Mar 1, 2024
Over the last 45 days, my colleagues and I have worked tirelessly to make a meaningful difference not only for all of Utah, but for our community. I am deeply proud of the work my colleagues and I have been able to accomplish. From improving public safety, to supporting our incredible educators, to protecting our states many natural resources and so much more, this has truly been a meaningful 45 days For Utah.
Fiscal Responsibility for Utah
Utah has a long history of fiscal responsibility, awarding us accolades from Best Economic Outlook and Overall Best Economy for several years running. Achievements like this would not be possible without our commitment to passing a balanced budget. This year’s budget truly is a reflection of what matters to Utah: investing in education, protecting our natural resources, and increasing both housing affordability and housing supply. You can learn more about the budget for fiscal year 2025 here or by listening to this week’s episode of our House podcast.
Interim Process
Though our 45 day Legislative session may be over, our work is not. As a Legislature, we will spend the next 10 months meeting in our committees, learning about the pressing needs of the state, and preparing for next year’s session. Our first interim meetings of 2024 will take place this coming May. I am your Representative all year long, not just during our 45 day session, and I would love to continue to hear what issues matter to you. You can follow along with the whole process, in person or online at le.utah.gov.
Tax Relief For Utah
I firmly believe that Utahns deserve to keep more of their hard earned money in their own pockets, which is why the Legislature is continuously committed to reducing taxes. This year, we passed a nearly $170 million tax cut, building upon the $1.3 billion in tax relief we have passed over the last four years. Over time, these sustained, incremental tax cuts have made a real difference for Utah families. You can learn more about this year’s tax reduction here.
Feb 24, 2024
With only one week remaining of our seven week Legislative session, every minute counts. This past week I have been hard at work ensuring that the bills we pass will be beneficial for our community. During week 6, we passed bills to safeguard the quality of our higher education institutions, eliminate unnecessary school fees for Utah students and families, and safeguard our water future. During our last week on the hill, make sure you continue to follow along with the process in person or online at le.utah.gov.
Improving Housing Affordability
Studies have shown that the majority of children who grew up in Utah would like to continue to call Utah home as they enter adulthood. However, the rising cost of homeownership is a key factor in their decision to stay in the state. As we look to the future, we must create opportunities for our children and grandchildren to establish a home in Utah. The Legislature is working to identify innovative ways to facilitate investments in the housing market and streamline processes that will increase the housing supply for Utah.
State Budget
The Executive Appropriations Committee made final recommendations for the fiscal year 2024-25 budget. This year’s recommendations bolster Utah’s longstanding legacy of fiscal stewardship in appropriations. Lawmakers’ recommendations include strategic investments across vital sectors, including education, social services, infrastructure, energy, and water, while providing Utahns with an income tax cut for the fourth consecutive year. Read more about the budget recommendations here.
Reducing School Fees
Many parents and students have been overwhelmed by the amount and cost of school registration fees, particularly for high schoolers. HB 415, which passed the House with bipartisan support, will eliminate fees for any classes a student is required to take for graduation. Let’s keep our education system in Utah affordable and first-rate.
School Safety and Security
This week, lawmakers, law enforcement officials, and education leaders discussed the School Security Task Force and legislation aimed to improve safety and security at Utah schools. The following bills will help teachers focus on teaching and students focus on learning.
- H.B. 84 School Safety Amendments: Improves training, communication, infrastructure, and response to better protect students, teachers, and other staff in the event of an emergency.
- H.B. 14 School Threat Penalty Amendments: Increases the penalties for threats against schools.
Feb 17, 2024
Working For Utah
With the shortest Legislative session in the country, our Representatives know how to make each day count. This week we passed meaningful Legislation that will benefit our community, including bills that increase stipends for educators to purchase classroom supplies, strengthen security at our public schools, and streamline the judicial process. With only two weeks left, make sure you’re following along, in person or online at le.utah.gov.
Water Week
As the second driest state in the nation, we must continually plan for our water needs. Because water is a top priority for the Legislature, we designated this past week as Water Week at the Capitol. During the week, we heard and debated important bills that will help ensure our water future, such as SB 118, which makes it more affordable to implement water efficient landscaping in new home builds, and HB 453, which increases protections for the Great Salt Lake. Click here to learn more about how we plan to protect our water resources.
Updated Budget Estimates
Today, the Governor’s Office and Utah State Legislature released revised revenue numbers for fiscal year (FY) 2024-25. Utah boasts the #1 economy in the nation, ranking as the best state for economic outlook for 16 years in a row and the best-prepared state in the nation for economic downturns and uncertainties. Revenue projections show a return to a more stabilized and consistent revenue stream. As such, our state will transition back to a more modest revenue flow. I am committed to keeping the cost of living low for Utahns and continuing to invest in ways that ensure the state is prepared for potential economic downturns.
More Money for School Supplies
Utah teachers shouldn’t have to fork over their own money to pay for classroom supplies. That’s why, in a unanimous vote, the House passed H.B. 105. The bill would increase the school supply stipend for Utah teachers to $250 for teachers in grades 7-12 and $500 for kindergarten through sixth grade. The proposal builds on previous education investments, including a historic increase in teacher pay and per-pupil spending in the Beehive State.
National Security
In a globally connected world and with one of the strongest aerospace and defense industries in the nation, it’s important that we take steps to safeguard our state and nation from malicious foreign influences. This session, we are taking steps to protect land around military bases from being sold to hostile foreign governments and prohibit the state from purchasing technology manufactured by certain foreign entities. These steps, among others, will help safeguard Utah, and our nation, from outside threats. Click here to learn more.
Public Safety
Our strong public safety system is critical for our flourishing economy, strong communities, and high quality of life. However, with our growing population and the wave of rising crime nationwide, it’s critical that we continue to strengthen public safety. This week we passed bills that increase safety and security at the state correctional facility and help inmates safely reintegrate into society, enhance tools and resources to reduce recidivism, and streamline the expungement process.
The Legislature Condemns the Actions of Natalie Cline
In response to the abhorrent and unacceptable actions of Utah State School Board member Natalie Cline using her social media to recklessly target and violate the privacy of a minor, the Legislature passed a concurrent resolution censuring member Cline. This is the first time in state history that the Legislature has censured an elected public official. A public figure should never use their platform to bully a child. I send my love and support to the student athlete who was targeted and her family. Click here to read the full censure.
Feb 6, 2024
We’re nearly halfway through the Legislative session! I am proud of the significant and meaningful things we have been able to accomplish for Utah, like expanding access to mental health care in rural Utah and increasing accountability in our government agencies. Keep following along over the next four weeks as we debate important legislation, in person or online at le.utah.gov.
Teacher Retention and Recruitment
Over the last several years, both new teachers and those with decades of experience have been spread thin with growing and unmanageable workloads. The Legislature has provided teachers with a $6000 pay raise, paid professional hours, and other resources to make teaching a more desirable and rewarding career. Click here to learn about the bills we will be considering this session to empower teachers.
Utah is Ready to Play Ball
This week, we were joined by baseball legend Dale Murphy as we passed a joint resolution in support of Major League Baseball in the Beehive state. From little league to the collegiate level, Utah has some of the most passionate sports fans in the country and we are eager for the opportunity to bring a major league team to Utah.
Reliable, Affordable, Dispatchable Energy
Utah’s all-of-the-above approach to energy has provided reliable, affordable, and dispatchable power for decades. Investing in the state’s energy capabilities is a top priority this session, and I am committed to fighting back against the federal government and passing policies that ensure Utah’s current and future needs are met. Learn about the energy policies we’re debating here.
For Utah Students and Teachers
Utah is proud to be home to the best teachers and the brightest students in the nation. Investing in education is the best way to invest in the future generation and future prosperity of our state, which is why the Legislature is putting students, parents, and teachers first.
You can learn more about the Legislature’s plans for education by listening to this week’s episode of our House podcast.
Jan 26, 2024
Another week completed and my colleagues and I are continuing to work diligently to make meaningful changes For Utah. This past week, we passed several priority bills, including one to reduce regulatory barriers for Utah startupsand another to increase criminal penalties for drug distributors.
The next five remaining weeks will continue to be full of purposeful legislation to improve the lives of all Utahns. Make sure you follow along in person or online at le.utah.gov.
Environmental Stewardship Caucus
Utah has been blessed with an abundance of natural resources that make our state a great place to live, work, and play. We believe in being good stewards of our lands and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our natural wonders, which is why members of our body have formed the Environmental Stewardship Caucus. A strong economy and a healthy environment are not mutually exclusive. We are committed to finding solutions that achieve both.
Keeping Utah’s Light’s On
This upcoming week, we will hear and vote on several bills to strengthen Utah’s energy. Utah’s abundant energy resources and generation capacity provide reliable, affordable, and dispatchable power to energize our homes and economy. Utah has embraced an all-of-the-above approach that welcomes traditional and renewable energy sources as well as innovative new potential energy systems. We will continue to push back against onerous federal regulations and shifting demands from outside entities that threaten this approach, and we will ensure Utah’s energy policy is driven by Utah interests.
You can learn more about our plans to secure Utah’s energy by listening to this week’s episode of our House podcast.
