Utah budget

There are four different kinds of special sessions in Utah. The governor says he will call for one in May, but lawmakers may also be considering their own sessions as well.

Lawmakers tackled issues like immigration, elections and labor unions during its 45-day regular session.

As the end of the session draws near, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, House Speaker Mike Schultz and Senate President Stuart Adams announced a wage increase of $278 million for teachers, support staff and district staff.

Dollars from the State Basic School Levy on Utahns’ property tax bills used to go directly to local districts. Lawmakers say the change is in the interest of state budget flexibility and giving schools more equitable funding in the future.

The amendment sought to get rid of the constitutional earmark that says Utah’s income tax revenue can only be used for education and certain social services.

Utah lawmakers have tried and failed to do away with the state sales tax on food. Now the tax is a bargaining chip in a vote over a state constitutional amendment.

For the third year in a row, Utah’s Legislature removed funding for an environmental impact study for a Navajo Nation road between Navajo Mountain and Blanding at the last minute.

WE MADE IT!!! After a loooong 45 days, the Legislature smacked that gavel! Sine die!

Utah lawmakers passed a recording-breaking 591 bills during the 2024 legislative session. Gov. Spencer Cox has until March 21 to either sign or veto them. If he does neither, the laws automatically go into effect.

Contentious bills were once again taken up in the opening weeks of the legislative session, a move we can expect more of in the future.

Lawmakers must increase per pupil spending to keep up with inflation. But they can decide to give schools more than the minimum amount.

$150 million of the Governor's proposed $29.5 billion state budget would be dedicated to getting more Utahns into the home-buying market.