Polygamists were left out of state budget

December 22, 2006 - www.thespectrum.com

I read The Spectrum article about Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr., unveiling a massive and unprecedented budget of more than $10 billion. While I applaud his support for teachers and education, why can't the tiny segment of adult polygamists get a little support and protection under his budget? I'm not talking about the child bride predators. They should be prosecuted. However, the state has older polygamists who live quiet lives and who are open and honest with each other; they should have some sort of protection instead of living life underground.
News accounts tell of abandoned FLDS houses in Southern Utah while affordable housing in Salt Lake City and Provo is scarce. Matching people up with available resources shouldn't be stigmatized by the "polygamist label."
I'd like to see the governor come out of the shadows and openly include adult polygamists as part of his constituency and as part of budgetary dialogue. Ignoring that subculture hasn't snuffed it out. It has merely deprived that group of voicing its needs, which are just as viable to the state budget as is any other group.
James A. Marples
Longview, Texas