With the Legislature convening on Monday, January 23, FOP members are encouraged to
write letters to members of the Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Sub Appropriation
Committee. Below is a suggested format for letters and a listing of members of the
committee with their email addresses. Please be respectful and dignified in your requests.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Sub Appropriation
Sen. Daniel W. Thatcher, Chair – dthatcher@le.utah.gov
Rep. Eric K. Hutchings, Chair – ehutchings@le.utah.gov
Rep. Bruce R. Cutler, House Vice Chair – brucecutler@le.utah.gov
Sen. Curtis S. Bramble – cbramble@le.utah.gov
Rep. James A. Dunnigan – jdunningan@le.utah.gov
Sen. Margaret Dayton – mdayton@le.utah.gov
Rep. Brian S. King briansking@le.utah.gov
Sen. Lincoln Fillmore – lfillmore@le.utah.gov
Rep. Merrill F. Nelson mnelson@le.utah.gov
Sen. Jani Iwamoto – jiwamoto@le.utah.gov
Rep. Tim Quinn – Tquinn@le.utah.gov
Sen. Peter C. Knudson pknudson@le.utah.gov
Rep. Angela Romeroangelaromero@le.utah.gov
Sen. Ralph Okerlund ROKERLUND@le.utah.gov
Rep. V. Lowry Snow vlsnow@le.utah.gov
Rep. Logan Wilde – loganwilde@le.utah.gov
Your letter SHOULD NOT be a form letters. Legislators HATE form letters. Here is a format to
follow:
SAMPLE LETTER ONLY
Daniel W. Thatcher
Chair
Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Sub Appropriation Committee
Chair Thatcher:
First, may I thank you for the compensation package you approved for corrections last year. It
mean so much to me and my family. As a result I was able to spend more time with my 3 little
boys and less time working overtime to make a living. In addition, my husband and I have
had more time to strengthen our relationship. I so appreciate your efforts and the time you
spend away from your family in my behalf.
I am writing because as I am sure you know, the Governor has recommended 7.6 million
dollars be appropriated to the Department of Corrections. Approximately 5.6 million dollars
will be used to develop a career path which will give officers and agents working for the
Department of Corrections a compensation system comparable to similar systems in all the
cities and towns in Utah. While the proposed system is not perfect and does not benefit AP&
P agents the same way it does correctional officers, it is a big step in the right direction and
will it greatly enhance the ability to attract and retain new officers and agents into the
corrections.
This last year six correctional officers took their lives. Why there is no way to prove it, I feel
that a big reason for this was the pressure we are under as officers and agents. The
department is still requiring mandatory overtime because of the number of vacant positions
that the department is having a hard time filling because UDC can’t compete with the cities
and towns who all have career pay salary systems. The governor’s proposal if approved by
the Utah State Legislature will be a giant step in the right direction to reversing these trends
in the department.
As a person of influence, I would ask that you do all in your power to implement this pay
Plan
.
Sincerely,
Completa Underpaid
AP&P Agent
Region III
Again, now is the time to write these letters in the letter above is just a sample to assist you in
writing your own personalized letter to legislators. If you have any questions, please feel free
to contact Kelly Atkinson, Executive Director, FOP Lodge 14, 801 – 673 – 2861. The number
listed also receives text messages.