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!

Excellence in education

This week Utah was ranked the second-best state in the nation for education by the U.S. News and World Report! 

We recognize that the state’s future depends on the well-being and education of our children. In the Cox-Henderson Administration, we’ve invested record funding into the K-12 and higher education system, including boosting teacher compensation by $6,000 in 2023. We’ve approved universal school choice, expanded educational options for families, invested in early learning programs and more. Every investment made in our schools will pay dividends, not only for individual success, but for our society as a whole. 

Learn more about Utah’s ranking here.

Energy Corridor Groundbreaking

This week, Lt. Gov. Henderson helped celebrate the start of the new construction of the Energy Corridor highway in Montezuma Creek. The project is the result of an 18-year collaborative effort between state, federal, and tribal leaders. It will create safer, smoother, and more convenient roads for the residents in the area and visitors traveling to Bears Ears, Four Corners, and Hovenweep National Monuments. Construction is scheduled to continue through the end of 2025. 

Thank you to our friends at UDOT for their hard work on this important project!

Opening the door: Utah Department of Workforce Services 

When our friends and neighbors experience hard times, or just need some assistance to take their next step in life, we want them to know where they can turn for help. That's why the Department of Workforce Services has launched a public awareness campaign and a new website to help Utahns easily understand what services are available and how to access them. Services and programs provided by the department strengthen Utah's communities and promote self-sufficiency and a strong economy. Workforce Services can be your doorway to child care assistance, vocational rehabilitation, job support and much, much more. Learn more at mydoorway.utah.gov.

Water Update

This week the Utah Department of Natural Resources Division of Water Resources reported that according to the August Climate and Water Report produced by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, statewide soil moisture at Utah’s Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN) sites ended July at 39% of saturation. This is in the bottom 10th percentile of all observations since Utah’s SCAN sites were installed, which is concerning. In good news, statewide reservoirs are currently 82% full on average. This level is around 18% higher than normal and 3% higher than this time last year! When you’re out recreating on the water, be sure to follow Utah Division of Recreation’s life jackets and boating safety webpage for safety information.  

Continued water conservation efforts are crucial as demand for water increases during these hotter months. Learn more about water resources here.

Celebrating second chances

Lt. Gov. Henderson celebrated new graduates from the Utah Department of Corrections. More than 100 individuals received certificates in high-demand fields thanks to the Davis Technical College program held at the prison, marking a significant milestone in their journey towards a brighter future. These programs are successful, help inmates learn valuable skills and drop the recidivism rate for graduates to 50% lower than the state average. Congratulations to all the graduates!

Wildflowers 

The end of summer brings beautiful wildflowers to Utah’s mountain meadows. These “scene stealers” include lupine, sego lilies, mountain sunflowers and more. Remember to recreate responsibly and leave no trace. Learn more about viewing wildflowers in Utah here.

ICYMI

• Last week our TED Talk on Disagree Better was published! We’ve been honored to talk about Disagree Better in lots of remarkable venues, and TED is at the top of that list. Disagree Better is a radical call to change the way we talk about politics. Check out the video above to learn more. 

• This week Texas Instruments announced a preliminary agreement to receive up to $1.6 billion in CHIPS and Science Act proposed funding for semiconductor manufacturing in Utah and Texas.This announcement will bring 2,000 TI jobs to America, and thousands of indirect jobs for supporting industries. Utah’s business-friendly economy welcomes this news! Learn more here.

• Welcome back to school, Utah! This week schools across Utah are opening for the 2024-2025 school year. Best of luck to our students this year, and thank you to the dedicated teachers who educate our youth. 

Coming up

• Aug. 19 - Lt. Gov. Henderson will attend the groundbreaking for New Army Reserve Headquarters at Camp Williams.

• Aug. 20 - Lt. Gov. Henderson is looking forward to speaking with student ambassadors from The Policy Project at their Monthly Speaker Series.

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!