Kids are a common sight on Utah’s Capitol Hill, with children passing through the rotunda every week for field trips or legislative recognition. Last week, however, a special guest was on the Hill: a 4-month-old baby.
Little Joey Matthews, son of Rep. Ashlee Matthews, D-West Jordan, joined his mom at work every day last week because of a sick babysitter. Brigham Tomco noted that the baby brightened the mood of the proceedings, with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle practically standing in line to hold him.
Over half of the freshman class of the Utah House of Representatives have young kids at home, and 8.6% of Utah lawmakers are mothers of children who are minors.
As small children become an increasingly common addition to the Utah House and Senate floors, how can the Capitol become more child friendly?
Read more about kids at the Capitol.