State lawmakers passed a bill approving $10 million for a science and technology program that hires "star" faculty at the U and Utah State University to start new businesses and stimulate the economy.

A Senate committee compromised today on House Bill 122, which attempts to restrict the public's access to government records. Utah lawmakers made a concession that helped cool opposition, but failed to completely remove it.

Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, sponsor of House Bill 248, is looking to make it illegal to talk on a cellular phone while driving, unless a hands-free device is being used.

House Bill 35, which proposes a 5 percent tax credit to students pursuing higher education, passed unanimously in the Utah Senate Education Committee on Thursday.

A bill that would prevent undocumented students recieving in-state tuition from working passed a legislative committee Wednesday, despite the protests of U student leaders who said the bill would only prevent such students from receiving higher education.

Last week the Utah House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill that would allow the U to evict students quicker. On Friday, however, a Senate committee opposed the bill, preventing it from moving to the Senate floor for a vote.

If a bill proposed at the Utah Legislature passes, undocumented students receiving in-state tuition would be required to sign a legal declaration each semester promising they haven't worked in the past year.

Utah legislators are holding a bill that would allow the U to more quickly evict students in the dorms who don't pay rent.

According to Obama's Web site, he plans to make higher education more affordable for all Americans. Obama has offered to give a $4,000 tax credit to all students to pay for educational costs in exchange for community service.

Richard Nkansah hopes that in 20 years, a presidential candidate like Barack Obama will be not seen for his race, but for his qualifications to serve. Nkansah was one of two students from the U's Black Student Union to travel to Washington, D.C., to witness the inauguration of President Obama on Jan. 20.