This interim, I met with my committees and reviewed ways to strengthen data privacy in schools, improve access to health care, modernize transportation and DMV services, and ensure our communities remain safe and supported. The work we’re doing now lays the foundation for policies that directly impact everyday life — from safer roads to more reliable public services. I’m deeply grateful for the chance to carry the voice of our community to the Capitol and make sure your priorities are at the heart of these conversations. In case you missed it, click here to read the highlights or watch full recordings of last month’s meetings at le.utah.gov. 

October’s interim meetings will take place on October 14th and 15th. I hope to see you there!

The Utah Legislative Redistricting Committee continues its work of selecting Utah’s Congressional boundaries under 3rd District Court order. While we will exhaust all legal options, we are taking this responsibility seriously to comply with Prop 4 and uphold the Legislature’s constitutional right to determine boundaries.

Prop 4 requires we prioritize population deviation, minimizing city and county splits, compactness, contiguity, preserving neighborhoods, following natural geography, and avoiding maps that favor or disfavor parties or candidates. After meeting those standards, we also consider Utah-specific needs like rural/urban balance, military installations, higher education, and federal lands.

Despite the challenge, the committee has selected five maps that meet the criteria. A 10-day public comment period runs until October 5, and you can share your feedback here.

Political violence in any form is unacceptable and has no place in our state or our country. I am proud of the way Utahns responded to the political assassination last month— with unity, compassion, and a renewed commitment to stand together against hate. Let’s recommit to carrying forward the principles of liberty, respect, and courage. Read more about Utah’s response here. 

Education is a top priority for myself and all my colleagues in the Legislature, and I’m proud that Utah was ranked the #2 best state in the nation for teachers.  This recognition reflects historic investments by the Legislature, including the largest single pay raise for teachers in state history. Utah also ranks second in the nation for 10-year salary growth, with teacher pay rising 50% over the past decade. With the largest share of our state budget dedicated to public education, these investments are making a real difference. Competitive salaries, steady growth, and policies that expand opportunity for educators are helping Utah teachers thrive — and that means a brighter future for our students and communities.

As a Legislature, we’ve been working hard to preserve the Great Salt Lake. A new $200 million investment from business and philanthropic sources is being deployed to reverse the lake’s decline, protect the environment, secure wildlife habitat, and stabilize water levels. Over the past few years, the Legislature has directed more than $1 billion toward state-wide water conservation—helping agriculture use less water, improving measurement of water usage, and dedicating over 288,000 acre-feet of water to the lake that wasn’t committed before. These actions show our commitment to protecting this precious resource, ensuring environmental health, and safeguarding Utah’s heritage.

Building on this progress, I will be running a bill in the upcoming October 6th special session to strengthen protections for the lake and improve how berms are managed. These changes will ensure that salinity levels remain balanced, habitats are preserved, and infrastructure planning is better aligned with long-term conservation goals. This legislation reflects our commitment to wise stewardship of taxpayer dollars and the natural resources that define our state.

Thanks to key legislation from this past session, Utah’s public colleges and universities are planning to reinvest $60 million into high-demand programs like engineering, AI, biotech, and mental health — all without raising tuition or taxes. This is exactly the kind of smart, responsible use of taxpayer dollars we need: supporting education, preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow, and strengthening our economy. Fiscal responsibility means funding what matters most, and these investments show a clear commitment to Utah’s future. 

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