Thread: Utah Governor unplugs Español Web site

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3934371

Article Last Updated: 6/14/2006 09:56 AM

Governor unplugs Español Web site
English Only law: After just two weeks, the state data no longer available online in Spanish
By Glen Warchol
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., a champion of Utah taking its place in the global economy, finds himself in an awkward position after shutting down a state-owned online information site because it is in Spanish.

Huntsman's spokesman Mike Mower says the site will remain down until the governor's legal counsel can determine if its translations of basic state information violate a 2000 Utah law that makes English the state's official language.

But critics say Huntsman overreacted to a xenophobic backlash that followed the recent visit of Mexican President Vicente Fox and that continues to be fueled by the immigration reform debate.

Two weeks ago, the state launched www.espanol.utah. gov, a Spanish-language companion to the state's informational Web site www.utah.gov. The Spanish-language site offered 10 pages of information on taxes, health services, driver licences, and work-force services selected from the state's 400-page Web site.

But within days, callers complained to the governor's office that the site violated Utah's law making English the state's official language. The Spanish-language site was quickly taken down until its content can be reviewed, said Mower.

Neither www.utah.gov nor its Spanish-language counterpart are supported with taxpayer money. "We absorbed the cost of this project," said Hope Miller, spokeswoman for Utah Interactive, which maintains the state Web site. "It did not cost the state of Utah anything."

Utah Interactive collects transaction fees from businesses and individuals that use the service, she said, and the Spanish-language version was helpful because it made the site useful to more customers.

Michael Clara, Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly vice chairman, said the controversy about the state's Spanish-language Web site "stems from the roots of bigotry."

"It's sad that our governor's office succumbs to these extreme views," Clara said. "We have a governor who was an international trade ambassador. The [Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints] sends missionaries all over the world. Salt Lake City is an international place."

The governor, in fact, greeted Fox in Spanish, Clara said.

But Phyllis Sears, chairwoman of the Citizens Council on Illegal Immigration, says the complaints about the Spanish language Web site are coming from citizens who are increasingly sensitive to the problems of immigration. "Most people recognize immigration is not bad. But immigration without assimilation, both in language and in culture, could be a terrible disaster for this nation," Sears said. "That's what they are protesting."

State Rep. Mark Wheatley, one of two Latinos in the Legislature, said the governor's response "is an overreaction. Particularly, when you are talking about information on safety, health and paying taxes."

The law allows translations in the case of health and safety issues, for tourism and economic-development promotion, or if required by federal law.

Wheatley said the complaints came out of misguided fear and insecurity about the decline of English-speaking culture in the face of immigration. "We keep talking about a global economy - we need to take an active part in learning to speak other languages. It won't take away from being an American."

In his 2004 election campaign, Huntsman promoted an economic-development plan that stressed cultural diversity and Utah's rapidly growing Latino population.

"Utah must embrace this diversity and grow stronger because of it," Huntsman said in his plan. "This added diversity can provide numerous benefits for Utah, but we must recognize that it will also require additional resources and expenses [e.g. 'English as a second language' programs]."

A decision on the Web site is expected in about two weeks. As for the law itself, Mower said, "English is the official language of the state of Utah, and we have no intentions of changing that."


Utah's English as Official Language Law:

"All official documents, transactions, proceedings, meetings, or publications issued, conducted, or regulated by, on behalf of, or representing the state and its political subdivisions shall be in English.

". . . Languages other than English may be used when required by the United States Constitution, the Utah State Constitution, federal law or federal regulation;

"by law enforcement or public health and safety needs;

"by public and higher education systems according to rules made by the State Board of Education and the State Board of Regents . . .

"in judicial proceedings, when necessary to insure that justice is served;

"to promote and encourage tourism and economic development, including the hosting of international events such as the Olympics; and

"by libraries . . ."
- Utah State Code, 63-13-1.5

Nations have become divided simply because of language....it has happened to Pakistan and others and even Canada has had its problems because of the separatist French speaking Quebec. If Latinos don't want to learn English, then they get leave this country and that is especially the case if they are here illegally. If I wanted to live in Mexico, I would become fluent in Spanish and also learn how to be just as corrupt as they are. The claim against removing the web site because to do so is racist etc is pure hogwash....

Michael Clara, Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly vice chairman, said the controversy about the state's Spanish-language Web site "stems from the roots of bigotry."

I am so sick of this bigotry crap. They need to come up with another tactic. It is not bigoted to expect the language of your country to be the language of the government!

Diana, we are not the bigots...the illegals are the bigots since they come from a narrow minded culture with most not having more than a 3rd to 6th grade education....the only common bond they have is language and their lawless, corrupt ways.

http://www.puebloamericano.com/urha/Uta ... 5B1%5D.pdf

UTAH REPUBLICAN HISPANIC ASSEMBLY
“Hispanics are Republican, they just don’t realize it yet.”
President Ronald Reagan
Who we are?
We are an auxiliary of the Utah Republican Party, which was official organized January 22, 2002. We are Republicans not
all of which are Hispanic, but we share a common goal of helping the Republican Party better understand the Hispanic
community, as well as help the Hispanic community better understand the Republican party.
Why?
The Republican Party is a natural fit for Hispanic due to many similarities in values (pro-life, family values, self
sufficiency), as well as in belief (limited government, small businesses, school vouchers). In addition, Hispanics are
growing faster than any other ethnic group. In Utah we are almost 10% of Utah population, 138% growth over the past 10
years and projected to be close to 25% of Utah’s population by 2030.
Our Goals:
· Attract more Hispanics to the Party.- To do this we must dispel many of the misconceptions and began to define
ourselves to the Hispanic community, instead of letting others define who we are. We will be having townhalls with
elected Republican Leaders, as well as using the Hispanic media as a way to communicate our message.
· Increase Political Participation.- We must help the Hispanic community understand how to get politically
involved, especially at the grassroots level. We must also identify qualified Hispanics in order to increase the number
of appointed and elected officials.
· Be the eyes and ears of the Party.- We must understand the Hispanic community and the issues that are of concern
to them in order to be able to properly advise the Party on these issues. We want to help the party better understand
our community.
Quotes:
“President Bush received more Hispanic votes than any other Republican President, with the exception of Ronald Reagan,
he also enjoys the highest approval rating amongst Hispanics than among any other ethnic group” ”Since President Bush
was elected, 27 Hispanic Democrat elected officials have switched to the GOP” Republican National Committee
“The lesson that the Republican Party has to learn is that we must reach out and recruit Hispanics. If we fail to do this, we
will revert back to being the minority party” Newt Gingrich
“The importance of the Hispanic Vote is growing because of the exponential increase in the Hispanic population. In
addition, Hispanic voter turnout has also been on a steady rise. If we do not reach out to Hispanics, our majority will be at
stake” “If we were to simply win 15% more of the Hispanic vote, their would be no race that we could not win”
Frank Luntz, Republican Political Consultant
“President Bush has made reaching out and attracting more Hispanics to the Republican Party my top priority when he
appointed me chairman of the RNC. He leads this effort proving that Hispanics are welcome to the GOP” James Gilmore
“Due to the Hispanic vote, 22 districts that were considered strong Democrat districts may now be in jeopardy. Hispanics,
who have long provided a key portion of Democrat votes, have drifted in to the persuadable category. 45% of those polled
say that there is at least a “fair chance” that he or she would vote Republican” Roll Call Newspaper
“If in 2004 presidential race, Hispanics votes were cast in the same proportion as in 2000, the GOP predicts that President
Bush would lose by up to 3 million votes. We cannot survive as a party, without getting more of the Hispanic vote. The
writing is on the wall” Matthew Dowd, Pollster & Senior Advisor to the RNC
“We have an incredible opportunity right now to expand the party, not only in terms of diversity, but in terms of numbersespecially
amongst Hispanics. We cannot and will not let this opportunity pass us by” Mark Racicot, RNC Chair
“In an unprecedented effort by a national political party, the Republican National Committee (RNC) announced today
(05/06/02) the launch of a Spanish-language television news magazine to inform the Hispanic Community about important
political issues and Republican initiatives that directly affect their lives” L.A. Times
“We feel strongly that the party of Lincoln, which began as the party of inclusion, continue to work to reach out to
Hispanics here in Utah, especially because Hispanic values are so often aligned with Republican values”
Joe Cannon, Utah Republican Party State Chairman
Contact Information: Marco Diaz (State Chair) Cell:641-8956

http://www.puebloamericano.com/urha/whoarewe.html

Who Are We?

We are an auxiliary of the Utah Republican Party, which was official organized January 22, 2002. We are Republicans not all of which are Hispanic, but we share a common goal of helping the Republican Party better understand the Hispanic community, as well as help the Hispanic community better understand the Republican party. (See flyer / .PDF)

Our Mission Statement:

The Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly strives to attract Hispanics to the Republican Party by communicating and educating the Hispanic community about our common values, our platform, and our goals. We demonstrate through our actions that our party can make a difference in the Hispanic community by engaging and educating the leaders of the Republican Party in Utah about Hispanic issues and involving Hispanics in leadership positions.

Our Goals:

Goal # 1: Attract Hispanics to the Republican Party.
Goal # 2: Increase the number of Hispanics appointed and elected officials.
Goal # 3: Influence policymakers on issues impacting the Hispanic Community (health, education, immigration).
Goal # 4: Educate, inform, disseminate information, and organize activities in cooperation with other community organizations to help improve the wealth being of the community.

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3948657

Article Last Updated: 6/17/2006 01:49 AM


State info in español goes back to the Web
After a review, officials agree to restore most of translation
By Matt Canham
The Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake Tribune

Spanish will return to the state Web site next week, but only in a few limited circumstances.

Spanish speakers will be able to find out about driver licenses, health programs and how to file work or housing discrimination claims, but they will not get any translated information about state libraries or how to pay their taxes.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s staff made the announcement Friday, a week and a half after pulling a Spanish-language Web site to conduct a legal review triggered by complaints.

At issue is a law, passed by citizens initiative in 2000, making English the state's official language.

"Our job is to make certain that what our agencies and departments disseminate is in compliance with the law," said Mike Mower, Huntsman's spokesman.

The hubbub started when Utah Interactive, a private contractor, began to roll out a Web site redesign a few week ago. As part of that redesign, the firm created www.espanol.utah.gov, which had 10 pages of information.

But within a few days, Huntsman's office started receiving complaints from people who said that providing information in Spanish violated the English-only law.

Mower said Huntsman's office decided to take down the site and review those "legitimate questions," over the objections of critics who claimed the governor bowed to pressure from anti-immigration activists.

Utah's English as an Official Language law provides several exemptions allowing government information to be translated into other languages. Those include public safety and health, education, court proceedings and tourism.

Huntsman released a policy Friday that takes another look at the law and Mower promised the governor's office would review any further information before posting it online.

State Democratic Rep. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, applauded the governor's decision, though he would like to see the English-only law tweaked.

"Information that is understood in one's native language or the language they know best is always in the state's and the individual's best interest so there are no communication problems," Romero said.

Romero supports limitations. "I don't expect the state to translate everything they produce in every language spoken."

But he questions why the state would block the translation of tax information. He believes translated information would help Spanish-speaking taxpayers understand the laws and ultimately increase state collections.

Mower said translating tax information is a legitimate question but not one being posed by Huntsman.

He said: "We have no intent at this time to seek any change in this law."

mcanham@sltrib.com