Senator Derek Kitchen Visits with Ukrainian Leaders from the LGBTQ+ Community
February 17, 2022 SALT LAKE CITY – Today, Senator Derek Kitchen met with Ukrainian leaders from the LGBTQ+ community. Their conversations focused on the urgent need to ensure the safety, security, and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people in Ukraine. These discussions are essential for strengthening cooperation and diplomatic support between Utah and the former Soviet republic. Senator Kitchen emphasized the recent successes in Utah between the LGBTQ+ community and the Church of Jesus C
Utah Senate Democrats' Statement on S.B. 59, Tax Amendments
Thursday, February 10, 2022 "We believe the Legislature’s tax policy this year should include the elimination of the state’s sales tax on food. Additionally, we are reluctant to support legislation that cuts funding for vital services. While S.B. 59, Tax Amendments, did not include a repeal of the sales tax on food—an essential support that would have elevated the wellbeing of all Utahns’ and their access to food security—we did vote in support of the bill because of the enac
Senator Escamilla's Recap of Week 3
Friday, February 4, 2022
Sen. Derek Kitchen Proposes Funding to Expand Affordable Housing for Utahns
Tuesday, February 1, 2022 During this morning’s Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee meeting, Sen. Derek Kitchen presented two funding requests to expand affordable housing for Utahns. Sen. Kitchen’s $15 million request would be directed to the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund (OWHLF) to support the construction of more than 1,000 new, affordable units to assist households earning 60% or less of the Area Median Income. The OWHLF develops housing that is affordable for ve