Utah County Disabilities, in Salt Lake and Washington

One of the biggest key factors in political advocacy is to interact with the right people.  You’ve got to know who is supposed to represent you in the Government.  Then, you’ll know who to contact to get action.  If I, living in Eagle Mountain, Utah, were to contact a Senator from Illinois, to encourage him to vote for a certain bill, it would have an impact.  However, if I were to contact my own senators, and remind them that I am one that can vote them in or out of office, my communication will have much more impact.  

The same thing happens on the state and local government levels as well.  

There are two big differences between the state and the federal government, as it relates to having a disability in Utah.  One is that the state government is more likely to pass or defeat bills that will have a direct impact on the services you and your family receive.  Even if the federal government allocates funds for the disabled, or mandates programs for them, it’s usually the state that manages the funds or the programs.

The second big difference is that most people aren’t as aware of the state government.  Who is my state representative in the house?  Who is my state senator?  What districts am I in?  What’s the role of the Governor in all of this?  Who really decides where Utah Disability services are applied, and how money is spent?

We just finished an election.  In a previous post, there are links to help you to know what your districts are.  The first step in becoming more aware is to check the maps and find your district.  

Once you know which districts you live in, here is a list of the Senators and Representatives, both federal and state, which represent you (as of the current preliminary results of the 2010 election).

Please note that these results only include districts that include parts of Utah County, or governmental institutions that impact Utah County.  Those with an asterisk (*) represent changes over previous officeholders.

Federal Senate

Mike Lee (REP)*
Orrin Hatch (REP)

Federal House of representatives

District 2  Jim Matheson (DEM)
District 3  Jason Chaffetz (REP)

Utah State Governor

Gary R Herbert (REP)
Lt Governor Greg Bell (REP)

State Senate

District 13 - Mark Madsen (REP)
District 14 - John Valentine (REP)
District 15 - Margaret Dayton (REP)
District 16 - Curt Bramble (REP)
District 27 - David Hinkins (REP)

Here are some websites to help you follow what happens in the Utah State Senate: http://www.utahsenate.org/aspx/roster.aspx
Majority: http://www.senatesite.com/home/  
Minority: http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/

State House

District 27 - John Dougall (REP)
District 56 - Kenneth W. Sumsion (REP)
District 57 - Craig A. Frank (REP)
District 58 - Stephen E.Sandstrom (REP)
District 59 - Val Peterson (REP)*
District 60 - Bradley Daw (REP)
District 61 - Keith Grover (REP)
District 62 - Cristopher N. Herrod (REP)
District 63 - Dean Sanpei (REP)
District 64 - Becky Lockhart (REP)
District 65 - Francis D. Gibson (REP)
District 66 - Michael T. Morley (REP)
District 67 - Patrick L. Painter (REP)

Here is the official website of the Utah State House of Representatives: http://www.le.utah.gov/house/index.htm

Over the course of the upcoming year, we’ll be talking more and more about how to influence these representatives to support your families, your beliefs, and the programs that help you live your lives.  Check back in often!