Latest news with #UtahSenate
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah Legislature decides not to override governor's vetoes
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Gov. Spencer Cox vetoed six bills from the 2025 Utah Legislative Session, and legislative leaders have decided to move forward without convening a veto override session. This past session, Cox signed more than 550 bills, but six . Cox vetoed S.B. 197 'Property Tax Amendments,' H.B. 306 'Precious Metals Amendments,' H.B. 315 'Elected Official Vacancy Modification,' S.B. 106 'Utah-Ireland Trade Commission,' 'Minimum Basic Tax Rates Amendments,' and S.B. 296 'Judicial Amendments.' The Utah Legislature has until May 6 to convene a veto override session if they wish to overturn any of the governor's vetoes. However, legislative leaders have decided not to make the attempt. 'Even when our perspectives differ, we appreciate the governor's willingness to find common ground as we build an even brighter future for our great state,' a statement by President J. Stuart Adams and Speaker Mike Schultz reads. The leaders said they carefully considered the option of holding a veto override session but ultimately decided against it. 'We will focus on constructive dialogue and thoughtful policymaking during the interim to find the best path forward that benefits all Utahns,' the statement says. Schultz previously told ABC4 that they will continue to discuss the vetoed Judicial Amendments bill that would allow the governor and Utah Senate to pick the chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court. 'We respect the governor's vetoes. Some of them I agree with, some of them I don't agree with,' Schultz previously said. Lawmakers will convene soon in a special session that Governor Cox . The governor sets the agenda for that session and often gets pitched by lawmakers and others to include their issues in his call. If lawmakers wanted to address anything the Governor is unwilling to put on that list they would need to justify an 'emergency in the affairs of the state' to call themselves. At the very least, the governor and the legislature have agreed in that special session to address two bills dealing with and that Cox believes have 'unintended consequences,' and reappropriate $3.5 million that was supposed to go to Sundance before they decided to leave Utah. A date for the special session is unknown, but lawmakers will gather at the Capitol for the first 2026 Interim meeting day on May 21. Forest thinning might lead to more wildfire danger, researchers say LIST: Star Wars Day, Ren Fest, and more activities this weekend U.S. and Ukraine reach minerals deal House removes federal protection for an endangered species National Security Advisor may move to U.N. ambassador role Matthew Drachman contributed to this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘The West will lead': Utah, Idaho, Wyoming team up on nuclear energy development
Utah leaders and Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner sign a memorandum of understanding at the Governor's Mansion in Salt Lake City on April 28, 2025. (Courtesy of the Utah Senate) Utah state leaders are taking the next steps in their efforts to make Utah a major nuclear energy development hub and a 'national leader' in developing next-generation energy technology, reaching beyond state lines to do it. It starts with Utah signing two memorandums of understanding with Idaho and Wyoming as part of a strategy to fire up innovation and collaboration in the region. As part of Gov. Spencer Cox's 'Built Here: Nuclear Energy Summit,' which his office said brought together leaders from across the nuclear energy industry on Tuesday, Cox joined Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon in signing an MOU that calls for the three states to work together coordinating nuclear infrastructure, accelerating nuclear development, and advocating for 'commonsense federal policies.' 'The West will lead the next chapter of energy abundance and American prosperity,' Cox said in a statement announcing the alliance. 'Today, we brought together industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to chart the course for nuclear energy. Our new compact strengthens our shared commitment to aggressively pursue more affordable, reliable energy across state lines.' According to Cox's office, the states agreed in the MOU to collaborate on: Aligning energy policies to support innovation and private investment. Coordinating the development of critical energy infrastructure. Jointly navigating regulatory and environmental challenges. Advocating for federal support of regional energy priorities. Enhancing energy resilience and grid reliability. Expanding workforce development efforts to support the growing energy sector. Ensuring continued delivery of affordable energy to residents. The tri-state agreement comes the day after Utah officials and the Idaho National Laboratory — one of 17 national labs in the U.S. Department of Energy complex that's focused on nuclear research — signed a memorandum of understanding Monday evening after ceremoniously signing a slate of energy bills Utah lawmakers passed earlier this year. The MOU between Utah leaders and the Idaho National Laboratory establishes a 'formal, long-term collaboration on advanced energy research, workforce development and technology deployment — particularly on nuclear innovation,' according to the governor's office. 'This partnership will accelerate Utah's efforts to become the nation's nuclear hub,' Gov. Spencer Cox said in a prepared statement issued Monday evening. 'By linking our universities, labs, and industry partners with the expertise of Idaho National Laboratory, we are strengthening our ability to serve Utahns with reliable and affordable energy.' Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner, who signed the MOU, said he and other lab officials are 'excited to partner with Utah to address urgent energy needs by focusing on advanced nuclear and energy innovation.' Glowing pains: Developing nuclear power could cost Utah tens of billions 'This partnership establishes a cooperative framework for scientific, technological and workforce development to help Utah realize an abundant, secure, resilient and competitive energy future,' he said. The MOU, according to the governor's office, creates a 'structural, interdisciplinary alliance' between Utah and the Idaho National Laboratory. It envisions Utah as establishing a new institute called the Advanced Nuclear Energy Institute as a 'key coordinating hub' between the Idaho National Laboratory, Utah's system of higher education, the Utah Office of Energy Development, and the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab. 'By linking the capabilities of INL with the talent and resources of Utah's higher education institutions, this partnership positions Utah as a national leader in developing the next generation of clean, secure and resilient energy technologies,' the governor's office said in Monday's news release. This new institute, state officials say, will enable Utah's universities to collaborate with other organizations to pursue federal research grants. 'Beyond academic research, the focus is on applied innovation — ensuring resources are used effectively to develop commercially viable, scalable technologies,' the governor's office said. 'This approach will accelerate the deployment of real-world energy solutions and help build a broader, more robust nuclear energy ecosystem in Utah and the surrounding region.' With more local input, Legislature signs on to the beginning of Utah's nuclear future Through the MOU, state leaders say Utah and the Idaho National Laboratory will work together to: Accelerate development of 'next-generation' nuclear technologies. Enhance scientific research in energy sectors. Strengthen cybersecurity and physical security for energy infrastructure. Build up the workforce needed to meet demands of a future energy economy. The Utah Legislature's top Republican leaders both applauded the move as crucial for Utah's future. 'Affordable, reliable energy is the driving force behind Utah's prosperity — powering everything from the lights in Utahns homes to the unstoppable growth of the state's vibrant economy,' Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, said in a prepared statement. 'As energy demands increase and technologies rapidly evolve, we as a state are committed to staying ahead of the curve through strategic partnership that ensures both innovation and stability.' House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, said Utah 'is leading the way with smart, strategic investments in our energy future.' 'This partnership drives innovation and keeps energy reliable and affordable for Utah families and businesses,' Schultz said. 'It's about long-term solutions that protect our economy and strengthen our position as a national energy leader.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Associated Press
26-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Utah Becomes Eighth State to Regulate Earned Wage Access
DailyPay commends Governor Spencer Cox for signing HB 279 into law categorizing EWA as its own financial product NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, March 26, 2025 / / -- DailyPay, a worktech company and the leading provider of earned wage access, celebrates another regulatory achievement as Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed HB 279 on March 25, 2025, regulating Earned Wage Access (EWA) as its own financial product in the state. The bill passed with unanimous support in the Utah Senate and the House of Representatives with leadership from sponsors Rep. Cory Maloy and Sen. Chris Wilson. The legislation correctly codifies the EWA industry's best practices into law, including recognizing EWA as its own financial product, and requires all EWA consumers to receive the same protections regardless of the product they're using. Utah is now the eighth state to regulate EWA, further advancing regulatory certainty across the country. 'It is heartening to see every Democrat and Republican state legislator in Utah recognize that EWA is its own financial product that deserves its own regulatory framework, to protect both consumers and businesses,' said Ryan Naples, Vice President of Public Policy, DailyPay. 'Utah is the first unanimous vote for an EWA law but joins seven other states in the country to put smart EWA regulations into law that do not wrongly categorize the service as a loan, and we applaud the legislature and Governor for advancing this legislation.' DailyPay remains dedicated to delivering innovative products and services that enhance workers' financial lives. EWA offers workers greater financial flexibility and control of their finances and is a safe and important alternative to late fees, overdraft fees or high-interest credit products. With the enactment of this measure, DailyPay looks forward to supporting Utah employers and employees alike in achieving their financial goals. DailyPay will continue to work with state and federal policymakers to ensure that the wide adoption of EWA by employers, and the impactful financial wellness benefits it brings to their employees, are fully understood. About DailyPay DailyPay is transforming the way people get paid. As a worktech company and the industry's leading earned wage access solution, DailyPay uses an award-winning technology platform to help America's top employers build stronger relationships with their employees. This voluntary employee benefit enables workers everywhere to feel more motivated to work harder and stay longer on the job while supporting their financial well-being outside of the workplace. DailyPay is headquartered in New York City. For more information, visit Samantha Padilla David Schwarz DailyPay Legal Disclaimer:
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. Dan Thatcher leaves Republican party for Utah Forward party
SALT LAKE CITY () — On the final day of the 2025 Legislative Session, Utah Senator Dan Thatcher announced he was switching parties – leaving the GOP for . Thatcher, who ran unopposed in 2022, has served in the state legislature since 2011. He currently represents District 11 which covers Tooele County and a portion of West Valley. His current term runs through 2026 when he is up for re-election. During a press conference, Thatcher explained that it was his frustrations with the disconnect between the public and legislators that led to his decision. He argued that the Utah legislature has 'gone away from the people.' 'You're not imagining it, you're not crazy – we don't listen to you. We don't have to listen to you because you don't elect us,' said Thatcher. 'The system in Utah is set up so that very very few people actually make that decision and it's probably not you. And I think that is the core of the disconnect between the actions of the legislature and the needs and the values of the public that we're supposed to represent.' He is now the only third-party lawmaker in both the Utah Senate and Utah House of Representatives. The Utah Forward Party is a local chapter founded of the national , founded by former presidential candidate Andrew Yang. Adam Teuscher, the Utah Forward Party State Chair, previously told ABC4 the party started its efforts in 2023 and put its first candidates on the ballot in 2024. According to , Utah Foward runs on 'doing, not dividing,' which they say means rejecting political extremes and working together to take 'real action.' 'We're not building a copy of the current parties, which are dragging our country backward,' the Utah Foward Party's website reads. 'We're moving American politics forward, with a party focused on innovative, collaborative, and common-sense solutions that work for the majority.' Their include environmental sustainability, preservation of the Great Salt Lake, housing availability, and addressing homelessness. The Utah Forward Party says it welcomes diverse thinking and new ideas and will approach colleagues with 'grace and tolerance.' This article is being updated… Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New poll: Do Utahns support bill to help deport immigrants convicted of crimes?
The Utah Senate voted with the House on Thursday to partially reverse a 2019 criminal sentencing law that some Republicans said has made the state a 'magnet' for illegal immigration. The bill, HB226, would remove impediments for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to immediately deport immigrants convicted of dangerous crimes, according to the bill's proponents. But it would target immigrants who are otherwise legally present in the state, the bill's critics said during a contentious floor debate on Thursday. By increasing the maximum jail time for certain class A misdemeanors back to 365 days from 364 days, HB226 would enable judges to trigger a federal policy that makes noncitizens — regardless of residency status — immediately deportable if they are convicted of crimes with a sentence of at least one year. Increased enforcement of this deportation policy under President Donald Trump appears broadly popular among Utahns, according to a new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll. The poll, conducted in late February by HarrisX among 805 registered voters, found that 89% of Utahns, including 95% of Republicans and 72% of Democrats, support the deportation of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. who have committed crimes. A majority, or 57%, of Utah voters said they support the deportation of all unauthorized immigrants in the U.S., whether or not they committed a crime after entering the country, while 38% were opposed. The mass deportation of unauthorized immigrants was supported by 7 out of 10 Republicans and opposed by 7 out of 10 Democrats in the state. Survey data and immigration court filings suggest there are at least 145,000 unauthorized immigrants in Utah. The poll found that Utahns are much more hesitant to support the deportation of unauthorized immigrants when they consider their likely family connections. When asked whether there should be exceptions to deportation policies, 69% of Utahns said unauthorized immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens should be exempt and 45% said unauthorized immigrants who are children under the age of 18 should be exempt. While debating HB226, floor sponsor Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, and Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, disputed whether the bill marked a departure from the Utah Compact on Immigration, an agreement that immigration policy must promote the rule of law and avoid separating families. 'This is a huge policy change that I don't think matches what the Utah Compact said about Utah welcoming the world,' Escamilla said. 'My biggest concern is, what's going to happen to a family that has been here — they own property, a home, they're working, they're legally here.' Central to Thursday morning's debate was whether HB226 violated the due process of legal immigrants by making them subject to immediate ICE deportation, while not changing the policy for immigrants who entered the country illegally and who are already eligible for deportation proceedings. Defenders of the bill made the case that if noncitizens are committing serious crimes then they should not remain in the country. 'I recognize as well that it does affect those that are legally here working but that's why we went and narrowed it like we did,' Sen. Calvin Musselman, R-West Haven, said. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Riverton, would increase the maximum class A misdemeanor sentence to 365 days only for offenses against an individual, which include child abuse, sexual misconduct and threats against law enforcement. Pierucci's bill would codify law enforcement practices of coordinating with federal immigration authorities before releasing an unauthorized immigrant convicted of these crimes to ensure they are not returned to Utah communities after their sentence is complete. The Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll found that 80% of Utah voters, including 91% of Republicans and 54% of Democrats, think local law enforcement should help deport immigrants who have committed crimes in addition to crossing the border illegally. Another 56% said local law enforcement should help ICE deport immigrants who are in the country illegally, but who have committed no additional crime. This broader mandate was supported by 71% of Republicans and opposed by 71% of Democrats. In addition to outlining coordination requirements between police and ICE, HB226 would also require law enforcement to submit the immigration status of arrested individuals to courts and would give judges the presumption that individuals are considered a flight risk for bail if they are not lawfully present in the country. 'We know that federal policy is broken,' McCay said. 'The question is, is there a way that we can take this magnet status away for illegal immigration to avoid some of the cost?'
