Latest news with #R-Hooper
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘In government we never want to be frantic,' Democratic lawmakers say about university cuts
Rice-Eccles Stadium on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City is pictured on Monday, January 15, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) As the Utah Board of Higher Education begins to review public universities' first drafts on their plans to cut 10% of their budgets for courses, Democratic lawmakers worry about the unintended consequences the state-imposed tight deadline to achieve such a feat may carry. After HB265 passed this year, schools started scrambling to make the most efficient plan to reallocate their resources, with many exploring program consolidations, cutting courses and layoffs. The process seems abrupt, Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, told the Executive Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, especially since many faculty members have inundated her inbox, worried about the potential elimination of curriculums and jobs. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'There's a lot of frantic behavior and in government we never want to be frantic,' Riebe said. 'We want to be methodical. We want to be research driven and data driven. And I understand where this bill is going, but it's been a very hard, abrupt turn, and there's a lot of pain points in our universities.' That, she added, may scar the reputation of Utah universities, frightening off staff and prospective professors wanting to apply for jobs in the state. HB265 passed comfortably in Utah's Republican supermajority Legislature while being opposed by most of the Democratic Caucus. The bill's goal, its supporters said, is to cut 'underperforming programs' and direct those funds to highly-sought degrees. With tight deadline, Utah universities scramble to cut 10% of budget for courses That's a premise that House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, defended during the Tuesday discussion, arguing that some of the cuts were overdue, and may even keep tuition costs low. 'Liberal arts, for some reason, keeps being the topic of discussion,' Schultz said. 'Yes, maybe every one of those programs might not be available at four or five universities across the state. You may not be able to take a program at the University of Utah, you might have to go to Weber State to take the program, or vice versa, but I think that's a wise use of the way that our dollars are spent.' The cost of attending college 'is a huge concern,' putting higher education increasingly out of reach for many, Minority Whip Jennifer Dailey-Provost, D-Salt Lake City, said. As many Republican lawmakers emphasized the intent of making college more efficient, affordable and accessible, she asked whether tuition will decrease as a result of HB265. No more ethnic, women and gender studies at WSU as state-mandated budget cuts start Those numbers were not available during the committee discussion. But Schultz, who recently spoke with Weber State University leaders about their reallocation plans, highlighted that the school's overall tuition increase this year was 2% for bachelor's degrees and it kept the same costs for its associate degree programs. 'They were very proud that they found ways to take the savings and find savings and not increase for their associate's degrees,' Schultz said. 'So if the universities are not doing that, then I think that they are being a little bit derelict in their duties.' While he understands faculty and staff members' concerns, Schultz said he hopes that schools find the right balance in their process, and that the Legislature continues these types of initiatives more often. 'We do it on a regular basis with our state agencies,' he said. 'And with as much money as the state spends on higher education, and with the cost of higher education growing more and more out of control, I really think that this ought to become a little bit more of the norm.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah House majority leader resigns to take economic development leadership appointment
House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield, and Majority Leader Jefferson Moss, R-Saratoga Springs, are pictured on the first day of the legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) One of the state's top Republican legislative leaders will be leaving the Utah Legislature to accept an appointment from Gov. Spencer Cox. House Majority Leader Jefferson Moss, R-Saratoga Springs, will be resigning from the Utah House effective May 30 to serve as executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, according to a news release issued Friday. 'Serving in the legislature has been one of the great honors of my life,' Moss said in a separate news release issued by the governor's office. 'I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the people of Utah in this new capacity and help advance the Governor's vision for economic opportunity across the state.' Moss's first day in his new role will be June 2, according to the governor's office. Starting that day, he'll serve as interim executive director until his appointment is confirmed by the Utah Senate. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'Jefferson Moss brings a rare combination of public service, private sector experience, and a deep understanding of innovation and education,' Cox said in a prepared statement. 'He's been a driving force behind many of Utah's most forward-thinking initiatives, and I'm confident he'll lead the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity with the same vision, energy, and commitment to our state's future that have defined his career.' Moss will replace GOEO's former executive director, Ryan Starks, who left earlier this month to 'pursue other professional endeavors,' according to a news release issued May 2. While announcing Starks' departure, Cox lauded him as an 'invaluable asset to the state and our economic development efforts. … We wish him the very best in his future pursuits.' Starks, according to his LinkedIn page, originally intended to launch his own consulting business before he was offered a position leading the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, which he accepted. Moss, during his time in the Legislature, focused on policy impacting education, energy, government spending and economic development. He was first elected to the House in 2017. He served in House leadership roles since 2019, including as vice chair of the Executive Appropriations Committee, a powerful budgeting body. To choose a new majority leader, the House Republicans' caucus will hold a special leadership election in coming weeks. House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, praised Moss in a post on X, saying he has a 'unique ability to bring people together, think outside the box, and solve complex challenges.' 'While we'll miss his leadership in the House, I know he will continue to serve Utah with the same passion and purpose in his new role,' Schultz said. Moss also currently works as associate commissioner of innovation, commercialization and economic development for the Utah System of Higher Education and as managing director of the Utah Innovation Fund. He'll 'continue in a leadership role with USHE in addition to leading GOEO,' according to the governor's office. Previously, Moss also held leadership positions at Utah Valley University, was a strategist at KeyBank and Credit Suisse, and was a founder of several businesses. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why these Utah legislators traveled to Washington to address key Western issues
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz and House Majority Assistant Whip Casey Snider were among a contingent of Utah lawmakers who were in Washington, D.C., Wednesday to discuss important issues to the state and elsewhere in the West. 'It was amazing,' Schultz, R-Hooper, said in an interview Thursday, emphasizing how impressed he was with the responsiveness of Trump officials the delegation met. On the same day, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins hosted an inaugural Farmers First roundtable at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Rollins hosted Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, the board of directors for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and over 20 farmers and ranchers from 11 states who run smaller-scale, independent, family-owned operations. These operations, Rollins said, are at the heart of American agriculture and their success is critical for the economic viability of the industry. Both Schultz and Snider, R-Paradise, are steeped in farming, but they also met with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Forest Service and other top ranking officials. Following several natural disasters that deeply impacted farms and ranches across the country, Rollins announced plans to expedite $21 billion in disaster assistance. Farmers receiving livestock relief for drought and wildfire can expect to receive payments as soon as the end of this month. Schultz said Rollins gets it: There must be some way to salvage small- and mid-sized farming operations in the United States. Snider added the meeting convened included some East Coast farming operations, but was of particular note to smaller farming interests in Utah and elsewhere in the West. 'I think it is pretty humbling,' he said. 'That level of deference. ... And just the fact that a Cabinet member would spend two hours to talk about this issue when everything else is going on is, just — I'm just incredibly grateful for that opportunity". Rollins, in a release, said while the agency aims to move all payments out to struggling farmers expeditiously and to cut timelines where possible, some payments will take more time. 'At USDA, we understand there are many challenges to starting a new farm and maintaining a small family farm. While there are many programs to assist our farmers, we feel strongly that it takes government entities, nonprofits, and the private sector working together to improve the viability, prosperity, and longevity of small family farms,' she noted. 'I have had the honor of visiting many farms and speak with families over the last several months and have heard firsthand that farmers are struggling. We are working every day to improve the farm economy,' Rollins said. Schultz said a main topic of conversation centered on how to build up a cadre of processing centers that support U.S. farmers and ranchers. Farmers in Utah and elsewhere are struggling with the lack of ability to process U.S. production of food and fiber. Years ago, a processing plant for lamb shut down in adjacent Colorado. That set producers in Utah in a quandary, only to be accentuated by the effects of COVID-19. Local food supplies were a huge concern, but farmers and ranchers had no way to get it to market. As the supply chain dried up for high-end meat due to the shuttering of cruise lines and expensive sit-down restaurants — and processing plants shut down due to the risk of spreading coronavirus — cattle, lambs and other animals sat idle on ranches and in feedlots. 'In Utah we have small family farms for the most part,' Schultz said. 'She understands and realizes that this consolidation we have happening in our farm industry is not good for America.' The Utah lawmakers heard from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and from the U.S. Forest Service on issues related to air quality regulations and shared stewardships agreements when it comes to Forest Service land management. Utah was among the first to ink a deal that solidified collaboration with the federal agency and land managers in Utah to better manage forests which are getting increasingly dry in the West, particularly. Both Schultz and Snider said they believe Utah has caught the attention of Cabinet members of the Trump administration due to a number of factors, the state's leadership and its continuing role as the best managed state in the nation. 'In so many ways, we are leading out on some of these issues, as no one else in the nation,' Schultz said. 'They want to figure out what Utah is doing and how we can help other states do it.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Salt Lake City adopts new banners, sidestepping pride flag ban
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall poses in front of the new adopted city flags. (Courtesy of Salt Lake City) Hours before a pride flag ban took effect in Utah, three new official Salt Lake City flags emerged, all featuring the white sego lily that's already present in the city banner, but with a few notable substitutions. One features rainbow colors, similar to the LGBTQ+ flag; another one, light blue, pink and white stripes, similar to the transgender flag; and the last, a bursting star, emulating the Juneteenth flag. It was already a busy night for Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, who was scheduled to present her budget proposal to the City Council on Tuesday evening, but with a looming deadline for a new law prohibiting nearly all flags, the council amended its agenda to include a discussion to allow the new city banners. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX But, by turning the pride, transgender and Juneteenth banners into official municipal symbols, the city could sidestep the policy. 'As mayor, I have a duty to lawfully uphold the values of our nation, state and our city,' Mendenhall said. 'I know that the values of diversity, equity and inclusion are not only right and just, but they are fundamental to America, even through all its struggles to uphold them.' The City Council embraced the change, voting unanimously to adopt the flags. 'It's not a coincidence that we have a majority of LGBTQ council,' council member Darin Mano said. 'It's because this is the place within not just Utah, but within many states surrounding us, where people like us feel safe. And I think there's a reason why people like us feel safe to both live here and also raise our hand to be a leader of a community in Salt Lake City, and so this is important and critical for us as a city, but more importantly for the people that live here to know that Salt Lake City continues to be a safe space for everybody.' Other council members commended the mayor for the bold move and called Tuesday a historic moment in the city. Meanwhile, in neighboring Idaho, which passed a similar flag ban last month, the Boise City Council also voted Tuesday to adopt the pride banner as an official city flag. This year the Utah Legislature passed HB77, a bill that prohibits schools and government entities from displaying flags unless they are allowed in a prescriptive list that includes the U.S. flag, the state flag, military flags, Olympic flags, college or university flags, and the flags of local cities. Gov. Spencer Cox allowed the bill to become law without his signature, effectively banning pride flags from being displayed in public buildings starting this Wednesday. Legislative leaders expressed disappointment in the city's action with House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, calling it 'a clear waste of time and taxpayer resources.' 'This law is about keeping government spaces neutral and welcoming to all. Salt Lake City should focus on real issues, not political theatrics,' Schultz said in a statement. Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, also described the mayor's decision as disappointing, saying it diverts time and resources 'away from real pressing community needs.' 'It's disappointing that Salt Lake City is diverting time and resources away from real pressing community needs in an attempt to bypass state law,' Adams said in a statement. 'The intent of this bill is to help ensure that government buildings remain neutral, focused on serving the public and welcoming to all.' New official Salt Lake City flags, unveiled a few hours before the enactment of a law banning most flags from schools and other public buildings (Courtesy of Salt Lake City) After the flags were unveiled, Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, made three montages of flags mocking Salt Lake City's action; one with a symbol of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an Israel flag, and one that reads 'MAGA Country.' 'Proud of Erin for being so inclusive with the new 365.25 flag initiative,' McCay wrote on X. Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, the main sponsor of the bill, said in another post, 'Does Salt Lake City really want to play these games? Good luck!' The remarks quickly made it to the City Council chambers with council member Victoria Petro challenging Utahns to demand better after reading the comments. Let us know what you think... 'This is our future. We are the fastest growing state in the nation. We have 45 guaranteed legislative days a year, and more time was spent on flags and bike lanes in the capital city than homelessness or the drying Great Salt Lake. Demand better,' she said. 'This cannot be a policy arms race for one viewpoint, for one culture war side to triumph over another. Bad policy demands bad outcomes for that policy.' Mendenhall said that it isn't new for the city, a blue dot, to be in conflict with the Legislature's Republican majority that approved HB77. However, the country is designed to be able to navigate conflict, she added. 'We can decide to disagree respectfully or disagree better, as our good governor often says,' she said. The passage of the bill, she said, made city officials reflect on whether the regular blue and white Salt Lake City banner represents Utah's capital. Instead of flying a single flag, the city would represent its values with banners that have normally flown every year of her administration. 'I have given this so much thought, and I do not do this lightly, and my sincere intent is not to provoke or cause division,' Mendenhall said. 'My intent is to represent our city's values and honor our dear diverse residents who make up this beautiful city and the legacy of pain and progress that they have endured.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Did Utah's vote-by-mail reform really make elections safer?
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz said Tuesday the state's new vote-by-mail process is 'a huge step' toward better election security despite the major changes made from the original proposal he supported. Over the course of the session, HB300 underwent a dramatic transformation from initially demanding in-person voting with photo identification to ultimately requiring ballots be turned in along with the last four digits of government ID. The bill also requires voters to renew their request for a mail-in ballot every eight years, after initially opting-in. Leaders framed the final package as a 'Utah Way' resolution to a contentious national issue. However, key stakeholders have remained skeptical for different reasons. County clerks, who came out as neutral on the final version, worried the legislation opened up more problems than it solved. While some conservatives, like Schultz, expressed frustration that more stringent voter identification requirements were not included. 'If you look at that bill it's better than the current system,' Schultz, R-Hooper, said. 'But I think we need to spend more time focusing on voter ID. We will keep working on it.' Schultz told the Deseret News that lawmakers worked 'closely' with the nation's most influential conservative policy think tank, the Heritage Foundation, on HB300, which Gov. Spencer Cox has signaled he will sign into law. Schultz mentioned the group — known for its Project 2025 policy proposals — repeatedly during a legislative wrap-up event hosted by the Herbert Institute for Public Policy and the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. Echoing a central talking point from the seven-week 2025 legislative session that wrapped up earlier this month, Schultz emphasized that Utah is currently tied for 33rd on Heritage's 'Election Integrity Scorecard,' largely due to a lack of identification and opt-in requirements for mail-in ballots. 'Utah ranks at the top in many areas but elections is an area we needed to work on,' Schultz said. In an interview with the Deseret News, Heritage Foundation's manager of election law reform, Hans von Spakovsky, said that by implementing ID requirements similar to the ones Georgia passed in 2021, Utah has enhanced its system, which will likely boost trust and turnout. 'When you improve the security of the election process by doing things like putting in an ID requirement ... that increases public confidence,' von Spakovsky said. 'Every state that has done that ... has seen not decreases in turnout, but increases in registration and turnout.' Vote by mail is even more secure when an ID number is paired with signature verification, making it extremely difficult for 'large-scale ballot fraud' to occur, von Spakovsky said. But from Heritage's point of view, he explained, universal vote by mail has the basic problem of relying on voter rolls, which are notoriously difficult to keep accurate, and relying on the U.S. Postal Service, which frequently struggles to deliver ballots in a timely fashion. By directly addressing these concerns flagged by Heritage's metrics, Schultz said Tuesday he hopes the Legislature's election reforms will bump the state to the top ten in the country on the scorecard. The Legislature's vote-by-mail compromise was framed as a response to complaints from the 2024 election cycle, particularly the 2nd Congressional District primary, where a razor-thin recount hinged on the judgement of election workers and the ballot cure process that accompany signature verification. HB300 will completely replace signature verification with the last four digits of a voter's drivers license, free state ID or Social Security card as the means of confirming voter identity. A signature affidavit will continue to be an option for voter identification until Jan. 1, 2029. HB300 will also replace universal vote by mail with an opt-in program. Beginning in 2029, voters will only receive a mail-in ballot if they have requested one when registering to vote, renewing their license or visiting the lieutenant governor's website. Mail-in ballot status will expire after eight years or after a voter fails to participate in two consecutive general elections. Weber County Clerk Ricky Hatch agreed that the new opt-in requirements will make 'minor improvements' to election security by helping to clean up voter registration lists but said the new identification process could be counterproductive. 'Replacing the signature with the four digits does not make the election more secure,' Hatch said. 'It's a lot harder to forge somebody else's signature than to grab the last four of their ID, particularly within the same household.' While scanning four digits instead of comparing signatures could save clerks time by not having to reach out to voters to cure their rejected ballots, Hatch predicted the bill's provision requiring mail-in ballots to be received by 8 p.m. on election night could 'disenfranchise voters through no fault of their own' because of postal service delays. The status quo is already secure, Hatch said, and additional changes could complicate election administration and confuse voters. But, according to Schultz, HB300 is just as much about preventing the perception of fraudulent elections as it is about fixing faults in the system. 'We have good elections in Utah because we have good people,' Schultz said. '(But) as trust is eroding in government, we can't let that happen on our elections.' The bill also requires the lieutenant governor, who oversees election administration, to analyze voter registration databases at least 90 days before every regular election, to identify ways to scrutinize households with a disproportionate number of registered voters and to enter federal programs that notify states of noncitizens and criminals who cannot legally vote. The Sutherland Institute, a Salt Lake City-based conservative policy think tank, believes that what Utah's 2025 election reform did is balance the prudence of incremental reform with voters' demand for convenience and the urgent need to shore up trust amid political attacks on elections. Utah's efforts to balance these competing values showed that election policy does not have to be constrained by a false choice between security and access, said Sutherland's chief growth officer Derek Monson. This aligns with a Sutherland survey showing that most Utah voters say enhanced ID requirements will increase election confidence more than anything and that same-day voting requirements will do the opposite. And, from Monson's point of view, if a change can increase trust in the current political environment without sacrificing ease of access, it's well worth the effort. 'If you have a perfectly solid system, but a large chunk of people have a perception that it's not protecting the integrity of our elections, then you still have a problem,' Monson said.
