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Checking In At The Legislature: 2023
Legislative Session Week Five

With just two weeks left, things at the Capitol are busier than ever. This week two of my bills passed the House HB138 Sensitive Material Requirements and HB82 School Assembly Notification. HB138 holds vendors accountable for violating the law when they add pornographic or sensitive materials into the K-12 curriculum and provides a way for students and parents to submit the offensive material to the district to be removed within 60 days. HB82  requires schools to notify parents at least three days in advance of subjects being talked about in an upcoming school assembly. I am honored to serve each member of my district by sponsoring legislation that will improve the lives of families and individuals.  

Melissa
Photo on the House Floor with Woods Cross resident Payton Carlile

Upcoming Events:

  • NO Saturday Townhall this week- ENJOY President’s Day Weekend! 

Helpful Links:

IN THIS ISSUE

  • Largest Tax Cut in State History! 
  • Celebrating Women’s suffrage 
  • Limiting Government overreach 
  • Visitors at the Capitol

Largest Tax Cut in State History!  

Over the last two years, the Legislature reduced taxes by nearly $300 million. This session, we are proposing an additional $400 million in tax relief. H.B. 54 Tax Revisions will be heard in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee early next week and provides tax relief to individuals and families in all stages of life by: 

  • Cutting the income tax rate from 4.85% to 4.65%. 

  • Expanding social security tax credit eligibility to individuals earning between $0 to $75,000 per year. 

  • Providing a tax benefit for pregnancy by allowing a double dependent exemption for children the year of their birth. 

  • Increasing the earned income tax credit (EITC) from 15% to 20% of the federal credit. 

Celebrating Women’s Suffrage 

On February 14th, 1870, Seraph Young of Utah became the first woman in all the states and territories to vote! In honor of her memory and to celebrate this historic event, our female legislators and staff wore purple and celebrated February 14th Women Voter Registration Day. I am grateful to work with each of these amazing women. Pictured are women in the Utah House, Lt. Gov Henderson and her female staff members, House staff, and interns.  

Limiting Government Overreach  

Over the last several years, we have seen efforts to use non-financial criteria to shade and skew financial markets. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards imposed on businesses and financial institutions distort the free market and place real costs on the people of Utah. As a Legislature, we are taking proactive measures against investment schemes based on assessments of businesses’ and individuals’ political beliefs. 

HB 281: Social Credit Score Amendments prohibit governmental entities in Utah from using, enforcing, or providing data for a system that discriminates or gives preferential treatment to an individual. Similarly, SB 96: Fiduciary Duty Modifications ensures any state investment is done without regard to political, environmental, or social considerations of companies. Both bills passed committee this week and will be voted on in their perspective bodies.   

Neighbors Visiting The Capitol: 

  1. Dr. Stephen Ferguson and Ryan Hogan
  2. Sundy Watanabe Assoc Instructor with the UofU Utah Global Program, and her class
  3. Emily and Dr. Elango Elangovan from OxEon Energy in NSL
  4. Jake Christensen with the Utah Bankers Assoc
  5. Don Perry testifying about the Best Defense Foundation
  6. Jason and Mary Catherine Perry with the PAC 12 Championship trophy!! 
My daughter, Mary Katharine Ballard Wolvington, and her students in the Washington Elem after-school program visited the capitol with multiple Salt Lake School District after-school classes.  

Crystal Bayat  

We honored Crystal Bayat- she is an Afghan social activist and human rights advocate who helps women by providing food, education, and empowerment. She created the Crystal Bayat Foundation to fight for women’s rights in Afghanistan after the US troops withdrew in 2021 and all women and girls lost all rights. Crystal has been recognized as one of BBC’s top influential women around the world, while many other outlets have given her a voice on their platforms. Click Here to visit her website and watch the video. 
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MELISSA GARFF BALLARD






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