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Detailed 2008/2009 Legislative Priority Information
Education: Helping Children, Youth, and Adults Achieve their Potential
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Community Learning Centers
Governor Huntsman has convened an Early Childhood Commission to identify key early learning priorities. There is initial interest in making community learning centers a top priority for the next legislative session. Community Learning Centers provide an integrated focus on high-quality academics, social services and supports, and greater opportunities for family involvement. Ultimately, Community Learning Centers lead to improved educational outcomes and a stronger, more prosperous community.
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Early Learning/Head Start Funding
Head Start is a high quality comprehensive early learning program for children who qualify at 130% of the poverty line. For a family of four this is an income of less than $26,000 a year. The Head Start program provides educational activities, nutritional services, and medical and dental services. Because Head Start programs face strict funding guidelines, they are limited in the number of children they can serve. Additional ongoing state funding would increase the number of slots for eligible children to enroll in Head Start.
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Expansion of the Regent's Scholarship Program
During the 2008 Legislative Session, Senator Lyle Hillyard sponsored legislation establishing a merit scholarship to be given to students at graduation and could be used at any college or university within the state of Utah. In order to qualify for the scholarship students have to pass a rigorous course of study. Although the legislation passed, the program was only partially funded with $400,ooo in ongoing funds and $500,000 in one-time funds.
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Comprehensive Guidance Counselors
The Utah Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance program strives to create a personalized education for students. The program goal is to reach 100 percent of students and help them to reach their Student Education Plan and Student Education Occupation Plan. Comprehensive Guidance Counselors take a programmatic approach helping students to achieve growth in the areas of career development, educational and occupational exploration, and self-knowledge.
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GED Support for Public Assistance Recipients
The GED program is offered through Adult Education in the State Office of Education. The GED program helps individuals who are at least 16 years of age and older who have discontinued in public education to gain the certification and skills that are necessary for employment and self-sufficiency.
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| Income: Helping Families Become Financially Stable and Independent |
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EITC Outreach/VITA Infrastructure
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit that decreases the gap between what low-to-moderate income families earn and what is essential for survival. In addition to stabilizing households, EITC provides a means to building assets and stimulates local economies. To help promote the EITC and target those in greatest need, hundreds of volunteers prepare federal tax returns for low-income families each year at VITA clinics. As a result, more families are able to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). With an investment of only $500,000 in private funding Utah VITA clinics have yielded over $23 million in tax credits since 2004. Additional state funding would strengthen current outreach efforts and bring more federal funds back into Utah’s economy.
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Children's Savings Accounts
A state children’s savings account would establish an account for every child at birth. The savings in these accounts could later be used for college, retirement, or to buy a home. Though it would most strongly benefit low-income children, children’s savings accounts would ensure that all children have the opportunity to acquire assets and wealth.
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Affordable Housing Development and Funding
The Housing Working Group of the Financial Stability Council studied several proposals to increase affordable housing and development. These include the establishment of a dedicated revenue source for affordable housing, expansion of affordable housing initiatives, and strengthening of local government commitment to providing affordable housing.
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Homelessness Funding
Increased funding for Homelessness will be appropriated to the Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund. The Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund helps statewide agencies to move people from homelessness to self sufficiency. The Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund is funded by the State Legislature and contributions made by individuals on their Utah Individual Income Tax Form.
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Asset Test Removal in Medicaid
The Asset Working Group of the Financial Stability Council recommended pursuing or supporting legislation that would remove or modify current asset limits on means tested programs. One of the unintended consequences of these limits is that the individuals receiving public benefits are penalized for accruing assets. Such legislation could be included as part of a comprehensive health reform to increase enrollment in Medicaid.
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Health: Helping People Improve their Health
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HB 133 Health System Reform
During the 2008 session the Legislature passed HB 133 creating a task force that requires the Department of Health, the Insurance Department, and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to work with the Legislature to develop and implement the state’s strategic plan for health system reform. Health System Reform will continue to be a key issue as the Legislature begins interim committees and develops a plan to move forward.
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Domestic Violence & Child Abuse Prevention
It is estimated that each year more than 40,000 Utah women are physically assaulted by a partner and 194,000 women are subjected to emotional abuse. To reduce the number of women and children subject to abuse the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) provides many critical services including parent education, budgeting help, crisis intervention, mental health therapy, and domestic violence counseling and shelters. DCFS also provides prevention education, awareness, and training to school personnel, volunteers, professionals, and families.
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Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment/Drug Courts
The Department of Human Services offers substance abuse services statewide on a sliding scale to ensure that services are available to all income levels. Drug courts also provide services statewide. Defendants who qualify for drug courts enter into rehabilitation programs. Drug courts have proven to be a successful program nationwide helping individuals to overcome their addiction and to learn how to make more positive choices.
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| Cross Over Priorities |
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Immigration Reform/Immigrant and Refugee Integration |
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Immigration legislation was a key issue during the 2008 Legislative Session. Over a dozen bills were proposed including an omnibus bill, SB 81 Illegal Immigration. SB 81 passed both chambers, but was significantly amended including a delayed implementation date of July 1, 2009. Because of the possible unintended consequences of such legislation immigration will be a key study item during interim committee meetings. We also anticipate that there will be positive immigrant and refugee integration legislation, such as increased case management and capacity building for non-profits that serve this population.
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