League Priorities Direct Our Work

By Lisa Stamps, Co-Director, Legislative Action Committee

As we come upon the end of another year and we prepare to ring in the new, we turn our focus toward redefining our priorities. Personally, we may be focusing on family, health, emotional or financial goals, but here at the LWV Utah Legislative Action Corps, we are focusing on our 2022 Legislative goals. 

Yes, we at the LAC ring in the new and usher out the old. Some past priorities may be completed, and others may remain constant or unresolved. But each year offers a new chance, a new perspective, and new opportunities to make a difference. 

We need to address these new changes and focus on what is most important to the League as a whole, and where we can direct our energy to promote positive political change.

As the co-directors of the Legislative Action Committee, Lisa Stamps and Deborah Case have researched (and polled you about) which LWV-supported issues are most important to you. The information gathered guides us where to place our efforts during the 2022 Legislative General Session. 

The polling responses came in quickly this year, and it was so exciting to see all the well thought-out responses and the deep scope of our members’ interests.

Because there are so many important topics covered by the Legislature, it is difficult to address them all adequately. This is why we are listening to your suggestions, narrowing the field, and listing the top ‘Legislative Priorities for 2022.’

As members of the LWV and subsequently the LWV Utah Legislative Action Corps, we will always promote our LWV United States Core Mission first.

The LWV Core Mission: “Making Democracy Work®” 

  • Voter Rights

  • Improving Elections

  • Redistricting

  • Campaign Finance/Money in Politics

As a state League, we have the opportunity to be more specific to our region’s particular political needs.

Our LAC has created the 2022 Legislative Priorities based on local member polling data and State Board direction. 

In our priority list, the issues are divided into two categories, Social Policy and Natural Resources. At the end is the percentage of respondents that favored those issues.

Note: These percentages are only comparable within their own category. Both Social Policy and Natural Resources have a different number of topics in each category.

Social Welfare*

*There are lower percentages in the social welfare section because there were more topics. 

  • Meeting basic human needs (73 percent)

  • Education and early intervention (68 percent)

  • Healthcare (45 percent)

  • Equality of opportunity (41 percent)

Natural Resources

  • Environmental protection/pollution (91 percent)

  • Climate change (89 percent)

  • Natural resources management (57 percent)

  • Agricultural impact on natural resources (32 percent)

This combination of the National LWV Mission and the Utah Leagues’ Priorities for Social Policy and Natural Resources is more comprehensive than it appears. Each priority issue is more like a broad umbrella, with many subcategories for us to pursue. 

As always, we rely strongly on the efforts of our incredible LAC members to assist us. LAC is here because of your interest, and flourishes because of your efforts. 

Our amazing members help report on issues, keep track of proposals, note a bill’s committee movements, suggest action alerts, and report the final action on important bills. These members share this information with all of us so we can learn, participate, and take appropriate action. Together, we make a difference.

We are so excited (and a little overwhelmed and trepidatious) to be doing this work for the League in 2022. The League needs, and we need, your support to be successful. Feel free to reach out to Deborah Case or Lisa Stamps at legislativeaction@lwvutah.org for more information or with any questions. All help, no matter how small or large is appreciated!

We look forward to an exciting and influential 2022 with you!

Katharine Bielearticle2, Legislative issue, archive