Voices for Utah Children Articles

  • How the 2025 Federal Reconciliation Bill Harms Utah’s Kids and Families

    Reality vs. Rhetoric As Utahns, we claim to value bold ideas and practical solutions. We believe in responsible budgets — but not at the expense of our children’s futures. The new Federal Reconciliation Bill of 2025—dubbed the “One Big Beautiful...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Moe Hickey
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Sticks and Stones: The Power of the Words We Use

    This month feels heavy. Because, well… it is. We celebrate Pride Month, a time to recognize and honor the LGBTQ+ community. But even as we celebrate, it’s impossible to ignore the challenges. This year, Utah became the first state in the country to ban...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Laneta Fitisemanu and Moana 'Ulu'ave
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Voices for Utah Children Statement on the Risk the Reconciliation Bill Poses to Utah’s Children

    We are disappointed in the recent passage of H.R. 1: "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" in the House of Representatives which if enacted, will result in thousands of Utah children and their families losing access to health care, food, and other support...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Thaiss Del Rio & Ciriac Alvarez Valle
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Work Requirements Threaten Coverage for Thousands of Utahns on Medicaid 

    Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee released its long-awaited Committee bill, and as we expected, cuts to Medicaid are on the table. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill would cause 13.7 million Americans to lose their...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Thaiss Del Rio
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Healthcare Isn't the Only Thing at Risk

    Medicaid Cuts Don’t Just Hurt Health—They Weaken Utah’s Economy and Workforce Just days before Congress was set to go on recess, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the joint budget resolution (216–214), with all four members of Utah’s...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Thaiss Del Rio
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Children Facing Deportation Alone: The Crisis We Cannot Ignore

    Every year, thousands of children make the perilous journey to the United States alone, seeking safety and refuge. These children, known as unaccompanied minors, arrive at our borders without a parent or legal guardian. Many are fleeing violence, gang...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Liliana Bolaños
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Rethinking Congress' Budget Proposals

    Invest in Communities, Not Deportation The latest budget proposals in Congress threaten to remove essential programs that support our communities while ramping up immigration enforcement. These decisions will have devastating consequences, particularly...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Ciriac Alvarez Valle
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Voices Statement on the House Budget Resolution

    The recent House Budget Resolution proposes $880 billion in Medicaid cuts, a move that would destabilize Utah’s healthcare system. These cuts would affect children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families while straining hospitals and...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Thaiss Del Rio
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Voices Statement on the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025

    Voices for Utah Children strongly supports and urges Congress to pass the Dream and Promise Act of 2025. Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers reintroduced this bill on February 26, 2025, to ensure security and...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Liliana Bolaños
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • The Real Costs of Erasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs

    Since 2023, anti-DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) bills have become law across multiple states. These bills typically target restricting DEI offices and staff, DEI training, diversity statements, and identity-based hiring practices. On January...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Alejandra Martinez
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Tracking Utah's K-12 Education Funding

    It’s official: Utah returns to ranking last in the nation for per-pupil education spending. While the national average is $15,633, Utah’s spending stands at $9,552 per student, placing the state 51st for Fiscal Year 2022.[i] Let’s dive into the data to...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Jenna Williams, Taylor Throne
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Update: Health Coverage Access for DACA Recipients in Utah

    03/11/2025 Update: CMS Proposed Rule Threatens Health Coverage for DACA Recipients On March 11th, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a proposed rule that, if finalized, would remove DACA recipients’ access to the ACA...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Thaiss Del Rio
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • 2024 State of Kids Coverage Report: The Path Taken & the Journey Ahead

    Much has changed since the 2019 State of Children's Health Coverage Report. Over the past five years, we have made significant strides at the local and federal health policy levels shaping access to healthcare for children in our state. The journey has...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Ciriac Alvarez Valle, Thaiss Del Rio, Laneta Fitisemanu
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Utah Immigrant Advocacy Coalition Statement on DACA's 12th Anniversary

    On DACA's 12th anniversary, the undersigned members of the newly rebranded Utah Immigrant Advocacy Coalition (formerly Utah DACA) join communities nationwide to commemorate this vital program's profound impact and advocate for a more just and inclusive...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Liliana Bolaños
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Tax Cuts Hurt Kids

    Why Voices Opposes Proposed Income Tax Cuts Over the past four years, Utah's Legislative Leadership has consistently prioritized tax cuts above the needs of Utah's families. Despite a $400 million tax cut passed last year that benefited the most...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Jenna Williams
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Take Action on EITC Awareness Day 

    January 26th is Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day! The EITC is a vital tool in reducing child poverty, and improving the long-term outcomes for children across our state. Some tax policies - like the EITC - promote fairness and equity....

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Abdikadir Eftin
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Making Utah Taxes Fair for All Families

    Most of us don't enjoy paying taxes. We do it, though, because pooling our money together through taxes makes it possible for us to have roads, schools, libraries and parks, fire fighters and law enforcement, and so many more public goods that none of...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Taylor Throne
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • How Much Will Each Utah County Soon Lose in Child Care Funding?

    During the pandemic, the child care sector was decimated. Nationally, 16,000 childcare programs permanently closed and 100,000 workers left the industry entirely. But even before the pandemic began, Utah only had enough licensed child care to meet...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Jenna Williams
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Brackeen v. Haaland: The Case Child Welfare Advocates Should Worry About

    On November 9th, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the Brackeen v. Haaland (21-377) case.[i] The case could determine if the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), enacted by the U. S. Congress in 1978, is constitutional. Since it was enacted, ICWA has...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Martín C. Muñoz
    • Category: Updates & Blog

  • Voices Urges Utah’s Congressional Members To Take Action After The 5th Circuit’s Decision On DACA

    Statement on the Fifth Circuit Court Decision in Texas v. United States Voices for Utah Children is disappointed with the ruling from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. The ruling largely upheld the lower courts’ decision that the Deferred Action for...

    • Type: Article
    • Author: Ciriac Alvarez Valle
    • Category: Updates & Blog
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