2020 Legislative Session Week 2

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Checking In At The Legislature: 2020 Session Week 2

Get Your Family Registered To Vote

Voterise Press Conference on Friday, February, 7th celebrating HCR016 from 2019 declaring February 14th as Women Voter Registration Day in Utah, encouraging women to register to vote and bring their families with them. To watch this resolution introduced onto the floor of the House, click here. I loved bringing my daughter, Mary Katharine Ballard, as the first person to register to vote after the bill was signed by the governor on March 25th, 2019.

Photo with Mary Katharine

To My Neighbors,

It has been a busy week at the Capitol preparing bills that I hope will improve our state. Each bill requires collaboration and allows me to hear thoughts and opinions from wonderful people in our state. Recent national headlines have been focused on the acquittal of President Trump and Senator Romney’s vote against the President on the abuse of power charge. I was asked by Brian Mullahy of KUTV about the three legislators who have filed bills or resolutions relating to the outcome of the impeachment inquiries as it relates to Senator Romney. I told Brian that now, more than ever, we need to let the dust settle and take a step back from the emotion and anger that has been consuming the country. I am not in favor of voting on any resolution or legislation that isn’t well thought out and thoroughly vetted. Separate from the national scene, Utah legislators have been working hard to review proposed legislation and vote accordingly. I’ve been impressed with how much people work together in Utah politics. There’s a lot of people that meld opinions and passion to refine a bill before becomes law.

With all of that in mind, I’m grateful for one more thing Utah has done well: leading the way on women’s suffrage. Check out the celebrations happening this week at the Capitol celebrating the trailblazing Utah women who helped push for women to receive the right to vote throughout all of the western territories and states.

-Melissa

Upcoming Events:

WED FEBRUARY 12th
9:30-3:30pm at the Capitol: Better Days 2020 Celebrates 150th Anniversary of the first woman to vote in the United States and Territories, a Utahn named Seraph Young! In addition, we are celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment and the 55th Anniversary of the passing of the Voter Rights Act. HJR 12 encourages Utah women to continue to step forward and be actively engaged in civic life.

11:15am House of Representatives: my resolution HJR 12 will be voted upon, 11:45am in the Senate, 1:00-1:45pm press conference with the Governor to sign HJR 12 celebrating these commemorative 150th and 100th Anniversary events encouraging Utah women to engage in civic life.

FRI FEB 14th
12:15-2pm: Remembrance Walk for women voting rights anniversary

SAT FEB 15th
10-11:30pm: Bagels and Briefings, legislative update open to the public at Rep. Ray Ward’s home

FEB 24th
7-8:30pm: Family Night at the Capitol, or text me for your tour on a different day

In This Issue:

Bagels and Briefings at my home
Two of my bills heard in committee:
- HJR12 – 150th Anniversary of Utah having the first woman in the country to vote
- HB40 – Water Loss Accounting Act
South Davis Fire Chiefs, UHP, National Guard Strategic Command, and community advocate Pamela Atkinson
UVU President, SLCC VP, school district administrators, and Odyssey Elementary 4th grade teacher
Utah Mother of the Year – foster mother to more than 100 children
Congressman Rob Bishop visiting the Majority Caucus

Bagels and Briefings

We had a great legislative update and discussion with neighbors and friends along with Rep. Ray Ward at my home during Bagels and Briefings. I hope you will come to our next Bagels and Briefings!

HJR 12

I presented HJR 12, a resolution celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the first woman to vote who was from Utah! The resolution also celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment and the 55th Anniversary of the Voter Rights Act encourages Utah women to continue to be involved in civic life and step forward to make a difference. Click here to read the resolution and click here to listen to me present it in the committee.

Photo with Kylie Howard, Director of Operations for Utah Cultural Alliance in Government Operations legislative committee.

Presenting H.B. 40

I presented H.B. 40, the Water Loss Accounting Act, to the House Natural Resource Committee. To read the bill, click here and to hear me presenting the bill, click here.

Our NSL Neighbor, Deputy Fire Chief Dane Stone

With our very own South Davis Deputy Fire Chief, Dane Stone from North Salt Lake (right), and South Davis Fire Chief Jeff Bassett (left). Thanks for all that you do to serve our community and to help keep us safe!

Speaking To Utah Highway Patrol Chiefs

Speaking to UHP Chiefs across the state regarding preventing recidivism and improving safety.

National Guard Strategic Command

With leaders from the National Guard Strategic Command, Administrative Officers of the Major Commands (MACOMS) of the Utah National Guard.

Pamela Atkinson

I was joined by Pamela Atkinson, a community advocate, known as “Utah’s Mother Theresa.”

Meeting With Presidents Of Higher Education Institutions

Meeting with various university presidents, college presidents, school district administration, and teachers making a difference to understand how various proposed legislation or bills affect their institutions. Working together always leads to better results.

With Salt Lake Community College VP Tim Sheehan

UVU Pres Astrid Tuminex, VP Cameron Martin, Director of Community and Government

Mike Anderson from Jordan School District, Rob Smith from Alpine School District discussing my upcoming bills HB236 and HB251 with Mike Anderson from Jordan School District, Rob Smith from Alpine School District

Our Awesome 4th Grade Teacher, Mrs. Wright, From Odyssey Elementary

Young Cadet Lizzy Webber and Rachel Wright, a 4th-grade teacher at Odyssey Elementary, were at the Capitol with Hope Street Group Utah. Hope Street is a group that works to help teachers share their stories to elevate the voice of educators and help stakeholders work together for our students.

Utah Mother of The Year

Barbara Booth of Ogden was nominated as the “Utah Mother of the Year”. She has six of her own children and has been a foster mother to more than 100 children in 27 years, and adopted one of them.