| I hope you have been enjoying the cooler temperatures. I am always sorry to see the end of summer because hot weather is my favorite. It also means I have less time to get my bills and legislative priorities ready for the session. YIKES! |
| Interim In September, our interim committee meetings were held in St. George on the beautiful campus of Utah Tech. HERE is the link for Septembers Interim Highlights newsletter that includes links to reports, presentations, legislation, and other information. You can read prior editions here: https://le.utah.gov/lrgc/interimHighlights.jsp. The Revenue and Taxation Committee discussed property taxes, which I know a lot of you are interested in. The committee notes and links can be found on page 8 and 9 of the newsletter referenced above. As much as we sometimes might hate it, Utah’s overall tax system has served us very well and has contributed to our strong economy. Some tax groups and legislators are calling for us to eliminate the income tax, which can sound very tempting. However, many of the services that benefit us and our communities, such as providing roads, education, law enforcement, mental health services, courts, water systems, etc., have a monetary cost. I know that there is waste and that there are places we can save–I would love a red pen and line-item veto power. However, when we lower our income tax rate, more pressure is put on property and sales taxes to increase. It also increases our reliance on federal funds, which is problematic to say the least. |
| Covid Questions I have been receiving emails from constituents asking about the state’s anticipated Covid response as the number of cases has been increasing. The following is from the Department of Health and Human Services Director. “While there is an anticipated increase in COVID-19 during the upcoming respiratory virus season, the state, through the DHHS has no plans—now or in the future—to enact a mask mandate in Utah or institute any COVID-related response activities such as widespread community testing. The state’s response shifted over a year ago to align with a typical disease response similar to the seasonal flu. That being said, we continue to distribute home tests to schools and other community partners, with an emphasis on reaching vulnerable populations who may not otherwise have access. Additionally, as the state’s public health agency, we will continue to track prevalence of COVID-19 throughout the state and encourage Utahns to stay up-to-date on their immunizations and take precautions to keep themselves and those around them healthy as we approach this year’s respiratory virus season.” Warming Centers Last winter, my friend’s mother froze to death in downtown Provo. She was much loved and a warrior in many ways, but she had experienced repeated trauma and hardship throughout her life, suffered from mental illness, and was homeless. This past session, the legislature passed HB 499, which required counties to develop a winter response plan for the unsheltered. As part of that plan, homeless service agencies in Utah County have set up warming centers for the most vulnerable in our community. Following are answers to some commonly asked questions. What are warming centers? Warming centers are a nationwide best practice that create safe, warm spaces in the winter for individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. They are designed as temporary crisis facilities. Warming centers operate in public or private spaces and are intended to mitigate the life-threatening impact of cold weather for people who have nowhere to go. In Utah County, warming centers will be part of a multi-pronged approach to ensuring the welfare of individuals experiencing homelessness. Families with minor children, individuals fleeing domestic violence who cannot access a domestic violence shelter bed, and other especially vulnerable adults will be diverted to a room in a motel, paid for by partner service agencies. Are warming centers the same as emergency shelters? Warming centers and emergency shelters have very different functions in a community, both in their primary purpose, impact to the community, and scope of work. While emergency shelters offer year-round overnight accommodations, often with meals and extended stays, warming centers are more short-term, providing relief during extreme weather conditions. Our overnight warming centers will open each evening and they will close each morning. Individuals using the centers will leave at the specified closing times, minimizing any concerns about lingering in the neighborhoods. Warming centers are also usually located in existing structures, such as public buildings or private churches. Emergency shelters, on the other hand, are permanent structures in a community that offer comprehensive services, including overnight lodging, meals, showers and support services, and are accessible year-round to those experiencing homelessness. Volunteers and donations needed If you would like information about volunteering or being involved, please sign up at https://mountainlandcoc.org/get-involved.html and someone will reach out to you as this moves forward. Immediate donations of the following for service providers in our community are also needed, as the opening of our warming centers are still weeks away: Genesis Project — socks, blankets and tarps. Point of contact: Justin Banks, 801-755-7051. Community Action Services and Food Bank — sleeping bags, tarps and can openers. Donate at 815 S. Freedom Blvd., Provo. Orem City — compact sleeping bags and feminine hygiene products. Point of contact: Kamryn Wilson, kmwilson@orem.gov. Wasatch Behavioral Health — sleeping bags, hand warmers, backpacks, gloves and hats. Donate at the WATCH program, 299 E. 900 South Provo. For additional information on warming centers, click here or copy and paste https://www.heraldextra.com/news/community/2023/oct/01/continuum-of-care-introducing-winter-warming-centers-to-address-the-needs-of-homeless-community/ in your browser. Great Salt Lake License Plate Looking for a way to show your support for the Great Salt Lake? You can now sign up for a new Great Salt Lake license plate! Contributions will go towards conserving and protecting the GSL watershed and ecosystem. Click here to learn how you can get yours. In case you were wondering, group license plates are not funded through taxpayer dollars. |
 FREE EVENTTuesday, October 24, 20239:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Register to Attend In-Person OR Register to Attend Online _______________________________________________________________ Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce Growth & Prosperity Summit November 2nd, 2023 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Utah Valley University Join leaders, stakeholders, and over 500 attendees from diverse organizations at the Utah Valley Growth & Prosperity Compact Summit. We’ll focus on vital aspects like business, workforce, transportation, infrastructure, water, housing, healthcare, resources, and education. This event aims to inspire action, spark discussion, and foster reflection. Attendees will form a coalition to drive inclusive growth and prosperity in Utah Valley. Register now to shape the Valley’s economic prosperity and quality of life. Register Here _____________________________________________________________ Mental Health Services Awareness Night  Register Here _______________________________________________________________ |