Friends and Neighbors,
Last week, the International Olympic Committee announced Salt Lake City as the preferred host for the 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is fantastic news for Utah! The 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City were memorable not only for Utahns, but for the entire United States. As the co-chair of the Legislative Olympic Coordinating Committee, I am thrilled Utah will host the best athletes around the world in another Olympic Games.
November Interim Meetings
We convened for our last interim committee meetings of 2023. Throughout the year, substantial strides have been made to address numerous challenges our state is facing. Below are some notable highlights from the month.
Scholarship Program
Several constituents throughout the years have reached out to me for information on special needs scholarship opportunities provided through state funding. Two of these opportunities often inquired about are the Carson Smith Scholarship (CSS) and the Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship programs, overseen by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). I’m happy to inform you that the Education Interim Committee recommended a bill combining these two programs, ensuring consistent funding, better management and efficiency through the application and awarding process of these particular scholarships.
After years of evaluation and administration of these and similar programs, state education leaders have advised this combination as an appropriate measure to provide flexibility to special needs students, prevent work duplication for parents and administrators and ensure consistent funding for students with disabilities who apply for these scholarships. The state has developed a better understanding of how to efficiently administer choice scholarship programs. This issue and bill will be addressed during the 2024 General Session.
IPP
The Intermountain Power Plant (IPP) was created in 1970 as a way for various cities in Utah to combine their power production and sell the excess to California. As power policies changed, the relationship between the Utah cities and California have also changed. Lawmakers discussed alterations that would make this partnership more economical and advantageous for the state in the Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Committee interim meeting. Similarly, legislators considered a bill that would transfer control of IPP from the cities to the state. This transfer would allow for a more impartial, reliable and fluid relationship between Utah cities, California and Utah’s energy production industry.
Behavioral Health Licensing Amendments
There are approximately 200,000 adults in Utah who need expert care and treatment. Currently, all healthcare professionals must meet the same educational and experience requirements to receive licensing, even though varying levels of skill are required for certain positions. This leads to a shortage of caretakers in the mental and behavioral health industry. The Business and Labor Interim Committee discusses legislation to revamp behavioral health licensing. The proposed bill would create additional licensing options and encourage more people to enter the field. As more professionals are able to receive a license, it will help reduce the strain on current healthcare workers and ensure patients receive the care they need.
Senate Art Contest Information
I am always impressed by the creativity and skill of artists in our state. Starting in December, Utah’s young artists will have the opportunity to participate in this year’s Annual Utah All-State High School Art Show, run by the Springville Museum of Art. Qualifying students get to display their incredible work in the museum. The Senate has the privilege of selecting distinguished winners who receive scholarships. Winners are invited to spend a day at the Capitol during the legislative session, where senators will recognize them on the Senate floor. The contest is a fantastic platform to showcase Utah student’s artistic talents. Learn more about the art contest and how to apply here.
School Report Cards
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) recently unveiled the latest School Report Card, a tool designed to shed light on the strengths of each school while pinpointing areas for potential growth. This comprehensive resource encompasses state, district, charter and individual school report cards for the 2022-2023 academic year.
The Utah School Report Card empowers parents by offering a detailed insight into key school performance indicators, including achievement and growth metrics. This tool provides parents an excellent opportunity to grasp a school’s accomplishments and the areas they’re working to improve. I encourage all parents of students to review this report card and see ways that they can help better the schools in their area.