2023 September — MELISSA BALLARD

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CHECKING IN AT THE LEGISLATURE:
September 2023

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

During our September interim meetings, we discussed critical Utah issues including water, housing, homelessness, major transportation projects, and the rise of AI and how it impacts business and privacy. I am excited to invite you all to my Carnegie Debut Preview Concert at the University of Utah on Monday, October 2, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. You can get tickets here.

Thank you once again for your unwavering support and trust. It is truly an honor to serve you in the legislature, and I am committed to working hard for our community.

Warmest regards,

Melissa Ballard

Helpful Links

See the September Interim highlights here and all other interims here
See the New Funding Follow-up report here
Click here to see all the bills passed in the 2023 legislative sessions
Listen to Carl Albrecht discuss challenges in our State's energy sector as well as potential solutions on the House Podcast here
Show your love for the Great Salt Lake by signing up for a new Great Salt Lake License plate here
See these links for more information on my Carnegie Hall performance and tickets to my concert at Libby Gardner Hall

In this Issue:

Information on my Carnegie Hall and U of U Performances
September 11th
Female Education in Utah Prisons has expanded
Community events
Constitution Reading Livestream Sept. 27

NYC Carnegie Hall and U of U Performances

If you can’t come to Carnegie Hall in NYC, come hear us Oct 2 at Libby Gardner Hall at the UofU. For tickets to the performance at the UofU see this link. To get tickets to the Carnegie Hall performance see this link. Also, check out this video from FOX 13 News about it here.

Septemeber 11th

I received the "Hunter's Heisman Trophy" for my work with Utah Veterans and reforestation efforts on September 11, 2023, at Bruin Point, the site of the highest American flag in the USA at over 10,000 ft. In attendance were decorated veterans, first responders, and Utah veterans. Notable figures included Benghazi Mark "Oz" Geist of "13 Hours," John Wayne Walding of the battle of Shok Valley in Afghanistan, Clint Romesha of the “Outpost” and a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, and Harry McMaster, a 9/11 first responder from the NYC Fire Department. I am so grateful for those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

Female Education in Prisons

Davis Technical College (Davis Tech) and the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) announced the launch of three new certification programs for women at the Utah State Correctional Facility today, thanks to HB194 that I sponsored requiring the same access to education for women as men. The programs provide valuable skills and knowledge to help incarcerated women successfully transition back into their communities. See the press release here.

Two great community events:

Breakfast with Utah woman business leaders and Baroness Emma Nicholson, Member of the UK Parliament and recipient of BYU honorary doctorate. Her influence in gathering dozens of women to be in UK politics is astounding. She has been a champion of women’s rights across the world. Also, it was great to hear Sen. Mitch McConnell and Secretary Elaine Chao speak in SLC! Great Honor from the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation.