Watchdog- April 2025

Author- Berkley Barlow

I’m thrilled to be bringing our first Watchdog of 2025 to you. Make sure to pay attention to our updates on upcoming League events and new information for this year on our calendar. If you aren’t already following us on Instagram or Facebook make sure to click the links at the top or bottom of the website to stay updated!

LEARN ABOUT THE LEAGUE

Mission Statement

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Basic Policy

The League of Women Voters may take any action on government activities and policies in the public’s best interest based on position statements from national, state, and local leagues. We do not support or oppose any candidate or political party. Unless authorized, the President is the only spokesperson for each level. All levels of the League are well-respected and considered full of integrity.

Consists of Three Tiers

National Level – Encompasses all Leagues in All States – Master Organization – Develops Nationwide Position Statements on National Issues – Lobbies at the National Legislature – Represents All Leagues in the Nation – www.lwv.org – National Voter/Impact on Issues– Convention at a National Level

State Level – Encompasses all Leagues in the State – Lead Organization for the State – Develops Statewide Position Statements on State Issues -Lobbies at the State Legislature – Represents all Leagues in the State – www.lwvut.org – Utah Voter’s Guide – Convention at a State Level

Local Level – Encompasses all Members Usually in a County – Develops County/Local Position Statements on County/Local Issues – Members Lobby at the State Legislature - lwvweber.org – Watchdog/Voter’s Guide – Annual Meeting at a Local Level

Local Officers

President:  Terri McCulloch

President Elect:  Arlene Anderson

Vice-President:  Tirzah Fields and Tammi Ryan

Vice-President:  Anne Freimuth

Vice-President:  Karen Thurber

Secretary:  Siera Green and Berkley Barlow

Treasurer:  Prasanna Reddy

Communications:  Arlene Anderson, Berkley Barlow, Tammi Ryan

Advisory Board Members: Denise Green, Marcia Harris, Vicky Heithaus,
Marie Kawaguchi, Donna Kimball, Carole Lapine, Marilyn O'Dell, Rebecca Robley, Marcia Thomas, and Barbara Wachocki

A message from our President

This has been a challenging year, and the chaos doesn’t seem to diminish. We must remain strong and continue our efforts for a return to normalcy. While it may seem like issues are being addressed without yielding results, we are making an impact. Giving up is what some people want, and we cannot let that happen. Together, united, we are an unstoppable force. I am very impressed by the numerous letters, protests, calls, and texts our League has initiated.

What astonishes me is that our elected officials do not listen. They openly admit receiving many communications for or against various issues, yet they fail to act in accordance with the desires of their citizens. This ignorance has resulted in laws that do not serve the best interests of the citizens or our country. IGNORING US MUST CHANGE!

We must hold our representatives accountable at every level—local, state, and national. If your representative does not reflect your views or listen to your concerns, I encourage you to consider running for office or helping someone else do so. We must be the agents of change, starting from the ground up. This can involve calling out representatives for not fulfilling their promises, meeting with them to share your perspectives while listening to theirs, and suggesting solutions to address the issues.

Municipal elections are happening this year. We will organize candidate forums, and if someone chooses not to attend to engage with constituents, please consider not voting for them. The League promotes respectful behavior in all forums, so there should be no reason to feel intimidated. You elect these officials, and you should have the opportunity to meet with them.

I appreciate all the support that has been offered. People continue to volunteer their time, attend meetings, and advocate for ethical governance even when it is hard to do so. Your efforts, no matter how small they may seem, are invaluable. While you may not be able to do everything, showing up whenever you can is what keeps us moving forward.

I have made it my goal to attend every city council meeting in Weber County, and I am almost finished with this objective. I was very impressed by what I saw. Most officials seem to have the public’s needs in mind when making decisions. Although there can be a disconnect between funding and community needs, officials generally strive to find balanced solutions whenever possible. I encourage everyone to attend a city council meeting in their community. It truly opens your eyes.

As summer begins, Karen Thurber will get us registering voters and teaching Girl Scouts. We all need to contribute and encourage voters to show their support. Nothing will change unless they make it happen.

PLEASE DON’T GIVE UP! YOUR EFFORTS ARE CRUCIAL TO OUR FUTURE
- Terri McCulloch

WEBER COUNTY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS 2024 - 2025

Weber County has had a fantastic year due to thinking outside the box and implementing new things. We have continued our extensive voter registration activities under the direction of Karen Thurber. She conducted her annual registration training, and off we went. We registered voters every other Saturday at the Farmer’s Market, along with these other events:

Black History Celebration Breakfast, Ogden High School Family Night Hispanic Festival, Earth Day ATC Campus Evening Concerts, State Naturalization Ceremonies, Pride, Harvest Moon, Awesome Autism Conference, WSU Block Party, Lantern House Shelter, Juneteenth Fest de los Muertos Conference, Night Out Against Crime, Two Local Naturalization Ceremonies, YCC Five Libraries in Weber County All Day on Constitution Day/National Voter Registration Day

We registered close to 1,000 voters, attended 32 events throughout the year, and donated over 400 hours of volunteer time. We also organized and sponsored many community and fundraising events, which included:
Dollars For Democracy Fundraiser Party – Earned about $1,000 in donations

- Weber County Police Chief Panel

- EmpowerHER – Honored Women in or Just Leaving Local and Weber County Office at Formal Ceremony

- Candidate Forums for Local and State Government Offices

- Voter Workshop at Weber State University

- Daffodil Planting for Gun Violence Victims

- Civics Event for Public

- Sponsored Morgan County Candidate Forum

- Sponsored Catered Thank You Dinner

- Presented Three New Member Meetings

- Participated in Utah Fits All Scholarship Study

- Incorporated mailings, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to Help Get the Word Out

- Purchased T-shirts/name Tags for Members

- Had Excellent Press Coverage from KUER, Fox, and the Standard-Examiner

- Presented Voter Information at Raptor’s Baseball Field and had a recording played at all home games

WEBER COUNTY LEAGUE’S BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT DURING 2024 WAS INCREASING MEMBERSHIP FROM 38 TO 92 AND INCREASING VOLUNTEER PERCENTAGE

Approximately 85% of the 92 members participated and supported us in at least one way—volunteering, attending events, and/or sharing and supporting us on social media. We hope this growth continues and members stay involved in contacting representatives, registering voters, and participating in things that make a difference to our organization and our community.

The Weber League was very active in the legislative session and had members following committees. Members sent thousands of notes and letters to elected officials. Through the chaos, our league had a good year!

Aid for Immigrants

To help immigrants, when necessary, there is a committee in our community that educates our population about their rights. Three sets of red cards are being distributed, with English on one side and Spanish on the other. The intent is to help people feel safe and know their rights should they be approached by the police or an ICE agent. The verbiage on the different cards is below. Pass the information to anyone. The cards contain the following directions:

Card 1: I have the right to remain silent/ Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution

I have the right to talk to my attorney/ Sixth Amendment of the US Constitution

I have the right to not consent to search without a Judge Warrant/ Fourth Amendment of US C.

Stay calm. Never lie, never present false documents, or physically resist.

Card 2: I am giving you this card because I do not wish to speak to you or have any further contact with you. I choose to exercise my right to remain silent and to refuse to answer questions. If you arrest me, I will continue to exercise my right to remain silent and to refuse to answer your questions. I want to speak with a lawyer before answering your questions.

Card 3: I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the US Constitution.

I do not give you permission to enter my home based on met 4th amendment rights under the US Constitution unless you have a warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate with my name on it that you slide under the door.

I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my 4th Amendment rights.

I choose to exercise my constitutional rights.

GOVERNMENT OVERREACH – THE NEW NORMAL

Government overreach is “instances where government actions extend beyond the limits of their authority, as defined by law or the constitution.” Government overreach has recently been discussed concerning some actions taken by state and federal officials. Keeping checks and balances in place is crucial to smooth operations and is the primary method of blocking government overreach.
The Bill of Rights is the foundation used to determine individual rights. These rights ensure that every individual has the same freedoms. Government overreach doesn’t occur through any party or faction, but it happens when any representative passes laws that violate the Bill of Rights or the Constitution.
The judicial branch is very important in checking government overreach and protecting individual rights. This step allows the courts to examine laws and determine if they violate the Constitution and infringe on individual rights. We currently have many cases in the courts against bills passed by our legislature. This fact alone should alert citizens that their voices are not being heard. This costs the taxpayer money and **IDENTIFIES THAT CITIZENS ARE NOT BEING HEARD.**
If people believe their legislator does not reflect their beliefs, they should not be re-elected. Our problem in Utah is that we often have only one choice in municipal elections because races have only one candidate. We must fix this!
Citizens need to stand up and demand accountability. The best way to do this is to run for office. Running for office will allow people to have a choice. Races must have competition. **RUN FOR OFFICE OR ENCOURAGE SOMEONE ELSE TO RUN!** Our legislators should represent the beliefs of their people, and citizens should vote for the candidate and not the party.

NEW MAIL-IN VOTING LAW

Despite widespread public opposition, the Utah legislature passed an amended bill changing mail-in voting. Beginning in 2026, voters must include the last four digits of their state ID on their ballots. If they lack a state ID, verification will be done using signatures.

By 2029, voters must have a state ID and opt into the mail-in voting process if they want to continue to use mail-in voting. Indigent voters can receive a free state ID after signing an affidavit. In-person voters must present valid identification. From 2029 onward, voters must renew their mail-in voting status every eight years. Ballots must reach the clerk by 8:00 p.m. on election night.

This change could significantly impact municipal elections, where voter turnout rose 94% when mail-in voting was introduced. Many voters find mail-in ballots helpful reminders about dates and candidates. A study showed that 96.7% of voters submitted their ballots by mail or in drop boxes.

Eliminating mail-in voting will disadvantage rural voters, who won’t travel long distances to vote. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson highlighted potential costs and the risk of reduced access to voting.

While 75% of voters trust the security of mail-in voting and 83% believe their ballots were counted correctly, the new law’s reliance on the last four digits of state IDs raises security concerns. These digits would be easier to find and use, and verification would not show any problems, whereas signatures are much more difficult to copy.

This law prompts questions about its necessity and how it was passed, which seemingly disregarded the public’s discontent. Lawmakers overlooked the views of their constituents. The bigger question is, given the widespread opposition from voters, why was this not vetoed? Cox noted that this bill received the most public communication during the legislative session, most of which was in opposition. Yet, it passed, and the Governor did not veto it. This situation underscores the public’s right to be heard and the importance of their voices in the decision-making process.

Why did it pass when people indicated they did not support it and wanted to stay with mail-in voting as it is? It is supposed to increase security because two deceased people might have voted. That is hardly a security breach, and one must wonder if this is worth the cost and confusion. The biggest question is, “Why would you not want citizens to vote and make it more difficult?” We know the answer to this. We must have officials who listen to their constituents and don’t just make decisions for themselves. The potential consequences of this law, such as voter suppression and decreased voter turnout, are significant and should not be overlooked.

The Pros of Voting by Mail

By Jenny Rigley

The pros of voting by mail is if youre someone who is unable to leave the house, you can still vote and make your choices heard. Also, everyone who wants to vote can vote by having the power to be able to choose who they want to vote for and to be able to make a difference in society. It gives them freedom to choose and know that their vote counts.

The definition of democracy is that our government is elected by citizens. Without voting by mail, people who can’t vote in person or have a close enough ballot box will lose their choice on who they want to be elected.

There are several other pros of voting by mail, but the main one is that people who may not be able to vote in person can have the chance to choose who they want to have in office and know that their vote matters.

The Good and Bad of Homeschooling

by Jenny Rigley

One of the good things about homeschooling is that you don’t have to worry about being bullied by someone else. You also get to go at your own pace and choose what subjects you like to study the best. A great thing is that you get to spend more time with your family and learn from your parents and what knowledge they have.

When I was homeschooled, we had a co-op with other families that were doing homeschool, so we learned from others. We were able to be outdoors more and learn about our environment. We were able to go on more field trips and visit more museums and places of learning. If you wanted to add religion to schoolwork, you could, and you wouldn’t be in trouble.

The bad sides of homeschooling are that you don’t get to talk to or make new friends. If the parents don’t know a lot about a certain subject, you are going to miss out on learning about it. The other thing is that if you do go back to school, you could be behind the students your age and miss out on learning from different teachers and new ways of teaching.

If the parent is working, they must be able to trust their child to do the schoolwork while they are at work. It’s also possible you can be ahead if you go back to school, and you would be bored. When my family did homeschool, we didn’t have a computer, so we would have to go to the library to learn about the stuff that interested us. Now we have a computer, and you can learn more about the stuff you want to. You can also goof off more and not focus.

So, it all depends on how you want your child to learn and what works best for your family. I have done both homeschooling and going to school, so I can see the good and bad from both sides. Just do your research before you make the decision.

UTAH FITS ALL SCHOLARSHIP STUDY

The Utah League of Women Voters conducted a comprehensive study to evaluate the financial and academic accountability of the Utah Fits All Scholarship. This study, culminating in an executive report and a position statement, was created based on research and interviews.

It is important to note that no one on the pro side, including the sponsors Candice Pierucci and Kirk Cullimore, spoke with us and chose to ignore every method we employed to contact them. It was hard to believe that none of the groups that supported the bill wanted to respond to any queries! This is entirely unacceptable. They are voted for and paid by the citizens. The position statement was complex due to the lack of transparency surrounding the program and the difficulty communicating with the sponsors.

Some interesting findings showed that this program has no curriculum or mastery requirements. Parents can request that their students take the same tests as public-school students. A portfolio is necessary, but there are no guidelines or requirements, and no one aside from the parents and the child may view the results. Many scholarship recipients are home-schooled, while a smaller portion uses it to assist with private school tuition. A parent may use the funds to purchase supplies, lessons, and computers, but the scholarship money cannot be spent as payment to the parent for teaching their child.

There are numerous issues within the UFA, and the program manager of this scholarship should address them. Students may not be at the same grade level without established requirements. Students can inadvertently become babysitters, as there is often no oversight. The most concerning aspect is that a child predator could home-teach a student, giving them constant access. The potential for abuse is distressing. The young man who died in West Haven was reportedly being home-taught (though it is unclear if he was part of UFA), resulting in tragedy. The first line of defense for many students is at school, where problems can be identified and reported.

Utah’s public schools serve as the primary educators for our citizens, and the state ranks 6th nationally in terms of competency level. The Utah Fits All Scholarship is attempting to fix something that isn’t broken. The bill’s aim of having parents oversee their child’s education is commendable. However, it is crucial to recognize that while parental involvement is essential, many parents may lack the necessary skills or resources to provide an equivalent quality of education. This bill seems to target those who are unemployed and have an educational background to ensure a quality education for their students.

We encourage you to visit lwvweber.org or lwvut.org to read the study and the formal position statement. Our Utah league members firmly believe there is a pressing need for increased transparency and accountability in financial and academic domains. Although the legislature passed a bill that addressed some financial gaps, it falls short of the transparency and accountability we advocate for.

Read the study HERE

The Union Debate

The topic of labor unions has certainly sparked lively discussions since the Utah legislature altered their bargaining power in the last session. Was this a wise decision? It’s essential to examine the pros and cons of unions to determine whether abolishing their power is the right choice.

A labor union is an association that aims to protect workers’ rights and support them within their respective trades. Unions utilize collective bargaining to negotiate with employers. The misconception that unions represent only their members is inaccurate; all negotiations benefit the entire group of employees, regardless of membership status or payment of dues.

Unions negotiate contracts that define compensation, work hours, benefits, job health, and safety policies. The establishment of unions has led many workers to earn higher wages, enjoy reasonable hours, work in safer conditions, access better health benefits, and receive support during retirement, injury, or legal accusations. One notable achievement of unions was their pivotal role in the abolition of child labor in the United States.

The legislature looked at all sides and determined it was better to take away this power than listen to the public. According to Rabaresearch, “Utah’s workers should have the freedom to join a union.” If this is the case and there is that much support for allowing workers to choose to belong, how did this bill pass the legislature? From the comments, the protests, and the rallies, this was not a bill that had a lot of support. The question remains about how it passed when so many people did not support it. A person acting as a representative should always vote according to his/her constituents and keep their opinion just one of the voices heard by non-supporters. The importance of public opinion cannot be overstated. If the signature gatherers for the referendum can garner as much support in the second half of their campaign as they did in the first two weeks, it would suggest that the legislature may not have adequately addressed the public’s concerns and opinions.

Below is a comparison of some pros and cons of having union bargaining power versus not having it. Consider these points and decide for yourself.

Pros

-Higher Wages - Better Benefits- Job Security- Improved Working Conditions- Pension Security- Collective Bargaining - Stronger Workplace Relationships- Improved Productivity- Reduced Inequality - Political Influence- Harder to Fire

Cons

Union Dues- Initiation Fees- Mangement Vs Union - Reduced Autonomy- Position on topics- Workplace tension- Slower Advancement - Cost to Business- Strikes- Lack of Flexibility

Solidarity forever: Building strong communities together

by Berkley Barlow

In a world that often feels divided—politically, economically, and socially—most of us are searching for ways to create meaningful connections and support our friends and families. Whether it’s rising costs of living, healthcare struggles, or the desire for a more compassionate society, we’re reminded daily that no one can face these challenges alone.

That’s where solidarity comes in. Solidarity isn’t just a rhetorical ideal, it means recognizing that our well-being is tied to others. When we stand together, share resources, and advocate for one another, we build resilient communities that can weather hard times and create lasting change.

Why Class Consciousness Matters

You might have heard the phrase "class consciousness" before; the understanding of how economic forces shape our lives and recognizing that many of the struggles we face (like stagnant wages, unaffordable housing, or inaccessible healthcare) aren’t personal failures but systemic issues.

Working-class women have always been the backbone of communities—organizing food drives, advocating for better schools, and fighting for fair treatment in the workplace.
When we see how our struggles overlap with those of neighbors, even those from different backgrounds, we realize that unity is our greatest strength.

This isn’t about ideology—it’s about fairness. It’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, has dignity, security, and a voice.

How We Can Build Community Together

Real change starts at the grassroots. Here are a few ways we can foster solidarity in our own lives:

Listen and Share Stories – There’s power in sharing our experiences. When we talk openly about financial stress, healthcare hurdles, or caregiving struggles, we often find we’re not alone.
Support Local Mutual Aid – From community gardens to neighborhood assistance networks, mutual aid projects all allow us to help each other directly.
Advocate Together – Whether it’s pushing for affordable housing, Medicare expansion, attending LWV events (yay), or advocating for fair wages, collective action gets results. Remember: Politicians respond to organized voices.

Let’s keep building a world where no one is left behind—because we’re stronger together.

New Member Highlights

Sandy was a military child when she was young

- She went on to marry a military husband

- She obviously has traveled to many places throughout the world

- Sandy has two sons and five grandchildren, one just recently born on March 18

- She loves good books and reading is a hobby

- Sandy also enjoys gardening and doing all kinds of crafts

- She describes herself as a “A proud liberal who believes in fighting for and defending DEI principles.

- Sandy is not afraid to voice her opinion and call people out when needed

-Member of ROTC Army

-Served in the Army 8.5 years and was ultimately a captain

-Daughter of two Air Force parents hence her love for the military

-Volunteered as a firefighter and EMT and found her love for healthcare

-Ayla’s passion is working in remote and community-centered service that includes disaster response, humanitarian aid, climate change-clinical relevance, education, and connection.

-She changed her major to healthcare in 2022 and earned her master’s degree from John Hopkins

-Currently attending University of Utah earning a doctorate to be a DNP emphasizing family, education, and public policy

-She was born in Italy as her father was in the Air Force and visited many places -She loves skateboarding, hiking, mountain climbing .. (and anything outdoors) and plays the guitar

- Teri was the Executive Vice President of Beacon Recovery which provides support for substance abuse

- Teri now works as Case Manager and Advocate for people with disabilities.

- She is 37 years clean and sober

- She has a degree from Weber State in network security

- She works in the health field with substance abuse recovery

- Teri has been actively involved in the creation of both recovery and women’s safe houses and recovery houses

- Teri is VP on the Board of Directors for the Womens Retreat House

- She has helped develop scholarship programs to help create pathways for low- income clients to access treatment services.

- Teri is a member of Mensa

- Her hobbies include building boats, drawing, and painting

- Amy has been married to her husband, Brad, for 10 years. They have no children

- She went to Clearfield High School and graduated in information technology from Davis Applied Technology College

- She currently works at BAE Systems as a Software Test Lead

- Amy can be found with her nose in a book when she has spare time.

- Her favorite books are mythology, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, and romance

- Amy sometimes plays video games (open-world RPGs like Skyrim or Fallout)

- She is a great Star Wars fan.

- She has discovered that she loves hockey and supports the new Utah Hockey Club frequently at home games during the team’s inaugural season.

- Any enjoys concerts, especially the outdoor ones

- She is a fan of gymnastics meets

- Amy and her husband can often be seen eating at local restaurants and enjoying the local craft breweries.

-Mandy Shale lives in beautiful Ogden City

-She lives with her husband, son, and fur and feather babies

-She enjoys being a part of the Ogden community

-Mandy is on the Planning Commission and Landmarks Commission for Ogden

-She was originally from Great Britain

-Mandy is a naturalized citizen and has lived in Ogden over 20 years and in the country almost 40 years

-She is the Executive Director of a social services agency and is passionate about supporting people with disabilities

-Mandy enjoys gardening, cooking, creating, and crafting

-Danielle is from Utah and has lived in Weber County on and off throughout the years

-She earned a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Utah State University

-Danielle has a master’s degree in political science and community development from Illinois University

-Non-profit work is her passion

-She works in hunger relief, housing and homelessness, legal aid, disability services, civil society development, and youth development.

-Danielle served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Ukraine

-She also served in the AmeriCorps

-Danielle is committed to service learning and strengthening our communities

-Executive Director of People’s Legal Aid

-Trainer of Community Programs and Social Issues

April Edition