Over 400 Utahns are registered to attend the annual pre-legislative bootcamp hosted by Libertas Institute and Americans for Prosperity Utah at the state capitol on Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
Numerous breakout sessions will cover topics such as how a bill becomes a law, how to lobby effectively from home, strategies for shifting public opinion, and coalition building.
"Many elected officials have been concerned with the lack of civic engagement in Utah," said Connor Boyack, president of Libertas Institute. "Our organization is doing something about it, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Our first event four years ago had 100 people, and each year the demand increases. There is clearly an appetite for understanding how to impact the legislative process."
The event begins at 9am in the Rotunda at the Utah State Capitol, and lasts until 1pm. The event is open to the public, but registration is required.
The agenda is as follows:
9:00 - 9:15 OPENING (in the Rotunda, main area on 2nd floor)
9:30 - 10:30 BREAKOUT TRACK 1
How to track bills and effectively lobby using online tools from home
Framework for a free society: understanding principles of good government
How to take your idea and make it a law
10:45 - 11:45 BREAKOUT TRACK 2
Strategies for shifting public opinion
A beginner’s guide to Utah politics
Coalition building and getting media attention for your cause
12:00 - 1:00 BREAKOUT TRACK 3
How to fight for freedom effectively at the city level
How committee meetings work and how to testify effectively
AFP/Libertas policy preview
1:00 - 1:30 Optional: Tour w/ Greg Hughes, Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives
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About Libertas Institute
Libertas Institute is a free market think tank in Utah, advancing the cause of liberty in the state by supporting and defending individual liberty, private property rights, and free enterprise. The Institute promotes liberty by generating non-partisan analysis, holding public events, producing literature, and strategically engaging opinion leaders, policy makers, media, and interested Utahns.
Contact:
Connor Boyack, President
801.901.0310
cboyack@libertasutah.org
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Founded at the intersection of music, sports, technology, and creative culture, Skullcandy creates world-class audio products for the risk-takers, innovators, and pioneers who inspire us all to live life at full volume.
This year, the brand has partnered with Skate Kitchen, a film that is premiering at Sundance, highlighting a group of female skateboarders in NYC. Due to the obvious cultural links, Skullcandy decided this partnership would be the perfect opportunity to throw a Skate Jam & BBQ at their office to bring everyone together to celebrate the film and bring Sundance to their brand new HQ.
Live performances will be provided by Jaden Smith, DJ Kitty Cash, DJ Cam Tang, and Doja Cat will be putting on a live music performance.
When: Saturday, January 20th
Location: Skullcandy HQ
Time: 12-5PM
Food/Drinks: We will be serving up FREE food and beer
HQ Store: Will be open during event and offering 40% off all products
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EXPERIENCE THE TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL CHANGE
THE WAY MOVIES ARE MADE:
AI, VR, and Intel RealSense.
Friday, January 19th | 6 PM - 9 PM: Opening Reception
Music, drinks and hors d'oeuvres.
Saturday, January 20th | 2 PM - 6 PM: Immersive Media Panel + Après Ski
Intel Studios, Paramount Studios, Adobe, Eliza - with cocktails and live music.
RSVP is essential. Limited capacity, first come first serve.
Address
558 Main Street, Park City, UT
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United Way Presents Policy Agenda for 2018 Legislative Session at Annual Legislative Preview Breakfast
SALT LAKE CITY — United Way presented its public policy agenda for the upcoming legislative session at the 2018 Legislative Preview Breakfast on Wednesday. The breakfast offered community and business leaders, nonprofit organizations and others the opportunity to engage in a discussion with legislative leaders about improving social issues facing all Utahns.
This year’s panelists included Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox, Speaker Greg Hughes, Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, Senator Gene Davis and Representative Brian King. Panelists answered questions focused on how the legislature will be working to advance the education, financial stability, and health of our families, neighborhoods, and communities.
“United Way recognizes that there are many important legislative issues that impact our quality of life in Utah, and in particular the opportunities available to those living in poverty,” said Bill Crim, United Way of Salt Lake president and CEO. “Our priorities for 2018 are an essential part of the work that we do in partnership with hundreds of nonprofits, businesses, government entities, schools, districts, and many others to improve the lives of children and families, and strengthen entire communities.”
Through a collaborative effort with business, community leaders and the broader community, United Way identified its top legislative priorities for 2018, these include:
High-Quality Preschool
United Way is dedicated to ensuring all children have the opportunity to succeed from cradle to career, and recommends making greater investments in education and high-quality preschool. High-quality preschool provides the necessary foundation for at-risk children to build upon, reducing long-term costs of remediation, special education use, possible juvenile justice, and welfare dependence.
In 2014, Speaker Greg Hughes, United Way, and numerous partners worked to pass the Utah School Readiness Initiative, a unique high-quality preschool program targeted at low-income, at-risk students. Since Utah’s initial investment, more than 4,000 children were served, 93 percent of at-risk children avoided special education, and over $1.7 million was saved in reduced special education use. During the 2018 session United Way will work to expand and strengthen the initiative.
Literacy
United Way also supports efforts to create a coherent, comprehensive and aligned literacy strategy that is evidence-based and driven by best practices to ensure every child is reading on grade level by third grade. In Utah according to the SAGE test only 49% of students are proficient in Language Arts in third grade and this drops to 34% proficient for students who are low income.
School Counselors
Additionally, many Utah kids are unable to be the best student possible because of many other things happening in their lives, whether at home or in school. Unmet student mental and behavioral health needs are a significant barrier to educational success. Because Utah’s public education counselor program currently only serves junior high and high school students, United Way supports efforts to establish a formal counseling program for elementary schools and trauma informed practice training for teachers and personnel, so students needs can be better identified and served.
Effective Instruction
Lastly, the number one predictor of a child’s success in school outside of a parent’s education level and family income, is an effective teacher in the classroom. There have been efforts over the last number of years to increase principal leadership and teacher effectiveness. United Way continues to support these efforts to ensure students are receiving the best education.
For more information about United Way and to see the full public policy agenda for 2018, please visit uw.org/advocate. Join United Way of Salt Lake and advocate during the legislative session on social media and tag @uwsl and #utahkidsfirst
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United Way is working to create long-term change by harnessing the power of nonprofits, government, corporations, and thousands of individuals to work together and solve the most difficult problems we face as a community. You can be a part of the change and advocate to put #UtahKidsFirst this legislative session. Learn more at uw.org/advocate.
