Hello friends,

Greetings from Capitol Hill! The 2026 Legislative Session of the 66th Legislature kicked off this week, and we are already off to a fast start. The 45-day annual session, the shortest legislative session in the nation, reflects a true citizen legislature. Every January, teachers, engineers, farmers, attorneys, ranchers, accountants, retirees, real estate professionals, nurses, parents, grandparents and many others from across the state gather to serve in the Legislature. This wide range of backgrounds, skills, and life experiences brings practical, real-world insight to the discussion and decisions surrounding policy and the state budget.

I view it as both a great honor and a solemn responsibility to serve and represent you. Our Founding Fathers envisioned a government of the people, by the people, and for the people at every level. State government is not run by elected officials alone—we the people are ultimately in charge. I encourage you to visit the Capitol or participate virtually in a committee meeting to share your thoughts and suggestions as legislation is considered. Please also email or text me with your ideas, concerns, and recommended solutions so that, together, we can continue improving Utah for our families, businesses, and communities.

This week our communities were represented very well on Capitol Hill. I loved meeting, visiting, and listening to our mayors, city councilors, youth city council members, city staff, elementary and high school students, teachers, business leaders, professors and neighbors. Thank you to everyone who reached out to me this week.

There are many free and easy-to-use resources to stay informed and involved during the legislative session. At the website le.utah.gov you’ll find the following:

• Daily interactive calendar

• Listing of all bills

• Links to virtually join a legislative committee so you can share your perspectives about any bill or budget

• Interactive budget showing how our taxes are used throughout the state

• Bill tracking (sign up to be notified whenever anything happens to a bill that is of interest to you)

• And many other useful details

Resulting from the input you have shared with me this past year in preparation for this Legislative Session, along with input the Legislature has received from Utahns throughout the state, the Utah House Majority Caucus is focused on leading with common-sense, conservative solutions. This Legislative Session, we are putting families first by working to keep the cost of living low, helping students excel, and strengthening public safety. We are also investing in Utah’s long-term strength, making government more accountable and fiscally responsible, and safeguarding the natural resources we all depend on.

Limited Government: We will safeguard Utah’s strong economy with balanced budgets, wise investments, and a commitment to living within our means.

Cutting Government Spending: Just like Utah families have to balance a budget, Utah’s economy is strong because we live within our means. We’re not afraid to make tough decisions to keep government lean and accountable. Every dollar saved is a dollar that stays in the pockets of hard-working Utahns.

Utahns are feeling the financial pressure from a flurry of recent property tax increases from cities, counties, and school districts across the state. Tax hikes should be a last resort after government entities first exhaust all other options to cut waste and improve efficiency. We are challenging all levels of government–cities, counties, school districts, and the state– to take a hard look at their budgets and cut anything that isn’t benefiting Utahns or is better delivered by Utah’s businesses, non-profits, or citizens.

Education is essential to improving lives, developing a skilled workforce, and fostering innovation. Utah’s strong education system is reflected in excellent student outcomes, exceptional teachers, and engaged families. Dollar for dollar, Utah delivers the strongest education outcomes in the nation. The Legislature remains committed to continuing its investment in education during the upcoming Legislative Session to ensure taxpayer dollars are producing the best possible results. We are not just funding schools—we are building futures.

Even before the General Session began on January 20, the Legislature set aside the following amounts of new money for public education for the upcoming year:

• $191.4 million (ongoing) to increase education funding through the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU).

• $252.9 million for the following one time investments:

  • $78.3 million for educator professional time

  • $77.0 million PY+G hold harmless

  • $65 million for catalyst centers

  • $12.4 million for future educator stipends

  • $8.8 million for teacher supplies

  • $6.5 million charter school local replacement

  • $5.0 million rural school athletic facilities

The annual state budget for public education is approximately $8.8 billion. As part of the annual budgeting process, all legislative appropriations subcommittees—including the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee—have been asked to identify potential 5% reductions to base budgets in response to state revenue projections. This request is a standard budgeting exercise and does not reflect final funding decisions.

The public education community has been invited to participate in this process by identifying areas where adjustments could be considered. The State Board of Education was asked to present its recommendations to the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee meeting on January 23. At that same meeting, legislative fiscal analysts presented an outline of potential reduction scenarios. The subcommittee will now use its remaining meetings to receive input, evaluate options, and deliberate before making any final recommendations.

Over the past ten years, the Legislature has increased education funding by $3.1 billion—a 112 percent increase. Lawmakers remain committed to prioritizing public education, protecting critical programs, and building on the significant investments already made in classrooms, teacher compensation, and preparing Utah’s rising generation for future success.

It was an honor to be in the House Chamber last night when Governor Spencer Cox gave his annual State of the State Address. In case you missed his remarks, you can watch/read them here.

During his address, he shared: “You’ve heard me raise concerns about the number of bills passed each session — a massive increase over the past two decades, and we are still working to implement the 582 bills passed last session. I so appreciated Representative Stephen Whyte, who had several bills he was planning to run this year. However, after calls to different cabinet members, he was able to find solutions and drop those bills.”

As a Legislature, we’re fighting to help Utah families avoid hidden fees and know exactly what they’re paying so you can shop with confidence. HB29 requires businesses to clearly display the total price of a product or service and ensures that any mandatory fees are fully disclosed and not misleading. It also gives the Division of Consumer Protection the authority to enforce these rules and, when necessary, impose fines on companies that violate them. By making pricing transparent and holding businesses accountable, HB 29 puts you, the consumer, first—helping Utahns make informed choices and protecting your hard-earned money. 

Here is my voting record for the first week of the Legislative Session:

Floor Votes:

HB 11 Yes

HB 12 Yes

HB 14 Yes

HB 19 Yes

HB 21 Yes

HB 26 Yes

HB 28 Yes

HB 29 Yes

HB 34 Yes

HB 35 Yes

HB 39 Yes

HB 45 Yes

HB 47 Yes

HB 49 Yes

HB 50 Yes

HR 1 Yes

HB 73 Yes

HR 2 Yes

HB 33 Yes

HB 17 Yes

HB 85 Yes

HB 16 Yes

HB 52 Yes

HB 53 Yes

HB 54 No

HB 61 Yes

HB 66 Yes

HB 67 Yes

HB 69 Yes

HB 73 Yes

HB 85 Yes

HR 1 Yes

HR 2 Yes

Committee Votes:

HB 40 Yes

HB 65 Yes

HB 98 No

HB 65 Yes

HB 116 Yes

HB 24 Yes

HB 24 Yes

HB 16 Yes

HB 80 No

HB 103 Yes

HB 113 Yes

HB 79 Yes

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