Senate Sends English Determination to Vote of the People

The State Senate has given its approval to a measure allowing voters to decide whether all official business of the state should be conducted in English. The Senate voted on Wednesday evening to approve House Joint Resolution 1042, authored by Senator Anthony Sykes. Sykes said a compromise was worked out earlier in the day prior to the vote.

“The compromise reached on Wednesday afternoon was the product of a lot of hard work and negotiations. I want to especially thank Senators Brian Bingman and Patrick Anderson for their input and support. The Resolution states that English is the common and unifying language of the state, and that all official actions of the state will be in English,” Sykes said.

Sykes said adoption of this Constitutional amendment could save the state tremendous costs of providing documents and services in multiple languages. In addition to potential savings, Sykes said adoption of the amendment would unify the state.

“I’m an advocate that language unites, not divides. If you look throughout history, successful nations and peoples have one thing in common—their language,” Sykes said.

HJR 1042 now returns to the House of Representatives for consideration of Senate amendments.