For the first time in decades, this year Utah is having an election for a district in the United States House of Representatives in which the Democratic candidate is favored to win.  Since both or our food pantries, and our thrift store, are located in this new congressional district we have decided to reach out to all seven of the candidates running to be the Democratic candidate in the general election in November with three questions:

• The minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 per hours since 2009. Do you support legislation to raise the federal minimum wage?
• The "Big, Beautiful, Bill" championed by President Trump made many negative changes to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ("SNAP"). Would you support legislation to repeal these negative changes to vital healthcare and nutrition programs?
• During the past year HUD has proposed major, controversial, changes to programs that help fund homeless services in the United States. Congress has taken action to block some of HUD's proposals. If elected, would you work to protect funding for homeless services from proposals that would make it harder to reduce homelessness?

So far, six of the seven candidates have met with us and answered those questions.  The following videos are sorted alphabetically.   Please feel free to share them with people who might be interested in comparing the answers provided by different candidates.

Our top donation needs this month are baby formula for food pantries and women's clothing that we can give away at our thrift store.

Global corporations that have never given a penny to support deeply affordable housing in Utah might invest in housing to end homelessness in our state if that investment would get attention during the 2034 Olympic Games.  This creates a unique opportunity to build housing our state needs to end homelessness for seniors, families with children, people with physical or developmental disabilities, people with serious mental illness and people coming out of treatment for substance use disorders.

Senator Nate Blouin is sponsoring SB 255, "Homelessness in Vulnerable Populations Amendments" to take advantage of this opportunity.  SB 255 would create a short term task force to identify the types of housing Utah needs to reduce homelessness before the 2034 Olympic Games and what kinds of investment tools can be created to bring funding to Utah to help produce that housing.  
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The bill is schedule to be heard by the Senate Economic Development and Workforce Committee on Monday morning in a meeting scheduled to begin at 8:30 AM in Room 215 of the Senate Building. If you can make it to the meeting to testify in support of this bill please do so.  If you cannot be there in person. please reach out to at least one member of the committee and ask them to vote in favor of SB 255 on Monday morning.

Senate Economic Development and Workforce Committee Members

• Sen. Ann Millner (R), Chair
• Sen. J. Stuart Adams (R)
• Sen. John D. Johnson (R)
• Sen. Karen Kwan (D)
• Sen. Derrin R. Owens (R)
• Sen. Jerry W Stevenson (R)