Month: July 2024

BY LINDSAY AERTS

PARIS, France — At least three Utahns are set to participate in an event called the Marathon Pour Tous — a public race being held right after the Olympians run the Marathon. Thousands of athletes will get to run the historic Olympic course, but at night.

“Running through the streets of Paris like that just sounds so cool,” Anna Camp Bennett, a local pro runner, said.

Getting to run an Olympic course in Paris has had special meaning for her since she tried to make the Olympic team, but fell just short.

“I ran in the trials here in the US, fell short of my goals of making it, but I still get to go over and run a 10K and watch my teammates,” she said.

Camp Bennett is one of three Utahns who will represent the 2034 Olympic Bid Committee to participate in the race. Another happens to be State Senator Mike McKell.

“Running the Olympic course as a runner, this to me is, you know, as close to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The pair will be joined by Jared Ward, who runs the Run Elite Program in Utah, and a former Olympian from the Rio Games.

The event will feature 20,024 runners for the marathon, and the same amount for the 10k – to represent 2024.

“Runners from all over the world (will be there),” McKell said. “I know more than 120 countries are represented.”

The event is a way that the Paris Games has tried to bridge the gap between the public and the games. To qualify, one had to complete a series of running contests. McKell, Ward, and Camp Bennett are getting their chance by representing the 2034 Host Committee, who also got some race bibs to give out.

McKell loves what the Paris Games are doing with this event. He serves on Utah’s legislative Coordination Committee for the ’34 games.

“I think for our Olympics, when they come in 2034, I think we ought to look at this example and find ways to create a public event in 2034.”

Camp Bennett loves the idea too.

“Why not find something like that, that kind of bridges that gap that gives opportunity to, you know, someone like me who’s just going to be so excited to be there.”

The event starts at 9 p.m. on August 10th, and presuming it takes over three hours to run the marathon, Mckell and Ward will be running into the wee hours of the morning.

The course, McKell said, will be tough. It’s designed to highlight the city, not to be fast.

But he is ready for a little friendly competition.

“I have a bet with Jared, and I don’t know that he agreed to the bet, but whoever wins has to buy the other guy lunch or breakfast in Paris.”

Read the KSL article here.

Friends and Neighbors,

As we celebrate Independence Day tomorrow, I want to express my gratitude for our great nation and those who founded it. We live in the best country the world has ever seen. I pray we never take for granted the freedoms we have and those who made it possible. Happy 4th of July!

June Special Session

In Utah, we take great pride in our part-time citizen legislature, which operates with the shortest legislative session in the country while consistently being recognized as the best-managed state in the nation. 

However, there are special circumstances that require immediate action to ensure our state continues to run effectively. This month, we convened for a special session to address a few pressing issues, including energy, Utah land, and federal overreach, among other things. You can read about what legislation we passed during the special session below.

Securing Utah’s Energy Future

Keeping energy reliable and affordable in Utah is critical to preserving our quality of life. From keeping the lights on to powering our cities, we need energy for almost everything we do.

S.B. 161 Energy Security Amendments, passed during the 2024 General Session, was part of the Legislature’s effort to retain the Intermountain Power Plant (IPP), a reliable energy source for our state. However, its tight deadlines and requirements for receiving air permits raised concerns from several stakeholders. H.B. 3004 Energy Security Amendments adjusts these deadlines and parameters. These changes will help us work toward total energy independence and maintain one of the lowest electricity rates in the nation.

Protecting Utah Against Unconstitutional Title IX Regulations

Many of the challenges we face in Utah the past few years stem from unconstitutional actions taken by federal agencies that bypass congressional approval. Such action occurred recently when the U.S. Department of Education unconstitutionally rewrote Title IX regulations in an attempt to simplify a complex issue with far-reaching consequences that go directly against state and federal laws. Title IX has been instrumental in promoting fairness and equal opportunities for women for over 50 years. After these changes were announced, the Utah State Board of Education unanimously voted to request the Legislature provide direction and clarity to the federal government’s unilateral rule.

In response, we used the framework established earlier this year to pass H.J.R. 301 and H.C.R. 301 during the special session. These resolutions affirm Utah’s sovereign authority to safeguard the prosperity and welfare of Utahns and direct relevant state and local entities to adhere to state law rather than the new unconstitutional federal regulations if conflicts arise. 

With these resolutions, we send a clear message to the federal government that we will not tolerate overreach or disregard for our state sovereignty. As your senator, I will continue advocating for the autonomy and welfare of all Utahns.

Protecting Public Lands Against Federal Overreach

The Legislature recently found that some funds appropriated to public lands and federal overreach overlapped and were unnecessarily duplicative. H.B. 3002 Public Lands Funding Amendments corrected that by consolidating public lands management funds. By centralizing funds, we prevent duplicative spending, clean up records for a more seamless process and enhance accountability so the public can better understand where their taxpayer dollars are going.

The bill also allows the newly renamed Federal Overreach Restriction Account to be used to educate the public on federalism and state sovereignty. Providing more information about federalism ensures all Utahns understand the importance of protecting our state from unconstitutional federal action.

Confirming Utah’s Newest Juvenile Court Judges

It is the Senate’s great responsibility to provide advice and consent on various appointments made by the governor. During the June interim, we met to confirm several appointments, including three new judges—Cas Melanson White to Utah’s 7th District Juvenile Court, Sandi Clemens to Utah’s 3rd District Juvenile Court, and Angela Adams to Utah’s 5th District Juvenile Court. These women have shown exceptional expertise and a strong dedication to public service. I am grateful for their willingness to serve our state in their new capacity. Watch their confirmations here.

Sharing the Legislative Process with Utah Educators

I had the opportunity to discuss the legislative process with middle and high school history and civics teachers as part of the Hinckley Institute of Politics’ Huntsman Seminar. Utah educators are best in the nation and I was lucky to answer questions and talk with this fantastic group.

City Celebrations

This past month, I participated in both Springville and Elk Ridge’s town celebrations. I had a great time catching up with people in the community. I look forward to visiting with many more of you this summer!