PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 3, 2019
Salt Lake City, UT – Today, Representative Karen Kwan announced her intent to run a bill in the coming 2020 General Legislative Session that would make Utah the 38th state to ratify the ERA. As the 38th state to ratify, Utah would be the last state needed to put the amendment into the U.S. Constitution.
Katie Matheson, communications director for Alliance for a Better Utah, issued the following statement:
“As was pointed out by the late Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia, there is no firm foundation in the U.S. Constitution that protects the equality of men and women. In contrast, Utah’s founders had the foresight to enshrine it in our state Constitution, and the men and women of Utah have enjoyed this protection since 1896. Just like our state’s founders had the moral courage to include equal rights in the state Constitution, we call on Utah Legislators to hearken back to this heritage and share with the nation the same benefits that we in Utah have enjoyed by ratifying this amendment and building that foundation across the country.
“Utah is a great place to live because of many things, including our own Equal Rights Amendment. We now have an opportunity to be good neighbors, as well as a leader in the nation, by ratifying this amendment and demonstrating our values of respect and fairness. The Legislature’s action on this critical issue would set in stone actual and lasting protections for our sons and daughters as they grow up and head out into an unknown future. As a parent, ratification of the ERA would give me a sense of relief to know that no matter where my kids live in the United States, they will enjoy the same protections that they enjoy here in Utah.”
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Alliance for a Better Utah is a nonprofit that holds politicians accountable and advocates for progressive policies that make Utah an even better place. The organization improves the lives of all Utahns through advocacy, transparency, and accountability in Utah politics, policy, and government. More information at www.betterutah.org.