July 2019 — MELISSA BALLARD

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Checking In At The Legislature: July 2019

"WE ARE FOREVER INDEBTED TO THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES THAT WE MIGHT BE FREE." – RONALD REAGAN

July is a time to reflect on the liberty and freedom we enjoy in this country because of the great men and women who have given their lives for many generations. I’m honored to know that I am a direct descendant of early pilgrims and Ulysses S. Grant. My husband is a direct descendant of those on the Mayflower and in Washington’s army. My brother-in-law is a recently retired Commodore of the US Navy who was the commanding officer over the first flight squadron that dropped bombs over Afghanistan in Oct 2001 just a few weeks after 9/11. Everyone knows someone who has lived and died for the sake of our freedoms.
I am reminded of two great quotes from Ronald Reagan. “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” "All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” With these quotes in mind during the 2019 legislative session, I’m proud to let you know that we passed a bill requiring that every Utah High School student know the difference between capitalism, socialism, communism, theocracy, democracy (and many others), but also understand which countries are currently living under those regimes and principles. I hope this will empower the next generation to know what has made our country great and have dinner table discussions over what they can do to protect our freedoms from being one generation away from extinction.

I also wanted to take some time and let you know what has been happening this month. In this update you will find:

What you can do to help Better Days 2020
West Bountiful's 4th of July parade
My tour of the Stadler passenger train manufacturing facility
Information on the tax town hall here in Davis County
Information about the Education Commission Conference
My tour of the Central Utah Correctional Facility
Information about the Chinese Immersion program in Utah
The Bountiful City parade
My time speaking with students about getting involved
Pioneer Day and the wonderful new Children's Memorial
Information about the episode of Red Meat Radio I co-hosted

Thank you for allowing me to serve you. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.

Thank you,
Melissa Garff Ballard

Better Days 2020

Your contribution is needed! Better Days 2020 celebrates Utah Women being the first to vote in all the US and territories. Contributions can go to the Martha Hughes Cannon statue that will be put in Utah’s capitol building and Washington DC honoring her as the first woman to be a State Senator, or for K-6 celebrations, parades and much more. To learn more about Better Days 2020, and to watch a video about Better Days 2020's mission, click here.

West Bountiful 4th of July Parade

Celebrating our nation’s Independence waving flags, giving high-fives, and throwing candy. Can’t get better than that! Thanks to West Bountiful neighbors for your support and friendship.

Stadler Passenger Train Tour

I toured the Stadler Passenger Train manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City with Stadler General Counsel Lucy Andre and UTA Board of Trustee Beth Holbrook- all 3 of us are from Bountiful! I’m on the legislative transportation committee, so seeing the great companies in Utah who contribute to our economy and our efficient transportation options is exciting

Tax Town Hall

Thanks to all who came out or submitted ideas online at StrongerFutures@utah.gov. The response back from the legislative and community panel was how impressed they were with the amount of involvement and those who spoke up at the Davis County town hall. Detailed information on why any tax restructuring is being considered can be found here. Thank you for being involved!

Town Hall with Mayor Len Arave of North Salt Lake

Tax Town Hall in Layton

Education Commission Of The States Conference

I had the opportunity to attend the Education Commision of the States Conference in Colorado with Superintendent Sydnee Dickson, Education Advisor to the governor Tami Pyfer, Senator Ann Millner, State Board of Educ members and staff, and legislative staff.

Interim Commissioner of Higher Ed David Woolstenhulme, Associate Commissioner of Utah System of Technical Colleges Jared Haines, and STEM leader Tami Goetz.

Central Utah Correctional Facility

This month I toured the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, Utah with Warden Shane Nelson. This experience was sobering yet encouraging. The Gunnison prison was very clean and structured with a lot of natural light. The prisoners wear white unless they are in maximum security, and they have a lot of opportunities for education and certification for jobs. I’ve had a close relative in and out of prison for the last 30 years. Touring this facility gave me a chance to ask the warden many questions about the rapidly changing prison system in Utah designed to prevent recidivism. I was glad to see some of the changes made in the last 3 years under our new Executive Director of the Utah Department of Corrections.

Chinese Immersion Studies And Opportunities

I was able to discuss Chinese immersion studies and travel opportunities from K-20 with President Stewart Adams, many legislators, Minister Counselor Yang Xinyu, Second Secretary Madam Gu Lei and Madam Qin LAN, and Third Secretary Mr. Li Ying. Utah has more Chinese speakers than anywhere in the country, thanks to our school immersion programs. Here’s a recent news article featuring our very own Jamie Holzer, a teacher at Muir Elementary.
https://universe.byu.edu/2019/04/02/utah-junior-high-schools-integrate-language-immersion-students-1/

Bountiful City Parade

“A Pioneering Spirit” Handcart Days. I remember being in this parade many times as a youth. It was a thrill to be here again, giving high-fives to long-time friends! Thank you to everyone that helped put this together. It is one of the best parts of summer!

Speaking With Students

I was able to speak to a high school law camp at BYU Law School with Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi, Representative Marie Paulson, and Representative Joel Briscoe about getting involved in your community to make a difference. It was great to speak with these bright young students!

Children's Memorial

I visited new Children’s Memorial, honoring the 660 children who died on their trek west including my ancestor’s sister, Josephine Garff on Pioneer Day. It is important to honor the sacrifices the brave men, women, and children made. I am proud to be a descendant of the pioneers!

Co-hosting Red Meat Radio

On June 20th I co-hosted Red Meat Radio with Senator Todd Weiler. Our guests were Jonathan Hardy Utah Director of Housing and Community Development with the Department of Workforce Services. Kerry (Matt-Kerry Owen) on her award from Queen Elizabeth for charitable work in New Zealand and discussing her current work in Utah with ReachOut benefiting youth in poverty. Rob Eastman on his expertise in addition recovery as a Lifestyle Coach and high school wrestling coach. Rick Folkerson President of the Success in Education Foundation overseeing Road to Success, Keys to Success, Build to Success, and Code to Success helping to educate Utah kids and give them direct access to post-high school certification and degrees as well as a direct line to the workforce. Julie Young on the Arizona State University partnering with Juab School District for online classes. And Representative Norman Thurston on the legislative task force to evaluate licensure in Utah and help reduce Govt restrictions.

Go to RedMeatRadio.com to listen to the podcast episode from June 20th.

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