Amber Alerts Unfunded?

Were you aware that the state of Utah does not have funds appropriated for the Amber Alert system? Currently the system works on tax deductible donations, but some would like to see that change.

“It’s worth discussing,” said Senate President-elect Mike Waddoups.  “I was unaware we didn’t fund it, but in a year where revenues are down, it’s hard to add a new program.”

Perhaps surprisingly, Murphy is against state funding.  He says Utah’s Amber Alert program, not tethered with abundant state regulation, is able to adapt to change and is thus more effective.  "If it’s put into statute, and there are laws tied to it, I’m worried we won’t be able to move as quickly, and I’ve seen that in other states," said Murphy.

 

Amber Alert Sinage

The state of California is toying with the idea of selling advertising space on Amber Alert billboards that dot the highway system when they are not in use for alerts. The potential ad revenue generated would go towards repairs on the CalTran System.

"I think when you look at the state of California’s transportation system and the need for repairs and rehabilitation to that system, we’ve got to figure out different ways to provide resources to accomplish that rehabilitation," said CalTrans Director Will Kempton.

Some, however, oppose the idea:

"This is absolutely the last thing we need. It’s a bad proposal. It can compromise highway safety. It’s a driver distraction," said Dennis Hathaway, Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight.

Opponents also question how effective the message boards will be if they’re used for something other than a true emergency.

Your thoughts? Good idea or bad?

 

Child Safety For BPA

The debate over the safety of bisphenol-A, or BPA, rages on with very conflicting evidence. Is it safe for your child? Is it not safe? And what plastic numbers ARE safe for children? Researchers at the Yale School of Medicine in the toxicology program have the following advice for parents who are conflicted on the issue:

Scientists from the toxicology offer this advice:

-Watch for the numeral 7 on the bottom of plastic containers. That often means they contain BPA.

-Don’t microwave plastic food containers made with BPA. Better to use glass or porcelain.

-Watch out for canned foods for children.

-Search for baby bottles and other baby products that are BPA-free.

Some states are considering bills to restrict the use of BPA for the young, and Congress is assessing several possible remedies including a BPA ban in children’s products or a ban on BPA in packaging that touches food. The best effort, however, would be the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act. It would require that children’s products are proved safe before they are sold, not — as with BPA — the other way around.

 

Retail BPA Ban

Much has been made recently about the use of the plastic chemical bisphenol-A (also known as BPA) in a myriad of different products, especially baby bottles. In the wake of research claiming that BPA isn’t safe, Wal-Mart, CVS, and Toys ‘R Us have decided to pull all baby bottles made with BPA off of their shelves. Animal studies show that small doses of BPA have been linked to cancer and other health problems, so why hasn’t something been done sooner?

BPA is everywhere, used to make polycarbonate, a rigid, clear plastic for bottles, bike helmets, DVDs and car headlights. It’s also an ingredient in epoxy resins, which coat the inside of food and drink cans. About 93% of Americans tested by the Centers for Disease Control had the chemical in their urine.

If opponents drive BPA out of the food supply, consumers will pay. Some BPA-free plastic bottles sell for $10 each, more than twice the price of bottles with BPA. Baby bottles made of glass can break, potentially causing injury. Replacing BPA in the lining of cans would mean retooling all that packaging, and it’s not clear that there are safe alternatives.

 

Double Up

In a new bill this week, President Bush reauthorized the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children through 2013 while also doubling the budget of the organization to $40 million a year. The center is one of the keystone organization to help bring home missing children safely.

The measure passed through the Senate unanimously, in the House it passed with a 408 to 3 vote. “The funding we have provided will increase resources for law enforcement to capture, prosecute and incarcerate the worst of criminals that work to harm our children," U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson said. Previously the center received $20 million a year. The new bill touts several improvements that will allow the Center to better coordinate with Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. A new branch, the National Emergency Child Locator Center, will be established to help find children in times of natural disasters.

The article also quotes some very positive facts, such as the great stat that 97 percent of children reported missing are found and the center has seen the recovery rate of missing children increase 35 percent in the last 18 years. With law enforcement working together at all levels, missing children have a better chance of being returned.