Friends and Neighbors,    

I hope you're enjoying the final days of summer and finding time to relax and recharge before the new season begins. As we celebrate the start of the school year, I want to express my gratitude to all the parents and teachers who dedicate time and effort to educating Utah’s next generation of leaders. We have outstanding educators in our state who help prepare our students with the necessary tools to succeed in life. This past legislative session, we appropriated historic funding for education, and I look forward to seeing how the additional funds help our students thrive.     

This month, we returned to the Capitol for our August interim meetings and a special session. Below you will find a few updates about the items we discussed during our committee meetings and other state updates.

Utah Ranks Second-Best in Education  

The success of Utah students is vital to the future of our state. We at the Legislature have made significant efforts to ensure students receive top-notch education and that our teachers have the support they need to cultivate an enriching learning environment. Over the past several years, we allocated historic funding to education, expanded all-day kindergarten, increased educator preparation days, raised teacher compensation and enhanced school safety and online education programs. The goal is to help teachers and kids access the necessary tools and resources to thrive. These efforts have paid off: recently, Utah was ranked the second-best state in the nation for education by U.S. News and World Report. 

None of our success would have be possible without our dedicated parents and teachers. Funding education has always been and will continue to be a top priority for us. Thank you to all the parents and teachers who have contributed to the success of our state’s future leaders.

Keeping Utahn’s Electric Bills Low 

Keeping our electricity rates are among the lowest in the nation is critical to maintaining our high quality of life in Utah. However, Rocky Mountain Power (RMP), one of the state’s biggest energy suppliers, proposed a 30% hike in electricity rates next year, citing rising fuel prices. This request raised concerns among citizens and lawmakers alike.  

During the August interim, we heard from company spokespeople in the Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Committee meeting concerning the price hike. At the end of their presentation, we urged RMP to draft a new proposal that won’t burden Utahns with increased electricity costs. We expect to hear their updated plan during the November interim.  

This proposed rate increase underscores the need for Utah to achieve energy independence to prevent fluctuating fuel prices from driving up electricity costs. To accomplish this, we must expand our energy portfolio. Our recent visits to Iceland to learn about geothermal energy and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to learn about modular nuclear energy have provided us with substantial insight into how our state could utilize these natural energy sources. By strengthening our power grid with these promising energy production methods, we can make Utah self-sustaining and keep Utah affordable. 

I will keep you updated on this issue as developments arise. I assure you we will do everything in our power to keep energy affordable and reliable. 

Let Utahns Manage Utah Land 

As Utahns, we are profoundly connected to our land because it is our heritage, our home and who we are. Families hold fond memories of road trips to remote campsites and mountain regions. Generations of farmers have labored to till the once-barren desert into self-sustaining communities with plentiful harvests. Ever since the first pioneers rested their handcarts in Salt Lake City, we’ve proven that no one cares for Utah better than Utahns. 

But despite our state’s great ability to manage our land, our stewardship over it is severely limited. The federal government currently controls almost 70% of Utah's land, half of which is “unappropriated” land regulated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). On top of this, the BLM issued a new Public Lands Rule that further restricts our access to 18.5 million acres of undesignated/unappropriated land, depriving Utahns of the opportunity to utilize or enjoy it. 

This month, our state took a significant step toward restoring Utah’s unused land by initiating a public lands lawsuit, petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to address the issue of whether the federal government can indefinitely hold unappropriated land within a state. This lawsuit will not impact the millions of acres designated for national parks, monuments, wilderness areas, national forests, Tribal lands and military properties. 

Utahns should be the primary caretakers of Utah land with support from the federal government, not the other way around. If the state succeeds in this lawsuit, we will restore millions of acres of land to Utahns, allowing us to protect, maintain and experience the land we call home. 

You can find more information here. 

Ensuring Utahns Have the Final Say in How Our Government Operates 

Utah is fortunate to be home to passionate individuals dedicated to the advancement of our state. Grassroots movements and hardworking citizens have made Utah a wonderful place to work and live. 

However, a recent court opinion incentivizes foreign entities and outside special interest groups with deep pockets to push ballot initiatives that could fundamentally change the state we know and love. These groups could push agendas that seriously threaten the cherished values and way of life that the good people of Utah have worked to nurture and maintain. 

After hearing concerns from numerous Utahns and stakeholders, we knew we needed to take immediate action to protect the voice of the people. To address this issue, we convened for a special session to pass S.J.R 401 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution – Voter Legislative Power, a constitutional amendment that will appear on the Utah ballot this November. 

Should voters approve the constitutional amendment, it will: 

• Prohibit foreign entities from contributing to ballot initiatives or referenda. 

• Restore and strengthen the long-standing practice that voters, the Legislature and local bodies may amend or repeal legislation. 

• Add 20 days for citizens to collect signatures for the referendum process to make placing it on the ballot easier, extending it from 40 to 60 days. 

It’s important to note that this amendment does not change the initiative process. Utahns will continue to have the ability to propose and run ballot initiatives. Instead, it safeguards our initiatives and referenda from outside influences that do not have our best interests at heart. 

Utahns should have the final say in shaping our constitution and how our government operates, not the courts. Through this amendment, voters will have the power to decide whether or not to secure our state’s long-standing practices that have helped make Utah the best state in the nation. 

Protecting the Unborn Despite Court Setback  

Nothing is more important than standing up for the lives of the unborn. In 2020, we made a significant step to protect these lives by passing a law prohibiting abortion except in cases of rape, incest or medical emergency should Roe v. Wade be overturned. Unfortunately, just days after the authority to legislate on abortion was returned to the states, a local court placed an injunction on the law. Since then, over 6,000 unborn babies have lost their lives to abortion. 

Recently, the Utah Supreme Court declined to dismiss the injunction. Despite this setback, I remain unwavering in my commitment to ensuring we stop the loss of innocent lives and provide expecting mothers with the resources and support they need. 

How Utahns are Guiding Utah’s Growth 

Utah is a unique and special place that many proudly call home. Our stunning natural beauty, abundant economic opportunities and exceptional quality of life have attracted the attention of people across the country and the globe, causing our population to skyrocket over the past several years. As our state grows, we must take steps to safeguard its future.  

In 2021, we funded the "Guiding Our Growth" initiative, emphasizing the importance of public input and sustainable development as we prepare to meet the needs of a growing population. Survey results identified four key issues Utahns believe require careful attention:

• Housing

• Water

• Transportation

• Open space

During the 2024 General Session, we focused on addressing the issues that matter most to Utahns, including advancing affordable housing development and expanding our water conservation efforts. We also invested in infrastructure and ensured that new developments were well-planned, contributing positively to community growth. Through strategic investments and collaborative policy efforts, we can manage our growth, preserve our high quality of life and create a better Utah for generations to come. 

I’m thankful to all survey participants and encourage everyone to join these critical discussions. Your feedback is vital for future planning and policy decisions to address Utah’s anticipated population growth. 

For detailed insights, visit guidingourgrowth.utah.gov. 

Mid-Season Fire Update 

As Utah’s fire season reaches its peak, state agencies and crews are working tirelessly to protect our communities and natural resources. During this month's interim meetings, the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee received an important update from the Department of Natural Resources on the status of our state's fire season.  

With a 93% success rate at catching fires before they reach 10 acres, our crews have done an incredible job this year controlling fires. While we've managed our fires well so far, we're not out of the woods yet. With less than three months remaining in the fire season, I encourage everyone to join me in helping prevent future fires. 

Learn more about how you can prevent wildfires here. 

Protecting Utah’s Endangered Species  

Utah is home to some of the greatest natural wonders on earth. Part of what makes them truly extraordinary for both visitors and Utahns alike are the diverse plants and animals in these areas. Preserving this biodiversity is essential, which is why we work diligently to help these species thrive, preventing them from becoming endangered.  

The Department of Natural Resources plays a key role in this effort through its "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" list, which focuses on identifying and supporting species at risk of endangerment. Thanks to their dedicated work, we've seen significant success. Over the past 20 years, proactive conservation efforts in Utah have successfully ensured that 27 plant and animal species did not need to be listed under the Endangered Species Act. This achievement has not only safeguarded these species but also saved the state millions of dollars. Learn more here. 

Sen. Harper to Lead NCSL  

Utah has been making waves and turning heads over the past few decades. Whether it’s securing the best economic outlook 17 years running or cinching the 2034 Winter Olympics bid, people are taking notice of our state and wanting to emulate our success. 

With all our accomplishments, it’s no wonder our state’s very own Sen. Harper was elected the new President of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) at the annual Legislative Summit in Louisville, Kentucky, earlier this month. This bipartisan organization represents over 7,300 state lawmakers and 30,000 legislative staff nationwide. Not only will Sen. Harper undoubtedly help legislators in other states replicate some of Utah’s best practices, but we are confident that the relationships he will forge and the insights he will gain will allow us to make Utah an even better place to live. 

Learn more here. 

Learning About Nuclear Energy at the Idaho National Lab 

As we strive toward complete energy independence in Utah, it is essential that we explore and understand all available energy sources. With this objective in mind, we visited the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) this past month. INL stands as the nation’s premier applied nuclear energy laboratory, where the U.S. government undertakes crucial testing and research to shape the future of nuclear energy.

Home to thousands of the country’s top scientists and engineers, INL not only maintains and develops the few nuclear energy plants in the West but is also at the forefront of advancing new reactor fuels and enhancing the safety of this remarkably secure energy source. Although nuclear energy is already one of the cleanest forms of energy, the team at INL remains committed to creating an environmentally sound process while supporting the government in achieving full energy security.

This visit was highly enlightening, and we look forward to applying the insights and best practices we gained to Utah’s energy strategy. Modular nuclear energy presents a viable option to add to Utah’s energy portfolio, and we will continue to thoroughly assess its potential, impact and future role in achieving our energy independence. 

Honoring America’s Workforce 

Labor Day honors America’s workforce and celebrates their achievements. I’m thankful to all Utah workers who have contributed to the advancement of our state and our nation. I hope you have the opportunity to spend the day with your loved ones and appreciate the hard work that makes our country extraordinary.

As always, please reach out with your comments or concerns.   

Best, 

Ron Winterton