Editors Note: This article was originally published in the Jan. 24, 2024 issue of the Chronicle Progress. Some information may be outdated.
Sen. Evan Vickers
Utah Legislature
January 16 marked the start of the 2024 General Session.
Over 45 days, until March 1, my fellow legislators and I will collaborate on various policy issues to create new laws and establish budgets for essential programs and services for the great state of Utah.
In addition to passing legislation, Utah has a constitutional requirement to balance the state budget every year. Our state is the best-managed state in the nation. As we balance the budget during the session, I remain committed to being fiscally responsible, while identifying and creating policies that protect and support Utahns, all without financially putting our state at risk.
Rural Utah is the backbone of our state. Our needs differ from those in the Wasatch Front.
Education, infrastructure, and land decisions impact our area differently than northern Utah. As we examine proposed legislation, I will always advocate for southern Utah to ensure we are equally represented.
This week, we had the privilege of hearing from Gov. Spencer Cox during his State of the State address. The governor highlighted Utah’s uniquely beautiful landscapes, people, and culture, and pointed to how when we work together, we accomplish great legislative successes and ensure our state continues to thrive.
These successes include significantly reduced taxes, while providing the largest direct teacher salary raise and investing $500 million into water conservation and agriculture optimization.
On the morning of day one, Elder Kevin W. Pearson, General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave the opening prayer, and the Utah National Guard presented the American flag and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. It was a special morning and an honor to start our session this way.
Additionally, two bills of note the Legislature is considering in committee hearings this week are:
• H.B. 261 Equal Opportunity Initiatives focuses on supporting the success of all students in Utah’s universities, colleges and K-12 schools, while ensuring public educational institutions and government entities remain neutral on political issues and protect freedom of speech on campuses and in the workplace. H.B. 261 also seeks to invest in “Student Success Offices,” providing support, guidance, and resources for all students, including those who have a higher likelihood of not completing college.
• S.B. 57 Utah Constitutional Sovereignty Act sets up a legislative framework and a legal process for the Utah Legislature to restore the proper balance between the state and federal government. At times, the federal government proposes a rule or regulation that is overreaching and unconstitutional, based on the rights reserved to the state under the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. S.B. 57 creates a process that allows the Legislature to propose a resolution to deny federal government overreach. Any proposed concurrent resolutions will go through the legislative process and abide by, and respect, the U.S. Constitution and the courts.
Utah is the number one state in the nation. We that live here know this, but also, even national ranking entities like U.S. News and World Report say the very same thing, naming Utah in 2023 as the best state in the nation. Utah consistently demonstrates that effective governance includes limiting government overreach, and encouraging free-market solutions. I thank you for staying informed and involved along the way, and welcome your feedback.
It is a privilege to represent District 28. I will continue to share weekly updates throughout the session.
