Guest Opinion: Utah needs a Republican renaissance
by Jessica Egbert, PhD
Like over 140,000 others (New York Times, 2021), I left the Republican Party in early 2020. Disenfranchised by ego, discouraged by counterproductivity, and demoralized by hypocrisy to the platformâs values, I had finally reached my tolerance limit. I opted out.
In 2021, I realized my mistake.
As a conservative, my priorities had never changed. Instead, my faith in the systemâs ability to create change had dissolved. What I failed to consider, however, was that the system established by our forefathers was not necessarily to blame. The individuals functioning within the system can be its very salvation.
When I removed myself from the equation and eliminated my voice from the narrative, I was no better than those who complain and do nothing. So, when I realigned in 2021, it was with intention and purpose: to be part of the solution.
The Utah Republican Party Platform states, âWe demand honesty, integrity, morality, and accountability of our public officials. We will work to expose and stop corruption.â
When a local legislator told me last year that he didnât need his president to be a spiritual leader, I responded confidently, âI do.â I need leaders who not only set good economic policy and collaborate across the aisle to create real solutions but who inspire me, admit mistakes, and show compassion and humility. I want leaders who are tough but civil. I demand honesty, integrity, morality, and accountability for myself and my six-year-old son.
And, I am part of that Republican renaissance that is bringing those 140,000 back to the Party to demand the same.
Like me, I invite those who abandoned the Party to come back. We need you. And, our voices will change this election â and beyond. Be part of the solution. Letâs demand more.
News Releases
Utahâs economic position leading the nation
The Salt Lake Chamberâs Roadmap to Prosperity Coalition, in partnership with the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, has updated the Economic Dashboard for March to help business leaders know where Utah stands in the overall recovery. This tool tracks the stateâs path to a complete economic recovery from the pandemic recession and provides actionable context for decision-makers.
âUtahâs consumer confidence continues to climb as the broader U.S. confidence dips for another month,â said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance. âThis divergence falls in line with Utahâs record unemployment rate and surging economy. Despite some headwinds, Utahâs economic rebound has been broadening and gaining depth across industries. Thankfully, several structural factors are at play in our state to keep us leading the nation economically.â (Read More)
Utahâs business resilience provides model for nation
The Salt Lake Chamberâs Roadmap to Recovery Coalition, in partnership with the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, released its Economic Dashboard update for March, providing a compelling picture of Utahâs business resilience. The Dashboard provides leaders with actionable intelligence related to current indicators important for guiding their organizations, as it tracks the Stateâs path to a full and complete economic recovery from the pandemic recession and provides context for decision makers.
âFrom our most recent data, itâs clear how committed Utah business leaders are to overcoming the pandemic recession. Once again, we have the lowest unemployment rate in the nation at 3.3%, and retail sales continue to provide a surge in revenue for the State,â said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance. âThis recovery is still in progress â and many are still struggling â but we are encouraged by the nascent growth, returning as vaccine distribution begins to constrain this virus. Our commitment to public health throughout this pandemic has provided stability and confidence for consumers and employees, and while we are emerging from this experience I am heartened by how we have come together to weather it as well as anyone anywhere.â (Read More)
Commerce Committee passes multiple Lee amendments
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) offered 54 amendments to the eleven bills considered in a Senate Commerce Committee markup this week. The committee considered bills ranging from the future of 6G technology to incentivizing biological protection programs. Fourteen of Sen. Leeâs amendments were incorporated into the bills passed by the committee.
Many of the adopted amendments include key provisions of Sen. Leeâs SHIP IT Act, which he introduced in March of this year. These provisions include authorizing the Coast Guard to expedite certain documents required to work at major ports, provisions supporting the usage of inland port infrastructure, and a report that details the technological competitiveness of U.S. ports compared with those of peer nations. One Lee amendment to free certain federal lands for the temporary storage of containers during our nationâs current supply chain difficulties was defeated on a party-line vote. (Read More)
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