Lawmakers are asking plenty of questions about how Utah will fund and prioritize higher education in the years to come.

Uncertainties aside, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams is bullish about the Beehive State’s public colleges and universities. But he’s quick to add that forward-thinking is critical as legislators prepare for what could be a historic session for Utah’s 16 institutions of higher learning.

“Higher education is the heartbeat of our economy,” Adams, R-Layton, told the Deseret News, adding it’s essential that the state remains on the cutting edge of emerging technologies such as AI.

Here three key points about what senators said: 

• Adams says forward-thinking is critical as lawmaker make pivotal higher education decisions.
• Adams said reallocations are needed in higher education to efficiently meet Utah's high demand industries such as health care and engineering.
• Democratic lawmaker Karen Kwan urges caution as lawmakers seek fundamental changes to higher ed.

Read more about how senators on opposite sides of the aisle weighed in on what could be a pivotal legislative session for Utah's public universities and colleges. 

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