Given the amount of money that has been slashed from the budgets of Utah organizations set up to aid victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, one might jump to the conclusion that violence aimed at women is no longer a problem hereabouts.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Just as one example, the Logan-based Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse is looking at serious cutbacks in the services it provides because of a loss of federal funds that so many agencies and contractors are facing in the wake of the Trump administration’s illegal actions.
Meanwhile, the Utah Legislature in its recent session agreed to spend a mere $200,000, spread over 14 rape crisis centers across the state, instead of the more than $2 million recommended by various legislative committees. This even as lawmakers came up with their fourth consecutive income tax cut, this one worth $195 million in total but a pittance for most households.
The Legislature’s priorities, helping the rich get richer and leaving the victimized out in the cold, do not, as is so often the case, reflect the values of their constituents.
Editorials represent the opinions of The Salt Lake Tribune editorial board, which operates independently from the newsroom.
