CORC and the 2017 session of the Utah Legislature

The Coalition of Religious Communities had a major impact during the 45 days of the Utah Legislature's 2017 session.   Key victories include blocking efforts to increase the sales tax on food and the passage of a bill that makes the reduction of child homelessness a bigger priority in Utah.

We began this session by educating people in faith communities about the reality of child homelessness by organizing Ending Child Homelessness Sabbath.   This weekend of prayer and reflection, which was participated in by 32 congregations from all over Utah, began with a kick off event that drew significant media attention to the struggles of homeless families.

We  followed up on Ending Child Homelessness Sabbath by organizing a series of seven faith days featuring people from different denominations.  

News Coverage from the 2017 Utah Legislative Session:
Coalition of Religious Communities aims to end child homelessness in Utah
Utah congregations praying for homeless children this weekend
8 Ogden-area churches fighting child homelessness from pulpit
Utah faiths, officials plan to pray for end to child homelessness​
Advocates for low-income Utahns protest restoring sales tax on food
Opponents urge Utah lawmakers to drop 'weird, unfair' food tax reform
Religious groups in Utah criticize plan to raise food sales tax
Lawmakers support bill to research causes, solutions of child homelessness
Food Tax Dies in Legislature, But Could Return

Representative Robert Spendlove speaking at Ending Child Homelessness Sabbath Kick Off Event on February 2, 2017. Rep. Spendlove sponsored a bill that will make ending child homelessness a bigger priority in Utah.

Rev. Vinnetta Dolphin-Wilkerson speaking at a press conference opposing a proposal to increase the sales tax on food on February 23, 2017.