In an attempt to position itself as a leader in the public policy arena, the United Way of Salt Lake on Thursday unveiled a list of priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

President and chief executive officer Deborah Bayle Nielsen said many still think of the organization as "the old United Way, which is as a funding organization," she said. But, "it's not all that we do."

Nielsen said the United Way of Salt Lake, which serves Davis, Salt Lake, Summit and Tooele counties, is in a unique position because of its collaboration with local businesses, nonprofit organizations and community-service providers.

"We are really the intersection between all of those various voices," she said. "It creates a very strong voice for all of us."

With that in mind, prominent Utah business leaders, who are also United Way board members, announced the United Way's key priorities for the 2007 Legislature: financial stability, early learning and health care.

The organization will press lawmakers to adopt Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s proposed tax-reform package, which includes a refundable tax credit for low- to moderate-income Utahns. That, combined with continued funding of United Way efforts to raise awareness about the federal earned income-tax credit, could significantly help the 600,000 Utahns who now live in financially insecure households, said board member Scott Anderson, president and chief executive officer of Zions Bank.

United Way partners will also encourage legislative approval of an optional all-day kindergarten for Utah youngsters and increased child-care funding for qualifying parents. Both measures have also received Huntsman's approval.

"A dollar spent today helps prevent problems that ultimately cost our state more down the road," said Keith Rattie, chief executive officer of Questar Corp. and chairman of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Finally, the United Way intends to push for adequate funding of Medicaid, particularly dental and vision services, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to ensure access to health care for all Utahns.

"Our state, certainly, can afford to provide health care for our children," said Lane Summerhays, president and chief executive officer of the Workers Compensation Fund.

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