Congratulations to Senator Luz Escamilla, who was honored today at the Salt Lake Chamber New Pioneers: American Dream Award program. This program helps remind us about the positive impact of immigrants and how they have helped shape Utah’s history since the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley as refugees in 1847. That shared cultural memory informs our values and beliefs today. This award honors that legacy by recognizing new pioneers who contribute to our state. Lea

Today, the Utah House of Representatives passed S.B. 30 - Aggravated Murder Amendments, sponsored by Senator Karen Mayne. Utah law currently makes targeting and killing certain first responders an aggravating offense. This provides an umbrella of protection to men and women who have taken on jobs that give them a duty to run into danger when others flee. However, many individuals who routinely act as first responders are left out of the current law. S.B. 30 extends the existi

Senator Luz Escamilla has passed S.B. 202 - After School Program Amendments. This legislation creates a competitive grant program funded through a public-private partnership. The aim of the program is to improve quality of existing after school programs via a research and evidence-based continuous program quality improvement model. Over 57,000 Utah students participate in afters school programs. These programs are particularly vital in rural Utah and in lower-income communiti

Today, the Utah State Senate passed Senator Jim Dabakis' SJR16 - Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution -- Public Education Governance. The resolution proposes an amendment to the Utah State Constitution abolishing the Utah State Board of Education and replacing it with a single State Superintendent of Public Instruction appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Utah State Senate. "The State Board spends over $6 billion dollars a year," says Senator Dabakis. "No one know