I have the amazing privilege to participate in our great system of self-government by representing our community in the State Legislature. You each also have the opportunity and duty to participate in self-government by voting. Please take time to carefully review your ballot and to vote. Elections will take place Tuesday, November 5th. If you did not receive your ballot in the mail, please contact the Davis County Clerk. If you prefer to return your ballot in a drop box, or vote in person, you can find locations to do so here.
Because of mistakes made by the Legislature (as explained in last month’s newsletter) Constitutional Amendments A & D have been invalidated by the court and will not be counted in this election. Both amendments A (Income Tax Fund limitations) & D (Citizen Initiatives) are critically important to the long-term financial stability of the State, and so I expect a version of the issues will be back on the ballot in 2026 as Constitutional Amendments.
Constitutional Amendment B is still on the ballot and particularly deserves our support.
Amendment B: Shall the Utah Constitution be amended to increase the limit on the annual distributions from the State School Fund to public schools from 4% to 5% of the fund?
Our State School Trust Lands Fund has performed well and has a healthy balance. The State Constitution limits how much money can be distributed in any one year to 4%. State leaders are confident that we can increase that to 5%, providing more funding to our schools without increasing taxes on citizens. It’s a win-win for Utah. There is more information here.
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One of the legislative responsibilities that I take very seriously is planning for our long-term fiscal health. Utah has been recognized many times as the best managed State in the Country and I feel a tremendous obligation to keep up that record of good management. There are a couple of long-term trends that present challenges to maintaining good fiscal management.
The first key trend is that over the past 100 years, the State Income Tax has been growing as a % of total State Tax Revenue.
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Second, the past two decades, as Utah’s economy has grown, the State Income Tax is growing faster than other sales & use, fuel taxes.
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Third, the demographic projections are that K-12 Enrollment will shrink for the next decade, before returning to growth again. In fact, we just received data that confirms public school K-12 enrollment, especially for the lower grades, dropped in the 2024-2025 school year that just started. Since 2018, public school enrollment increased just 3.6%, while funding for K-12 education has increased 56.3%. I supported increasing funding for Public Schools, and I believe we will need to continue to increase funding – but with negative enrollment growth for the next decade, the rate of needed increases for new students will be less than in the past.
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While Amendment A has been invalidated by the Courts, the reasons we need Amendment A remain. Utah has a unique financial structure that “earmarks” state income tax for a limited set of purposes. Simply put, the left-hand Income Tax bucket of revenue is growing faster than the right-hand General Revenue bucket – but the spending needs for the General Revenue bucket are growing faster than the Income Tax hand bucket. Long term, we need more flexibility to move funds from one bucket to another as needs change. Amendment A would have provided that flexibility, while guaranteeing that public education continues to be funded at a higher level. I believe the great financial talent we have at the State can continue to manage prudently for a few more years, but long-term structural changes are needed.
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Thanks to those who participated in recent town halls in Farmington (Oct 10), Centerville (Oct 16) and Online (Oct 15). In Farmington, we had a great lively discussion on Constitutional Amendments, judges, A.I. water, taxes, education, public lands, road rage, and even medical cannabis odor. At the Centerville Library we had a great discussion on local and state education issues (along with housing, growth, tax policy and constitutional amendments).
We have one more Town Hall Scheduled for October 29th 6:30-8PM at the Kaysville City Hall
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At last week’s October 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.
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During the Interim Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee, we heard a very interesting legislative Housing Market Update from the Gardner Institute. Data confirms we still have a significant shortage of housing units, and it’s very difficult to move from renting to owning. I believe that home ownership is key to long term wealth creation—and am committed on working for market based solutions that also allow communities to retain some level of local control over zoning and housing. The full recordings are available at le.utah.gov or click October Interim Highlights to read the highlights.
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Questions About the Signature Audit
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Utah has two options for candidates to get on a primary ballot. The “convention path” and the “signature path”. Recently I’ve received question and comments from some of Rep Phil Lyman’s supporters about the signature verification process. I reviewed State Auditor’s opinion earlier this year, and the newly issued report “ A Performance Audit of the Signature Verification Process: Improving Controls and Transparency “prepared by the Legislative Auditor’s Office on signature gathering. I also went back and watched the presentation of the audit to the Legislative Audit committee, who asked a number of questions ( you can watch the Audit Committee Report here https://le.utah.gov/av/committeeArchive.jsp?mtgID=19393). That audit has been referred to the Gov Ops committee for future action, and to the Political Subdivisions Committee (which I sit on) for review.
I agree with Legislative Auditor’s findings that “Candidates Fulfilled the Requirements That Were Given to Them”, “Improvements Should Be Made To the Signature Verification Process”, and that “Signature Verification Standards Would Benefit From Further Clarification and Transparency.” I am certain we will see legislation on that in the 2025 session and I support many of the recommendations.
As the audit stated: “There are formal processes in place to qualify or disqualify candidates from the ballot; this audit is not part of those official processes.” My understanding is that Rep. Lyman has attempted to disqualify Gov Cox using the official processes. So far, the officials and the courts involved in the official process have not agreed with Rep Lyman’s arguments. I have also listened to Rep Lyman argue his claims in our caucus meetings, and like most my colleagues, I don’t agree with his arguments that Gov Cox should be disqualified.
I respect the fact that others can read the audit report and come to a different opinion.
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Thanks to our Davis County Chapter of the National Association for Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA) for the opportunity to speak to local insurance and financial advisors about legislative issues on October 9th. We had a great discussion on fiscal policies.
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It was inspiring to attend Davis Technical College Foundation’s Annual Life-Changer Luncheon October 3rd where we heard stories of how technical education has changed individual lives. Utah’s Tech Colleges are doing amazing work!
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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.
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Good News for the Great Salt Lake
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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.
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Upcoming Events and Important Dates
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I would love to hear from you!
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