Salt Lake Tribune, Mar 1, 2011, Senate votes to hike food tax
Senate Minority Leader Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, said that lowering the general sales tax wouldn’t change the fact that everyone will pay more at the grocery store.
Deseret News, Feb 23, 2011, Former U.S. attorney urges Utah to hold off on illegal immigration bills
Brett Tolman stood with Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, Hispanic community leaders and others Wednesday in touting a proposed resolution as the only "rational and constitutional" step forward in the debate.
KSL.com, Feb 17, 2011, Senate passes bill banning teens from talking on cell phones while driving
The state Senate passed a bill Thursday that would ban drivers under age 18 from talking on hand-held or hands-free wireless phones while driving. It now moves the House. (sponsored by Sen. Ross Romero)
KSL.com, Feb 7, 2011, Law would ban cells for teen drivers
"This bill totally removes the cell phone from a young driver's hand," said Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake.
Standard-Examiner, Feb 7, 2011, Jenkins says teen drivers should be able to talk on cell phones while driving
Senate Bill 45, sponsored by Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, was approved by the committee Monday with a vote of 3-1...
The Daily Utah Chronicle, Feb 2, 2011, Students need to actively fight budget cuts
In 2011, the U will lose more than $25 million in state funding compared to its 2010 budget... [Senator] Romero said there has not been adequate discussion about these cuts, passed in partisan lockstep by Republicans.
Utah Democratic Response to the State of the State Address - 2011
Salt Lake Tribune, Nov 14, 2010, Ross Romero relishes underdog role
Romero, who turned 40 Saturday, is the first Latino to ever hold the position of Senate Minority Leader in Utah.
Pride in Utah, Jan 19, 2011, Utah Senator Encourages Fellow Lawmakers To All Make ‘It Gets Better’ Videos
From the author: "I cannot even describe how proud I am right now that Ross Romero is my Senator and I voted for him!"
ksl.com, July 20, 2010, Gov. Herbert calls immigration roundtable discussion a success
"We're better than the them-versus-us analysis that has been going on recently, and I think we need to be better at finding solutions," said Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City
Deseret News, March 8, 2010, Utah Legislature: Senate votes to expand DNA collection from crime suspects
"Beyond the scope of the DNA collection, opponents also cited the fact that an innocent defendant must obtain a court order to have the DNA sample destroyed. Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, cast the lone dissenting vote because of that requirement."
Salt Lake Tribune, March 8, 2010, Utah Senate rejects carbon trading support
"Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, proposed SB128 to make it state policy to support these efforts, removing what he said may be confusion about whether cities, counties and districts are allowed to participate. "
ABC News, March 1, 2010, Utah Abortion Bill: Punishing Miscarriages or Preventing Crime?
"'This could be misconstrued or construed too aggressively,' Democratic Utah state Sen. Ross Romero said. 'We all make bad choices in our lives and most of them don't come with criminal burdens. This one does, or may, I should say.'"
Deseret News, Feb 23, 2010, Utah Legislature: Democrats, GOP spar over ethics initiative petitions
"Democrats fired back, with Sen. Ross Romero calling the Republicans' accusations 'inappropriate.' The Salt Lake Democrat said the notion that residents do not make responsible decisions when signing petitions is misplaced. 'It's pretty clear that this is an uncamouflaged assault on the initiative process,' he said."
Salt Lake Tribune, Feb 3, 2010, Senate OKs gun bill, triggers federalism debate
"'We should be avoiding message bills,' said Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, 'and this is a message bill.' It also is one Romero argues is unconstitutional."
Salt Lake Tribune, Feb 1, 2010, Senate Majority leader wants governor to pick chief justice
"When asked by Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, whether the legislation was seeking to fix any problems, Jenkins replied there wasn't. 'If there is no problem, I don't understand the nature of the bill,' Romero said. "
Fox 13, February 9, 2010, Cell phone restriction bill clears first hurdle with Senate committee
"Sen. Ross Romero initially proposed the ban to prohibit drivers 17 and younger to use cell phones. "I've heard from a lot of parents who are saying, 'we think it's a good, reasonable restriction that will help us as a family communicate the importance of not being distracted while you drive'," said Romero."
Local News 8, Feb 1, 2010, Poll: Many favor cell phone ban while driving
"Last week state Sen. Ross Romero, a Salt Lake City Democrat, introduced a bill to ban cell phone use by drivers who are under 18."
Salt Lake Tribune, Feb 1, 2010, Poll: Utahns want cell phone users to shut up and drive
"Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, on Thursday introduced a ban on phone use by under-18 drivers. "
KCPW, Jun 17, 2009, Ethics Committee Continues Working Toward Reform
"...Democrats continue to push for an independent ethics commission. [Sen.] Killpack calls such a commission a "pipe dream," but Democratic Senator Ross Romero maintains that it would be an important reform."
KSL.com, May 18th, 2009, Herbert: Huntsman leaving big shoes to fill
"Obviously, there's a bit of apprehension in understanding what will be their priorities and how inclusive they will be. I do take him at his word that he wants to hear from diverse voices and they will be part of his discussions," said Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City."
Deseret News, Sunday, March 15, 2009, Capitol's now silent, but there were many standouts
Mr. Nice Guy: Lots of them, but the standouts include Sen. Brent Goodfellow, Sen. David Hinkins, Sen. Pete Knudson, Rep. Fred Hunsaker, Rep. Douglas Aagard, and Sen. Ross Romero.
iStockAnalyst, March 11, 2009, BRIEF: Senate Alters Climate-Change Bill
A bill that would require economic studies for any climate-change actions cleared the Senate on Wednesday, but not without some tweaking. Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, successfully amended HB412 to narrow its focus to executive actions and orders rather than bills and resolutions introduced by lawmakers.
Deseret News, 03/01/2009, 2009 legislative session 'kinder and gentler'
Senate Minority Whip Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, said he has been pleased with "the opportunity to be included" in not only Republican budget discussions but even invited in at times to talk to reporters during GOP leaders' media briefing.
Deseret News, 03/03/2009, Guns in cars gets protection
Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, was one of the senators voting against the proposal, which during Monday debate he called a "fundamental infringement on the right of employers to control their own parking lots."
Deseret News, 03/04/2009, Senate approves resolution supporting nuclear power
Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, who voted against the resolution, said he disagreed with its claims that nuclear power was cost-effective, viable and safe. "I don't think it has been adequately proven that we reprocess or recycle spent fuel properly," Romero said.
The Salt Lake Tribune, 02/26/2009, Grants OK'd for teaching math Singapore way
Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, said that given the state's budget shortfalls "this is not the time to create new programs."
Salt Lake City Weekly, 02/09/2009, Immigration: Immigration A-Team
Legislators hope a proposed “strike force” can help broker state immigration reform.
Deseret News, 02/23/2009, Senate suggests turning down heat, raising civility level
Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, said "we as a body and as members have an obligation to refrain from personal attacks and mean-spiritedness."...."I would suggest we have a little bit more to do in reaching common ground and civility,"
Deseret News, 02/22/2009, Is Buttars' speech public, or private?
"We're cloaked with the privilege and responsibility to vote on bills … and debate issues," said Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake. "We have an obligation, particularly during the session, to act as representatives and senators of our state."
Salt Lake Tribune, 02/20/2009, Lawmakers propose private fund for to restrict abortion
Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, voted against HB114, citing concern that the bill would "create a bad precedent" in setting up a privately funded account to deal with a public matter.
KCPW, Feb 13, 2009, Utah Democrats Challenge Teacher Competency Bill
Sen. Ross Romero pointed out a flaw in Buttars' logic. "Well, let me suggest that there are many examples, even in present times, where people have real world experience and are not successful," Romero said. "Businesses are failing in this country right now, with real world leaders of business."
Salt Lake Tribune, 02/12/2009, Teacher licensing bill moves forward in Utah Senate
"This bill really is an insult to education," said Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City. "Teachers have a skill set that is unique, developed and is nurtured and trained. I think this bill expands the profession of teaching into a hobby of teaching."
Deseret News, Feb. 9, 2009, Senate salutes U. of U. football
Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, whose district includes the campus of Utah archrival Brigham Young University, offered his congratulations, and Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, who represents the district that includes the University of Utah campus, said the team "makes our state proud."
