If you are like many of our citizens, you may feel overwhelmed by all that is happening in our country and state. It is time for all citizens to at least take small, even tiny actions to protect the future for our children and grandchildren.
Start by learning about just one area you may care about or be interested in — education, book banning, clean air and water, Great Salt Lake, citizen initiatives, women’s health rights, voting rights, or defending democracy. Find an organization that supports the topic. There are many in Utah. (Friends of GSL, Utah Clean Energy, Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, League of Women Voters are just a few.) Look at their website and get on an email list or become a member.
When you learn about something you oppose or even support, have discussions with your circle of friends and family backed up by facts, not conspiracy theories from social media. Then start to follow the Legislature.
The Utah Legislature meets until March 7 this year. The Legislature has a very robust website. Their committee meetings are recorded, and videos and agendas are posted online. After the session, they continue to meet in interim meetings.
Send your elected officials an email or call. They were elected to represent you, but if they do not hear from you, they think that the only valid views are from those in their neighborhood, family or church.
In a recent legislative session, a state senator in my district indicated that he did not believe his constituents supported citizen initiatives since they did not vote for those bills. Not sure where he is getting his information, but my guess is not enough of his constituents have taken the time to let him know how they feel.
Let your voice be heard!
Lori Jones, Riverton
