Utah Policy

U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) questioned rideshare giants Uber and Lyft with antitrust concerns following recent reports regarding their pricing. Senator Lee, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, questioned the companies on market power and concentration in the rideshare industry, transparency practices, information sharing, driver compensation, and the pricing of rides. In part, Senator Lee wrote: “As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, I take seriously Congress’s responsibility […]

The Utah Board of Higher Education is seeking public input to help identify the next president of Mountainland Technical College. To ensure broad participation and to gather perspectives from across the college and surrounding region, multiple options are available for individuals to provide input. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, local industry partners, and community members are encouraged to participate. One virtual and one in-person public input session will be offered. Individuals may also provide feedback by: “Input from the Mountainland Technical […]

Gov. Spencer J. Cox has appointed Jamie Barnes to serve as commissioner of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, pending Senate confirmation. Barnes currently serves as Utah state forester and director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. “Jamie Barnes understands that responsible stewardship requires strong relationships, practical solutions and a willingness to work through difficult issues,” said Gov. Cox. “She has earned the trust of partners across Utah and brings years of experience managing our forests, […]

Utah Valley University (UVU) hosted the 20th annual Utah Native American Summit (UNAS) from July 29-31, 2026. The event serves as Utah’s premier forum for meaningful dialogue between Tribal leaders, state officials, and community partners. This year’s theme was Strengthen Sovereignty through CommUNITY, aimed to inspire the future leaders of Utah’s Tribal Nations to work together in order to create greater impact. The 2026 summit was structured to address specific community, legislative, and youth priorities across three dedicated program tracks: government-to-government, […]

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) is proud to announce the five finalists for the 2027 Utah Teacher of the Year award. After a rigorous selection process that reviewed nominations from across the state, these five educators have been distinguished for their exceptional dedication, innovative practices, and profound impact on the lives of their students and communities. The 2027 Utah Teacher of the Year Finalists are: These finalists, dubbed the ‘Fab Five,’ represent the pinnacle of teaching excellence in […]

Utah property owners face more than $93.5 million in potential property-tax increases as local governments and taxing entities hold Truth-in-Taxation hearings throughout August. The Utah Taxpayers Association identified 67 taxing entities proposing a combined $93,580,522 in additional property-tax revenue. Hearings begin August 3 and continue through August 27. These proposals are not final, and taxpayers have an opportunity to express their support, opposition or concerns before elected officials vote on the increases. “Property-tax increases should never happen on autopilot,” said […]

In July 2024, the Utah Supreme Court issued an opinion that some see as a victory of the People of Utah over a self-serving Legislature. The opinion came in a lawsuit (“redistricting litigation”) challenging the Legislature’s 2021 redrawing of congressional boundaries. The opinion did not directly address the partisan gerrymandering claims involved in the case. Instead, the Court addressed another claim relating to a 2020 law enacted by the Legislature. The 2020 law changed a law enacted in 2018 by […]

A federal judge ruled today that Utah’s anti-gambling laws apply to Kalshi’s sports betting contracts, granting the State summary judgment in the lawsuit Kalshi filed in February. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby held that federal commodities law does not override Utah’s power to ban gambling within its borders. Kalshi sued Utah in February. Kalshi argued that because it operates a federally registered exchange, Utah could not treat its sports bets as gambling. The court disagreed on every point. Gambling, the court explained, is a field traditionally regulated by the states, and […]

The Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission has selected nominees for two vacancies on the Utah Supreme Court. These vacancies result from the retirement of Justice Diana Hagen, on May 8, 2026 and Chief Justice Matthew Durrant, on Aug. 31, 2026. The nominees for the vacancies are: Cherise Bacalski, founder and appellate attorney, The Appellate Group, and adjunct professor of writing, J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University; Christopher Ballard, general counsel and chief of staff, Utah County Attorney’s Office; […]

Rep. Jen Dailey-Provost and Salt Lake City Council Member Chris Wharton, both representing the Capitol Hill neighborhood, issued the following statement after learning the Liberty Arch will no longer move forward at the Capitol Hill site: “As we acknowledge the recent announcement that the proposed Grand Liberty Arch Monument is no longer slated for Salt Lake City’s Capitol Hill, we would like to thank artist Sabin Howard for his gracious words about Salt Lake, our state, and its wonderful communities. […]