Policy News Gov. Cox and Lt. Gov. Henderson held a second executive branch community service project The Cox-Henderson administration held its second hands-on executive branch service project this year. As outlined in the administrationâs One Utah Roadmap, service is a core value for Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson. Two service projects will be held each year. Gov. Cox, Lt. Gov. Henderson, First Lady Abby Cox, cabinet members and state employees assembled hundreds of hygiene and personal care kits with approximately $250,000 worth of product donated by Hispanic Star in partnership with Procter & Gamble. Donations included personal care items for men and women, diapers, sanitizers, masks, body lotions, baby lotions, body wash, sanitizing wipes, blankets, toilet paper and paper towels. (Read More) Legislators and faith leaders attempt to complete Utahâs application for Medicaid and other programs On Wednesday, October 20, 2021, a group of state legislators and members of the Coalition of Religious Communities will meet in Room 4112 of the State Office Building at the Utah Capitol Complex and attempt to complete Utahâs application for Medicaid, SNAP and other programs in fifteen minutes or less. Utahâs current application has 89 questions plus attachments with an additional twenty questions. Coalition of Religious Communities members have heard from multiple sources that completing this application often takes more than two hours. The length and complexity of the application creates a barrier to participating in programs like Medicaid and SNAP. It also makes it much harder for faith leaders and charitable organizations to assist people in applying for services without major increases in paid staff. This may help explain why thousands of uninsured Utahns have still not enrolled in Medicaid despite full expansion having begun in our state on January 1, 2020. (Read More) Biting into local: Itâs Utah Apple Crunch Time For the fifth year in a row, Utah schools, early care sites, community organizations, and businesses will be celebrating with an Apple Crunch on October 20. All you need to join the fun is a Utah-grown apple and a love for local food. The Apple Crunch is a way to get excited about local produce and connect Utahns to the farmers in their community by crunching into delicious Utah apples together. Due to the pandemic, last yearâs Crunch events were largely virtual, but this year in-person celebrations are back. (Read More) 2021 Utah Outdoor Recreation Summit The Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation hosts the 8th annual Utah Outdoor Recreation Summit. Usually a large, three-day event, the 2021 Utah Outdoor Recreation Summit is two regional gatherings this year. The first one took place in Logan on Sept. 22-23, and the next one will be in Kanab on Oct. 27-28.
The Summit is a gathering place for all sectors of the outdoor recreation industry to build a vision together for the future, health, and vitality of outdoor recreation in Utah. Through programming, networking, and outdoor activities, this event focuses on strengthening outdoor recreation communities, the outdoor recreation economy, and improving health and quality of life for all Utahns. (Read More) Gov. Cox orders flags lowered in honor of Gen. Colin Powellâs life and legacy Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has ordered the lowering of the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the state of Utah on all state facilities in recognition of the life and legacy of Gen. Colin Powell. Flags should be lowered to half-staff immediately until sunset on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. Private citizens and businesses are encouraged to participate as well. Read the Presidentâs proclamation here. Registration now open for Utah Food Bankâs 16th Annual Utah Human Race Registration is open for Utah Food Bankâs 16th annual Utah Human Race, held on Thanksgiving morning (November 25) in Sandy. Participants in this family-friendly 5K/10K fun run have a direct impact on the 511,000 Utahns facing hunger because every registration fee and sponsorship dollar benefits Utah Food Bankâs mission of Fighting Hunger Statewide. After last yearâs virtual race, Utah Food Bank is looking forward to the return to an in-person event, which typically means 5,000 participants all ârunning with an attitude of gratitudeâ on Thanksgiving morning! This yearâs race will be moving to Sandy from its previous home in Draper. The race route begins and ends at the Sandy Promenade at 10200 S. Centennial Parkway. Both the 10K and 5K races begin at 8:00 a.m., and all ages and ability levels are welcome. Registration fees are $20 for the 5K race and $25 for the 10K race, with prices going up by $5 per person on November 1. Online registration closes on November 22 at noon, and there is no same-day registration, although registration will be available in-person during packet pick-up at Utah Food Bank on November 24. Registering an individual or team is easy at www.UtahHumanRace.org, and registrants have the ability to spearhead their own fundraising efforts within their social groups, which only increases the impact this race has on our neighbors in need. (Read More) Rep. Owens announces award for Utah SORNA grant application Today, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) announced a $91,693 award from the Department of Justice to enhance programs designed to implement the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) that protects children and adults from sexual exploitation and violent crime, prevents child abuse and child pornography, and promotes internet safety. âWe have a responsibility to protect young Americans from platforms that promote sexual exploitation and unsafe online environments,â said Rep. Owens. âIâm proud to announce these taxpayer dollars are returning to Utahâs Fourth District to expand our stateâs toolbox for enforcing the law, supporting victims, and prosecuting the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.â | 