News Releases Romney statement on the Respect for Marriage Act U.S. Senator Romney (R-UT) today announced he will vote to advance the Respect for Marriage Act. He also plans to support a bipartisan amendment offered by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) to strengthen religious liberty protections in the bill. On Tuesday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints voiced support for this approach. (Read More) Lee statement on âRespect for Marriage Actâ The Senate voted on a motion to proceed to the Respect for Marriage Act. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) voted against the motion and issued the statement below: âI voted against the motion to proceed to the âRespect for Marriage Actâ because the religious liberty protections were severely anemic and largely illusory. While I respect the efforts and emotions surrounding this issue, the bill does not simply codify Obergefell as its proponents claim. And despite the proposed amendment from Senators Collins and Baldwin, the religious-liberty protections are woefully insufficient. Religious Americans will be subject to potentially ruinous litigation, while the tax-exempt status of certain charitable organizations, educational institutions, and non-profits will be threatened. My amendment would have shored up these vulnerabilities. It is a shame it wasnât included.â Utah Senate Majority Caucus releases 2023 General Session priorities The Utah Senate Majority caucus announces its 2023 General Session priorities. With the conclusion of November interim meetings, the Senate Majority caucus is gearing up to pass legislation to help Utahns through economic uncertainties and prepare for future growth. Utah Senate Majority Caucus Priorities: Increase teacher salaries Find long-term solutions to Utahâs water crisis Cut taxes to keep Utahâs economy and thriving business community the best in the nation (Read More) Nominees announced for Utah Court of Appeals vacancy The Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission has selected nominees for a vacancy on the Utah Court of Appeals. This position results from the confirmation of Judge Jill Pohlman to the Utah Supreme Court on Aug. 17, 2022. The nominees for the vacancy are: Rita Cornish, Judge, Second District Court; William Hains, Assistant Solicitor General, Utah Attorney Generalâs Office; Debra Nelson, Chief Appellate Officer, Indigent Appellate Defense Division; Amy Oliver, Judge, Third District Court; Samantha Slark, Senior Attorney, Salt Lake City Corporation; Jennifer Valencia, Judge, Second District Court; Dallas Young, Attorney, Utah County Public Defender Association. Written comments can be submitted to the Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission at judicialvacancies@utah.gov or Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, P.O. Box 142330, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2330. The deadline for written comments is noon Nov. 28, 2022. 100+ Utah small businesses sign letter to Congress supporting new SBA reauthorization campaign As Congress returns to session this week for the first time since the midterm elections and newly elected Members participate in orientation, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices is announcing a new grassroots advocacy campaign to encourage lawmakers to reauthorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) in 2023 for the first time in more than two decades â a move that would modernize the agency and ensure it is best-equipped to meet the needs of todayâs small business owners. âFew things are as important as ensuring that small business owners have the tools and resources they need to get ahead,â added Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices National Director Joe Wall. âThatâs why we are fully committed to ensuring that Congress reauthorizes the SBA next year for the first time in 22 years so that federal government programs and services are tailored to better meet the needs of small business owners today.â (Read More) Owens helps pass the bipartisan Speak Out Act Today, the House passed the Speak Out Act, legislation championed by Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04), Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-21), Rep. Ken Buck (CO-02), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), House Judiciary Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law Subcommittee Chairman David Cicilline (RI-01), Vice Chair Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), and Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-07). This bipartisan legislation makes predispute nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) null and void in instances in which sexual harassment or sexual assault has been alleged in violation of Federal, State, or Tribal law. (Read More) Jean Welch Hill takes helm as Director of SLCo Office of Criminal Justice Initiatives This month, Jean Welch Hill started as the new Director of the Salt Lake County Office of Criminal Justice Initiatives and the Director of the Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Advisory Council (CJAC). The Office of Criminal Justice Initiatives advances solutions to the Countyâs criminal justice challenges by convening and staffing the Criminal Justice Advisory Council (CJAC) and its workgroups, conducting criminal justice system analysis, supporting innovative programming, and advising the Salt Lake County Mayor on criminal justice issues. (Read More) Curtis, Aguilar introduce resolution recognizing National GIS Day Today, as Geographic Information System (GIS) users around the world showcase their work, Congressmen John Curtis (R-UT) and Pete Aguilar (D-CA) introduced a resolution officially designating November 16, 2022, as National GIS Day. The resolution encourages GIS users to continue to innovate and use GIS as a tool to analyze and address todayâs societal challenges and drive economic growth. (Read More) Number of the Day |
