•
1
MINUTES OF THE
LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE COMMITTEE
ON THE HOOVER COMMISSION STUDY
MARCH 5, 1966 -- 8:00 A.M. — STATE CAPITOL
The following were present:  Senators Leavitt, Bullen, Grover, Mantes,
and Brockbank, and Representatives Warren, McKay, Gunnell, Buckner, Hamilton,
and Munson.  Chairman Holman was excused due to the funeral of his Father-in-
law in Delta.  Also present were the following members of the Little Hoover
Commission:  Mr. Joseph Rosenblatt, Mr. Bruce Jenkins, Mr. John Rackham, Mr.
Evan Michelson, and Mr. Heggstron, Project Engineer of Booz, Allen & Hamilton.
Rep. Munson acted as chairman of the committee in place of Senator Holman
and called on Senator Bullen to offer a. prayer.
The minutes of the February 26 meeting were approved.
A revised statement of the State Road Commission was distributed to
the members of the committee.
Rep. Munson, as chairman of the Health and Welfare subcommittee, led the
meeting and welcomed the interested groups.  After introductions were made,
Carlyle F. Gronning, Chairman of the Industrial Commission and Utah Labor
Relations Board, distributed a. written statement which outlined the program
of the Employment Security Department, and stated the department should remain
under the Commissioner of Labor and Commerce because the program is not a
welfare program and would tend to produce bad relations with the people concerned
if they were connected with the Welfare Department.  The statement also pointed
out what benefits the program offers the employment situation, including Youth
Opportunity Centers, Youth Employment Services, Agricultural Employment Services
and the Veterans Employment Service.
Mr. David K. Holther, Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Industrial
Commission of Utah, made a presentation and distributed a written statement
which presented the feelings of the council.  He stated the council voted
unconditionally its disapproval of the recommendation that the Department of
Employment Security be moved from the Industrial Commission or Labor Department to a Department, of Health and Welfare Services.  The council members
representing workers made it clear that those they represented would be
incensed if compelled to apply for unemployment benefits or for work through
an agency which had any attachment to a welfare program.
Discussion proceeded and it was pointed out that the unemployment benefit is an insurance fund for people who have been working and have lost
their job for some reason and who qualify for the payments.  The benefits are
given based upon previous employment and on the desirability and inclination
to take another job.  Mr, Holther explained that those persons who abuse the
benefits are in the minority and the department discontinues payments as soon
as this type person is discovered.
The matter of the federal government entering into the state's control
of the Department of Employment Security was discussed.  It was stated the
Department resists the federal control as much as possible, but the Department
does receive funds from 17 different federal sources.
Commissioner Gronning stated there is a direct connection between the
Department of Employment Security and the Commissioner of Labor and Commerce