On Wednesday, February 9th, UPEA held the 3rd annual Public Employee Day on the Hill at the Utah State Capitol building. The day began in the Capitol Board Room on the main floor of the Capitol where attendees met for breakfast. UPEA Executive Director Todd Losser spoke to the members in attendance about UPEA’s lobbying efforts and important bills this session. UPEA lobbyist, and former legislator, Korey Holdaway presented a training on the do’s and don’ts of contacting your legislator. Attendees were provided with materials and talking points to address letters to their senators and representatives.
Over the next couple hours, legislators came to speak with UPEA members and answer questions about public employee issues and bills that could impact them. A special thank you to Rep. Welton, Sen. Reibe, Sen. Harper, Rep. Wilcox, Rep. King, Sen. Owens, Rep. Snyder, and Rep. Judkins who took time out of their busy schedules to meet with association members.
After breakfast, the group went to the House of Representatives to attend Floor Time. Rep. Dunnigan formally recognized the UPEA members in the gallery and thanked them for their work and participation in the legislative process. Following his personal privilege, Rep. Dunnigan escorted the group to the Majority Caucus Room to answer their questions. Attendees then had the opportunity to pull their legislators from the House and Senate Floors to introduce themselves and hand deliver letters written earlier in the day.
After a lunch break, a docent from the Capitol Preservation Board took the attendees on a tour, sharing information about the history, art, and architecture of the Capitol. Attendees sat in the Supreme Court and walked through the basement of the Capitol to see the seismic base isolators that protect the building from earthquake damage.
Following the tour, a few members stayed to accompany UPEA staff to the Senate Health and Human Services Standing Committee where Rep. Wilcox presented 2nd Sub. House Bill 23 First Responder Mental Health Services Amendments.To close out a successful Public Employee Day on the Hill, Todd Losser spoke in favor of the bill before it was passed out of the committee with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you to all of our members who attended the Day on the Hill, we look forward to next year’s event!