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!

Stand for Utah land

It’s time to Stand for our Land. The Federal Government controls 70% of the land in Utah. The U.S. Constitution never intended a federal agency to hold onto so much land in any state – that’s why the state of Utah is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on this constitutional question we, and many Western states, have had for years.

This week the state of Utah filed a landmark public lands lawsuit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to address whether the federal government can hold “unappropriated” lands within a state indefinitely.

The “unappropriated” land in question is approximately 18.5 million acres, or 34% of land in Utah, controlled by the Bureau of Land Management. This lawsuit will NOT impact the millions of “appropriated” acres already designated as national parks, national monuments, wilderness areas, national forests, Tribal lands, or military properties.

This lawsuit is a critical first step to ensure the best management of Utah public lands far into the future. Utah is committed to keeping public lands in public hands and locally controlled. Utah deserves priority when it comes to managing its land. And Utahns are best positioned to understand and respond to the unique needs of our environment and communities.

For updates and more information click here.

What makes Utah Home

What makes Utah Home? Davis Custom Meat Cutting says a grant from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food helped their small business. Thank you, Davis Custom Meat Cutting for sharing your story! Watch more here.

New Army Reserve Headquarters

This week Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Army Reserve Headquarters at Camp Williams. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the state's ongoing commitment to supporting the military. The new facility, funded by a $100 million state appropriation in 2023, will enable the Army Reserve to vacate Fort Douglas, paving the way for the University of Utah's future development and expansion. This project underscores Utah's dedication to fostering strong relationships with the military and investing in infrastructure that benefits the armed forces and the local community.

Volunteer to Protect

A team of cultural site volunteer stewards who safeguard archaeological and cultural sites in Utah’s Dinosaur National Monument have earned a prestigious regional volunteer award from the National Park Service. Ian Wright, head of the state’s program, thanked the area’s trained volunteers for their work visiting and monitoring high-traffic sites. “Your willingness to share your time and skills have helped preserve Dinosaur National Monument’s cultural heritage and enhanced the experience of park visitors,” says John (Phil) Akers, park superintendent. Megan Willison, a park archaeologist, and her team nominated the stewards for the NPS Intermountain Region’s 2023 Excellence in Volunteerism Team Award. The Utah State Legislature established the Cultural Site Stewardship Program in 2020. The statewide program is managed by the State Historic Preservation Office, and has grown to more than 400 trained volunteers, the largest steward program in the country.

Stay tuned!

Lt. Gov. Henderson will be the featured speaker in the upcoming Policy Project's Student Ambassador Monthly Speaker Series. This series provides students the opportunity to develop leadership skills and make a difference in their community. Lt. Gov. Henderson shared her unique experiences on her path to lieutenant governor and the passions and causes she advocates for. The recorded conversation will be shared with hundreds of Student Ambassadors across Utah. Looking forward to seeing it!

ICYMI

• Last week Utah was ranked the second-best state in the nation for education by the U.S. News and World Report! Learn more here.

Coming up

• Aug. 27: Lt. Gov. Henderson is looking forward to touring and seeing the progress of the new North Capitol Building.

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!