Month: January 2017

25Jan

Daily Buzz: January 25, 2017

Overview of the Day:

Governor Gary Herbert gave his State of the State address tonight in the Utah House Chamber. He discussed the following specific issues: homelessness, education, alcohol regulations, air quality, and the economy. Governor Herbert declared “the state of our state is truly exceptional.” We look forward to continuing to work alongside the governor this session.

Annual Capitol Event: Maps on the Hill

Maps on the Hill takes place each year in the State Capitol Rotunda during our Utah Legislative Session. The Utah Geographic Information Council (UGIC) and AGRC put on the event. Students and professional topographers teach elected officials and the general public about maps and new mapping technologies. These presentations also demonstrate how mapping technologies can be used to support lawmakers in their decisions.

Tomorrow’s Legislative Schedule

8:00 AM: Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee

8:00 AM: Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee

8:00 AM: Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee

8:00 AM: Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee

11:00 AM: House Chamber, House Floor Time

2:00 PM: House Judiciary Committee REVISED

2:00 PM: House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee

2:00 PM: House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee

2:00 PM: House Transportation Committee REVISED

4:00 PM: Legislative Audit Subcommittee

5:00 PM: Point of the Mountain Development Commission

5:30 PM: Executive Appropriations Committee REVISED

24Jan

Daily Buzz: January 24, 2017

Overview of the Day:

The Utah House of Representatives met on the floor to debate eight bills this morning. House Bill 12, sponsored by Representative Steve Eliason, stirred the most discussion on the House Floor before being successfully passed.

This bill ensures the inclusion of a place for voters to write an email address and phone number on absentee ballot return envelopes. Poll workers will use this contact information if a returned ballot is rejected. A poll worker will then contact a voter via email or text, and the voter will be permitted to correct their rejected ballot.

Meet a New Representative: Susan Pulsipher

Representative Susan Pulsipher now represents District 50 in South Jordan. She received her B.S. degree in education and went on to get her Master’s in education leadership with an emphasis in policy from BYU. She has been both a member and the president of the Jordan School District Board. Rep. Pulsipher’s two heroes are Martha Hughes Cannon, the first female state legislator in the US and also Utah, and Abraham Lincoln. She’s a great addition to the House!

Legislative Schedule – Wed., January 25, 2017

8:00 AM: Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee

8:00 AM: Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee

8:00 AM: Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee

8:00 AM: Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee

11:00 AM: House Chamber, House Floor Time

2:00 PM: House Business and Labor Committee

2:00 PM: House Education Committee

2:00 PM: House Health and Human Services Committee REVISED

2:00 PM: Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee

2:00 PM: Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee

2:00 PM: Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee

6:30 PM: Governor’s State of State Address (House Chambers)

23Jan

Daily Buzz: January 23, 2017

Overview of the Day:

As part of the opening ceremonies for the 2017 Legislative Session today, Speaker of the House Greg Hughes gave an impactful speech after being sworn in. Listen in here to learn what current legislation Speaker Hughes finds most important to improve upon and change this year.

Justice Reform Initiative Success Story: Brandon Kitchen

After being convicted of a federal crime in another state and spending 21 years in the Utah State Prison, Brandon Kitchen was released into a strange city – homeless, jobless and unsure of where to go next.

Brandon just happened to meet a woman who told him about the Road Home, and that is where he spent his first night of freedom. He still recalls the palpable feelings of despair that permeated the facility and its inhabitants.

At one point, Brandon recalls, he faced losing his bed at the shelter as a consequence of having a job; he was told there was no way for him to have both because leaving to work a job kept him from standing in line all day for a bed. Eventually, through the efforts of the Pioneer Park Coalition, a workers’ bed program was instituted to help those like Brandon, who were trying to become self-reliant.

The morning after he arrived at the shelter, Brandon met Salt Lake City Police Deputy Chief Fred Ross, who told him about the department’s Homeless Outreach Service Team (HOST) program. This program allowed him to secure a job and within three weeks, Brandon worked his way out of the shelter and into transitional housing. Soon after, he moved into his own apartment and is now living with his partner, Heather, and their twin boys, born June 9^th.

Despite his past, Brandon understands that self-reliance is the path his future will follow. As he will tell you, Fred Ross, Scott Howell, HOST, the Pioneer Park Coalition and others, they showed me the way. They gave me hope. Not a handout, but a hand-up. That’s the key.

Legislative Schedule for Jan. 24, 2016

8:00 AM: Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee REVISED

8:00 AM: Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee

8:00 AM: Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee

8:00 AM: Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee

11:00 AM: House Chamber, House Floor Time

2:00 PM: House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee REVISED

2:00 PM: House Government Operations Committee REVISED

2:00 PM: House Political Subdivisions Committee

2:00 PM: House Revenue and Taxation Committee

23Jan

Martin Luther King, Jr. Message

The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who faced vitriol, anger and persecution throughout his life stood up to declare truth, and in so doing changed the course of history.

We are again living in a time of increasing division and unrest. The solutions are simple, but elusive. And if we fail to find and embrace them, we risk leaving our children with a world far more bleak than that which we’ve inhabited. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Be the light. Show your love. Change the world.

23Jan

Media Statement: Historic Milestone as Legislature Opens 2017 General Session

Media Statement
For Immediate Release:
January 23, 2017

Contact:
Elizabeth Converse, Communications Director
Utah House Minority Caucus
801-835-7087 | econverse@le.utah.gov

Historic Milestone as Legislature Opens 2017 General Session

Salt Lake City – For the first time in Utah legislative history, the two most senior members of the House of Representatives are both women and Democrats. Representatives Patrice Arent and Carol Spackman Moss hold the distinction of having served 16 sessions at the legislature.

Representative Arent said, “This is a historic time for women in Utah for many reasons. We will see the largest march at the Utah Capitol today led by women and for women’s rights. Women are a vital part of our state’s economy. Women are vital to the very fabric that created our beautiful state. We are proud to serve as legislators and continue the work.”

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01Jan

Happy New Year 2017

As 2016 comes to an end, with all its experiences, challenges and celebrations now just memories, we look forward to the opportunities of another year. New friendships, new encounters, new answers and hopefully new and greater accomplishments await each of us. May your 2017 be full of renewed hope, love, peace and joy.