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We’ve made it to our final week of the General Session. This week was memorable for me as a freshman as some of my bills (including one that is very important to me, HB199, which will protect domestic violence victims from gun violence) passed the Senate, completing the legislative process. All that's left is for Governor Cox to sign it into law.
I recognize that legislation passed this session will have a significant, meaningful impact for all Utahns. I will continue to work hard for each of you throughout this last week. You can follow along at le.utah.gov.
- Budget Update
- Results from the Tax Cut Survey
- State sales tax on food
- Contacting me
- Townhall notice
- Standing with Ukraine
- Week in pictures
- Passed bills
- Helpful links
This week, the Governor’s Office and Legislature released updated revenue numbers for the state fiscal year 2023-24. Some were hoping for an increase in the revenue forecast, but there was little change from the December revenue estimate, requiring the legislature to be cautious about any new spending and prudent in planning for any future downturns.
The Executive Appropriations Committee also released a revised estimate on spending, and if that passes as planned, there will be two new records set this year.
- First, the largest funding increase in Utah history for Public Education: $916M total, made up of $578M in ongoing funds (included in the annual budget each year), plus $339M in one-time funds (this year only).
- Second, the largest Tax Cut in Utah history at more than $400M in ongoing savings for taxpayers (details in last week’s newsletter)
After accounting for the base budget adjustments and set-asides, we have been deliberating on the estimated $817 million in one-time and $410 million in ongoing money combined in the General and Income Tax Funds. Read more about the budget estimates here.
Thanks to all those who filled out the tax cut survey last week! I'm grateful for your feedback on Utah's tax cuts; here are the results from the District 18 survey:
Utahns have made it clear that removing the sales tax on food is a top priority. This week, I voted for H.B. 101 Food Sales Tax Amendments, which removes the state portion of sales tax on food contingent on modifying the constitutional earmark for income tax revenue, as laid out in S.J.R. 10.
As discussed in last week’s newsletter, currently, the Utah Constitution mandates that all revenue from income tax be used only for certain items, such as supporting education and children. While Utah’s economy is robust, because of the structural imbalance, it would be fiscally irresponsible to eliminate the sales tax on food, which helps cover all other government costs including roads, public safety, prisons, homeless support, etc. If voters do change the restrictions on the use of income tax funds, then there is a large enough surplus to increase funding for public education AND remove the State portion of the sales tax on food.
If the bill passes the Senate, then voters will have the opportunity to approve these changes on the 2024 ballot. I understand there is a real concern that if the “constitutional earmark” is removed, we need to ensure that there are safeguards funding public Education fairly. We are working with the State School Board on language on some solutions to safeguard education. You can read more here, listen to the House podcast or watch The Hinckley Report.
Exactly one year ago, Russia invaded Ukraine resulting in nearly 19,000 Ukrainian casualties to date. I stand in awe of the hardships Ukrainians have gone through over the last year and am inspired by their courage, strength, and resilience. The privilege you have given me of doing legislative work is only possible and necessary because of the freedoms we all enjoy. Freedoms that are still under attack in Ukraine. I was humbled to join my colleagues in a moment of silence, and inspired by the support for Ukraine this week.
 On Thursday, I had the wonderful chance to meet Meg Johnson, an inspiring Farmington resident who has been named the 2023 Utah Mother of the Year by American Mothers Inc. Despite becoming a quadriplegic when she was 22, Meg has never allowed her challenges to set her back—she has inspired countless others with her motto, “When life gets too hard to stand, just keep rollin’!” I was grateful for the opportunity to recognize her on the floor of the House and join her visit with Gov. Spencer J. Cox, as they discussed the importance of supporting Mothers and Families.
 I enjoyed talking to the smart kids from Canyon Creek Elementary kids on Thursday. They live near Farmington Bay and grilled me relentlessly on what the Legislature is doing to save the the Great Salt Lake!
 As part of Utah Saves Week, our Good State Treasurer Marlo Oaks visited the House Floor today to remind us all of the benefits of saving money (a good reminder since we are working hard to balance the State budget this week!). Please visit utahsaves.org for more ideas on how to save. If you haven't started a 529 account yet, to promote educational savings, my529 is offering a special $20 promotion to Utah residents who open a my529 account this week.
 My seatmate and good colleague, Rep. Melisa Garff Ballard, arranged to have President M. Russell Ballard join us on the House floor Friday morning. I'm grateful for President Ballard’s service to Utah, including the preservation of Utah history through This Is the Place State Park and the Days of 47’ Rodeo & Celebration. I also appreciate his efforts bringing people of different faiths and different political persuasions together to find common ground.
H.B. 32 Provo Canyon Resource Management Plan
H.B. 54 Tax Revisions
H.B. 101 Food Sales Tax Amendments
H.B. 118 Education Procurement Amendments
H.B. 144 High Cost Infrastructure Development Tax Credit Amendments
H.B. 151 Veteran Property Tax Revisions
S.B. 157 Personal Property Tax Amendments
H.B. 170 Child Tax Credit Revisions
H.B. 190 Local Education Agency Personnel Amendments
H.B. 235 Accessible Parking Spaces Amendments
H.B. 312 Patient Medical Record Access Amendments
H.B. 329 Adult Event Permit Amendments
H.B. 377 Prison Health Care Services Retirement Amendments
H.B. 384 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Amendments
H.B. 396 Paleontological Resources Amendments
H.B. 398 Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments
H.B. 402 Extradition Tolling Amendments
H.B. 410 Insurance Amendments
H.B. 418 Canine Body Armor Restricted Account Modifications
H.B. 421 School LAND Trust Program Amendments
H.B. 432 Probate Modifications
H.B. 433 Public Land Geographic Data Amendments
H.B. 436 County Assessor Training Amendments
H.B. 439 Railroad Drone Amendments
H.B. 450 Landscaping Requirements
H.B. 457 State Property Transfer Amendments
H.B. 449 Unlawful Anticompetitive Activity Amendments
H.B. 468 Employment Screening Requirements
H.B. 477 Full-day Kindergarten Amendments
H.C.R. 5 Concurrent Resolution Opposing Federal Legislative Efforts to Strip States of Authority to Regulate Congressional Elections
H.R. 1 House Rules Resolution - House Committee Security
H.J.R. 1 Joint Resolution Designating National Speech and Debate Education Day
H.J.R. 18 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - State School Fund
S.B. 27 Transportation Revisions
S.B. 37 Municipality Incorporation Amendments
S.B. 51 Parent-time Amendments
S.B. 54 Child Welfare Parental Representation Amendments
S.B. 55 Public School Instructional Material Requirements
S.B. 63 Election Candidate Replacement Amendments
S.B. 67 Juvenile Commitment Amendments
S.B. 81 Property Tax Deferral Revisions
S.B. 94 Special Service District Bonds Amendments
S.B. 135 Government Transportation Cost Amendments
S.B. 137 Medical Cannabis Amendments
S.B. 140 Adult Protective Services Amendments
S.B. 143 Public School District Resource Sharing Agreements and Student Transportation Amendments
S.B. 144 Water Instream Flow Amendments
S.B. 161 Advanced Air Mobility Revisions
S.B. 165 Concealed Firearm Review Board Sunset Extension
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