizes the Utah Attorney General’s Office to develop, operate, and maintain the Utah White Collar Crime Offender Registry website.

City of Salt Lake City

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2015
Contact: Art Raymond
801-547-2659

Salt Lake City Earns #5 EPA Ranking for Building Energy Efficiency

SALT LAKE CITY – Salt Lake City has been ranked #25 in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2015 list of U.S. metropolitan areas with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings, coming in at #5 for all mid-size cities on the list. The ranking confirms the City’s commitment to providing building owners and managers with the technical guidance, best practices, and training they need to make their buildings more energy efficient, save money and reduce carbon emissions.

"Salt Lake City is honored to be included among leaders in energy efficiency on EPA’s 2015 Top Cities list,” said Mayor Ralph Becker. "Through programs like Project Skyline, we’re working with our local business leaders to improve building efficiency and lower energy costs, which will help improve air quality and lead to a stronger local economy.”

Cities are ranked on the list according to how many buildings in their area achieved ENERGY STAR certification in 2014. To qualify for the ENERGY STAR certification, a building must earn a 1 – 100 ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher, indicating that it outperforms 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide. Salt Lake City had 25 buildings earn the ENERGY STAR in 2014, accounting for over $6.3 million in savings.

Salt Lake City continues to lead by example. In January, Mayor Becker issued an Executive Order to increase energy efficiency at City facilities. The order, which establishes Salt Lake City among leading cities nationwide, creates a multi-department Energy Management Steering Committee and requires City facilities to develop annual Energy Management Plans and track results.

The Executive Order is a cornerstone of Project Skyline, an initiative designed to dramatically cut energy waste in Salt Lake City’s buildings by accelerating investment in energy efficiency and raising public awareness of building performance. In 2014, Project Skyline kicked off with the Mayor’s Skyline Challenge, enlisting 20 businesses in a proactive effort to reduce building energy use. Learn more atSLCgov.com/ProjectSkyline.

“Salt Lake City’s ranking shows how America’s cities are leading the nation in cutting carbon emissions and fighting climate change,” said Jean Lupinacci, chief of the ENERGY STAR Commercial & Industrial program. “By embracing energy efficiency as a simple and effective pathway to reach their sustainability goals, these cities are demonstrating the tangible benefits that result from simple, cost-effective reductions in energy use.”

For more information about the 2015 ENERGY STAR Top Cities list, visit www.energystar.gov/TopCities.

City of St. George