House Rules: Politics and Policy in Utah

Each year during the general legislative session, college students from schools across the state are selected to intern for our Representatives. This is a unique experience that allows them to get an up close and personal look at the legislative process while working on-on-one with their assigned Representatives. Joining us today to talk more about this experience are two of our House interns from...

Utah is fortunate to have one of the most beautiful Capitol buildings in the country. Though it serves many purposes, ultimately this building belongs to the people of our state — and there is a whole team of dedicated civil servants working behind the scenes to make sure our citizens can continue to enjoy this building for generations to come. Recently, our Capitol plaza has undergone some change...

Want to learn more about the future of Utah baseball? In this episode of our House podcast, Rep Ryan Wilcox and CEO of the Larry H Miller Company, Steve Starks, join us to discuss the possibility of a Major League Baseball team moving to Utah.

The recent announcement of Congressman Chris Stewart’s intention to resign his seat in Utah’s 2nd Congressional district will result in a vacancy in Utah’s federal delegation. To address this vacancy and ensure Utah remains fully represented in Washington, this month the Legislature convened in a special session, where they voted to pass a bill which establishes election processes and protocols fo...

Given the fast-paced nature of the Legislative Session, our lawmakers rely heavily on the help and support from Legislative Staff Offices to answer policy and legal questions in the bill drafting process. Today, we are taking another look into the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel. This office is responsible for drafting and processing all legislation, performing policy analysis,...

Here in Utah, we have a part time citizen Legislature, with our general sessions lasting just 45 days. Although those 7 weeks are extremely productive, sometimes unique circumstances arise that require the Legislature to convene in special session to address pressing needs of the state. Last week, our legislators met for one such special session and passed a series of bills necessary to deal with...

This past winter has defied all expectations and broken every known record of precipitation here in Utah. While we are grateful for this much needed moisture, it brings with it an increased chance of flooding. Many Utahns have already experienced firsthand the potential dangers this additional spring runoff brings. Joining us today to talk more about the risks we face and what this flooding means...

Though our annual general legislative session is only 45 days long, there is a team of staff working year-round in preparation for that 7 week sprint. There are many behind-the-scenes payers who are instrumental in the process needed to craft good legislation. The Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel is responsible for drafting and processing all bill files during the session, perfor...

Utah’s rapid growth comes as no surprise to those who have long called Utah home. Our top-ranked economy, natural wonders, and creative problem-solving not only attracts new people to our state but motivates Utahns to continue calling this great place home. This year, the legislature is working together to meet the demands of our growing State by prioritizing policies aimed at improving our curren...

This afternoon, the Legislative audit subcommittee met and heard presentations from legislative auditors about several independent audit reports into various aspects of the State government, including our prison healthcare systems and 911 call response times of Salt Lake county. In this episode, the Legislative Auditor General and his team join us to discuss the findings of these audits.

Over the last several weeks, news cycles have been devoted to coverage of the recent banking crisis and collapse of prominent financial institutions. Understandably, this has left many Utahns feeling nervous about what economic uncertainties are in store. Joining us in this episode to discuss the current state of our financial markets and what it means for Utah’s economy is Vice Chair of the Execu...

Utah has the shortest legislative session in the country - just 45 calendar days. Over the course of those 7 weeks, our lawmakers work tirelessly to pass meaningful legislation that will impact the lives of all Utahns. This session in particular could perhaps be called the most consequential in our State’s history. With so much packed into such a short amount of time, it can be difficult for those...

Education inspires upward mobility, fosters innovation, and opens doors to countless future opportunities. Here in Utah, public education remains a key priority for the Legislature. This legislative session, we have made record breaking investments in our public education system to ensure that our classrooms remain a place of safety and learning, that our teachers have the support they need to edu...

The Utah legislature knows that the best way to ensure Utahns can continue to call Utah home is to lower the cost of living and allow citizens to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets. Over the past several years, the Utah legislature has reduced taxes by nearly $300 million. To continue Utah’s commitment to low taxes and a family and business-friendly environment, the House Majori...

Utah is known around the world for its beautiful landscapes and amazing outdoor recreation opportunities. With the greatest snow on Earth in the Wasatch Mountains to the red rock canyons of Southern Utah, we are truly blessed to call this incredible State home. This is why preserving our natural resources so future generations can continue to get out and experience all Utah has to offer is one of...

In recent years, policy makers throughout the country have seen a tragic rise of incidents involving student safety in our K-12 institutions. As such, school safety has become a growing concern for many parents and students throughout Utah. To address these concerns, lawmakers from all sides have come together to work on solutions which address student safety in our schools. Joining us today to ta...

Utah is one of the fastest growing yet driest States in our country. With the ongoing drought currently exerting pressure on the Great Basin States, this fact has become top of mind for many Utahns, and proper water management has become a top issue for lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers have made serious changes to the State's water conservation laws over the last several years, and this year t...

Utah is rich with resources and natural wonders that inspire, provide recreation, fuel industries, and create economic vitality. Responsibly using and safeguarding our natural resources is critical to ensure that current and future generations of Utahns can continue to enjoy the natural abundance we know and love. As such, the House majority caucus has made proper stewardship of our natural resour...

As we close out 2022 and look forward to the new year, economic uncertainties loom large on the minds of Utah citizens and State policy makers alike. After several years of chaotic financial markets, record breaking inflation, and rumors of an impending recession, many people are wondering what 2023 might bring. In this episode, we have Representative Robert Spendlove here with us to discuss where...

Each year, the house majority caucus comes together to identify the most important policy challenges facing our State. The blueprint for the 2023 general legislative session, entitled "The Utah Way Together", was recently released to the public. This plan outlines the majority caucus' top policy priorities and how the Utah House plans to address some of the current challenges facing our State. Joi...

Rising inflation and economic turbulence at the National level has impacted nearly every aspect of life here in Utah. One of the most affected areas has been the housing market. Many Utahns are struggling to find available housing that fits within their budgets. Some Utahns are finding the ‘American Dream’ of home ownership unattainable. As such, the affordability of housing will be a key issue du...

With the holiday season winding down, legislators and staff are beginning to ramp their work for the upcoming Legislative Session. With only a few weeks until the start of the 2023 General Session, representatives are in the process of drafting bills they intend to run, and new committee and leadership assignments are being made to members of Utah’s 65th Legislature. Joining us today is Representa...

This afternoon, the legislative audit subcommittee met and heard presentations from legislative auditors about a recently completed independent audit report into the security of Utah's elections. This report was a result of a nearly year long investigation into the controls and safe guards used in Utah's election process. In this episode, our legislative Auditor General, Kade Minchey, and his team...

Earlier today, the legislative audit subcommittee met to discuss the findings of three recently completed independent audit reports surrounding the organization, structure, and effectiveness of Utah's public safety entities. They had a specific emphasis on the adult probation and parole program as well as the board or pardons and parole. This week, Legislative Auditor General Kade Minchey and his...

Last month, Speaker Brad Wilson hosted the second annual Great Salt Lake Summit in an on going effort to raise awareness to the challenges faced by the lake and its declining water levels. Lawmakers, business leaders, farmers, and Utahns from across the State came together to discuss what has been done and what there is still to do to protect the Great Salt Lake. This week, we will be reviewing ma...