Town Hall with Senator Mayne

Too frequently there is a belief that Republicans and Democrats can’t work together. If you are looking at Washington D.C., then that notion is probably correct. However, here in the Utah Legislature, it is nothing further from the truth. Of course, we have different philosophies on how to govern, but we celebrate and encourage the best ideas for the state, no matter what political party you belong to.

On Wednesday, February 27, at 7:00 p.m., I will be joining Senator Karen Mayne at a Legislative Town Hall at the Kearns Senior Center. Not only do we get along, but we work collaboratively throughout the session to pass common-sense legislation for our community. This Town Hall will be an opportunity to be a part of the conversation and learn about how we are representing you at the Capitol.

Senator Mayne and I may come from different political parties, but we recognize the potential of working together to get things done. The late Senator Ed Mayne once related to me that an idea is great no matter who came up with it. It is in that spirit that I hope you join us and bring your ideas and thoughts on how we make Utah better for our families and community.

Honoring Women Leaders of Utah

This week marks 149 years since Seraph Young became the first woman in Utah and the United States to vote. To celebrate this occasion, it was announced that Ben Hammond will sculpt the statue of Martha Hughes Cannon that will be sent to Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. Cannon is known for being a suffragist, a doctor, and the first female state senator in the nation.

Descendants of Martha Hughes Cannon were present at the capitol to honor this event, and it was a moment where we could celebrate the progress of women in public service. The amount of progress that has been made since Seraph Young and Martha Hughes Cannon is monumental. Twenty-five women presently serve in the Utah Legislature which is a 20% increase from last year. For Utah, this historic number is based on the legacy that Martha Hughes Cannon started when she entered the Senate chambers for the first time in 1897. I was honored to be a part of this special celebration today. To celebrate the achievement of women in Utah politics, public service, business, and leadership isn’t just a celebration of women, but it is a celebration for all Utahns. I hope that every time my daughters come see me at the Capitol that they take note of the caliber of women leading the state of Utah into the twenty-first century.

These twenty-five current female lawmakers are paving the way for generations of Utah daughters to be State Representatives, State Senators, Governors, Congresswomen, US Senators, and Presidents of the United States.149 years ago, Seraph Young cast a single vote. That one vote changed the course of our state’s and nation’s history. Seraph Young was only one person, but it merely takes one to transform a nation into its God-given potential.

A "Pioneer Trail" for Salt Lake City

Walking the streets of Salt Lake City, you glimpse the historical to the modern. From the Utah State Capitol and the Cathedral of to City Creek and the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art; the offerings of our capital are vast and outstanding. Individuals come all over the world to see the majestic city in the Mountain West. However, due to the city’s numerous places to explore, it is hard for many tourists and even locals to see all Salt Lake City has to offer. This is why I am working with my groups to develop a “Pioneer Trail” that will connect historical sites, monuments, parks, food and entertainment venues, museums, and much more.

The inspiration behind this is from the Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts. When you visit Boston, it’s hard to not take notice of the vibrant history that surrounds you. One of the ways to see the historical sites is to follow the Freedom Trail. This trail transports you past historical sites, museums, monuments, and more. It is a highlight of any visit to New England and is an example of how to show off a magnificent city. With this example, I feel Salt Lake deserves and needs a trail like this.

Salt Lake’s “Pioneer Trail” will be for the tourist, the local, families, and school groups. It will allow individuals to experience our famed city in an efficient and unique way. Not only will it connect the historical sites, but it will highlight many commercial venues. This will connect the city in a way that will heighten the appeal of visiting Utah’s grand capital city.

As Salt Lake continues to welcomes the world to Utah, we must be ever diligent in preserving the greatest of this city. I know this “Pioneer Trail” will only add to the legacy of Salt Lake and will encourage many to visit for years to come.

Teachers: The Defenders of the American Dream

It’s remarkable to consider this but our future scientists, lawyers, doctors, Supreme Court Justices, and even Presidents are sitting in classrooms at this time preparing to inherit the leadership of this country. As much as we can hope and pray that these future leaders are paying attention, we can rest assured they are in the hands of generation makers also known as teachers. Teachers remain the most overlooked heroes of our society. Most can think back to times when they were in elementary or high school and remember when a teacher inspired them to dream. Teachers comprise the first line of defense in making sure our nation survives long after we’re gone.

For many who know a teacher outside of a classroom, you know how much they give to this job. Teachers come home daily telling about successes their students to their families, but they also come home in tears asking if they are making a difference. To many teachers, they consider their students their children. The love they have for each child can sustain a lifelong friendship. 

My wife has been an educator and has shown me the power of a teacher and how they can transform a life. These individuals who chose to educate see the peer pressure, the bullying, the anxiety, and stresses of being in school. Therefore, they resolve each day to reach our children in academics, arts, and sciences. To teach is to give it all for the rising generation. My hope is we can sustain these benevolent individuals to teach, empower, and encourage our children to dream!

Legislation to help Kids with Disabilities #Reach4Independence

The American Spirit is built upon the idea of independence and the freedom to achieve your dreams. However, there are those in our community and state who struggle to feel that sense of independence when they’re confined to a wheelchair and maintain a bleak outlook on their life. As technology and research advances so does new treatments and rehabilitation techniques. These advances will provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to gain their independence and the ability to achieve their full potential.

A few years ago, I introduced and passed legislation that provided life-changing funding for those with spinal cord injuries. Instead of using these funds for wheelchairs and research, I focused these resources to fund rehabilitation for those with spinal cord injuries.

Many clinics and rehabilitation centers are providing life-changing therapy to those individuals with spinal cord injuries and assist them to become independent. I have seen individuals who were confined to a wheelchair and then after rehabilitation at clinics like Neuraworx, they have regained mobility. However, as much progress these individuals make at these rehabilitation clinics, insurance companies will only cover so many visits. This will not only limit an individual’s potential, but it can impose a burden back on families and our local and federal government to take care of these individuals for the rest of their lives. Our state is committed to helping care for the disabled community, but what a difference it would make to put funding towards to physical rehabilitation techniques have proven to help patients regain mobility and independence.

This fund is just the beginning of what we can do! This principle of assisting others in rehabilitation and therapy earlier in life or right after a catastrophic event can be applied to other disabilities or conditions. During this session, I will be introducing a bill that will take this concept and applying it to children with physical disabilities.

Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) or other physical disabilities do standard therapy, however, there are rehabilitation clinics that use techniques and equipment that improves CP faster than normal therapy. For example, the Now I Can Foundation treats kids and young adults with CP with a NeuroSuit which is, “ an orthotic suit worn by clients to teach the brain and body correct patterns of posture and movement as well as to provide resistance and strengthening, and proprioceptive input.” This has allowed children to go from not walking to walking and receives a more significant impact than standard therapy. However, just as with therapies for individuals with spinal cord injuries, insurance companies will cover a few visits or none at all. If we could implement the idea from the spinal cord injury fund, we might be capable to give these children with physical disabilities the chance to gain mobility independence which would allow them to achieve their American Dream.

Some believe the government should take care of those who are incapable to take care of themselves, and I agree. However, if we have the opportunity to get people from being dependent to independent, we can immensely improve lives and change our nation for the better.