utah legislature | Alliance for a Better Utah

Lauren Simpson: Utah’s lawmakers are in election-year mode

Better Utah March 14, 2020

This article originally appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. Read it in its entirety here. The Utah legislative session felt different this year. Between COVID-19, an instant repeal of the tax reform passed by the Legislature one month prior and an uncharacteristically slow release of bills, Capitol Hill veterans agreed it was a singularly unique session. And on top of all that, the cloud of the 2020 election loomed over every

45 days of intensity

Kathryn Calderon March 12, 2020

After 45 days of an intense legislative session, I think many of us can agree that it feels more like we’ve aged a few years. These seven weeks brought both the highs that reinvigorated our passion for the issues we fight for, as well as the humbling lows that on some days, brought us to

Utah Legislature approves Better Boundaries deal

Better Utah March 11, 2020

This article originally appeared in the Deseret News. Read it in its entirety here. SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Legislature has officially signed off on a deal struck between lawmakers and backers of a voter-approved citizens initiative creating an independent redistricting commission to recommend new legislative, congressional and State School Board boundaries following the census every decade. The Utah House of Representatives on Wednesday voted

Deal reached between lawmakers, Better Boundaries on redistricting

Better Utah February 26, 2020

This article originally appeared in the Deseret News. Read it in its entirety here. SALT LAKE CITY — A deal has been struck between lawmakers and backers of a voter-approved citizens initiative creating an independent redistricting commission to recommend new legislative, congressional and State School Board boundaries following the census every decade. “We have a deal in principle,” said Rebecca Chavez-Houck, a former Democratic state representative

Invisible barriers

Mackenzie Heim February 14, 2020

Last month I started my internship with Alliance for a Better Utah. On my first day, I walked up the steps to the Utah State Capitol wide-eyed and eager to see politics in action. I was first stunned by the intricate details of the rotunda, but now I’m more intrigued by what’s happening on the

Press Release: Utah citation honoring Trump show state leaders afraid of a bully

Better Utah February 11, 2020

PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2020 Salt Lake City, UT – Following Sen. Romney’s vote to convict President Donald Trump of abuse of power, Utah Speaker of the House Brad Wilson and Senate President Stuart Adams have told press they plan to issue a joint citation praising President Donald Trump thanking him “for his

Special interests provided 93.5% of donations to Utah legislators last year

Better Utah January 20, 2020

This story first appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. You can find it in its entirety here. Utah’s legislators didn’t need to raise much campaign money in 2019, since it was not an election year for them. They still amassed plenty — and special interest groups supplied 93.5% of it, about $14 of every $15.

Time for Utah to be pro-family in action, not just words

Katie Matheson October 27, 2019

This commentary originally appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. Recently, a group of Utah lawmakers introduced a “pro-family” bill package featuring expanded contraceptive access, comprehensive sex education, infertility coverage, childcare options and family leave policies. As a parent, I was impressed. If we are serious about wanting to be a pro-family state in action and

Press Release: Better Utah responds to tax reform proposal

Better Utah October 18, 2019

PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 18, 2019 Salt Lake City, UT – Today, the Tax Restructuring and Equalization Task Force released its first draft of a new tax reform proposal. The tax proposal includes restoration of the full sales tax on food, lowers the income tax rate, and proposes eliminating the tax earmark for education,

Little to report from Utah tax reform task force until town halls start next week

Mackenzie Heim June 19, 2019

This story originally appeared on deseret.com. Read it in its entirety here. There wasn’t much to say during the first official report of the Legislature’s Tax Restructuring and Equalization Task Force to lawmakers on Wednesday. “No work has been done. Of course, I’m joking,” Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan, told the Revenue and Taxation Interim

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