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.
Utah lawmaker proposes one of nation’s strictest abortion laws
This article originally appeared in the Deseret News. Read it in its entirety here. SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah lawmaker is proposing what would be one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. Rep. Cheryl Acton, R-West Jordan, has filed a bill to ban abortions in the state after 15 weeks gestation, with some exceptions. Acton said she decided to …
He thought he avoided criminal charges, but now a second prosecutor is looking into the San Juan County clerk after he attempted to oust a Navajo candidate
This article originally appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. Read it in its entirety here. Should the San Juan County clerk face criminal charges for falsifying a document in a failed attempt to boot a Navajo candidate from the November ballot? An outside prosecutor said no late last month. But that won’t be the final word, as the county attorney is seeking a second review of …
A Utah lawmaker wants to ban abortions after 15 weeks. If her bill passes, it would be among the most restrictive laws in the nation.
This article originally appeared in The Salt Lake Tribune. Read it in its entirety here. A Utah representative has introduced a bill that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of gestation, a law that would be among the most restrictive in the nation. The state’s existing law allows abortions up until a fetus is viable outside the womb, or well into the second trimester. By …
San Juan County clerk who falsified a document to oust Navajo Willie Grayeyes from ballot won’t face charges
This article originally appeared in The Salt Lake Tribune. Read it in its entirety here. In one of his last acts as county attorney, Grand County’s top prosecutor declined to file criminal charges against a San Juan County clerk who illegally booted a Navajo candidate — now a county commissioner — from the November ballot. Former Grand County Attorney Andrew Fitzgerald sent a letter …
‘I’m sure it’s a culture shock for most of you’: Navajos take the majority on the San Juan County Commission
This article originally appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. Read it in its entirety here. Monticello • After a hard-won and historic victory that will shift the body from a long-standing white Republican majority to a Democratic and American Indian one, the new San Juan County Commission took the oath of office in a packed ceremony Monday. The occasion was met with celebration from many …
Press Release: Lee’s Obstruction of EEOC Nominee is Disservice to All
PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 17, 2018 Salt Lake City, UT – On Monday, it was reported that Utah Senator Mike Lee has chosen to block a nominee to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for her alleged views on LGBTQ rights and religious freedom, even though the nominee has clarified …
#BelieveSurvivors
I was going to tell you my sexual assault story. But I can’t. It’s not that I can’t bring myself to tell it. IT’S THAT I DON’T HAVE ONE. I’ve got nothing, nada, zip. No one has ever made me feel uncomfortable, made a suggestion that made me wince, used …
Press Release: Better Utah Statement Regarding Senate Judiciary Committee Vote
PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 28, 201 BETTER UTAH STATEMENT REGARDING SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE VOTE Salt Lake City, UT – Today, Utah Senators Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee joined nine of their colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee to recommend Brett Kavanaugh to the full Senate for a confirmation vote …
