Dear Constituents,
Happy fall! I hope you and your family are doing well and have fun plans for Halloween. It’s been a busy past month and I wanted to give you an update on what I’ve been working on.
Recipient of the American Legislative Exchange Council’s 50 Under 50 Award
This month, I was honored to receive the American Legislative Exchange Council’s 50 Under 50 Award at their annual gala at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC. I’m committed to continuing to fight for Utah families, limited government, free markets, and choice in education. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with so many legislators from across the country who are all fighting the good fight and taking conservative values to their state capitols.
While out in DC I also had a chance to meet with Congressman Owens to discuss education and immigration policy and how we can work together at the state and federal level. With an influx of refugees in our community, we’re looking at ways to meet some of the unique challenges and needs our cities are facing.
I Stand With Israel
Last week I had the incrdible opportunity to attend the solidarity gathering for Israel with the Kol Ami Congregation. I was amazed by the unity and resiliency that emanated from the group of people gathered tonight to mourn the loss of those killed and show support for Israel and the Jewish community.
As I read and watched the news coming out of Israel and the absolutely horrific and barbaric acts Hamas has committed, particularly against children and babies, I sobbed. The fresh hell and loss of life that has been inflicted on Israelis, is impossible to fathom. Sunday was the single largest massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust. I firmly believe that Israel has every right to defend its people and eradicate the terrorist scourge, Hamas, from the Earth.
If you’re looking for a way to try to help, you can donate to victims and their families here.
Supporting our Educators & Empowering Parents
During this past session, I sponsored HB 215 which gave the largest single teacher pay raise in state history and teachers across Utah are already benefiting. In total, the Legislature allocated nearly $5.6 billion towards public education. We know that education is the key to upward mobility and I remain committed to setting our students and teachers up for success. You can learn more here.
I’ve had several constituents reach out with questions on how to apply for the Utah Fits All Scholarship. Right now, applications are open for organizations to apply to be the program manager and administrator of the program. Applications will open in the spring and students will be able to use them next fall. For more information you can check out the State Board’s page here.
September & October Interim and Long-Term Planning Conference
This past month, my colleagues and I took interim meetings off Capitol Hill and down to St. George. In the Education Committee meeting we discussed how the state measures reading proficiency and heard from teachers on what they’re seeing in their classrooms. In Transportation, we discussed public transit and the upcoming projects UDOT and UTA are working on. You can read the highlights from September’s interim here. While in St. George, we also met as a Legislature for the Long-Term Planning Conference, where we discussed transportation, affordability, water, and technology innovation.
Last week was October Interim. In our Education meeting, Wasatch School District presented on their parent liaison program and its incredible impact on student attendance and performance. Rather than hiring additional aids they reached out to parents in their community to have them assist in getting students to class on time and addressing conflicts in the halls. Engaging parents and working with them in partnership is making a huge difference for students and families in this district.
Remember to Vote
County and municipal general elections will take place next month on Tuesday, November 21st. Voting is an important constitutional right and I encourage you all to participate. Find more info at vote.utah.gov.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve our district! Please feel free to email me with any concerns or questions you have at cpierucci@le.utah.gov.
Sincerely,
Candice B. Pierucci
State Representative for House District 49
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