Dear Senator Hatch,
When I write to you, I like to include photos of us together. We have attended caucus and fundraisers. I shared with you that I was proud to have you as my senator when you eulogized your friend, Teddy Kennedy. (Back then, you crossed the aisle. You represented Utahans like me.) This is me, Julie Hooker, your constituent.
Now, however, I need answers. Your friends, the Huntsmans, honored me with their Excellence in Education award in 2016, in part because of the Pop Up Pantry I helped create. You see, even in Park City (in fact, maybe especially in Park City), we have hungry students. If our children are hungry, can’t afford glasses to see their books/the board, and lack basic hygiene supplies, learning can’t happen.
To that end, I spend well over $250 year to stock our pantry and my classroom with hygiene supplies and educational supplies. I purchase mints and gum to help stimulate student brains as they take state/federal mandated tests.
Having taught at both our junior high and high school, imagine a sophomore coming up to me on the first day of school asking for deodorant. In addition to being hungry, she felt “smelly” on the first day of high school.
Connecting with students matters. To that end, it is important that when my children ask me to donate to cheer, soccer, lacrosse, drama, GSA, ethics club and more, I say “yes” and give what I can.
Your tax bill will hurt me. In addition to teaching, I am an animal rescuer. Your tax bill means I can’t deduct the donations for my classroom, my student extra-curricular activities, and the animals I foster and support.
Rather than criticizing the bill, I want you to tell me, in writing, in public, how you can support the bill. How will it help me?
Also, my parents (ward members of your friends, Carol and Bill Nixon -- you spoke at a breakfast for our ward years ago) paid into Medicare, Social Security, etc. How did you determine that those are now entitlements?
Finally, taking away healthcare from children is criminal. A few years ago, we had a student coughing up blood in my junior high school. We used outside resources, The People’s Health Clinic, the kindness of Parkites, and the grace of our principal, Bob, to get her medical care and furniture in her cold apartment. Is that the kind of country you want to lead?
Again, just tell me how and why you can in good conscience vote for a tax bill that will hurt Utah children and teachers.
I look to you as a senior member with real experience in leadership. You understand that you represent all of us. You understood, in the Teddy Kennedy days, that you could disagree with his ideas, but you didn’t need to personally attack him. As a senior statesman, I beg you to train the next generation. Please bring back civility and grace.
Aside from the tax bill, what about your Native American constituents? How can you support reducing sacred land?
Remember when our slogan was “Utah: A Pretty Great State?” We’re better than that. We are great because of our spirit, our land, and our compassion. You have Donald Trump’s ear, bring back our sacred lands.
The mean-spiritedness and toxic speech spewing from President Trump is affecting our children. How will you change that?
Sincerely,
Julie Hooker
Julie Hooker teaches English and journalism at Park City’s Treasure Mountain Junior High.
