Join me and my Weber County colleagues in the Utah House of Representatives for a listening tour on Saturday, September 12th from 1:00 - 2:30 pm at the Southwest Branch Library in Roy. I'm looking forward to hearing from you and discussing what matters to our community! 

Supporting education means more than funding schools. It means creating an environment where students can focus on learning, teachers have the tools they need to succeed, and parents are empowered to play the most important role in their child's education.

Over the past five years, the Legislature has increased public education funding by $1.8 billion, with nearly half of Utah's state budget now dedicated to education. These investments have helped strengthen literacy instruction, increase parent involvement, improve school-based mental health resources, expand resources for at-risk students, provide access to full-day kindergarten, and reduce barriers to student success. We have also worked to give families greater flexibility in choosing the educational environment that best meets their child's needs through programs like the Utah Fits All Scholarship. As we begin the new school year, our Legislature remains committed to ensuring our schools have the resources, support, and tools needed to help every student reach their full potential.

As students return to the classroom this fall, I want to recognize the incredible teachers and school staff who make a difference in the lives of Utah students every day. A quality education starts with great educators, and I believe we have a responsibility to provide them with the support and resources they need to succeed.

The Legislature has worked hard to make significant investments in Utah's education workforce. We have increased teacher pay to be among the highest in the nation, expanded professional development and leadership opportunities, strengthened mentoring programs, and provided additional support for future educators entering the profession. We have also invested in the paraprofessionals, bus drivers, custodians, food service employees, and other support staff who help keep our schools running each day. By supporting the dedicated individuals who serve our students, we are helping build stronger classrooms and create a brighter future for Utah families.

Utah has become a national leader in Career and Technical Education programs that equip students with valuable skills in fields that drive our economy, such as healthcare, manufacturing, construction, information technology, and skilled trades. The Legislature has worked to expand opportunities for students to earn industry-recognized credentials, explore career pathways, and gain real-world experience before they graduate high school. We have also invested in workforce development initiatives that connect education with these high-demand fields. As Utah's economy continues to grow, workforce training programs will play an increasingly important role in connecting students with high-paying, in-demand careers.

In 2023, Utah sued Meta because we believe protecting children should come before profits. This week, Utah secured part of a $12.2 billion settlement. Utah is guaranteed at least $212 million over the next 10 years, with additional funds if Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube agree to similar terms. The settlement also requires Meta to make significant changes to how children use its platforms, including daily time limits, nighttime restrictions, fewer notifications during school hours, stronger age verification and parental controls, and limits on features such as beauty filters and visible “like” counts. 

This is an important step toward making social media safer for kids and giving parents more tools to protect their families. We will continue working to hold social media companies accountable and put the well-being of Utah children first.

Last month, I wrapped up another round of interim meetings at the Capitol, where legislators continued studying important issues and preparing for the upcoming General Session. We had important discussions around data centers, including current permitting checklists, tax incentives, water and energy use, and economic impact. Click here to see all the topics we discussed.  

If you missed August interim meetings, you can join us online or in person at our next interim session on September 15th and 16th, or you can still view agendas, presentations, recordings, and other materials from last interim at le.utah.gov.

During the interim, I am working on a comprehensive policy to protect Utah’s air, water, land, and tax revenue while making sure that, if we build data centers in Utah, they serve Utah's best interests. My goal is to protect our natural resources and ensure that Utahns come first – not special interests.

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