Good morning.
I wanted to introduce you to one of largest, most diverse convenings of senior health care executives and health policy leaders in Utah - the 2019 Utah State of Reform Health Policy Conference.
You read UtahPolicy.com because you're interested in thoughtful insights into Utah's political and policy conversations. So, we're honored to partner with UtahPolicy.com to send you this note.
State of Reform provides the same kind of non-partisan, policy agnostic content that you expect from UtahPolicy.com, but State of Reform focuses on the health care sector. We cover state-level health policy in Utah and eight other western states.
We also host an annual conference in Salt Lake City each year following the legislative session which pulls together some of Utah's leading health care voices, advocates and policy makers. This year's event is coming up on April 24th at the Marriott Downtown at City Creek.
You can review the Topical Agenda, or see the list of more than 65 speakers lined up at the Detailed Agenda.
If you're interested in the intersection of health care and health policy, then we'd be honored to have you with us at the 2019 Utah State of Reform Health Policy Conference on April 24th!
And, for being a reader of UtahPolicy.com, we're happy to extend a 20% off discount to the first 20 readers that register for the conference. When you sign up, use the code "UtahPolicy" to get the discount.
We would be honored to have you with us!
Sincerely,
DJ Wilson
CEO
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SCHATZ, LEE, DURBIN INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO RESTORE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE INCARCERATED AND IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY
The REAL Act Would Save Taxpayer Dollars and Give Millions A Chance to Rebuild Their Lives
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced the Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) Act, a bill that would restore Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated individuals. The bipartisan legislation would cut the cycle of recidivism, save taxpayer money, and improve safety.
“When we give people in prison an opportunity to earn an education, our communities are safer, taxpayers save money, and we can end the cycle of recidivism,” Senator Schatz said. “The REAL Act would restore a program we know already works and give people a real chance to rebuild their lives.”
“The REAL Act is an important part of providing opportunity to federal offenders and reducing recidivism,” Senator Lee said. “I’m proud to be an original cosponsor.”
“The REAL Act is about breaking the cycle of recidivism by increasing access to education for incarcerated individuals. By restoring Pell Grant assistance that can fund educational programs in federal prisons, we will empower individuals to better themselves through education and find career paths once they reenter society,” Senator Durbin said.
In 1994, incarcerated individuals lost access to Pell Grant assistance, causing a significant drop in the number of education programs in prisons. The REAL Act would restore access to these grants, which would reduce recidivism and incarceration costs by increasing access to higher education.
The national recidivism rate is 43.3 percent within three years, but higher education can have a dramatic impact on reducing that rate. A report found that people who participate in correctional education while in prison were 43 percent less likely to recidivate than non-participants, and 13 percent more likely to obtain employment.
In addition, studies have shown that each dollar spent on secondary education programs for prisoners reduces incarceration costs by $4 to $5 during the first three years after an individual is released. A recent study found that states would save an average of $7.6 million in incarceration costs each year in which people in prison had access to Pell Grants while incarcerated.
Companion legislation in House of Representatives is being led by U.S. Representatives Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), and French Hill (R-Ark.).
The REAL Act has been endorsed by a diverse group of stakeholders, including the Association of State Correctional Administrators, Association of State and Federal Directors of Correctional Education, American Correctional Association, Correctional Education Association, American Council on Education, Association of American Colleges and Universities, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, American Association of Community Colleges, Association of Community College Trustees, National Association for College Admission Counseling, Institute for Higher Education Policy, The Education Trust, Justice Action Network, FreedomWorks, FAMM, R Street, Prison Fellowship, Faith & Freedom Coalition, Equal Justice Initiative, Sentencing Project, Coalition for Juvenile Justice, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, ACLU, Drug Policy Alliance, Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime & Incarceration, and The Law Enforcement Action Partnership.
A full list of endorsing organizations can be found here.
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WOES
DROP ANTHEMIC NEW SINGLE
"SUBURBS"
WATCH THE NEW MUSIC VIDEO AT https://unfd.lnk.to/Suburbs
April 9, 2019 - Edinburgh- Scottish pop punks Woes are making a huge splash around the world today with their anthemic new single "Suburbs." Produced by Seb Barlow (Neck Deep, WSTR, Roam), the track debuts the addition of guitarist Luke Bovill to the band and captures Woes' meticulous ear for melodies and colossal hooks. Fans can check out the brand new track and accompanying music video at https://unfd.lnk.to/Suburbs.
Vocalist DJ explains, "Suburbs was the first track we wrote when Luke joined the band. The song is about having a relationship with someone, in your home town or wherever. Then moving away and losing contact with them and wondering what they're up to, if they're still there, if you went back if they'd be pleased to see you."
"Suburbs" is the first new cut from the band since last year's acclaimed Self Help EP, which launched the four-piece into the eye of rock press (KKKK - Kerrang!, 'Bold' - Rock Sound, 9/10 - Discovered) and landed a hefty touring schedule with highlights including support to Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Neck Deep, State Champs, 2000 Trees, Download and Slam Dunk.
Woes have spent early 2019 working on more new music, and are raring to hit the road again. The band announced a UK headline tour and will be supporting Millencolin as well as Trashboat across Europe and the UK later this year.
Woes are more than just a one trick pony, taking pop punk to new heights by embracing their love of pop, hip hop and R&B, and using elements from these genres in their sound. "There is definitely a conscious effort to start expanding our sound, to bring in different instruments and elements that we haven't used before,'' says DJ, "We love loads of modern hip-hop and RnB, which is something we plan to explore more in 2019. We also like incorporating math-rock and prog chords and progressions into our instrumentals... But we still want that pop punk energy live".
There's much more to come from Woes very soon. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to social media for more information.
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Follow Woes:
https://www.facebook.com/woesuk/
https://www.instagram.com/woesuk
