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UPDATE FROM CAPITOL HILL

Representative Paul Cutler

District 18

Thank you for Letting Me Serve You

I am deeply honored for the privilege I have to represent each of you in the Legislature. As a new freshman legislator, the last seven weeks was a thrilling, fascinating, frustrating, exhilarating, and at times exhausting, experience.  Thank you for giving me this meaningful opportunity.

Speaker Wilson called out some of the most significant accomplishments & Governor Cox closed the session last night (before 10PM, which surprised me, and surprised the Governor, who wasn’t quite ready as he was expecting us to go until midnight), by specifically noting:

• Never, in the 127 years of statehood has Utah invested more money in Education
• Never, in the 127 years of statehood has Utah invested more money in Water
• Never, in the 127 years of statehood has Utah invested more money in Housing
• Never, in the 127 years of statehood has Utah cut taxes more than this year.

I feel very grateful to have participated in this session.   Although this year’s legislative session has come to an end, (which means I have to go back to my day job next week) I will continue to serve you all year long as we start to prepare for 2024!

In this Issue

• $29 billion State Budget
• Historic Investments in Education
• Future Education Funding In Utah
• My vote on the Utah flag
• Contacting me & Legislative Debrief
• The Utah Way together
• How the Utah legislation supports families 
• Week in pictures
• Passed bills

$29 Billion State Budget

Crafting the state budget each year is one of the most important constitutional responsibilities given to the Legislature. The finalized state budget for fiscal year 2023-24 appropriates a whopping total of $29.4 billion towards essential state needs including investments in education, social services, water, and transportation. A few highlights include:

• Historic teacher pay raise – $6,000 per teacher
• Largest tax cut in state history – a total of $850 million
• $500 million invested in water resources
• Over $2 billion invested in transportation

I think it’s also important to note that the State is maintaining significant “Rainy Day Fund” Balances in Reserves including:

• General Fund (FY23) = $330.3 Million
• Education Fund (FY23) = $856.3 Million
• Public Education Stabilization (FY24) = $440.1 Million
• Disaster Recovery Fund(FY23)=$90.0Million

For more information on the budget I recommend this: Wrap-up Blog Post and Budget Quick Facts Card

from the Legislative Financial Analyst.  A more detailed 2024 State of Utah Budget Summary and other data is available on budget.utah.gov.

Historic Investments in Education

In Davis County, we value education.  We know that education inspires upward mobility, fosters innovation, and opens the doors of the future. I am committed to ensuring our classrooms are a place of learning and safety. As mentioned above, the legislature allocated a record $916M of new funds to education.  In total, public education spending is $7.6B, with $5.4B coming from State Funds.  Some highlights for me are:

• 6% WPU Value Increase -- $233.1 million to increase the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU)
• All Day Kindergarten -- $25.0 million to increase access to optional all-day kindergarten across the State;
• Educator Professional Time -- $64.0 million for paid educator collaboration and preparation time;
• $75.0 million for school safety needs including physical hardening and school safety specialists;
• $196.9 million ongoing for educator salary bonuses of $4,200, and $42.5 million ongoing for Utah Fits All scholarships
• $15.0 million for Teen Centers in high school for Students Experiencing Homelessness (This effort, started in some Davis County High Schools, has been very successful helping kids and will be expanded to other areas of the state)

You can learn more about some of the education policies and issues by listening to my good friend, and fellow Davis County Representative, Karen Peterson in this week’s episode of the House podcast here.

Future Education Funding In Utah

In my opinion, one of the most significant outcomes of the session was the package of bills related to modifying the Constitutional income tax earmark and removing the sales tax on food.  A lot of time and effort was spent on how to ensure Education is funded fairly if the “constitutional earmark” is removed and the legislature is given more flexibility on how to pay for various state needs.  This is a real concern for me, and for many who care deeply about public education.  My friend Rep. Karen Peterson, who was the Governor Herbert’s education advisor prior to joining the legislature helped prepare this one page summary with some key information for those that want more detail.

My Vote on the Utah Flag

How to Contact Me

Email: pcutler@le.utah.gov Voicemail: 801-923-4618 Text or Call: 801-390-3444 House District 18 Facebook page

Post Legislative Debrief

Interested in a live conversation about the legislative session?  Please join me in my home to discuss the highlights and the lowlights of the 2023 session, and any feedback on what you would like to see different next year.

• Tuesday March 14, 2023 5:30-7PM
• 1872 N. Main St Centerville, 84014

You are welcome park in the circular driveway or behind our home

The Utah Way Together

At the start of this legislative session, we set out to pass significant legislation that would safeguard our natural resources, keep Utah affordable for individuals and families, and invest in our future. I am proud to say we accomplished all three of these goals. We passed 575 bills, which combined will make a meaningful difference in the life of all Utahns. 

How the 2023 General Session Benefits Utah Families

Families come in all shapes and sizes, and creating family-friendly policies is a top priority for the Legislature. This session, we passed 575 bills, which directly benefit a variety of families.  Click here to watch a short video prepared by the legislative staff.

Education In Utah

Education inspires upward mobility, fosters innovation, and opens the doors of the future. I am committed to ensuring our classrooms remain a place of learning and safety. As a legislature, we have made education a priority throughout this session. You can learn more about some of the education policies we have passed by listening to this week’s episode of our House podcast. Listen here.

Week in Pictures

Protecting Transit Workers: HJR26

I was pleased to welcome these friends from Utah Transit Authority - UTA to the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Front line workers Mary and Neil show amazing resilience and compassion in the face of assaults and bad behavior. Operator Dale drove an incredible 4 million miles accident free. 

I appreciated the positive coverage from KSL on this serious problem of rising assaults on transit operators. 

March is women’s history month. I am blessed to work with many wonderful female colleagues in the legislature and admire each of their example’s.

I loved giving a tour of the capitol to two different youth groups this week.  The Capitol is a beautiful building with lots of symbolism and interesting features.  If you have a family or youth group that would like a tour, I’d be happy to facilitate one for your group sometime.

It was fun to join the freshman legislators on a tour of the Capitol dome this week. I’m pleased to report that despite the temptation, no one was pushed off any ledges.

Politics is a team sport.  Very little gets accomplished individually.  I could not have done this session without the support of my family, especially my wife, Sherry.   A special thank you all the legislative staff, and especially to my Intern Jenny Carpenter, who is a student at Utah State University for her hard work this session.

Bills Passed By The House This Week

H.B. 2 Public Education Budget Amendments

H.B. 3 Current Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations

H.B. 8 State Agency and Higher Education Compensation Appropriations

H.B. 21 Open and Public Meetings Act Amendments

H.B. 214 Primary Election Revisions

H.B. 272 Water Efficient Landscaping Amendments

H.B. 350 Adoption Modifications

H.B. 427 Individual Freedom in Public Education

H.B. 447 Transplant of Wildlife Amendments

H.B. 462 Liability of Relatives Amendments

H.B. 463 High School Sports Amendments

H.B. 469 Wildlife Related Amendments

H.B. 470 Government Digital Verifiable Record Amendments

H.B. 475 Communication Credits Requirements

H.B. 481 Firearm Safety and Suicide Prevention Education Requirements

H.B. 485 Restricted Persons Amendments

H.B. 487 Sickle Cell Disease

H.B. 488 Utah Lake Authority Amendments

H.B. 489 Educator Paid Professional Hours

H.B. 490 Expungement Changes

H.B. 492 Abuse of Personal Identity Act Amendments

H.B. 494 Education Reporting Amendments

H.B. 499 Homeless Services Amendments

H.B. 503 Shooting Range Requirements

H.B. 506 Government Entity Compliance Amendments

H.B. 507 Firearm Possession Revisions

H.B. 509 Criminal Protective Order Amendments

H.B. 511 Crime Victim Identification Amendments

H.B. 512 Elected Official Education

H.B. 513 Great Salt Lake Amendments

H.B. 516 Mental Health Treatment Study

H.B. 517 Inmate Program Amendments

H.B. 518 Human Trafficking Prevention Program

H.B. 519 Consumer Credit Protection Amendments

H.B. 523 Egg Retailer Amendments

H.B. 528 Utah Energy Act Amendments

H.B. 531 Court Fee Modifications

H.B. 538 Water Usage Amendments

H.B. 539 Veteran Property Tax Exemption

H.B. 545 Cybersecurity Infrastructure Modifications

H.B. 546 Education Innovation Program Amendments

H.B. 555 Talent Ready Utah Program Modifications

H.B. 556 Legislative Committee Staff Requirements

H.B. 561 Department of Health and Human Services Procurement Amendments

H.R. 4 House Rules Resolution - Amendments to House Rules

H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Supporting the Creation of the Great Salt Lake Sentinel Landscape

H.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Concerning the Shutdown of Utah's Power by the Federal Government

H.C.R. 10 Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Pledge of Allegiance in Schools

H.J.R. 17 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution -- Statewide Initiatives

H.J.R. 20 Joint Resolution Regarding Higher Education Accreditation

H.J.R. 21 Joint Resolution Honoring the Hispanic Community

H.J.R. 23 Joint Resolution Regarding Federal Funds for National Park Reopening

H.J.R. 24 Joint Resolution Encouraging Support for the Houses Act

H.J.R. 25 Joint Resolution Highlighting the Hazards of Net-zero Energy

H.J.R. 26 Joint Resolution on Transit Operator Safety Awareness

S.B. 2 New Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations Act

S.B. 8 State Agency Fees and Internal Service Fund Rate Authorization and Appropriations

S.B. 34 Water Infrastructure Funding Study

S.B. 35 Reciprocal Professional Licensing Amendments

S.B. 45 Statewide Online Education Program Amendments

S.B. 48 Energy Producer States' Agreement Amendments

S.B. 52 Parental Indigent Defense Amendments

S.B. 76 Water Amendments

S.B. 77 Education Scholarship Amendments

S.B. 83 Public Education Funding Equalization

S.B. 89 Utah Retirement Amendments

S.B. 106 Caregiver Compensation Amendments

S.B. 114 County Correctional Facility Contracting Amendments

S.B. 115 Notice of Tax Sale Requirements

S.B. 117 Domestic Violence Amendments

S.B. 120 Property and Contraband Amendments

S.B. 121 Car-sharing Amendments

S.B. 124 Law Enforcement Officer Amendments

S.B. 125 Transportation Infrastructure Amendments

S.B. 127 Cybersecurity Amendments

S.B. 128 Public Safety Officer Scholarship Program

S.B. 129 Judiciary Amendments

S.B. 133 Modifications to Medicaid Coverage

S.B. 146 Higher Education Governance Amendments

S.B. 148 Invisible Condition Information Amendments

S.B. 152 Social Media Regulation Amendments

S.B. 156 Investigative Genetic Genealogy Modifications

S.B. 163 Child Welfare Modifications

S.B. 167 Statewide Online Education Program Modifications

S.B. 168 State Agency Capital Development Fund

S.B. 169 Enticement of a Minor Amendments

S.B. 174 Local Land Use and Development Revisions

S.B. 175 Rural Transportation Infrastructure Fund

S.B. 180 Private Postsecondary Education Modifications

S.B. 183 Educator Salary Amendments

S.B. 185 Transportation Amendments

S.B. 188 Inmate Amendments

S.B. 194 Higher Education Funding Amendments

S.B. 201 Radon Notice Amendments

S.B. 203 Corporate Tax Amendments

S.B. 204 Autism Coverage Amendments

S.B. 205 Consumer Protection Education and Training Fund Amendments

S.B. 212 Utah Communications Authority Amendments

S.B. 213 Transit District Amendments

S.B. 214 Utah False Claims Act Amendments

S.B. 216 Vehicle Value Protection Agreements

S.B. 223 Charitable Contribution Amendments

S.B. 225 Commercial Email Act

S.B. 237 Dental Hygienist Amendments

S.B. 240 First-time Homebuyer Assistance Program

S.B. 263 Electronic Cigarette and Other Nicotine Product Tax Amendments

S.B. 264 Modified Car Emissions Requirements

S.B. 265 Education Data Privacy Amendments

S.B. 272 Funds Amendments

S.B. 273 State Settlement Agreements Requirements

S.B. 277 Water Conservation and Augmentation Amendments

S.B. 284 Aviation Fuel Incentive Amendments

S.B. 288 Utility Bill Assistance Program

S.B. 296 Performance Reporting and Efficiency Process Amendments

S.J.R. 7 Joint Resolution Approving Settlement Agreement with the United States

I would love to hear from you!

Email: pcutler@le.utah.gov

Voicemail: 801-923-4618

Text or Call: 801-390-3444

House District 18 Facebook page