Public Policy 101

Public policy shapes everything in our daily lives from where we park to how programs are implemented. UAH works to influence public policy on the state administrative level, the state legislative level and the federal level.

Administrative

Policies that govern how programs are delivered are often shaped on the state administrative level. For example: when the Department of Workforce Services decides to implement policies that will change how customers access the Food Stamp Program they make of those changes administratively instead of through the legislative process. Administrators work with advocates through meetings, seeking feedback on how low-income Utahns will be impacted by these changes.

Rulemaking

The rulemaking process is an important tool in how laws get implemented. Rulemaking is a public process that requires state agencies to publish program and changes to laws in the Utah State Bulletin. This process is an opportunity for the public, and other interested parties to submit public comment about proposed changes. Comments can be submitted either through written comment or often in a public hearing requested by an interested individual or organization. You can find out more about the rulemaking process here: http://www.rules.utah.gov/

Legislative

State: Utahns Against Hunger works on the legislative level to influence legislation and funding that impacts low-income programs. Staff works directly with state legislators to educate them on how bill introduced will impact programs and their constituents. UAH also advocates for funding for emergency food pantries and food banks.
The Utah State Legislative web-site great resources, to learn more visit: http://le.utah.gov/

Federal: Utahns Against Hunger works to educate Utah’s Congressional delegation about bills being considered on the federal level. We spend time educating Utah’s senators, representatives and their staffs about the impact of federal anti-poverty programs impact their constituents.