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With just two weeks left, things at the Capitol are busier than ever. While some big policy issues have been decided already, many of the significant tax and appropriations decisions will be made in the last two weeks. I am honored to serve each member of my district and pass legislation that will improve the lives of families and individuals. You can follow along with the process at le.utah.gov.
- Largest tax cut in history
- Potential deal to remove state sales tax on food
- Increased education funding
- My bill updates
- Contacting me
- Townhall notice
- Limiting government overreach
- Week in pictures
- Passed bills
- Helpful links
Over the last two years, the Legislature reduced taxes by nearly $300 million. Even with those past tax cuts, Utah’s economy has performed so well that we have a multi-billion dollar surplus. Some of the surplus will be invested in one-time infrastructure projects and paying off debt, a significant portion will be invested in education, and some will be used for tax cuts. Final budget projections will be reported next Tuesday, after which numbers will start to be finalized.
This session, the House & Senate have worked together to propose an additional $400 million in tax relief. H.B. 54 Tax Revisions will be heard in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee early next week and provides tax relief to individuals and families in all stages of life by:
- Cutting the income tax rate from 4.85% to 4.65%.
- Expanding social security tax credit eligibility to individuals earning between $0 to $75,000 per year.
- Providing a tax benefit for pregnancy by allowing a double dependent exemption for children the year of their birth.
- Increasing the earned income tax credit (EITC) from 15% to 2-% of the federal credit.
It’s anticipated that:
- Low-income households will see about a 22% tax cut.
- Middle-income households will see about a 6% tax cut.
- High-income households will see about a 4% tax cut.
Please take two minutes to answer this four question survey on tax cuts.
While Utah’s economy is strong and has a multi-billion dollar surplus, we also have a structural problem. For the past two decades, State revenues from income tax (constitutionally earmarked for education and supporting children) have been rising at a faster rate than revenues from sales and use taxes (which cover all other government costs including roads, public safety, prisons, homeless support, etc). For example, as cars go electric or become more efficient, the gas tax covers less of the required cost of roads.
One way to solve this imbalance would be to lower the income tax and raise the state sales tax, but that would primarily benefit the wealthiest Utahns and put extra burden on those with less income.
A better way to solve the imbalance, in my opinion, is to ask the voters to remove the constitutional limitations on which tax funds could be used for which purposes. By moving funds from the income tax fund to the general fund, there will be more flexibility to maintain a balanced budget. Then, this will free up the ability to remove the state portion of the sales tax on food--creating other programs that would benefit all taxpayers, instead of just the wealthy.
To learn more, read this informative Deseret News article or listen to the Hinkley Report podcast.
The legislature’s goal is to continue to promote long-term investments that help families, individuals and businesses succeed while funding education at record levels and addressing pressing issues facing our state, including Utah’s water crisis.
Please take two minutes to answer this four question survey on tax cuts.
Earlier this session, the Legislature passed H.B. 215: Funding for Teacher Salaries and Optional Education Opportunities, doubling the Educator Salary Adjustment Program and directly increasing teacher compensation by about $6,000. However, the pay raises currently do not adjust for inflation or when the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) value increases.
In addition to increasing funding for Public Education via the WPU in the budget bill at the end of the session, another Senate bill, which I support, is coming to the House this week: S.B. 183.
This bill appropriates funding, and it also ties teacher salary supplements and educator salary raises to increase yearly with the WPU value instead of remaining stagnant. Additionally, S.B. 183 makes all teachers eligible for this salary increase program unless they have received three unsatisfactory ratings. Currently, only one unsatisfactory rating is required for ineligibility.
I appreciate the hard work of our Utah teachers. By ensuring that salary increases are tied to the WPU, the Legislature hopes to show our appreciation and support for our teachers. In addition, I believe it will help ensure that increased funding is going directly to teachers, not to administrative overhead. You can track the progress of the bill here.
This past week, the House passed one of my bills: HB199: Voluntary Firearm Safekeeping Amendments with 64 "yes" votes. This was an important milestone to me personally after months of effort to craft and pass good policy. It will improve safety for domestic violence victims, while at the same time, ensuring due process to protect the 2nd amendment rights of the accused.
Good policy is seldom done alone. I sincerely appreciate the help from legislative staff, and my colleagues Rep. Walt Brooks (a gun advocate) from St. George, and Rep. Matt Gwynn (a police chief) from Weber County. Sen. Weiler will now help move the bill through the Senate.
Due to Monday's President's Day holiday, there was no online Town Hall on Saturday, February 18th. If you would like to talk with me about my bills, our tax cuts, or any other legislative actions, I am available this holiday weekend (call or text 801-390-3444) I would love to discuss any of your concerns with you. If you would like to view previous Town Halls, please view the South Davis Community Facebook page.
Over the last several years, we have seen efforts to use non-financial criteria to shade and skew financial markets. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards imposed on businesses and financial institutions distort the free market and place real costs on the people of Utah. As a Legislature, we are taking proactive measures against investment schemes based on assessments of businesses’ and individuals’ political beliefs.
HB 281: Social Credit Score Amendments prohibits governmental entities in Utah from using, enforcing, or providing data for a system that discriminates or gives preferential treatment to an individual. Similarly, SB 96: Fiduciary Duty Modifications ensures any state investment is done without regard to political, environmental, or social considerations of companies. Both bills passed committee this week and will be voted on in their perspective bodies.
 Thanks to Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson and Centerville Mayor Clark Wilkinson for spending time with the Youth Council from Centerville, Utah at the Capitol. I enjoyed the opportunity to recognize them on the floor of the House of Representatives and eat lunch with them. They had great questions and insights. They are our future leaders!
 On February 14th, 1870 Seraph Young of Utah became the first woman to vote under the equal rights law. I'm proud of our state history leading the way in women’s suffrage. I’m also honored to be associated with the capable, amazing women who serve in the legislature today.
 On Friday, I thoroughly enjoyed my time attending the Aerospace & Defense Day on the Hill. I really appreciate former Rep. Adam Robertson & Fortem Technologies for the cool demo of their drone capture technology.
If you want to watch some of the drone flights, click here. The video shows how the Fortem drone chases an enemy drone, capturing it with a high strength net.
 I loved meeting one of Farmington’s talented students: Arthur Grover. He showed me some of his incredible art pieces, and I was impressed; I'm grateful to represent such a talented population enriching our community with art and culture.
 On Friday, the legislature honored the memories of Utah's fallen military members. I regard, with great respect, the honorable service of those in uniform who have fallen, regardless of time, place or circumstances of death.
I express my heartfelt sympathies to the families of our fallen military members. May the examples of the dedicated service of those brave men and women serve as examples to all Americans' commitment to defending liberty at home and abroad.
H.B. 19 Rape Crisis Center Modifications
H.B. 23 Forensic Mental Health Amendments
H.B. 51 Railroad Right of Way Amendments
H.B. 63 Office of Rail Safety
H.B. 70 Continuing Care Retirement Facilities Amendments
H.B. 82 School Assembly Notice Requirements
H.B. 105 Public Employee Disability Benefits Amendments
H.B. 116 Intergenerational Poverty Solution
H.B. 121 Wildlife Habitat Account Amendments
H.B. 130 Adoption Tax Credit
H.B. 138 Sensitive Material Requirements
H.B. 139 Sex and Kidnap Offender Registry Requirements
H.B. 177 State Hospital Amendments
H.B. 186 State Land Purchase Restrictions
H.B. 189 International Baccalaureate Program Amendments
H.B. 199 Voluntary Firearm Safekeeping Amendments
H.B. 204 Child Welfare Proceedings Testing Requirements
H.B. 208 Criminal Trespass Amendments
H.B. 231 Low Income Housing Property Tax Exemption
H.B. 232 Railroad Crossing Maintenance Amendments
H.B. 234 University Recognition for International Baccalaureate Achievement
H.B. 247 Alcohol Control Amendments
H.B. 249 Education Related Amendments
H.B. 253 Federalism Commission Amendments
H.B. 260 Property Tax Income Requirements
H.B. 280 Local Government Construction Project Bid Notice
H.B. 281 Social Credit Score Amendments
H.B. 284 Public Library Background Check Requirements
H.B. 288 Opioid Dispensing Requirements
H.B. 290 Medicaid Waiver for Medically Complex Children Amendments
H.B. 299 Infrastructure Related to Water
H.B. 301 Transportation Tax Amendments
H.B. 303 Elections Record Amendments
H.B. 305 Child Abuser Education Restrictions
H.B. 306 School Community Council Amendments
H.B. 308 School Grading Modifications
H.B. 309 County Recorder Amendments
H.B. 313 Suspect Metal Amendments
H.B. 314 Remedies for Victims of Domestic Violence Amendments
H.B. 318 Prime Pilot Program Amendments
H.B. 327 Pollinator Pilot Program Amendments
H.B. 330 Civil Commitment Amendments
H.B. 335 Alternative Concurrent Enrollment Options for Capacity Flexibility
H.B. 339 Crime Penalty Amendments
H.B. 340 Trailer Registration Requirements
H.B. 341 Electronic Stamp Designation
H.B. 345 Local District Property Tax Amendments
H.B. 347 Ballot Drop Box Amendments
H.B. 348 Participation Waiver Amendments
H.B. 349 Water Reuse Projects Amendments
H.B. 351 County Recorder Modifications
H.B. 352 Law Enforcement Data Amendments
H.B. 353 Sales Tax Return Requirements
H.B. 355 Utah Data Research Center Amendments
H.B. 358 County Auditor Amendments
H.B. 357 Decentralized Autonomous Organizations Amendments
H.B. 360 Unclaimed Property Amendments
H.B. 362 Criminal Justice Data Management Task Force Sunset Extension
H.B. 363 Summer Education Grants
H.B. 368 Inmate Identification Amendments
H.B. 369 DUI Amendments
H.B. 370 Utility Infrastructure Amendments
H.B. 371 Working Farm and Ranch Protection Fund
H.B. 373 Law Enforcement Training and Recruitment
H.B. 375 Traffic Violation Exemptions
H.B. 376 Cosmetologist Regulation Modifications
H.B. 378 Fireworks Amendments
H.B. 380 Competency to Stand Trial Amendments
H.B. 382 Automatic Renewal Contract Requirements
H.B. 383 Indigent Defense Amendments
H.B. 388 Statutes of Limitation Amendments
H.B. 389 Electrical Power Delivery Quality Amendments
H.B. 390 Child Custody Amendments
H.B. 392 Rural County Health Care Facilities Tax Amendments
H.B. 397 Urban Farming Assessment Amendments
H.B. 399 Corporation Reinstatement Amendments
H.B. 400 School Absenteeism Amendments
H.B. 405 School Bus Owner Requirements
H.B. 407 Incentives Amendments
H.B. 409 State Construction and Fire Codes Amendments
H.B. 416 Transient Room Tax Amendments
H.B. 417 Motor Vehicle Tax Amendments
H.B. 430 State Olympic Coordination Amendments
H.C.R. 8 Concurrent Resolution Addressing the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
S.B. 17 Voting and Voter Residency Amendments
S.B. 42 Massage Therapy Practice Act Amendments
S.B. 43 Public Notice Requirements
S.B. 46 State Holiday Modifications
S.B. 49 Juvenile Custodial Interrogation Amendments
S.B. 56 Child Welfare Amendments
S.B. 62 Hydrogen Amendments
S.B. 64 Bureau of Emergency Medical Services Amendments
S.B. 65 Charter School Authorizers Modifications
S.B. 70 Victim Amendments
S.B. 75 Sand and Gravel Sales Tax Amendments
S.B. 78 Naturopathic Physician Licensing Amendments
S.B. 79 Executive Residence Commission Amendments
S.B. 80 Driver License Suspension and Revocation Amendments
S.B. 82 Sales Tax Amendments
S.B. 84 Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Amendments
S.B. 85 License Plate Requirement Amendments
S.B. 86 Drug Testing and Paraphernalia Amendments
S.B. 91 Medical Cannabis Regulation Amendments
S.B. 92 Special License Plate Designation
S.B. 95 Foreign Driver License Reciprocity Amendments
S.B. 98 Legal Costs Recovery Amendments
S.B. 108 Animal Shelter Revisions
S.B. 112 Aquatic Invasive Species Amendments
S.B. 113 Local Agricultural Amendments
S.B. 119 Per Capita Consumptive Use
S.B. 126 Hospital Assessment Amendments
S.C.R. 1 Concurrent Resolution Supporting the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
S.C.R. 2 Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Environmental Impact of Vehicle Idling
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