Four years ago today I started my 2-month internship with the Utah Legislature. I got up before dawn to catch a bus from Orem to Salt Lake and walked up the hill to the Capitol, where I worked as the only staff member for two Representatives. Each morning I faithfully clipped newspaper articles and got copies of proposed bills for my rerpresentatives to read, and then during the afternoon I researched issues, relayed communications from reporters and constituents, and sat in on committee meetings. Then it was back down the hill, on to the bus, for the long ride home.
While this might seem rather mundane for a day job, there was an electric current a the Capital, knowing that decisions made there affected every Utahn, and that my representatives, along with others, were solely responsible. Sappy, I know, but it's true.
This morning, as I listened to the sessions via the webcast, I realized that this was the first session of the Legislature in the Capitol since I left it! Memories of our own legislative battles, four years past, ensued. I watched as the interns filed in for introductions, eager to make their own small footprint in Utah history.
I was filled with appreciation for the legislators who truly want a better future for Utah. Let's show them some thanks! Find your representatives and say hello!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Utah Legislature Webcast!
In case you don't have time to visit the Capitol, you can now watch or listen to the House and Senate sessions online via RealPlayer! Visit the link below and choose whether you want to watch the House or the Senate.
http://www.le.state.ut.us/
Make sure that you have RealPlayer downloaded on your computer before you watch. If you don't have the program, you can get it for free here:
http://www.real.com/
Please note that these are live feeds, and the legislature is normally in session 10:00am to 11:45am for the Senate and 10:00am to 12:00pm for the House.
Check the Legislative Calendar for the most up-to-date information on sessions and committee meetings:
http://www.le.state.ut.us/asp/interim/cal.asp
http://www.le.state.ut.us/
Make sure that you have RealPlayer downloaded on your computer before you watch. If you don't have the program, you can get it for free here:
http://www.real.com/
Please note that these are live feeds, and the legislature is normally in session 10:00am to 11:45am for the Senate and 10:00am to 12:00pm for the House.
Check the Legislative Calendar for the most up-to-date information on sessions and committee meetings:
http://www.le.state.ut.us/asp/interim/cal.asp
Friday, January 18, 2008
Key Issues Announced for 2008 Utah Legislature
The state legislature begins its 2008 session on Monday, and here is a list of key issues they may consider this year: http://le.utah.gov/Session/2008%5Cpdfdoc/2008KeyIssues.pdf
If you have a particular interest in any of these items, I would suggest that you first contact your representatives and then find out who is in charge of the committe that is handling that issue and talk to them as well.
Most of the debates about such issues happen in committee meetings before they are presented to the entire House or Senate. If you have the time, you might even consider sitting in on a committee meeting.
You can find the schedule for legislative committee meetings here: http://le.utah.gov/asp/interim/cal.asp
If you have a particular interest in any of these items, I would suggest that you first contact your representatives and then find out who is in charge of the committe that is handling that issue and talk to them as well.
Most of the debates about such issues happen in committee meetings before they are presented to the entire House or Senate. If you have the time, you might even consider sitting in on a committee meeting.
You can find the schedule for legislative committee meetings here: http://le.utah.gov/asp/interim/cal.asp
Monday, January 14, 2008
Utah Legislature Starts January 21
Heads up fellow Utahns!
The 2008 General Session of the Utah Legislature begins on January 21st and goes through March 5th.
This would be a good time to check the newspapers for upcoming issues and get to know your representatives. I am sure that they would LOVE to hear from you. From my own experience at the Capitol, I know that most if not all of the legislators read their correspondence every day! So if you have something to tell them, don't be afraid to speak up. It makes a difference!
Find your legislators here: http://le.utah.gov/Documents/find.htm
You might also consider going on a tour of the Capitol building. It's beautiful and you might even learn something!
"Individuals may join regularly scheduled tours given on the hour and half hour from 9:00 a.m. thru 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. No tours will be scheduled at 12:30 p.m.
"To schedule a guided tour, call 538-1800 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m."
~ http://www.utahstatecapitol.utah.gov/planyourvisit/tours.html
The 2008 General Session of the Utah Legislature begins on January 21st and goes through March 5th.
This would be a good time to check the newspapers for upcoming issues and get to know your representatives. I am sure that they would LOVE to hear from you. From my own experience at the Capitol, I know that most if not all of the legislators read their correspondence every day! So if you have something to tell them, don't be afraid to speak up. It makes a difference!
Find your legislators here: http://le.utah.gov/Documents/find.htm
You might also consider going on a tour of the Capitol building. It's beautiful and you might even learn something!
"Individuals may join regularly scheduled tours given on the hour and half hour from 9:00 a.m. thru 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. No tours will be scheduled at 12:30 p.m.
"To schedule a guided tour, call 538-1800 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m."
~ http://www.utahstatecapitol.utah.gov/planyourvisit/tours.html
Utah Primaries February 5
The primaries are almost here! February 5th is the day to decide which Republican or Democrat you want running for the oval office, depending on which party you belong to. And in case you didn't know, voter turnout in primary elections is generally much lower than that in a general election, so your vote counts even more!
Here are the rules for voting in the Utah Republican Primary:
"A resident of Utah, current voter registration and be at least age 18 by February 5, 2008· Must be a registered Republican to participate in the Republican Primary·
"If you are currently registered as “Unaffiliated” you may change your status to "Republican" at the polling location. If you are registered as a Democrat or Independent please contact your County Clerk for deadlines in changing your party affiliation."
~http://home.utgop.org/page.php?page_id=7
Here are the rules for voting in the Utah Democratic Primary:
"To vote in the Feb. 5 Utah Democratic Presidential Primary, you must be registered as a Democrat or unafililiated."
~http://www.utdemocrats.org/
VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
Here are the rules for voting in the Utah Republican Primary:
"A resident of Utah, current voter registration and be at least age 18 by February 5, 2008· Must be a registered Republican to participate in the Republican Primary·
"If you are currently registered as “Unaffiliated” you may change your status to "Republican" at the polling location. If you are registered as a Democrat or Independent please contact your County Clerk for deadlines in changing your party affiliation."
~http://home.utgop.org/page.php?page_id=7
Here are the rules for voting in the Utah Democratic Primary:
"To vote in the Feb. 5 Utah Democratic Presidential Primary, you must be registered as a Democrat or unafililiated."
~http://www.utdemocrats.org/
VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Vote in Utah
The most common way to get involved in politics is to vote. But few actually do. It can be challenging to figure out where and when to vote, assuming you have registered, much less get any information on the candidates. And if you are already pressed for time, there is a large chance it just won't happen.
From my own experience, the following links have been very helpful to me to know how and where to vote.
If you need to register to vote, you can do so though your county office. In Utah County, you can find the form here: http://www.co.utah.ut.us/Dept/ClerkAud/Elections/VoterReg.asp
If you are already registered but want to know where to vote, that can also be found online via the State Elections Office: http://gva1.utah.gov/elections/polling.aspx This link will also tell you what precinct you are in. You should also get a voter registration card in the mail containing this same information as well.
As far as learning about the candidates or issues up for a vote, I recommend doing a Google search for each one individually. Some candidates even have their own websites.
Local newspapers can also provide information on candidates and issues, but they are sometimes biased, so I recommend reading more than one. The most prominent newspspers in my area are:
The Daily Herald: http://www.harktheherald.com/
The Deseret News: http://www.deseretnews.com/
The Salt Lake Tribune: http://www.sltrib.com/
From my own experience, the following links have been very helpful to me to know how and where to vote.
If you need to register to vote, you can do so though your county office. In Utah County, you can find the form here: http://www.co.utah.ut.us/Dept/ClerkAud/Elections/VoterReg.asp
If you are already registered but want to know where to vote, that can also be found online via the State Elections Office: http://gva1.utah.gov/elections/polling.aspx This link will also tell you what precinct you are in. You should also get a voter registration card in the mail containing this same information as well.
As far as learning about the candidates or issues up for a vote, I recommend doing a Google search for each one individually. Some candidates even have their own websites.
Local newspapers can also provide information on candidates and issues, but they are sometimes biased, so I recommend reading more than one. The most prominent newspspers in my area are:
The Daily Herald: http://www.harktheherald.com/
The Deseret News: http://www.deseretnews.com/
The Salt Lake Tribune: http://www.sltrib.com/
Getting Involved in Utah Politics
I have created this blog out of a desire to increase political involvement in Utah. My job is to make it easier for the regular Joe or Jane to navigate Utah politics. About a year ago, I decided to do my duty and vote, so I tried to find out who all my elected representatives were--it took hours just to find names, much less anything about them!! As a result, I want to have a place where fellow Utahns can find information quickly. Therefore, I will be creating a condensed list of ways to get educated and involved as well as notify you of upcoming events. We might even try to explain upcoming legislative bills into plain language!
I welcome any suggestions or requests for information.
I welcome any suggestions or requests for information.
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