Dear Friends and Neighbors,

August has been a busy month in Utah. As students head back to school, I’m grateful for the educators and parents who work every day to help our students succeed. In the Legislature, we’ve also been focused on supporting our schools, expanding opportunities for Utahns and preparing for the future.

From new energy opportunities and national recognition to important work on federalism and economic development, a lot is happening across our state. I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent you and look forward to sharing a few highlights from the past month.

Four Years at No. 1: Utah Is the Best State in the Nation

For the fourth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has named Utah the best state in the nation. While rankings are encouraging, what matters most is what they represent: more opportunity for Utah families, a strong economy and communities where people can thrive.

This recognition is a testament to the hardworking people of Utah, strong families and communities, innovative businesses and the sound policies that have expanded opportunity and strengthened our state. Utah continues to lead the nation in economic outlook, upward mobility and household income growth. These results are the product of decades of thoughtful planning, responsible fiscal policy and a commitment to creating opportunity and prosperity for Utah families. 

Utah’s success has always been built by people willing to look beyond today and plan for tomorrow. While we're proud of this recognition, we know our work isn't finished. By continuing to strengthen our economy, support families and create new opportunities, we can ensure Utah remains the best place in the nation to pursue the American Dream for generations to come.

Back to School

As students and families head back to school, I want to thank Utah’s hardworking teachers, administrators, school staff and parents who help our students learn and succeed every day. Their time, dedication and support make a difference in the lives of students and in the future of our state.

Supporting our students, educators and families remains a priority for the Legislature. Over the past five years, we have increased state funding for public education by $1.8 billion, a 44.2% increase. This year alone, the Legislature increased public education funding by nearly $300 million, including a 4.2% increase in the WPU, while continuing investments in educator professional time, classroom supplies and programs that help prepare future teachers.

We also took steps this year to help more students become strong readers. The Legislature passed a law to strengthen early literacy by investing in teacher training and providing additional support for students who struggle with reading. Our goal is to have 80% of Utah students reading proficiently by 2030. By identifying challenges early and providing the right support, we can help more children develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed throughout their education.

Students returning to school this year will also see fewer distractions in the classroom. The Legislature established a statewide baseline limiting cell phone use during school hours while preserving flexibility for schools and districts to meet local needs. We also established new guardrails for classroom technology to protect student data, prohibit advertising on school platforms and ensure emerging technologies like AI are used responsibly.

Students returning to school this year will also see stronger limits on cell phone use. Last year, the Legislature established statewide restrictions on cell phones in schools. This year, we passed a bill to strengthen that policy by expanding the restrictions to bell-to-bell, from the first bell to the last, including class time, transitions, lunch and recess. Studies show students without phones learn better and score over a letter grade higher. The bill continues to preserve local autonomy and flexibility, allowing school districts to create policies tailored to fit their schools’ needs. The goal is to reduce distractions and give teachers and students a more focused, productive learning environment.

Our commitment to students continues beyond high school. This year, the Legislature invested in higher education, laid the groundwork for a law school at Utah Valley University and continued working to better align our colleges and universities with the needs of Utah’s economy so students can turn their education into meaningful careers and opportunities here at home.

From kindergarteners learning to read to college students preparing for their careers, these investments and policies share a common goal: giving every Utah student the opportunity to succeed. As a new school year begins, I’m grateful to the educators, parents and families who support our students every day, and I’m excited to see what Utah students accomplish this year.

Powering Utah's Future

The U.S. Department of Energy and Utah recently announced the next step in exploring the potential development of a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus (NLIC) in Tooele County. Utah is one of five states under consideration for this nationally significant project, reflecting our state's leadership in advanced energy innovation and our commitment to planning for the future.

If selected, the campus would bring together key parts of the nuclear fuel cycle in one location, creating a hub for research, innovation and collaboration among government, industry and higher education. The project could create thousands of high-paying jobs, attract significant private investment, strengthen domestic supply chains and expand workforce training opportunities, generating lasting economic benefits for Utah families and communities.

Utah has never been afraid to think beyond today and prepare for tomorrow. This opportunity reflects our commitment to responsible innovation, long-term planning and creating opportunities for future generations. If Utah is selected, the NLIC would both strengthen Utah's economy, support America's energy future and reinforce Utah's position as a national leader in advanced energy innovation.

Creating Careers, Powering Utah’s Future

In the Legislature, we have worked for years to better align higher education with the needs of Utah’s economy, creating pathways to high-paying careers for Utahns while helping employers build the skilled workforce they need.

That work is increasingly important as energy demand rises and new technologies create opportunities for Utah. Utah State University, Brigham City and Hi Tech Solutions are now taking another step in that direction, exploring plans for a potential Center for Energy Research & Technology Campus (CERT) at USU Brigham City.

While the CERT Campus is still in the exploratory stage, the proposed facility would bring higher education and industry together to provide hands-on training, technical education and research. It would help prepare engineers, technicians, researchers, skilled tradespeople and veterans transitioning to civilian careers for high-paying opportunities in nuclear energy, advanced manufacturing and other growing industries.

Energy demand is rising, and Utah is preparing for what comes next. By building the workforce alongside the industries of the future, we can create new opportunities for Utah families, strengthen our economy and national security, and help lead America’s nuclear energy renaissance.

Energy Companies Want to Call Utah Home

Utah is the place where innovative energy companies want to invest and build for the future.

Deployable Energy Limited is working with Utah to explore the feasibility of bringing its Unit nuclear batteries to our state. These compact nuclear microreactors are designed to fit inside a standard 20-foot shipping container, allowing reliable power to be deployed in areas where traditional energy infrastructure may not be practical.

Another opportunity is taking shape in Emery County, where the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab is working with Nuclea Energy Inc. to explore potentially locating its Morpheus Micro Reactor at the lab. The project could bring additional investment, research and high-paying career opportunities to the region.

These projects are still being explored, but they demonstrate something important: companies developing the next generation of energy technology are looking to Utah.

As our state grows, we need reliable, affordable energy to power our homes, businesses and communities. By welcoming responsible innovation and planning for the future, we can strengthen our economy, create high-paying careers for Utahns and help lead America’s energy future.

Utah’s Strong Foundation Earns National Recognition

Utah continues to earn national recognition for the qualities that make our state a great place to live, work and raise a family. Utah recently ranked No. 1 in both the 2026 Camelot Index and the Advancing American Freedom Independence Index.

The Advancing American Freedom Independence Index recognizes Utah’s strength in marriage, volunteerism, job growth and strong families and communities.

The Camelot Index measures qualities that help states and their residents thrive, highlighting Utah’s strength in family stability, economic opportunity, income equality and responsible state government.

Results like these don't happen by accident. Utahns work hard, serve their neighbors, build businesses and strengthen their communities. In the Legislature, we have worked to support that foundation through responsible budgeting, investments in education and policies that expand opportunity, support families and keep government accountable.

While we're proud to see Utah recognized nationally, the rankings themselves aren't the goal. What matters is ensuring Utah remains a place where families can build a good life, businesses can grow and the next generation can find opportunity here at home. That is the Utah we will continue working to preserve and strengthen for generations to come.

Dedicating the New Michael O. Leavitt Building

Earlier this month, the Capitol’s new North Building was dedicated as the Michael O. Leavitt Building, honoring Utah’s 14th governor and his many years of service to our state. The building is home to the new Museum of Utah, which showcases our state’s history, as well as public meeting spaces where Utahns can gather and participate in the work of our government.

The Capitol Complex is more than a place where government happens. It is a place where Utahns come to learn about our history, understand our government and take part in the work of our republic.

During the dedication, Gov. Leavitt reflected on what makes the new building special. Its true beauty, he reminded us, is not its marble or breathtaking stained glass. The real “gem” will “always be citizens who come here to do their part.”

From its stained-glass ceiling celebrating Utah’s natural beauty to exhibits telling the stories of our state and its people, the building honors Utah’s past while providing Utahns a place to continue building our future.

Senate Confirms New Judges and Commissioners

One of the Utah Senate’s important constitutional responsibilities is to provide advice and consent on gubernatorial appointments. This August, we had the opportunity to confirm several outstanding individuals to key roles serving our state.

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The Senate confirmed Jeffrey D. Mann, Ryan P.C. Stack and Leah R. Jensen Muñoz to serve as judges on Utah’s Third, Fourth and Fifth District Courts. We also confirmed Katherine Potter as the new commissioner of the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement. With her extensive experience and commitment to Utah’s cultural and nonprofit communities, Katherine is well prepared to lead the department and help preserve the culture, history, service and civic life that make Utah unique.

I am grateful to each of these individuals for their willingness to serve and look forward to the positive impact they will have on communities across Utah.

One Utah Summit: Building Prosperity for Generations to Come 

Southern Utah University hosted the annual One Utah Summit in Cedar City, bringing together leaders from across the state to focus on building prosperity for generations to come. It was exciting to see some of Utah’s top leaders in government, business and education share ideas, build partnerships and look toward what’s next for our state.

This year’s summit placed a special emphasis on rural Utah and the important role rural communities play in our state’s continued growth and success. I appreciated hearing from leaders like Gov. Cox, Congresswoman Maloy and many others who shared their perspectives on strengthening our economy and creating new opportunities across Utah. A special thank you to SUU for doing an outstanding job hosting this year’s summit and showcasing all that Southern Utah has to offer.

Federalism: Keeping Government Close to the People

Utah is helping bring states together to strengthen federalism and ensure government remains accountable to the people.

This month, leaders from red and blue states met at the National Federalism Initiative Summit to advance a bipartisan effort to strengthen the balance between state and federal government. The summit focused on reducing political friction, strengthening cooperation between states and finding practical solutions to challenges that cross state lines.

Federalism is about more than the relationship between different levels of government. It is about ensuring decisions are made as close to the people as possible. When states exercise their constitutional authority and work together, we preserve liberty, strengthen our national union and protect our constitutional system for generations to come.

Best regards,

Senator Ron Winterton