The Beehive State has surprised the nation more than a few times – Salt Lake City ranks as one of the most gay-friendly cities in the country, and we elected our first female state senator in 1896 – but we still have a long way to go. Utah ranks 47th in the nation the percentage of women in elected office. Our hate crime laws are vague and ineffective; recent efforts to strengthen the language have been only weakly supported. Local government officials have openly refused to retract racist statements.
Every Utahn deserves to lead a safe and productive life, regardless of their gender, sexual identity, or the color of their skin.
Press Release: Senator Ipson comments about police violence are obscene
PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2020 Salt Lake City, UT – During a discussion on police K9 certifications during a Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee meeting earlier today, Senator Don Ipson made controversial comments about complaints about use of police dogs. Sen. Ipson voted to explore the issue …
5 Ways to Get Unstuck: A small act now can lead to a new direction in January
Shauna Bona is a Better Utah board member. My friend LaVonne recently created a Facebook meme highlighting the fact that our next presidential inauguration day is a palindrome: 1/20/21. What could it portend? Most of the comments that followed saw the palindrome as a positive sign—an omen of good change. …
Some lawmakers are already doing the work
In January of 2018, I attended a panel aimed at millennials to better understand Utah’s Legislative Session. It had been nearly a year since I had graduated from law school, and I was still struggling to find work and searching for purpose. I felt too shy to show up to …
Utah Legislature passes elective abortion ban but mandatory ultrasound bill stalls in House
This article originally appeared in the Deseret News. Read it in its entirety here. SALT LAKE CITY — Several minutes after it was brought to the floor for final approval of Senate amendments, a bill requiring doctors to show a woman her ultrasound before performing an abortion was put on hold in the House. Sponsor Rep. Steve Christiansen, R-West Jordan, told …
Poll: Most Utahns would oppose tighter abortion restrictions
This article originally appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. Read it in its entirety here. Newly released polling data suggests most Utahns are against tightening restrictions on abortion in the state, even as lawmakers consider measures aimed at virtually eliminating the procedure.Seventy percent of those surveyed initially said they either supported loosening the state’s abortion laws or leaving them the same, …
Utah lawmakers eyeing more restrictions on abortion
This article originally appeared in the Deseret News. Read it in its entirety here. SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers may be moving into the heated abortion debate, as a proposed bill would require a doctor or clinician to perform an ultrasound before performing an abortion, or face a hefty fine. Another bill filed late Friday would ban abortions outright, with …
The progressive veteran voice
Daniel Pohorelsky is a legislative intern with Alliance for a Better Utah. Many young Americans join the Armed forces for the college benefits, and I was no different. I am currently in my Senior year at the University of Utah, majoring in Environmental and Sustainability studies. I chose this degree …
Women seeking abortion would have to undergo ultrasound and listen to heartbeat first under Republican bill
This article originally appeared in Yahoo! News. Read it in its entirety here. Utah women seeking an abortion would have to undergo an ultrasound and listen to the fetal heartbeat first, a new Republican bill requires. The bill was introduced on Wednesday to the state legislature by freshman representative Steve Christiansen. Under the law, physicians would be required to “describe the …
