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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Report: Female Representation in UT Government Trails National Averages

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Thursday, February 23, 2023   

Research explored Utah's female representation in Congress, the Legislature and concluded the state's executive branch is not where it should be.

This year, Utah ranks 40th in the nation in terms of women serving in the state Legislature, a ranking that fell from 32nd in 2020.

The report released by the Utah Women and Leadership Project at Utah State University noted no women occupy any of the state's six congressional seats in the 118th Congress.

Susan Madsen, founding director of the Utah Women and Leadership Project at Utah State University, said the data clearly depicts a lack of representation in the Beehive State. She argued when there are more equal numbers of women and men in elected roles, there is more innovation and creativity.

"We need to shake that up because men and women both need to use their voices," Madsen asserted. "What we know from the extensive research from different countries and around the United States is that really matters."

According to the research, women hold 26% of the state's legislative seats compared with the national average of just above 32%. When it comes to the state's executive-branch seats, Utah women occupy 20% of those, while the national average sits at 30%.

Madsen noted currently one woman, Deidre Henderson, serves in statewide elective office in Utah after having won her bid for lieutenant governor in 2020.

Madsen reported a slight increase was seen in the number of women as county commissioners this year. In 2023, of 78 county commissioners, 65 are men and 13 are women. She pointed out conservative states such as Utah typically see more men in what she calls "public roles" with women occupying more "private roles."

Madsen noted when girls don't see women in more public roles, they may not see the need for women to occupy those spaces of influence.

"If we really care about our society, to do the best thing we can for the people we serve, we will have more equal numbers of men and women and be more inclusive of people from different races and ethnicities and cultures," Madsen emphasized.

Madsen is pleased to see some male lawmakers within the state assembly leading key legislative efforts relating to domestic violence and sexual assault this year. She acknowledged it is the most she has ever seen step forward to be what she calls "male allies."


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