Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I trust you are having a splendid fall season and enjoying the cooler weather. I, too, took time these past few weeks to appreciate the beautiful colors, including the prolonged green grass and foliage, thanks to a great water year. As we prepare for winter, I offer thanks to my district for their receptive response to our charge for wise water use and consideration over the summer. We can all make a difference through small, consistent actions every day!
This month, Utah was lucky to be in the direct path of a rare spectacle – an annular eclipse. This remarkable event, where the moon perfectly aligns with the sun, is a reminder of the beauty of our Earth, which is highlighted in our state’s uniquely diverse landscapes. Such occurrences are infrequent, making them truly awe-inspiring. The next partial solar eclipse visible in Utah won’t take place until August 12, 2026. I hope you and your family were able to witness this celestial display, perhaps with the best views in the central part of our state.
As Veteran’s Day approaches, I want to encourage you to reflect on the sacrifices our veterans and service members provide to secure our freedoms. Whether they are giving up time with loved ones, the comforts of home, or in some cases, sacrificing their lives, we will never fail to recognize and thank our veterans for their unwavering, astounding commitment to our country and freedoms. I am grateful for their example of selflessness.
Lastly, our October interim was full of committee hearings, legislation consideration and updates from various state departments and entities, giving us a clearer idea of what areas need focus and attention this upcoming session. I was happy to hear of the major progress we made over the interim, and with one month left of meetings, we will be in a good position to pass effective legislation come January. Please see below for the highlights from the interim and the month of October. I have also detailed interesting things happening around the state.
Sincerely,
Senator Wayne A. Harper
Get Registered to Vote!
As the election season begins, I urge each of you to take a moment to verify and, if necessary, update your voter registration status. To ensuring your participation in this fundamental democratic process, please click here.
This year, the General Election is scheduled for November 21. While it deviates from the usual early November tradition, this adjustment allows the necessary time for the selection of Congressman Chris Stewart’s successor following his retirement. For detailed insights into the candidates that will appear on this year’s ballot, please refer to your county’s official website.
We are privileged to reside in a nation that upholds the principles of democracy and grants its citizens the invaluable right to influence their government. Embracing our civic responsibility falls upon each of us to elect our representatives and offer our perspectives.
Link: https://votesearch.utah.gov/voter-search/search/search-by-voter/voter-info
October Interim Highlights
New Senator
This past month, we had the pleasure of welcoming a new member to the Utah Senate! Heidi Balderree will now represent District 22, taking over for Senator Jake Anderegg. While we bid farewell to Sen. Anderegg after his commendable 11 years of public service to the people of Utah County, we extend our warmest regards to him and his family for their future endeavors.
Heidi Balderree brings with her a wealth of experience in public service, with a primary focus on advocating for the needs of communities and small businesses in Utah County. As a former educator, having taught both Spanish and Japanese to students ranging from grades 4 to 12, she possesses a deep understanding of the concerns of her constituents. These experiences undoubtedly qualify her for this new position. We wholeheartedly welcome her to the Utah Senate and extend our best wishes for her success!
Road Rage Update
In a continual effort to reduce the number and severity of road rage incidents on our highways and streets, our Transportation Committee met this October to follow up on their June 2023 meeting, where the issue of aggressive driving was determined to be an interim study item. The Utah Highway Patrol attended and presented data on reported road rage incidents, crashes and fatalities. Unfortunately, the number of cases has increased, exceeded or came close to exceeding the rates from previous years. Our committee heard potential strategies to address the growing concerns of road rage and aggressive driving, including recommendations of enhanced incident evaluation and possible administrative sanctions as suggested by the Division of Public Safety and the Roadway Safety Committee. Watch the presentation here or view the data and recommendations here.
School Safety Efforts
As the Legislature has been particularly focused on school safety and bolstering school infrastructure this year, two of our committees considered legislation to further secure our campuses and protect our students from hazards and in emergencies.
School Threat Penalty Amendments
The Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee held a presentation on the draft legislation, “School Threat Penalty Amendments,” which would require a student to be suspended or expelled from a public school if the student makes a false emergency report targeted at a school. The bill would enhance the penalties for threatening violence against a school, making it a second-degree felony for an actor who submits a false emergency report in certain circumstances.
The Statewide Information and Analysis Center was invited to inform the committee on school hoax and threat incidents, providing data on the prevalence of school threats and lending insight into the severity and quantity of threats our schools and districts face. The committee approved “School Threat Penalty Amendments” as a committee bill file to be considered for passage in the upcoming 2024 General Legislative Session. This is another step in our continual effort to implement security measures and protocols to protect students in the event of an emergency. See the presentations here.
SafeUT and the School Safety Commission
The Education Interim Committee approved the draft legislation, “SafeUT and School Safety Commission Amendments,” as a committee bill file for the 2024 session. The bill would extend the sunset date for the commission by five years, allowing the commission to continue coordinating statewide efforts related to the School Safety and Crisis Line (SafeUT), promoting awareness and exploring solutions to both the mental health crisis and school safety threats. I see this as a crucial development for the state to address the safety concerns in our schools. Learn more here.
Link: https://le.utah.gov/interim/2023/pdf/00003581.pdf
Golden Spike
In 2019, we celebrated the 150th anniversary celebration of the transcontinental railroad completion in Utah. The railroad was an incredible achievement for our country, and it established Utah as the crossroads of the West. To honor the legacy and impact of the transcontinental railroad, the Golden Spike Foundation has committed to highlighting the diverse people who worked together to build this great railroad. The foundation has commissioned a 43-foot-tall gold monument that will be placed at the Golden Spike Park at Reeder Ranch in Brigham City, Utah, in 2024.
The Golden Spike Monument is a memorial to the men and women who built the system that connected our entire country and made Utah the crossroads of the West. Like those who built the railroad, the spike represents perseverance to take on today’s challenges to build a better tomorrow while honoring them for their work that changed the world.
The spike monument started in Kentucky and took a cross-country road trip, making stops at historically significant sites. We celebrated its arrival at the Capitol with a program full of remembrance and gratitude for our history. The monument will honor the legacy of those who worked to complete the transcontinental railroad and the important chapter it represents in the state’s history, signifying hard work, industrialism and heritage.
The Golden Spike Monument is a memorial to the men and women who built the system that connected our entire country and made Utah the crossroads of the West. Like those who built the railroad, the spike represents perseverance to take on today’s challenges to build a better tomorrow while honoring them for their work that changed the world.
Learn more here.
Link: https://spike150.org/
My529—Utah Educational Savings Plan
Higher education is an important step for many families and individuals. Through programs like my529, the financial burden of that education can be greatly reduced. Utah’s my529, also known as the Utah Educational Savings Plan, is a tax-advantaged college savings plan designed to help individuals and families save for educational expenses. Even small sums set aside regularly help make higher education more affordable and reduce the need to borrow.
This program is a valuable tool for saving for education expenses that can help individuals reach their savings goals. I encourage you to look into the program to see if it is a good fit for you and your family. Learn more about My529 here.
Link: https://my529.org/
2024 Utah Teacher of the Year
This month, the Utah State Board of Education selected Carly Maloney of Viewmont High School in the Davis School District as the 2024 Utah Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Maloney is a concurrent enrollment English, advanced placement psychology, student government and English language development teacher. She was chosen for her example of hard work, diligence in effectively educating her students and kindness toward her fellow faculty members.
A committee with representatives from parent and teacher advocacy organizations, charter schools and the Utah State Board of Education selected Mrs. Maloney for this honor. Mrs. Maloney was presented with a check for $10,000 and will compete with fellow state teachers of the year in a national competition. I am grateful for the example of Mrs. Maloney and every teacher in the state for their dedication and effort to educate the next generation of Utahns.
