News Releases
Sen. Romney recognizes National School Choice Week
U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) joined his colleagues, led by Congressional School Choice Caucus co-chair Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), in introducing a resolution designating this week as National School Choice Week. Text of the resolution is available here.
âThroughout the course of the pandemic, families have had the added challenge of navigating school closures and balancing hybrid or completely virtual instruction, which has only highlighted the essential role of parents in their childrenâs education,â Senator Romney said. âParents know what is best for their kids, and every family should have the freedom to choose the model of education which best meets the needs of their childrenâwhether that is public, homeschool, or otherwise.â (Read More)
Utah Farm Bureau lists âIssues to watch in 2022â
The Utah Farm Bureau has released its list of âIssues to Watch For in 2022â upon returning from the national agricultural convention for the American Farm Bureau Federation and at the start of the 2022 Utah general legislative session.
Though not exhaustive in scope, the list is based off the Farm Bureauâs policy book, adopted at its recent convention in November. The policy book will guide the general farm and ranch organizationâs public policy actions throughout the upcoming year â including the current legislative session.
Top state issues are water, the veterinary school at USU, agriculture and infrastructure. (Read More)
Chamber Economic Dashboard shows strength amid uncertainty
The Salt Lake Chamberâs Roadmap to Prosperity Coalition, in partnership with the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, has updated the Economic Dashboard for January to help business leaders know where Utah stands in the overall recovery. This tool tracks the stateâs path to a complete economic recovery from the pandemic recession and provides actionable context for decision-makers...
Consumer confidence continues to lag as each new variant brings a wave of uncertainty to the market and shakes confidence. Executive confidence remains above baseline but has seen dips as well. The three main challenges facing Utah and the country are well known with rising inflation, labor shortages broadly, and continued supply chain disruptions from China to California. However, Utah maintains its focus on innovation through these headwinds and remains leader of the economic pack. (Read More)
Small businesses on the brink: New survey data shows omicron hurting Main Street, leading small business owners to overwhelmingly support Congress passing additional aid
Small business owners are being pushed to the brink with an unprecedented set of challenges hurting their bottom line, according to new national survey data released today by Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices. Seventy-nine percent of respondents are concerned about the ongoing pandemic and the Omicron variant, with 71 percent reporting that the rise in COVID-19 cases brought on by the Omicron variant has adversely impacted their revenue. Thirty-seven percent said their business had been forced to temporarily close or scale back operations due to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases.
Labor shortages were cited as the most significant challenge facing small business owners, with 87 percent of those hiring finding it difficult to recruit qualified candidates for open positions. Hiring and retaining workers is also having a worsening impact on revenue, as a staggering 97 percent of small businesses hiring say labor shortages are impacting their bottom line, reflecting a 17 percent increase from September 2021.
There is overwhelming support (82 percent) for the federal government to provide additional emergency financial assistance for small businesses. Eighty-six percent of small business owners support Congress reauthorizing the COVID-Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The COVID EIDL program expired at the end of 2021. (Read More)
Utah Farm Bureau hosts Campaign School teaching how to run for public office
Utah Farm Bureau is hosting a two-day campaign management seminar from March 24-25 at the Utah Farm Bureau Federation office in Sandy. The Campaign School is non-partisan, and open to anyone who wants to be actively involved in public office at any level â local School Board, city council, County Commission & Council, State Legislature, or Congressional campaigns. This event is perfect for current and future candidates, their spouses, and campaign managers. (Read More)
Rep. Curtis applauds unanimous passage of Bonneville Shoreline Trail construction in Natural Resources Committee
Rep. Curtis applauds unanimous passage of Bonneville Shoreline Trail construction in Natural Resources Committee.
âI am pleased to see a bipartisan group of my colleagues unanimously support the construction of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail,â said Rep. Curtis. âThis bill strikes the right balance of appropriate recreation and conservation, and I look forward to supporting the completion of this extremely unique 280-mile trail.â (Read More)
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