Happy Friday from #OneUtah, a weekly update from the office of Gov. Spencer J. Cox. Here’s your recap of what we did this week, what's on the horizon, and more. Reply to this email with any questions or suggestions regarding the newsletter. And thank you for subscribing!

Educating parents on the harms of social media

This week, we kicked off a new public awareness campaign urging parents to learn about the harms of social media. Starting this week, you’ll see videos, billboards, and TV and online ads inviting parents and caregivers to learn more about the harms of social media. Check it at socialharms.utah.gov (English) or redessociales.utah.gov (Spanish).

While social media has become an increasing presence in young people’s lives, it can never replace the real-world interaction that humans, especially adolescents, need. Rates of depression, anxiety, loneliness, suicidal thoughts and behaviors have increased in recent years. It’s undeniable that social media is harming our children’s mental and physical health, brain chemistry, self-esteem and more. 

Parents need to know about these dangers so they can best help their children and teens. We encourage all Utahns to consider less screen time and more human connection. Let’s disconnect to reconnect.

100 Companies Championing Women

This week, we were happy to attend the 100 Businesses Championing Women event to see first-hand all the incredible things companies across Utah are doing to support and expand opportunities for their women employees. 

As part of Inspire In Utah, 100 Companies Championing Women recognizes and highlights stories of 100 Utah companies offering family-friendly policies and practices, as well as targeted initiatives known to impact the recruiting, hiring, retaining, and advancing of women employees, managers, and leaders. Through sharing the success stories of these 100 companies, the initiative aspires to create a positive ripple effect, encouraging more businesses in Utah to adopt policies that benefit both their employees and the overall business ecosystem. Congratulations to businesses doing their part to support women and families.

Applications are now open for the next round of 100 businesses until spring of 2024. Learn more and apply here.

Boosting rural employment

Since the beginning of our administration, it’s been a priority to move more state jobs to rural Utah and provide more rural Utahns with opportunities to work remotely. 

Well, we’re doing it. In the 2023 Annual Update for Executive Order 2021-4: Moving Jobs to Rural Utah, the most telling data set is the total employee counts in urban and rural Utah. Since we signed this executive order, we have seen a decrease in urban employees by 258, and an increase of rural employees by 590.

Congratulations to our state agencies that have been diligent in maintaining this as a priority and working with the Division of Human Resources to make it happen. As a spotlight, here are the teams with the highest percentages of employees in rural Utah: 

• Utah Department of Agriculture and Food - 61%

• Utah Department of Natural Resources - 57%

• Utah Department of Transportation - 43%

• Utah Department of Corrections - 36%

• Utah Department of Workforce Services - 34%

• Utah Department of Public Safety - 30%

Keep up the great work!

State employees volunteer for flood relief efforts

In March, we issued an executive order inviting state employees to volunteer to support flood mitigation efforts, and UServe Utah provided weekly updates of local projects.

As of July 10, 285 hours were tallied as part of flood relief efforts by state employees. One specific project, on May 24, involved a group of 10 Workforce Services employees who sandbagged the low area of property owned by a former colleague who lives by the Sevier River. 

We’re grateful for dedicated public employees who serve the public both on the job and off the clock!

Legacy of Learning Scholarship

On Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson encouraged scholarship recipients to step out of their comfort zone and have the courage to fail during her address at the WCF Insurance Legacy of Learning Scholarship award luncheon.

Around 150 people gathered in Salt Lake City to celebrate the recipients of the three-decade old scholarship program. Each recipient has lost a parent or spouse in a workplace tragedy, faced unthinkable adversity with inspiring resolve.

We can’t wait to see all the good that comes from this group.

Tribal Governance & Leadership Conference

Lt. Gov. Henderson also met with tribal leaders from the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah in Cedar City this week.

Ahead of her keynote address at the Tribal Governance & Leadership Conference, Lt. Gov. Henderson met with Tribal Chairwoman Corrina Bow, Indian Peaks Band Chairwoman Tamra Borchardt-Slayton, and Cedar Band Chairwoman Delice Tom to discuss ICWA and the Panguitch Indian Boarding School.

We’re grateful for our relationships with Utah’s eight federally recognized tribal nations.

Road trip!

Summer is slowly coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean you can't squeeze in one more road trip through our great state! Here are some tips to get the absolute most out of your last road trip of the summer.

• Experience the dark skies. Utah is home to the highest concentration of International Dark Sky Parks out of anywhere in the world. Get out there and see some stars! 

• Support local. Stop at a local diner, boutique, outfitter, or restaurant. These places often give you the most authentic experience that shows you the heart of the place you are visiting!

• Download a good audiobook. Consider listening to a book from a Utah writer. Or to get extra brownie points, listen to a book about the location you are heading to visit!  

• Download travel apps. There are many apps that allow you to enhance your travel experience. You can get apps that tell you what constellations you are looking at, or even an app that will give you campfire songs to sing around the fire!

• Stay flexible. Some of the best road trips include spontaneity. Don’t be afraid to pull off when you see an interesting shop or museum. Add an extra hike at sunset, or wake up early for a sunrise hike or polar plunge. 

To see more about how you can get the most out of your final summer road trip, visit the link here.

ICYMI

• We were excited to welcome the #SheBelongs Soccer team back to Utah after their inaugural trip to San Francisco, Tokyo and Auckland as part of the 2023 World Cup. What an incredible opportunity for these young people!

• Share your thoughts on how Utah should grow by taking the Guiding Our Growth survey. Utah’s leaders are listening, so let your voice be heard!

• Good to see Bluffdale City Mayor Natalie Hall who stopped by the Capitol this week. 

• Lt. Gov. Henderson called the dismissal of a lawsuit related to the special election in Utah’s Second Congressional District “a win for the rule of law.” See her statement here.

• This week we visited the new Trade Balance Art Instillation in Salt Lake City’s Northwest Quadrant. We love to see art that inspires. See photos here. 

• Honored to attend the National ACE Small Business Roundtable in Salt Lake City this week as part of the Utah Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

Coming up

Get involved!

Looking for a new job opportunity? From great employee benefits to versatile work schedules, the career opportunities with the state are truly endless. Join Team Utah today! 

Those looking to volunteer can also consider more than 300 boards and commissions. Find out which openings are available and how you can get involved here!

Get in touch!