Latest news with #SpencerCox
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump is ‘turning around the Titanic' on homelessness, Utah rep says
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday overhauling the federal government's approach to homeless policy in favor of a strategy more in line with the one being pursued in Utah. The presidential directive, titled 'Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets,' instructs executive agencies to encourage the use of civil commitment by states to move some homeless individuals into long-term institutional care. Following more than a decade of 'housing first' requirements from Washington, D.C., Trump's order makes federal grants conditional on prohibiting urban camping, abandoning 'harm reduction' tactics and meeting higher standards of accountability. The order garnered praise from Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, who has pushed hard to reset the state's homeless services amid record levels of chronic homelessness. But it also concerned some service providers who are skeptical that the law enforcement emphasis will be accompanied by additional funding. 'I'm grateful to the White House for making this important change,' Cox told the Deseret News in a statement. 'For too long, the federal government pushed a one-size-fits-all approach that left people on the streets and tied our hands when we tried to do better.' 'Utah has always believed that real compassion means getting people the help they need, especially those struggling with addiction or serious mental illness. This new executive order reflects the commonsense approach we've been calling for: treatment, accountability, and support — not just housing with no strings attached. It's good to see Washington finally moving in the right direction.' What will the order do? The Trump administration's new approach to homelessness will focus on 'protecting public safety' as the number of individuals experiencing homelessness reaches record highs, with nearly 771,500 people experiencing homelessness on one night in 2024, include more than 274,200 who were unsheltered. Recognizing that a significant portion of homeless individuals use hard drugs or suffer from serious mental illness, Trump's order instructs the U.S. Attorney General and secretary of Health and Human Services to remove federal obstacles to civil commitment. Civil commitment is a legal process that allows officials to court-order an individual into mental health treatment or confinement if they pose a risk to themselves or others because of severe mental illness or substance use disorder. Under Trump's order, relevant agencies will be tasked with helping state and local governments with guidance on how to adopt 'maximally flexible civil commitment' and other policies to forcibly remove those who present a threat to public safety. 'Shifting homeless individuals into long-term institutional settings for humane treatment through the appropriate use of civil commitment will restore public order,' the executive action says. The White House instructed departments to prioritize grant money for states and municipalities that enforce prohibitions on illicit drug use and urban camping; that require outpatient treatment or civil commitment for high-risk individuals; and that track sex offenders who are homeless. Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development are also now authorized to 'increase accountability' for homeless service providers by halting funds to supervised drug consumption programs and ending support for 'housing first' initiatives that don't promote recovery. A 'sea change' According to the lawmaker behind Utah's recent homelessness reforms, Thursday's executive order represents a 'sea change.' 'This executive order is like turning around the Titanic,' Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, told the Deseret News, 'We're going to prioritize providers and states and cities who take these innovative approaches, and recognize this is a human issue, not only a housing issue.' Over the past few legislative sessions, Clancy has spearheaded the governor's homelessness initiative by extending involuntary commitment times, prohibiting syringe exchange programs in certain areas and enhancing criminal penalties for drug possession in and around homeless shelters. These pieces of legislation — which also connected overdose survivors to county resources, expanded the state's homelessness database and codified a 'pathway to thriving' model — all passed the Utah Legislature unanimously. A separate resolution pressuring federal agencies to rescind housing-first restrictions on homelessness funding, which passed both chambers with all but two votes, is remarkably similar to the president's new initiative, Clancy noted. 'This isn't criminalizing homelessness,' Clancy said. 'This is saying, 'You need help, and as a society, we're not going to leave you out there to suffer. We're going to bring you inside and get you the best health care possible to help you heal.'' This approach requires a commitment to long-term treatment and prevention because mental illness and drug addiction drive homelessness just as much as economic factors, according to Clancy, who served as the executive director of Solutions Utah, a homeless policy advocacy group, before working as a detective at the Provo Police Department. Utah has already 'led the way' in reorienting policy conversations toward 'compassion through accountability,' and now the rest of the country 'will start moving in that same direction,' according to Devon Kurtz, the public safety policy director at the Texas-based Cicero Institute. 'The changes announced by the White House amount to a comprehensive restructuring of the national approach to homelessness,' Kurtz told the Deseret News. 'The executive order makes one thing abundantly clear: the era of recklessly inactive homelessness policy is over.' Concerns about cash But recent actions from the Republican-controlled executive and legislative branches in Washington do not inspire confidence that money will be provided to create the wrap-around services needed to accompany a law enforcement crackdown, said Rep. Grant Miller, D-Salt Lake City. Miller, a public defender who has proposed a 'homeless Bill of Rights,' said he welcomes the federal government shaking up its approach to homelessness, but the order's promise to invest in mental health treatment comes after historic cuts to Medicaid included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 'Medicaid is the No. 1 funding mechanism for us to get people into health care facilities,' Miller said. 'Without that funding that they just slashed ... I don't know that they saw the long-term connection.' Having seen the ineffectiveness of policies like civil commitment when those experiencing homelessness have nowhere to go, Miller said his greatest worry is that policies will lead to 'punishing poverty' instead of 'stabilization' through 'health care models.' On Wednesday, Cox, speaking at the 140th anniversary of the Utah State Hospital, drew attention to the fact that the number of beds for committed patients had decreased from 1,250 to 1,000 since the 1950s, even as the population increased from 700,000 to 3.5 million. Over the past two years, Clancy has initiated conversations about selling the old Utah State Hospital, and drastically expanding it into a system that spread across the Wasatch Front, but the issue has yet to gain traction. Michelle Flynn, the executive director of The Road Home, one of the largest networks of homeless shelters in the state, said Trump's order highlighted places where Utah has already made advances, but it failed to address a core issue: housing. 'The characterization of 'housing first' being 'housing only' is not correct,' Flynn told the Deseret News. ''Housing first' absolutely includes an intense amount of support services.' Flynn's worry is that a new restriction on funding 'housing first' initiatives could stop important funding for rental assistance programs that are essential for getting people off the streets so they can have their health issues addressed. The problem isn't necessarily a lack of sobriety requirements for housing, it's an unmanageable waiting list for mental health and substance abuse programs that leaves vulnerable individuals without the help they need, according to Flynn. 'The challenge is, where do we help people to go?' Flynn said. Solve the daily Crossword
The Hill
18-07-2025
- Climate
- The Hill
Utah governor warns wildfires are worse than last year — and most are human-caused
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) warned this week that his state is enduring one of the most active fire seasons in recent memory — and that humans have been responsible for most of the blazes. 'We're seeing exactly the kind of extreme fire behavior we hoped that we would not but warned was very likely,' Cox said during his monthly news conference, aired Thursday on PBS Utah. The governor expressed distress at the fact that 72 percent of the multiple wildfires raging across Utah this season have been caused by humans. The fires, fueled by strong winds and hot, dry weather, have scorched thousands of acres statewide, he noted. For example, Cox described a 'firenado' that was 'strong enough to flip heavy equipment, rip roofs off and spread flames unpredictably' stemming from the 15,000-acre Deer Creek Fire south of Moab. He also detailed similarly catastrophic blazes in Sevier County in Central Utah, near St. George in the southwestern corner of the state and an almost 35,000-acre incident near Bryce Canyon National Park. While acknowledging that the total number of wildfires this year is similar to those last year — 571 versus 576 — Cox stressed that 'conditions on the ground are worse, and fires are behaving very differently.' Last year, he explained, the soil contained much more moisture, creating a buffer that helped moderate fire activity. Two consecutive winters of robust snowpack also amplified the growth of grasses and brush that are now fueling the fires, the governor added. 'The tinder-dry landscape means every spark has a greater chance of becoming a large and fast-moving wildfire,' he said. Cox appealed to fellow Utahns to use common sense and avoid activities like abandoning campfires or going target shooting in dry brush. He also emphasized the importance of cutting back brush around forest cabins, to create a defensible space. The governor recognized a history of both mismanagement and lack of management on some forest lands, while noting that 'bad decisions' over the past few decades are not solely responsible for the crises that have occurred. 'Climate change is part of that, for sure,' Cox said. 'But whether you believe the climate is changing because it's human caused or not, it is changing, and we've got to adapt to that.' One of the major ways Utah and other states across the U.S. West are adapting, he explained is by treating forests with prescribed burns — a process that has led to a noticeable reduction in fuels a decrease in damage done. 'The good news is that we are doing more, and I want to give credit to both the Trump administration and the Biden administration, who realized years ago that that we needed to do more,' Cox said. Yet as wildfires continue to wreak havoc across the state, the governor noted 'an uptick in water use' and that reservoir levels plunged 10 percent during June — five times more than average for this time of year. Although reservoirs are at 77 percent capacity, slightly above normal at this point, these storage sites 'are being depleted at an above average rate,' he warned. 'It's OK to have yellow lawns this year,' Cox said. 'We give you permission not to keep them up and keep them green.' Recognizing a June declaration he had made for a statewide day of prayer and fasting for rain, the governor — a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — emphasized that prayer alone would not be enough. 'While we need faith and prayers, we also need people to cut back on their usage,' Cox added.
CNBC
12-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
16. Utah
Governor: Spencer Cox, Republican Population: 3,503,613 GDP growth (Q1 2025): 0.5% Unemployment rate (May 2025): 3.2% Top corporate tax rate: 4.55% Top individual income tax rate: 4.55% Gasoline tax: 57.55 cents/gallon Bond rating (Moody's/S&P): Aaa, Stable/AAA, Stable Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, Energy Information Administration (including 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Delta brings new nonstop service to South America from Salt Lake International Airport
SALT LAKE CITY () — A new gateway to South America is coming to Salt Lake City later this year, when a new non-stop flight route to Peru begins service. The flights will be offered through Delta Airlines, which has a hub at the Salt Lake International Airport. The non-stop service to Lima, Peru, in South America will begin Dec. 4, 2025, and will fly daily until Jan. 25, 2026. Once in Lima, passengers from the Wasatch Front will have access to stunning vistas and sights such as the Andes mountain range, Machu Picchu, adventures through the Amazon rainforest and more. 'The creation of this first-ever nonstop gateway between Utah and South America is an exciting opportunity to build upon Utah's growing importance on the world stage and it underscores Delta's commitment to our state,' said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. 'As this global connection to Utah begins, we'll continue to look for more ways to open new doors for business development, economic trade, tourism and culture exchange for our state.' Two boys airlifted to Salt Lake City hospital after being tossed from pickup truck in Duchesne County Bill Wyatt, the Salt Lake City Department of Airports executive director, said he expects the new nonstop service will be embraced by Utah passengers as well as the state's growing Latin American community. 'The route not only connects the state to 30 destinations throughout South America but will be the fourth continent our passengers will have nonstop access to, which further advances Salt Lake's position as the crossroads of the world,' said Wyatt. Flights will operate on the , which offers 165 main cabin seats and 61 seats across Delta Comfort and Delta One. The flight to Lima, Peru, is the latest offering from Delta out of Salt Lake City, which sees 256 Delta departures to 96 destinations worldwide, according to the airline. Earlier this year, Delta out of Salt Lake City, connecting the Wasatch Front to Seoul, South Korea. Schumer presses RFK Jr. to declare measles emergency DOJ subpoenas clinics that provide trans care to minors Poor Utah air quality may be even more dangerous than previously believed, research shows New York Republican urges Trump to restore funding for after-school programs Terrain drives Forsyth Fire to grow another 775 acres, surpassing 15,000 acres burned Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Business Wire
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
BZI® Announces its Affiliate BZI Innovation Park LLC's Industrial Park and Transportation Hub is Ready for Customers, Showcases Its First Tenants, and Celebrates Milestone of 600 Railcars Delivered by RailSync™
KANARRAVILLE, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BZI® ( a leading steel and construction company nationally known for transformative innovations in its industries, announced today its affiliate development company BZI Innovation Park, LLC's 820-acre industrial park and transportation hub, BZI Innovation Park ( located near Cedar City, Utah, is open for business. The park is attracting tenants and bringing differentiated and sustainable transportation services to national and global companies. Community, government and business leaders gathered at the BZI Innovation Park yesterday to celebrate the accomplishments and milestones. Attendees were impressed by the progress the park has made since it was announced less than two years ago with Utah Governor Spencer Cox. BZI also announced its affiliate rail transload company, RailSync™ ( located within the park, has delivered more than 600 railcars since it began operations in 2023. RailSync's performance has removed more than 2,500 inbound semi-truck loads from highways between Salt Lake City and Phoenix over the past two years. By shifting freight from road to rail, the company is reducing congestion, cutting emissions, and increasing efficiency for industries across the Mountain West. The BZI Innovation Park is an important component of the Iron Springs Project Area and will soon be the site of BZI's new corporate headquarters. The company is actively pursuing tenants from the technology industry, construction material manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, e-commerce, and distribution, as well as organizations needing office space. Additionally, plans include residential housing to be integrated. 'It's impressive to see how quickly and effectively BZI has brought its vision to life—earning national recognition and creating real opportunities for Iron County, its businesses, and its residents,' said Ben Hart, Executive Director of the Utah Inland Port Authority. 'From the park's inception, I've seen firsthand how BZI's leadership and execution are driving economic growth, improving quality of life, and strengthening global transportation access.' Since its groundbreaking ceremony, BZI's vision of attracting tenants with unique products and services has not only been recognized by customers, partners and the surrounding community. The park has received state and global awards of excellence from the One-Utah Summit and Inc.'s Best in Business. 'The BZI Innovation Park is illustrative of our purpose to bring high-value opportunities and build thriving communities, while delivering innovative products and exceptional services to our customers,' said James Barlow, CEO of BZI. 'We are thrilled to share and celebrate our progress with our communities, see the operations come to life and welcome additional tenants to the park.' The Nautilus One building, constructed by VISCO ( was enthusiastically received by the Utah business community when it opened its doors as the first structure completed in the park. Its development and features showcase the processes and innovations that differentiate BZI and its technology R&D company, Innovatech®, from other construction companies. VISCO, a BZI affiliated general contractor, will be available to park tenants for build-to-suit contracting services, among others. 'We are excited to showcase our unique capabilities in combination with the comprehensive offerings provided by the BZI Innovation Park,' said Ryan Obray, President, VISCO Construction. 'We bring decades of combined experience across diverse areas of construction and real estate development to improve efficiency, reduce risks, and ensure each tenant who builds with us has a value-driven experience.' The BZI Innovation Park is bringing unparalleled and sustainable offerings that will improve the processing of goods and products for national and global companies and is providing the surrounding area with increased access to an outstanding worldwide shipping network. The BZI Innovation Park and RailSync are advantageously located only a day's drive from population centers like LA, Denver, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City, providing access to a potential market of more than 48 million people. BZI is now completing and executing major construction projects across the United States and is recognized as a leading provider of innovative construction solutions for companies known worldwide, as well as highlighted for its positive influence on local communities where it operates. Exceptional client and operational performance by the company are attracting premier companies across the world and bringing these work sites and economic opportunities to states across the U.S. Top BZI customer industries include, data centers, retail, manufacturing facilities for batteries, aerospace, energy, microchips, electric vehicles, and food and beverage. To learn more about the BZI Innovation Park, visit email contact@ or call 888.926.8190. To learn about BZI, visit email office@ or call 888.509.2280. About BZI Considered one of the top steel and construction organizations, the BZI® group of companies headquartered in Kanarraville, Utah, operates through three primary organizations: Building Zone Industries, LLC is responsible for steel erection, while BZI Steel, LLC specializes in steel fabrication. Innovatech®, LLC specializes in designing, engineering, and manufacturing innovative construction equipment and processes to enhance efficiency and safety on the job. BZI's partnership with the one-of-a-kind SteelTech Academy™ provides training, certifications and continuing education to all its team members. An exclusive technical, safety, vocational, and leadership training center, the academy provides training in OSHA (10) and (30) certifications, equipment operations, fall protection, and industry-specific welding certifications. Since 2021, SteelTech Academy has issued thousands of certifications across these disciplines and consistently logs over 30,000 student contact hours annually. As part of this expansive training curriculum, the academy also offers a Department of Labor certified Apprenticeship Program, helping to shape relevant skills and advance careers for those wanting to pursue construction as a vocation. The company continues to receive numerous industry awards for its exceptional performance and contributions to its industries. The company has been the recipient of: Inc. Best in Business 2024 for Construction: BZI Innovation Park USA Today's Top Workplaces (Second year – Ranked #11 in the nation for midsize companies in 2025) Utah Business Fast 50 (#12 ranking) Top Workplaces Construction Industry Award Salt Lake City Tribune Top Workplaces for two years (#5 ranking in 2024) One Utah Summit "Rural Rockstar" Award presented by Utah Governor Cox Best Employer by Cedar City Chamber of Commerce CEO of the Year by Cedar City Chamber of Commerce CEO of the Year 2025 Award – Utah Business Trade Partner in Safety Excellence (Layton Construction) BZI is a proud member of and accredited by AISC, an organization that has recognized BZI with its top safety awards, the "Erector Award of Honor' and 'Safety Award of Merit.' CEO James Barlow serves on the Forbes Business Council and is a recipient of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige Award. BZI's mission is to revolutionize the steel construction industry through innovation and team performance, while accelerating project delivery and setting new standards in safety and efficiency.
