| MASK MANDATES I have received a lot of emails asking whether the legislature is going to mandate masks and/or vaccinations, and there have been thoughtful and heartfelt concerns and fears on both sides of this issue. To be clear, the Governor issued the statewide mask mandate last year under the executive’s emergency powers, not the legislature, and the legislature has no plans to statutorily mandate masks or vaccines. Local health departments, in conjunction with elected officials at the county level, are able to implement mask mandates and take action to protect the health of citizens. Additionally, the Governor has the ability to call a state of emergency if deemed necessary for up to 30 days. A state of emergency can be extended beyond the 30 days with the approval of the legislature. Recommendations released for K-12 schools Regarding school, in-person instruction is crucial to the success of our students. To this end, the State Department of Health has published recommendations that were developed after extensive discussion and input from stakeholders including local school administrators, local health officers, the Utah Education Association, parents, physicians, locally elected officials, the state legislature, and the Governor’s Office. The UDOH strongly recommends the following prevention strategies in K-12 schools:Encouraging everyone 12 years and older to get vaccinated for COVID-19Wearing a mask when indoorsIsolating at home if you test positive for COVID-19Quarantine and other protective measures after a school exposureTesting for COVID-19Staying home when you’re sickPhysical distancing and cohortingImproving or increasing indoor ventilationHygiene practicesCleaning and disinfectionStudents who are exposed to someone at school who tests positive for COVID-19, can continue to come to school if:They are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, orThey and the person who tested positive were both wearing masks, orThey have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, orThey were wearing a N95 or KN95 mask, even if the person who tested positive was not wearing a mask. (The Governor announced yesterday the intent to make available an N95 or KN95 mask to any student who may want to wear one.) Ultimately, parents will decide what is best for their student and their family. This plan promotes parental choice and strives to prevent kids from further disruptions in their education. Counties, schools, and local communities retain flexibility to address new developments with the virus using local data. Recommendations may be different across the state. Parents and school staff who have questions about how COVID-19 will be handled in their school or at extracurricular activities should contact their local health department or school for more information. The UDOH recommendations can be found at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/education. COVID-19 vaccinations are FREE and available to anyone 12 and older. The Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for children 12 to 17 years. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines are authorized for people ages 18 and older. Visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine to learn more about the vaccines and find a vaccine provider near you. |
| RENTAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE Utah’s Housing Market As everyone knows, Utah’s housing and rental prices have continued to skyrocket. According to the Utah Realtor’s June monthly market report, housing prices show a 30% increase over this same time last year to a new median home sale price of $450,000, I listened to a report recently that stated Utah had about 20,000 less homes on the market than in previous years; the supply can’t keep up with buyer demand, and so prices keep rising. Potential home buyers have been priced out of buying and so keep renting, limiting the stock of available rentals and contributing to the steadily rising cost of rent. The July report from the Utah Housing Coalition reported that the fair market rent for a two bedroom apartment in Utah is $1,051. To have enough money to pay for food and other expenses, it is advised (and required by many landlords) that families and individuals not pay more than 30% of their income to housing. This means that a full-time worker would need to earn at least $20.21 per hour ($3,503/month or $42,036/year) to avoid being cost burdened (or to qualify) for the average two bedroom apartment. According to this same report, the average renter in Utah earns only $15.66 per hour, and many families’ and individuals’ situations have been made worse by the pandemic. Rental Assistance Utah has a Rental Assistance Program, called ERAP (Emergency Rental Assistance Program), that is funded by the federal government. The state has approximately $213 million in rental assistance for Utah rental households who qualify. If Utah renters do not use this money, it will be sent to other states.To qualify, rental households must:1. Either last year (2020), or in the last 60 days, have income less than 80% of Annual Median Income (AMI) in their county (see table below)2. Have been directly or indirectly affected by Covid 19 by income reduction, expense increase or other financial hardship3. Be able to show a risk of housing instability or homelessness. RENTERS: You can apply yourself. There are housing advocates, such as the Utah Housing Coalition, who can help. LANDLORDS: The state will pay a fee of up to $150 per application. Contact the Utah Apartment Association for more details.Annual Median Income In Utah County, to qualify for assistance, the household must make less than: For one person: $45,050 For two people: $51,450 For three people: $57,900 For four people: $64,300 For five people: $69,450 For six people: $74,600 For seven people: $79,750 For eight people: $84,900 (To see the AMI for all counties, click here: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html#2020_query) You can find more information about this program HERE, but I think it is easier to go through the housing advocates or Apartment Association. I was interviewed as part of a news report on rentals in Utah. You can read the article HERE. REDISTRICTING Utah Independent Redistricting Commission Utah Voters approved a referendum for an independent redistricting commission. This commission has been meeting with citizens and leaders all over Utah and would like your input. Census numbers come out this month, and maps have to be finalized by October. Click here to see upcoming meetings, have your voice heard, and be part of this once-in-a-decade process. Legislative Redistricting Committee There is also a Legislative Redistricting Committee. This fall, they will travel across Utah and hold public hearings to gather input, listen to constituents, and receive feedback. While in-person attendance is encouraged, public hearings will have a virtual option. Click here to view the full schedule and participate in this opportunity. OTHER NEWS ARPA Local Match Program During the 2021 First Special Session, the Legislature appropriated $50 million of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to create a statewide grant program for local governments to complete local and regional ARPA eligible projects. Click here for more information and to view the application timeline. Opioid Crisis Agreement Gov. Spencer Cox and Attorney General Sean D. Reyes announced a historic $26 billion agreement that will help bring desperately needed relief to people across the country who are struggling with opioid addiction. The agreement requires significant industry changes that will help prevent this type of crisis from ever happening again. Click here to read more. Podcast The Utah House of Representatives podcast is a great way to stay up-to-date on current events happening in Utah politics. The most recent episodes cover Utah’s drought and an inside look at the Office of the Legislative Auditor General. You can listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Upcoming Events Wasatch County Fair August 2-7 Bear Lake Raspberry Days August 5-8 Utah County Fair August 5-7 Paiute Trail Jamboree (Marysvale) August 11-14 Cache County Fair & Rodeo August 11-14 Western Legends Heritage and Music Festival (Kanab) August 14-15 Rich County Fair August 16-21 Davis County Fair August 18-21 Utah State Fair Sept 9-19 Brigham City Peach Days Sept 10-11 Dreamscapes- Immersive Art Exhibit (Salt Lake) Now until December Thursday-Sunday Cedar Saturday Market (Cedar City) Every Saturday Tuacahn Saturday Market Every Saturday Tuacahn Amphitheater (St. George) Outdoor theatre shows now until October 21 Downtown Farmers Market (Salt Lake City) Saturday’s June- October Provo Farmers Market Saturday’s now-October Park City Farmers Market Wednesday’s now-October Utah Shakespeare Festival (Cedar City) now-October If you have any questions or comments, please let me know. Have a great last month of summer! Conserve water (the drought is still here despite the incredible rain we have had–drought is determined by snowpack) and be safe! |