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!

A new food bank 

This week we joined the Utah Food Bank at the ribbon cutting of their new facility in Springville. Too many Utahns go hungry and we’re committed to fighting hunger in our state. This new facility will do so much to help Utahns who are struggling and will serve 11 counties in central Utah. Last year, Utah Food Bank distributed 50.1 million meals via partner agencies located in all 29 counties. Right now in Utah County there is only one pantry for 15,929 residents, compared to Salt Lake County which has one pantry for every 3,317 residents. 

It’s important we never forget where we came from, and don’t forget what struggle is like, even when we’re not struggling. Utah leads the nation each year in charitable giving, and we encourage all Utahns to give back to the communities around them. Learn how you can donate to the Utah Food Bank here.

Dinner with Honorary Colonels

The first lady and I were honored to host the distinguished group of Honorary Colonels from the Utah Highway Patrol at the Kearns Mansion this week. 

Whenever there are special needs of a trooper, or a trooper’s family, the Honorary Colonels have provided financial assistance and emotional support. Many times, troopers need help with medical issues or financial strain. The Honorary Colonels are always willing to support our first responders who sacrifice so much. 

We’re so grateful for all that the Honorary Colonels do for our law enforcement, and we look forward to hosting them every year.

#DisagreeBetter at the Bush Institute

We had a great conversation with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly of Kansas this week at The Bush Institute in Dallas, Texas to talk about the importance of disagreeing better. We spoke about the process of how disagreeing better matters both when we win and when we lose. Watch the full discussion here.

Charter Day on the Hill 

Some of the best times during the legislative session are days that students visit the Capitol. Wednesday was Charter Day on the Hill and hundreds of kids showed up to learn more about the legislative process. Lt. Gov. Henderson addressed them, thanking them for the hope they give her for Utah’s future.

Learn more about the Capitol Rotunda

Why is a dome used in the Utah State Capitol building? How was it decided what materials to use, what design to have, and what detail should top the dome? What was the decision that helped support artists yet caused upset for architect Kletting? What does the dome look like from the inside and what are the views like from the top? 

Find out these answers and many more fascinating personal anecdotes in The Intriguing Account of the Utah State Capitol Dome, curated by the Capitol Preservation Board! On view through 2024 on the Capitol's 3rd floor and related copper and dome artifacts on the 1st floor!

Governor’s Award for Excellence Highlight

Each week, we’re highlighting a state employee who was recently awarded the Governor’s Award for Excellence. This week we’re recognizing Nicholas Kenczka with the Utah State Tax Commission.

Nick has provided all Utah citizens a tangible financial benefit by modernizing our state’s property tax systems to significantly improve fairness and accuracy in the assessment process. Through his innovative approach and dedication to excellence, Nick has successfully implemented cutting-edge heat-mapping and analysis technologies to allow county assessors to quickly identify properties in areas under their authority that may not have been treated equitably. The ability to perform this quick analysis allows the county assessors to rectify inequities before they have a detrimental financial impact on property owners. It is with great pride that we acknowledge Nick’s remarkable achievements and look forward to witnessing the continued positive impact of his work on our state’s property tax administration.

Thank you, Nick, for your dedication to the state of Utah. Keep up the great work! To read about the Governor’s Awards for Excellence, click here.

ICYMI

• Our neighbors to the north stopped by the Utah State Capitol this week! Thank you to the Big Idaho Potato Truck for stopping by and donating $500 to the Utah Food Bank.

• We sat down with Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper  to talk about how to disagree without being mean – read more here. 

• This week we joined the Disrupt Yourself podcast to talk about inclusive leadership, from the farm to the governor's mansion. Listen to the full episode here. 

• Lt. Gov. Henderson met with delegations from Canada, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan who were visiting Utah this week. We are proud of our relationships with international partners. See photos from all the visits here.

   

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!