This month’s interim meetings gave me the opportunity to dig into important issues on both the Education Committee and the Judiciary Committee. In Education, we reviewed reports showing that more than half of the apps used in Utah schools are sharing student information with third parties — a clear violation of state code. Protecting student privacy is a top priority, and we are working on ways to give our policies more teeth to ensure compliance. We also examined system errors in school databases and began discussing the best statewide approach to address them. A special thanks goes to our State School Board member Jennie Earl for bringing this issue forward. On the Judiciary Committee, I was able to contribute to agenda items focused on strengthening Utah’s justice system, making sure it remains fair, efficient, and responsive to the people we serve. If you missed the meetings, you can watch the full recordings anytime at le.utah.gov. Our next interim meetings will take place October 14–15.

I was honored to offer remarks at a vigil in memory of Charlie Kirk, hosted by Young Americans for Freedom at Weber State, Turning Point USA–Weber State Chapter, and the Weber State College Republicans. It was a solemn yet inspiring evening as we reflected on Charlie’s impact and the responsibility we now carry forward. In my remarks, I shared this message: “Let us feel the weight of this loss—but refuse to be crushed by it. Let Charlie’s death not dim the fire, but be a passing of the torch—a torch of liberty, now placed in the hands of a new generation ready to carry it forward. Where others see shadows, we will bring light. Where truth is silenced, we will speak boldly. And where liberty is threatened, we will stand guard—unshaken, unafraid, and united. Our mission is clear: to keep the flame burning, to carry the torch high, and to never let it fall.”

I had the pleasure of spending time with Summit County GOP precinct chairs this week, along with state and county delegates, at a couple of evening BBQs. It was a great opportunity to listen to their concerns, share ideas, and enjoy some time together outside of the Capitol. I’m grateful for the dedication of so many in our community who are stepping up to get involved, and I want to thank the Summit County GOP leadership for making these events possible. It’s encouraging to see such strong grassroots engagement and commitment to the future of our state.

I recently attended a presentation on the “Big Beautiful Bill” and how it addressed many of the concerns raised by American voters in the 2024 election. The discussion underscored just how important accountability and integrity are in government programs. For example, Utah officials uncovered a fraud scheme where food stamp benefits were obtained illegally and sold for cash — a reminder of why strong oversight matters. Polling shows that Americans agree: 87% want to stop Medicaid fraud by removing deceased individuals from the rolls and ending double enrollment, 83% support eliminating taxes on Social Security for seniors, 77% back removing taxes on tips and overtime, 74% support real welfare work requirements, and 87% support strengthening rural hospitals. These numbers highlight a clear message — voters want common sense reforms that protect taxpayer dollars, support working families, and strengthen essential services.

We are excited to work hand in hand with the Trump administration to advance policies that protect Utahns and ensure our tax dollars are managed wisely to better serve our communities. Strong partnerships at every level of government are key to delivering results, and there are some exciting developments on the horizon that I look forward to sharing with you soon.

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