Ready or not, it’s Back To School Month

Time is ticking for 670,000+ public school students in Utah as the deadline to pick out their first-day-of-school outfit nears.

 

Before the school bell rings, I want to brag about education in Utah. Last year, our graduation rates continued their ascent above the national average while our students tested No. 1 for college readiness among comparable states.

 

This year, I supported common-sense policy to further empower parents, students, and teachers. We dismissed the notion that we must choose between public education and educational choice by making unprecedented investments in both areas. We empowered parents and teachers. In Utah, we can do both. Here’s how I supported education in Utah:

 

Invest in Students

  • Increased per-student spending by $211.7 million from 2023-24 – a 5% jump

  • Expanded educational choice by awarding 10,000 Utah Fits All Scholarships to Utah kids

 

Empower Parents

  • Prohibited schools from charging curricular school fees for required classes

  • Improved educational transparency

 

Support Teachers

  • Invested $74 million to increase paid prep time for educators

  • Significantly increased teacher compensation to retain our best educators

  • Increased classroom supply fund by up to $500 so educators don’t pay out of pocket

  • Created paid stipends for student teachers

 

Increase Safety

  • Increased penalties for school hoax threats

  • Took unprecedented steps to improve physical security and student and teacher safety

August Interim

Lawmakers from across the state will join me on Capitol Hill Aug. 20-21 for interim committee meetings. As a reminder, these meetings help set the agenda for the next session. On my committees – Economic Development & Workforce Services and Political Subdivisions – we’re delving into really big issues that may impact you.


As always, these meetings are open to the public. You can participate in person or online at le.utah.gov. I would love to see you there!

Protecting Utah Children

When it comes to protecting our youth online, the rest of the Nation is looking to Utah. Over the last two years, we have passed first-of-it’s kind legislation to hold social media companies accountable for exploiting minors. A recent decision from the federal courts has proven that, in the beehive state, we know how to strike a balance between preventing harm and protecting the free market.

 

I had the privilege of sponsoring HB464 and SB194 with Senators Mike McKell and Kirk Cullimore this last session, which created the Utah Minor Protection in Social Media Act. These laws were designed to protect our minors from the serious harms of social media by creating safer social media experiences, empowering parents with the necessary tools to foster healthy habits, and holding social media companies accountable for the detrimental effects their algorithms can have on young users.
 
While we have a long legal battle ahead, this dismissal was a major hurdle we had to overcome. I hope this work will ultimately help kids in Utah overcome the significant harms posed by current social media practices.
 

Learn more about the fight to protect our children here or listen to a quick recap of how these bills create a safer online space for minors here. 

Increasing Transparency and Local Control
Last year, I championed an important piece of legislation, HB374, aimed at increasing local control, transparency, and resolving a longstanding conflict of interest between the SL County Sheriff's Office and the Unified Police Department (UPD). As a result of this bill, the SLCo Sheriff's Office has officially separated from UPD.
 
This change means the Sheriff will now function like other Sheriffs across the state, providing patrol services in unincorporated areas of the county and offering countywide services (such as the Metro Gang Unit, Narcotics Taskforce, Warrants & Extraditions, and Search and Rescue, etc.) with oversight and funding from the Salt Lake County Council. This step forward ensures greater accountability and transparency in law enforcement services in SL County and addresses concerns of double taxation.
 
Recently, I joined Greg Skordas and Adam Gardiner on KSL Radio's Inside Sources to discuss the background and context of this significant change. You can listen to our conversation here.

Bringing Home the Gold for Utah

It’s official: the Winter Olympics and Paraolympics are coming home to Utah in 2034! The opportunity to host the 2002 Olympic games spurred investment across our state, the effects of which are still benefiting us today. As the games return home to Utah, we have the unique chance to invest in our state again, not just for the Olympics, but for all the future generations of Utahns to come.  

 

I hope you will join me in sending support to the outstanding American athletes who are currently representing our country in Paris. Bring home the Gold, Team USA! 

Innovation in A.I.

Utah is once again setting the standard and leading out in technological advancement by implementing an innovative approach to AI. This past session, we created the Office of AI Policy to help us learn, discover, react, and create effective frameworks and policies for Utah. This lab spurs innovation while working to protect our data privacy. You can learn more here. 

Keeping Energy Affordable For Utahns

Our all-of-the-above energy approach here in Utah has led to some of the lowest energy rates in the country and the Legislature is committed to keeping it that way. I join my fellow lawmakers in pushing back against recent threats from large companies to raise our rates far above market value. As we continue to embrace all forms of energy, we can ensure that the lights stay on and our costs stay low. Learn more here. 

Practicing Fire Safety

We’re fortunate to live in such a beautiful state with world class recreation opportunities. As you get outside and enjoy the summer sunshine, make sure that you’re practicing fire safety habits. This year alone, we’ve seen nearly 500 human caused wildfires across our state. Working together, we can help ensure that our stunning scenery remains for future generations to continue to enjoy. Click here to learn more.

Utah In the News

Deseret News: Foreign countries are buying up Utah land. New state legislation aims to tackle the conundrum.

KSL TV: As Utah political threats rise, security measures becoming tighter, says DPS

Fox 13: Utah looks to ink deals with Israel for water-saving technologies

Utah News Dispatch: Great Salt Lake commissioner report details ‘busy and fruitful’ year

KSL: US immigration officials seek info on possible detention center for Utah

Deseret News: Here's how big of a boost Utah's economy would get from hosting the 2034 Winter Olympics

Standard-Examiner: Antelope Island State Park breaks ground on new visitor and learning center expansion

Fox 13: Rocky Mountain Power faces the wrath of Utah's Capitol Hill over rate hike

KSL: Utah commission approves Enbridge plan to cut natural gas rate by nearly 30%

KUER: Utah’s new Office of Artificial Intelligence will first focus on mental health care and AI

KSL TV: New remote avalanche control systems to be installed in Little Cottonwood Canyon

KUER: Utah’s social media laws pick up a partial court win

KSL NewsRadio: “Planting parties” at Utah Lake working to rid the lake of invasive phragmites

Fox 13: Fentanyl seized in Utah in 2024 already surpasses mark set last year

Brad Mortensen op-ed: Weber State is embracing change in our approach to serving students. As its leader, I welcome scrutiny.

KSL: Utah is aging, but new Census Bureau data shows benefits in its youth

USA Today: Winter Olympics are officially heading back to Salt Lake City in 2034. Everything to know.

KUTV: Utah faces more critical fire conditions, smokey air as dry, hot weather continues

Higher Ed Dive: Federal judge blocks final Title IX rule in four more states

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