News Releases Gov. Cox and Lt. Gov. Henderson announce $150 million âUtah First Homesâ starter home program in budget announcement Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson unveiled their full budget recommendations and priorities for Fiscal Year 2025. On top of generational investments into a comprehensive statewide homelessness support system announced on Monday, Dec. 4, the budget includes a $150 million investment towards an ambitious goal of creating 35,000 new starter homes by 2028. The proposed FY25 budget also highlights service, homeless supports, education and workforce initiatives that strengthen families. (Read More) Gov. Cox appoints Steve Waldrip as new Senior Advisor for Housing Strategy and Innovation Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has named Steve Waldrip as his Senior Advisor for Housing Strategy and Innovation, a new position dedicated to developing a statewide strategic housing plan and leading efforts to increase housing stock and housing innovation in the state. (Read More) Gov. Cox announces agreement with local governments, comprehensive approach to homeless services as key part of FY25 budget Monday, Gov. Spencer J. Cox announced a historic agreement with local governments to respond to homeless services throughout the state, supported by recommendations in his FY25 proposed budget. Budget recommendations include transformational investments to support a comprehensive statewide approach to alleviate homelessness. The three areas of focus for the Cox-Henderson administration are stabilizing emergency shelters, expanding behavioral health care, and prioritizing prevention. (Read More) One Utah Health Collaborative announces new partnership for stateâs first ever healthcare visioning project Tuesday, the One Utah Health Collaborative (the Collaborative) announced a new partnership with Envision Utah to understand the core values and priorities related to healthcare that are held by healthcare professionals, employers, and patients. This project will help define focus, methods, and goals for the Collaborativeâs vision of affordable healthcare that improves the quality of life for all. (Read More) Salt Lake County 2024 budget approved unanimously Tuesday evening, the Salt Lake County Council unanimously approved the Countyâs budget for 2024. The 2024 budget faced multiple challenges, including a slowdown in tax revenues, the downward bias in property taxes, inflation, and increased healthcare costs. To navigate this challenging fiscal landscape, Salt Lake County Mayor Wilson and the County Council agreed to wide-ranging budget cuts, finding efficiencies and places to cut back wherever possible while protecting the essential work of Salt Lake County. (Read More) Rob Newcomb announcing for U.S. Senate seat Rob Newcomb, a Navy veteran from Farr West, Utah, will announce his bid for the U.S. Senate seat in the 2024 cycle at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7 at the Vietnam Veteranâs Memorial on the west lawn of the State Capitol. Newcomb will be running as a member of the Independent American Party. (Read More) Gov. Cox meets with Israel Bachar, Consul General of Israel Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox hosted Israel Bachar, Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles, at the Utah State Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Gov. Cox and Consul Bachar discussed Utah-Israeli relations, including the trade mission to Israel last year, economic and diplomatic ties, and the conflict in the Middle East. Utah and Israel have a long history of economic and diplomatic relations. Total trade volume between Israel and Utah exceeded $170 million in 2022, with many of the traded items supplying our stateâs targeted industries. Gov. Cox headed a successful trade mission to Israel last year that led to new opportunities for Utah businesses. In addition, Utah water experts visited Israel in March to learn from Israelâs water-conserving innovation. (Read More) President and Speaker meet with Israeli Consul General President J. Stuart Adams and Speaker Mike Schultz met with the Consul General of Israel to the Pacific Southwest, Israel Bachar to receive a briefing on what is happening on the ground in Israel. âDuring our visit with Consul General Bachar, we reaffirmed our commitment to the State of Israel and their battle against terrorism...Israel is our strongest democratic ally in the Middle East. It is imperative our bond with Israel remains strong during this period of conflict and uncertainty. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to stand up for the American and Utahn values that we share with Israel and to support our ally in their hour of need. (Read More) | 