Happy July!
I hope this finds you happy and healthy! Here is a quick update. Next month I will write about some of the bills and issues I am working on.
Interim Committee Meetings
Our legislative session runs from the 3rd week of January through the 1st week of March. From April-November, we work on legislation, attend task force and working group meetings, and attend Interim Committee meetings. At these meetings, Senators and Representatives meet together and work on study items submitted by legislators. You can find all things interim, including schedules and study topics, by going to le.utah.gov and clicking on the Resources tab on the bottom left. To quickly find proposed interim study topics, you can click HERE.
HERE are summaries of June’s interim meetings. There will be no interim meetings in July, but we willl meet again on August 16-17th. During interim we also do a deep dive into the budgets of our appropriations committees. You can find the members and agendas of the appropriations committees here.
New State Prison
The need for a new state prison has been pressing for a decade. Last month, the Utah Department of Corrections unveiled the new State Correctional Facilities which should both protect public safety and improve social outcomes. This new facility is better for inmates, our corrections officers, and the state. Read more about the new prison and how the state is planning to use the land at the old prison site HERE.
Personally, I think the new prison is too far away from cities and towns where employees, family, friends, and volunteers live. An important component for an inmate to rehabilitate is to have support from family and friends, and the traveling required for visitors is going to be a barrier. Same for employees and volunteers. Hopefully, I am proven wrong.
Geneva Road Construction
I received the following update from UDOT about Geneva Road construction:
Construction crews have been working along the shoulder areas of Geneva Road. Beginning Monday, July 11 through 13, work will shift into the roadway to relocate a water line. Motorists should expect one-way traffic with flaggers posted to direct traffic safely through the work zone.
Ongoing Activities:
In addition to the water line work, crews will be boring a conduit underneath Geneva Rd the week of July 11. This work is not expected to affect traffic lanes at this time.
Project Summary:
In coordination with Provo City, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) will begin installing a new traffic signal at the intersection of Geneva Road (SR-114) and 2000N. Provo/2000 S. Orem. In addition to the signal, this project will build intersection improvements to enhance safety for pedestrians and drivers.
Initial work will include relocating utility lines (water, communication, power, etc.). Crews are scheduled to work Monday thru Friday, with occasional Saturdays between 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Minimal delays are anticipated except when crews place mast arms and install the signal lights over the roadway. The signal is planned to be operational mid-to-late August.
Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.
Project Contact Information:
Contact 888-704-4301 or email, [email protected] for any questions.
Utah Poison Control Center–800-222-1222
One of the great resources we have in Utah is the Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC), a 24-hour resource for poison information and educational resources. They serve the state of Utah with immediate phone support in a poisoning crisis. My loved ones and I have called UPCC many times and have been quickly helped by the staff of certified, highly educated specialists.
The service is free and private. By calling 1-800-222-1222 you will save time getting the information you need immediately. Please don’t hesitate to contact them for any questions you have about possible toxins and poisons.
In 2021, they handled 47,229 cases–about 129 new cases per day. Click HERE for their annual report, or go to their website, where you can find trending and historical reports. For example, click here to access a report on medical cannabis and HERE for an article on testing water for lead in Utah schools (a new legislative requirement from this year)..
If you have any questions or comments, please let me know!