Poverty Matters: Kids Living On The Dole

The poverty issue is a big deal for my district.  Our Intergenerational Poverty study that we received several months ago illustrates the problem we are facing with families continuing to live off State welfare generation after generation. 

The data was finally put into a map illustrating the problem statewide.  Here is the map:

Intergenerational Poverty Map - Utah 2012
As you can see, my home zip code 84401 is one of the top six zip codes in the state for kids living in poverty.  While Roy has a most 53 kids who are the 2nd or more generation in their family receiving welfare assistance from the state, downtown Ogden has at least 1160.  

This may help explain some of the urgency I assign to this issue.

Look for some legislation on this topic to be discussed in the near future.  

The Multicultural Commission 2012

In July I was appointed by Governor Herbert to serve on the Multicultural Commission.  Here is a photo of our current membership taken last Tuesday:

A major part of our Tuesday meeting was a presentation by Pam Perlich.  The presentation was a mixture of education and advocacy.  The gist of the statistics is that Utah will find itself with a "minority" majority in the next 30 years as the white population in the state is eclipsed by minority population growth.  Given the significant socioeconomic gap that exists between minorities and the present majority, it is essential that this gap be narrowed if we are to avoid extreme social tension and dysfunction.  The solution to closing this gap is not though government welfare and transfer payments, but rather through eduction and cultural assimilation.  This solution is a main focus of the Multicultural Commission.

It is a privilege to serve and work with stakeholders in the community to find effective remedies to this urgent problem.   

Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation

Our Nation has been through tough times.  Here are Abraham Lincoln's words of Thanksgiving during the height of the Civil War:

The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well as the iron and coal as of our precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving this year and may we remember and venerate the Great Architect of all our blessings.

VICTORY! Re-Election Success 2012

We were successful in defeating my opponent.  Our margins this year were markedly better than in 2010 which saw us eke out a victory by just a few percentage points and 200 votes.  Yesterday's results put us on top with 60.52% of the vote. 

I want to thank all those who volunteered to drop flyers on doorsteps, make phone calls, contributed much need financial resources, and helped us to achieve our success.  Thank you to all!

Now on to leadership elections and crafting legislation for the next General Session...

Top 5 Reasons To Vote for Jeremy Peterson

If you are looking for a compelling reason to cast your vote for me this year.  Let me share 5 of them with you:

1.  Attitude - I am not an elitist who believes he is better than other people.  I am just a person like you who has been blessed with some unique talents that have afforded me the opportunity to serve.  I serve at your pleasure and I don't forget that.

2.  Communication - I want to bring the government to you.  Many people feel that government is far away and out of reach.  This blog is a big part of my accountability to you as the voter.  As I learn about issues, I hope to educate you on them as well.  Good information leads to good outcomes.

3.  Relationships - I don't dismiss anyone just because of party affiliation.  While I am conservative in my worldview, I have frequent conversations with those of opposing viewpoints to help me better understand the issues defining both sides of a debate and to help me better articulate my own position.  I have found that the most workable solutions are usually crafted by listening to many informed opinions.

4.  Work Ethic - Serving in the Legislature is hard work.  To get things done requires organization, tenacity, and long hours.  I am committed to accomplishing legislation that meets the needs of our district.  I believe my record bares this out.

5.  Accessibility - It is important that you to feel connected to your government.  It has been designed to be that way.  However, many of us are jaded by media stories of government idiocy or malpractice.  Don't let these messages cause you to think that you can't and don't make a difference.  You absolutely do. Please call me anytime during waking hours. 801-390-1480. 

Thanks for reading and be sure to vote your conscience this year!