With the start of the upcoming Legislative session just around the corner, I want to know what matters most to you and our community.
I will be holding a regional town hall on January 15th with my fellow Representatives from Northern Utah County I would love for you to join us as we discuss the issues facing our state as well as some of our Legislative priorities for the upcoming session.
As your Representative, your opinion is invaluable to me. I use your feedback throughout the session as I craft legislation and vote on bills. This is a great opportunity for you to learn more about the legislative process and make your voice heard.
At last month’s interim meetings, I had the opportunity to meet with my colleagues and discuss legislation for the upcoming 2025 General Session. During my committees, we heard from policy experts, stakeholders, and members of the public about issues that matter to them. If you want to know more about what was discussed, you can watch full recordings at le.utah.gov or click here to read the highlights.
Next month’s meetings will take place on Oct. 15-16 at the Utah State Capitol. Interim is a great way for you to get involved in the Legislative process. I hope to see you there, or you can follow along online at le.utah.gov.
Stand for Our Land
As a state, we are pushing back against federal overreach and taking control of Utah’s future. The federal government controls nearly 70% of Utah lands. This includes 18.5 million acres of “unappropriated” lands, or lands being held without any designated purpose, controlled by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In contrast, the federal government controls less than 1% of the land in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Under the control of the federal government, Utah public lands have become less and less public with every public lands decision coming from Washington, D.C. And upcoming plans of the BLM promise more road closures and further restrictions on access. These closures and restrictions significantly affect Utah’s economy and our ability to maintain Utah lands for wildlife management, hunting, wildfire protection, grazing, tourism, recreation, and many other activities.
Let’s keep Utah lands in the hands of those who know how to manage it best: Utahns. Learn more at standforourland.utah.gov.
Good News for the Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake is one of our state’s most critical resources. Over the last few years, the Legislature has taken significant steps to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy this natural wonder. Private citizens and companies alike have also stepped up to help protect the lake. Compass Minerals has agreed to donate a water right of 200,000 acre-feet, enough to fill 99,000 Olympic pools annually. The Jordan River Valley Conservancy has also released an additional 10,000 acre feet over the last month.
Remember to Vote
Your voice matters! Make yours heard by exercising your right to vote. Elections will take place Tuesday, November 5th and ballots will be mailed out starting Tuesday, October 15th. Click here to register to vote, learn more about the issues, and find polling places and ballot drop boxes near you.
Remember to Vote
Your voice matters! Make yours heard by exercising your right to vote. Elections will take place Tuesday, November 5th and ballots will be mailed out starting Tuesday, October 15th. Click here to register to vote, learn more about the issues, and find polling places and ballot drop boxes near you.
The 2024 General Session is behind us – and we passed historic policies that will benefit our community. This includes innovative solutions to lower the rising cost of housing, protect our state’s invaluable natural resources, invest in future generations, and increase safety in our communities.
A few funding highlights:
$830 million invested in Utah public education
Over $100 million invested in public safety for our communities
$30 million invested in Utah’s water resources
$55 million in transportation innovation
$20 million towards improving housing affordability
These investments will preserve Utah’s high quality of life for generations to come. Click here to learn more about how we’re working for you at the state Capitol.
Cutting Government Waste
This year, the Utah House made good on our promise to trim excess in state government. We cut 50 boards and commissions and raised the barrier for the creation of more government bodies. That’s 110 fewer gubernatorial appointees and a savings for all Utahns.
In his 1964 speech, Ronald Reagan quipped, “No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. So governments’ programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth.”
Not in Utah.
Between H.B. 532 & H.B. 534, we re-examined over 400 boards and commissions that oversee and regulate everyday life – combining and eliminating unneeded bureaucracy. This is ongoing work, and we promise to stay diligent. Good governance requires accountability and the efficient and effective use of taxpayer funds. For more, you can watch our video on trimming boards and commissions here.
Snow-Capped Mountains, Conservation, and Legislation
Good news – Utah’s mountains are stuffed with snow and our reservoirs are nearing capacity. On average, state reservoirs are sitting at 83% capacity before spring runoff. Last year, reservoirs statewide were around half full.
Here’s a helpful way to think about it: “Our reservoirs are our water savings account,”according to the director of the Division of Water Resources. “This critical infrastructure provides us with the water security we have today.”
During the session, the House passed historic changes to water law which will help Utah continue to thrive when the hydrology is good – and when it’s not. The governor highlighted a number of these bills at an annual spring runoff conference in Cache County. Watch our video here.
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.
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.
