Checking In At The Legislature: December Update

Neighbors and friends,

I love November and December, as it is a time for us to be grateful and find ways to serve those around us. Thanks to each of you for how you serve others and strengthen our families and our community! Recently my colleagues in the Utah House of Representatives and I held a clothing drive for Pamela’s Closet to gather supplies for the homeless in downtown Salt Lake City. The closet is housed at First Presbyterian Church and ran by long-time homeless advocate Pamela Atkinson. Together, we supplied warm coats, hats, and gloves and raised over $5,000. If you would like to donate, please click here. 

Click here to find other service projects near you.

The legislative session is from January 17th - March 3rd. I will be holding legislative briefings online those Saturday mornings  (except President’s Day weekend) with Senator Todd Weiler, and Rep Ray Ward 8:30-9:30 am Facebook Live on my page Representative Melissa Garff Ballard, or on Facebook South Davis Community, where you can put questions in the comments.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with your family and loved ones, and have a happy new year! 

Melissa

Helpful links:

• Latest revenue estimates
• Getting Schooled on Education Funding {Article}
• The Numbers Are In: LFA Releases the 2022 Medicaid Consensus Forecast {Article}
• November interim highlights

TWO SURVEYS

Click here to choose the priorities you would like the is to focus on in the House of Representatives.

Click here to vote if you would like to keep our current Utah flag or change it to the proposed design.

Visiting The Pearl Harbor Memorial 

On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed, and the USS Utah was sunk. I had the opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor on December 7, 2022, to commemorate the sacrifice our troops have given to our country. It was very sobering to see the rusted remains of the ship near the shore, but an honor to meet current naval officers serving in the area and some of the women who went to work while their men went to war. For more details about the USS Utah, click here. You can also read more here.