News Releases Gov. Cox and Lt. Gov. Henderson announce major tax cuts, teacher pay raise as part of FY 24 budget recommendations Today, Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson announced that their fiscal year 2024 budget recommendations will include $1 billion in tax cuts and a $6,000 compensation increase for every teacher in the state. On the tax side, specific proposals include an income tax rate reduction, an expansion of the dependent exemption to include a $250 refundability provision, a dependent exemption for pregnant women, expanding Social Security tax phase out, a one-time income tax rebate, a property tax reduction, an expansion of the circuit breaker credit, and returning service fees through the Universal Service Fund. Gov. Cox also recommended a $6,000 compensation increase for Utah teachers, which includes approximately $4,600 plus benefits for every teacher. Gov. Cox recommends additional one-time funds so that this increase begins this fiscal year. (Read More) UEA statement on the Governorâs proposed public education budget "The Utah Education Association applauds Utah Governor Spencer Cox for making teacher salaries a top priority in his proposed budget. We also appreciate the significant ongoing investments in public education made by the governor and the Utah State Legislature in previous years, including during the height of the pandemic... We look forward to working with our elected representatives this legislative session and encourage legislators to avoid distractions that will only divert our attention from the substantive issues facing our schools, our students and our dedicated school workforce.â (Read More) Kimberly Paluch joins the Go Utah board The Utah Governorâs Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) today announced the appointment of Kimberly Paluch to its Board of Directors. Kimberly Paluch is the founder and managing partner of Beta Boom, an early-stage venture fund that invests in software companies that build the future for women and multicultural consumers in the U.S. Before Beta Boom, she founded a Silicon Valley innovation firm where she defined the strategic vision and design of award-winning interactive products for several startups and high-profile clients. Paluch is on leadership boards for the Utah African American Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation, Womenpreneurs, Intermountain Healthcare, and the Community Foundation of Utahâs Philanthropy Committee. Among her many accomplishments are: being named one of VC Journal Women of Influence 2021, Impact Magazine Women of Impact 2021, and Utah Business Women of the Year 2020. (Read More) Rep. Moore on final House passage of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act âToday, I was thrilled to vote for the National Defense Authorization Act. This bipartisan legislation is the culmination of the hard work of my team, colleagues, and the Armed Services Committee as we continue the 62-year-long tradition of overcoming partisan divides to put forth a bill that supports military members, their families, and the warfighter. One significant win my GOP colleagues and I successfully fought for over 18 months is a permanent repeal of the DoDâs COVID-19 vaccine mandate. After more than two years of our servicemembers being subjected to inconsistent vaccine mandates, we are grateful to right this wrong and restore hardworking servicemembers to their posts and livelihoods." (Read More) Romney: U.S. must be world leader in reducing impacts of climate change U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) joined Washington Post reporter Leigh Ann Caldwell to discuss U.S. investments in energy innovation, the need to focus on global climate solutions, prospects for bipartisan cooperation, and his efforts to address Utahâs unique climate challenges like saving the Great Salt Lake. (Read/Watch More) Rep. Blake Mooreâs LODGE Act passes the House Natural Resources Committee by unanimous consent Today, Congressman Blake Mooreâs Lodging Options Developed for Government Employees (LODGE) Act passed the House Natural Resources Committee with unanimous support. Introduced with Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), this legislation will foster innovative public-private partnerships to increase the availability of affordable housing in and around our national parks. (Read More) Rep. Stewart statement on final passage of the Respect for Marriage Act Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) voted in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act. This bipartisan legislation is a compromise that provides permanent certainty for same-sex couples while ensuring robust protections for churches and religious organizations â protections that are more robust and expansive than what currently exists under federal law. âI proudly voted in July to codify these all-important protections,âsaid Rep. Stewart. âAnd today I was proud to once again vote in favor of protecting our LGBTQ and religious friends and neighbors. As a man of faith and a conservative, ensuring the religious liberties of people in Utah is absolutely essential. This bill not only guarantees that protection, but simultaneously expands the rights of those in the LGBTQ community." (Read More) Romney, Bennet lead bipartisan letter emphasizing Western drought and conservation priorities U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) led fourteen bipartisan senators in a letter urging the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to give parity to the urgent priorities of Western growers and communities through existing authorities, new funding, and collaboration across government. In the letter, the senators urge USDA to support Western farmers and ranchers to conserve water, improve water infrastructure and efficiency, protect lands at risk of erosion, and provide technical assistance for growers in regions affected by drought. They also urge USDA to better extend resources and develop tailored solutions through its existing programs to help Western growers address the dire drought conditions. The senators conclude the letter by encouraging USDA to collaborate with states, local, and Tribal governments and address understaffing at field offices across the West. (Read More) | 