While announcing his budget recommendations on Friday, Gov. Spencer Cox proposed a tuition freeze and additional state funding to offset current pressures on the budgets of public degree-granting colleges and universities.

Cox's reasoning behind the proposal? Inflation. The governor said that tuition costs and fees are outpacing inflation and median income households. 

Although the ultimate say lies with state lawmakers, Cox, during a meeting with the Deseret News, said “there is a growing agreement on that amongst the Board of Higher Education that they’re going to hold fast” to his recommendation of a tuition freeze.

Understanding Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s declaration of independence

On Friday, Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema announced her departure from the Democratic party and declared that she would register as an independent.

She claimed that she felt intense partisan pressure during her time as a Democrat. She said, "Neither party has demonstrated much tolerance for diversity of thought. … I pledged to be independent and work with anyone to achieve lasting results.” 

Her decision provoked backlash from members of her former political party. A potential Senate challenger criticized her for leaving, claiming her was "abandoning" the Democrats.

Amid her departure, Sinema has neither confirmed nor denied a bid for reelection, but she has rejected rumors of a presidential run. 

Read more about Sinema's decision to leave the Democratic Party.

More in Politics

• Perspective: Cognitive rigidity is not an American tradition. Why do we act like it is? (Deseret News)

• Republicans expand supermajority in Utah Legislature (Axios Salt Lake City)

• 70% of voters want JFK assassination records released (Deseret News)

FROM OUR SPONSOR HOLLYWOOD ON BROADWAY

The Sandlot 30th Anniversary is coming to the University of Utah's Kingsbury Hall!

Join the Cast of The Sandlot for an in-person celebration of the movie's 30th Anniversary on March 18th, 2023. The actors will discuss the film, behind the scenes anecdotes, answer questions from the audience, and share experiences of this baseball classic. Click for tickets or call 801-581-8849.

Health:

• Can someone who’s had RSV get the virus again? (Deseret News)

• Pets are family. Here’s why you should make time for their health, now more than ever (Deseret News)

Tech:

• Marie Kondo’s digital organization tips (Deseret News)

• Google Home vs. Echo Dot: Which is best? (Deseret News)

Northern Utah:

• Ogden City Council approves $5.5M purchase of Union Station property (Standard-Examiner)

• Gym manager accused of sexually assaulting client after hours in Weber County (KUTV)

Wasatch Front:

• To reduce bird-window collisions, Salt Lake Valley volunteers undertake a grim survey (KUER)

• Ski bus service a 'viable option' this winter; lost Park City-Salt Lake routes picked up (KSL.com)

Southern Utah:

• Photo of the Day: Santa takes to the sky (Deseret News)

• Testimony ends in trial of Ugandan woman decapitated in Arches National Park (Fox 13)

The West:

• 'Significant storm' to batter west with high winds and heavy snow forecast (NBC News)

• Planned Upper Colorado River Basin program reboot could pay water users to conserve (KUER)

The Nation:

• What’s in the $858 billion military spending budget that’s now headed to the Senate? (Deseret News)

• What a new study found about kids, porn and sexting (Deseret News)

The World:

• Opinion: What the story of a Syrian refugee family can teach us about human rights (Deseret News)
• U.S. says Iran now Russia's 'top military backer' (BBC News)

Trending:

• You could get paid $1,000 to watch Christmas movies — and get presents (Deseret News)

• Why was ‘Wonder Woman 3’ canceled? (Deseret News)

Sports:

• Why a soccer journalist mattered to basketball (Deseret News)

• Why former Cougars star and assistant coach Kelly Poppinga is returning to BYU (Deseret News)

• Why Utah-Penn State Rose Bowl matchup marks end of an era (Deseret News)

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