Policy News
Gov. Cox and Lt. Gov. Henderson react to U.S. Department of Labor action
Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson issued the following statement in response to todayâs notice from the U.S. Department of Labor proposing to initiate reconsideration proceedings with a proposal to revoke Utahâs final approval of its State Plan for failure to adopt the COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard (Healthcare ETS) which became effective June 21, 2021:
âWeâre very disappointed in the U.S. Department of Laborâs assertion that Utahâs State Plan is less effective than the federal program. In a July 21, 2021 letter to Labor Secretary Walsh, the governors of Utah, Wyoming and Nebraska expressed concerns that the Healthcare ETS would place an unfair burden on the healthcare industry and noted that our states do not have regulatory authority to require employers to pay their employees sick leave.
âWe reject the assertion that Utahâs State Plan is less effective than the federal plan. While we have not refused to adopt standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), we will ask once again for an opportunity to engage with the Biden administration about our legitimate concerns complying with the proposed Healthcare ETS. Despite todayâs communication, we still welcome an opportunity to further explain our position and recommendations.â
Gov. Cox announces Afghan Community Fund to help refugees
Today Gov. Spencer J. Cox, along with officials from Zions Bank, World Trade Center Utah, Utahâs refugee resettlement network and the Afghan community, announced the launch of the Afghan Community Fund. The fund will ensure Utah is prepared to welcome and support 765 new Afghan arrivals in the coming months.
âSo many generous and caring Utahns have expressed the desire to help, and our state has always stepped up during national emergencies,â said Gov. Cox. âThis fund will help us provide critical assistance to our Afghan friends and neighbors who were forced to flee their country and start over.â
The Afghan Community Fund is a public-private partnership that will support community needs, medical, food, household and other basic necessities for arrivals where public funding is inadequate. (Read More)
Rep. Stewart cosponsors the Natural Immunity is Real Act
Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) cosponsored the Natural Immunity is Real Act. This bill, which was introduced by Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), requires federal agencies to take into account naturally acquired immunity from previous COVID-19 infection when issuing any rules or regulations aimed at protecting from COVID-19.
âThis billâs very introduction is proof of the Biden Administrationâs inconsistency on COVID-19,â said Rep. Chris Stewart. âWeâre simply asking that President Biden practice what he preaches and actually âfollow the science.â These two statements are not mutually exclusive, and in fact are both true: The vaccine offers effective protection against COVID-19; natural immunity offers effective protection against COVID-19. Today, all weâre doing is asking President Biden to acknowledge that reality and be honest with the American people.â (Read More)
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