Policy News
Gov. Cox signs 10 bills
Yesterday, Gov. Spencer J. Cox signed 10 bills. This brings the total number of signed pieces of legislation from the 2021 Special Legislative Session to 12. All of the bills from the special session have now been signed. Information on these bills can be found here.
Utahâs 2021 fiscal year ends strong
Utahâs 2021 fiscal year is ending stronger than anticipated. State leaders will have an additional $614 million to appropriate during the 2022 General Session. These funds are likely an anomaly due to federal stimulus money and economic volatility.
Gov. Spencer J. Cox, President J. Stuart Adams and Speaker Brad Wilson issue the following statement regarding this surplus:
âUtahâs economy is thriving, and education funding is at an all-time high due to our stateâs sound economic policies, including our effort to safely and quickly reopen businesses during the pandemic. While this is an unusual year, as the state received unparalleled stimulus money from the federal government, we remain committed to fiscal responsibility and funding forward-thinking and innovative projects. The investments we make now will benefit Utahns for generations to come.â
The funds will be spent with careful emphasis on fiscal responsibility, including the use of one-time money on one-time costs such as investments in infrastructure and capital improvements.
Go Utah announces the small business employee vaccination grant
To help Utahâs small businesses pay employees for time off to either receive a COVID-19 vaccine or recuperate should they experience side effects after their vaccination, $500,000 is available through the new Small Business Employee Vaccination Grant. The program, managed by the Governorâs Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah), begins accepting applications on Nov. 16, 2021, at 9 a.m. (MST).
Using federal CARES Act funds, and as part of Utahâs response to the coronavirus pandemic, the grant offers employers reimbursement to provide paid time off for employees who are otherwise not eligible for paid time off â typically non-benefited hourly workers. The grant may be used for both full-time and part-time employees. (Read More)
DAY 15: Sen. Lee continues fight against Bidenâs vaccine mandate
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), for the fifteenth day, spoke against President Bidenâs vaccine mandate on the Senate Floor today (Nov. 16) and reviewed the dozen bills that he has offered that have each been rejected by Democrats.
Senator Lee also shared his thoughts regarding the Fifth Circuit Court of Appealsâ decision to halt President Bidenâs vaccine mandate. Sen. Lee said, âThankfully, while some in this body have floundered, judges on the Fifth Circuit fulfilled their duty to the American people and the Constitution. That does not mean, however, that this fight is anywhere near over. I will continue this fight here. I will stand for those Utahns and Americans who are at risk because of this mandate. So, yes, Mr. President, I will be back tomorrow, and as long as it takes. I will not stop until we win this fight.â (Read/Watch More)
Sen. Romney: âA valuable investmentâ in Utah: The bipartisan infrastructure bill becomes law
Utahns across the state this week applauded the signing of theInfrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. This bipartisan infrastructure legislation, which was negotiated by U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) and his colleagues, represents the largest investment in physical infrastructure in our nationâs history. Details on how the bill will benefit Utah can be found here, and text of the legislation can be found here.
âTodayâs signing of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a victory for all Americans,â Senator Romney and his colleagues said after the President signed the bill into law yesterday. âWhen Congress puts Americaâs needs over politics, we make genuine progress. We were proud to work together on this historic investment in our nationâs core infrastructure to modernize roads and bridges, strengthen rail and transit systems, upgrade ports, expand broadband access, improve water systems, and increase the resiliency of the nationâs energy grid. It strengthens our economy without raising taxes or increasing inflation. This legislation will positively impact every American.â
âWeâre thrilled with [money] for the Navajo Utah Water Settlement to bring drinking water to our Navajo neighbors. Also, happy to see other Utah priorities, like the Central Utah Project and [money] for water storage, drought, [and] fire mitigation. Thanks to Senator Romney for the great work.â âUtah Governor Spencer Cox (Read More)
Rep. Stewart introduces the FAUCI Act to ban U.S. funding for gain-of-function research in China
Today, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) introduced the FAUCI Act in the House of Representatives. Earlier this month, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced this bill in the Senate. The legislation aims to ban U.S. funding for gain-of-function research in China, produce a full accounting of U.S. tax dollars spent, and restrict government officials who intentionally mislead Congress.
âThe world is still feeling the devastating human and economic impacts from COVID-19,â said Rep. Stewart. âThe American people deserve accountability and transparency. First, we need to ban U.S. taxpayer dollars from funding dangerous research in the labs of our greatest foreign adversary. This is an inexcusable mistake that demands immediate correcting. Second, we need to know exactly how and where American taxpayer dollars were spent. And finally, to ensure we get those answers, we need to establish consequences for anyone who intentionally misleads our investigations. These efforts arenât about assigning blame â itâs about preventing another catastrophe and demanding justice on behalf of the American people.â (Read More)
Office of the State Auditor announces appointment of State Privacy Officer
The Office of the State Auditor (Office) today announced the appointment of Whitney A. Phillips, Ph.D. to the newly created position of State Privacy Officer.
As State Privacy Officer, Dr. Phillips will focus on the privacy practices of designated governmental entities, including cities, counties, school districts, higher education, and colleges and universities.
Dr. Phillips will also work with the Personal Privacy Oversight Commission, also authorized by HB 243 during the 2021 General Legislative Session. (Read More)
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