MP Kera Birkeland is resigning, citing family and other commitments

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah District 4 Representative Kera Birkeland announced her resignation Thursday, effective Jan. 10. She cited the need to focus more on family and work obligations.

The effective resignation comes a few days before the general legislative session, which begins on January 21st. Birkeland’s District 4 seat includes represented voters in Daggett, Duchesne, Morgan, Rich and Summit counties.

“My family and work commitments increasingly require my attention outside of my home, a trend that I expect will continue over the next year or two. This decision was not made lightly; It has been weighing heavily on me for some time, also because I feel like my work here is far from finished. However, current circumstances require me to focus on other important tasks,” Birkeland’s statement said.

She also expressed hope that the successor would continue to promote legislative commitment to District 4’s values; “Focuses on tax relief, government accountability, election integrity, protecting our seniors, combating unfair copay accumulators, combating human trafficking, and upholding the common sense and values ​​that define Utah.”

Rep. Kera Birkeland was also behind the bill to legalize the lottery in Utah, based on research that found Utahns in other states had spent up to $200 million a year on lottery tickets.

“When I talk to my constituents and they can’t afford to stay in their homes, our property taxes are just out of control,” said Rep. Birkeland. “We have revenue that is being spent by Utahns that could benefit. What moral basis do we have when we say this is not the government’s job?”