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Letter from Gov. Cox: FY27 — Building a stronger Utah
Last week at the Kearns Branch of the Salt Lake County Library, I released my recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2027. It’s a $30.7 billion operating and capital plan that stays true to Utah’s values: live within our means, plan ahead, and keep building a stronger state for the next generation.
We chose a library on purpose. Literacy is where opportunity starts, and this budget backs that up with serious support for learning. We’re recommending $654.2 million for public education, including a 4.2% increase in the Weighted Pupil Unit, along with targeted investments to improve reading outcomes and strengthen workforce pathways through higher education and technical colleges.
This budget also takes on one of the hardest issues we face: homelessness. We’re recommending $25 million for capital, $20 million in ongoing operational support, and $5 million in one-time funds for stabilization. We’re also expanding the Child Tax Credit to help more than 11,000 families, strengthening Baby Watch, and continuing support for victim services and school nutrition programs.
And we’re doing it while staying disciplined and planning ahead. This budget continues key water investments, advances the Utah Housing Strategic Plan, and keeps Utah in a strong financial position: since 2021, we’ve paid down 66% of our general obligation debt, and our rainy-day savings exceed our total outstanding GO debt.
Read the full FY27 budget recommendations here.
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Utah Fentanyl Task Force: One-year update
Preliminary data show drug-related deaths are trending down in Utah.
One year after its formation, the Utah Fentanyl Task Force met last week to review the latest data and align on next steps. Over the most recent 12-month reporting period, statewide drug-related deaths are down 9.4%, from 636 to 576.
This work supports one of our second-term goals of reducing Utah drug deaths by 25% by 2029. The state will keep building a safer Utah by targeting traffickers, increasing overdose survivability, and connecting more Utahns to prevention and treatment resources. |
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| Holiday cheer at the Governor’s Mansion
A big thank you to the fourth-grade class from North Park Elementary in Tremonton for bringing their creativity and talent to the Governor’s Mansion.
The students helped us decorate the library tree, and they didn’t come empty-handed. Along with plenty of Christmas cheer, they arrived with handmade ornaments inspired by this year’s theme: “Looking Up: A Season of Wonder.” We’re grateful they shared their talent with us and helped make the Governor’s Mansion feel even more like home for the holidays. |
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| Advancing literacy at Montezuma Creek Elementary
Lt. Gov. Henderson visited Montezuma Creek Elementary in the San Juan School District to learn how educators are strengthening literacy.
The school is built on Navajo Nation tribal land. Some students walk miles just to reach a bus stop, and some families are living without electricity or running water. Even with those challenges, students show up eager to learn. Teachers and staff are helping students build reading skills that open doors in school and beyond. |
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Reliable energy with Operation Gigawatt
In an interview with Axios, Lt. Gov. Henderson discussed Utah’s commitment to clean energy and how the state is preparing for rising demand for electricity.
The conversation highlighted Operation Gigawatt and Utah’s focus on building the infrastructure and partnerships needed to keep power reliable and affordable as the state’s energy needs increase. |
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Since August, the Utah Department of Natural Resources law enforcement and the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands have led “Operation Safe Streets” along the Jordan River, increasing patrols to target criminal activity and unauthorized camping, resulting in 92 arrests and 122 drug-related citations. |
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Back for its third year, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food invites you to Utah’s Own Holiday Shoppes at Millcreek Common. Open daily, this festive market features 45 local food and artisan businesses, making it easy to shop local and support Utah producers this season. Learn more at utahsown.org. |
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The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources stocks fish in waterbodies across the state each year to support fishing opportunities and native fish populations. In 2025, more than 11.6 million fish were stocked into Utah’s lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. |
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National League of Cities leaders visiting Salt Lake City joined America250 Utah’s Nicole Handy to plan for America’s Potluck, a Utah-led national initiative inviting people to share a meal on July 5, 2026, in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Learn more > |
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The Utah STEM Action Center has been recognized as Utah’s 2026 champion for career and technical education. The center, a division of the Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, was honored for expanding access to technology, supporting rural schools, and building partnerships that strengthen learning for educators and students. |
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| When the Utah Department of Corrections Inmate Placement Program staff saw delays in getting medications to transferred inmates, they partnered with Correctional Health Services and county jails to change the process. The new procedure reduces emergency transports and supports a safer, more stable environment for staff and inmates. Learn more > |
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Utah Philanthropy Day, co-hosted by the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement’s UServeUtah division, brought Utahns together on Dec. 5 to honor the philanthropists and volunteers strengthening communities across our state. More than 130 volunteers and eight leading changemakers received awards. |
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| A Utah hunting or fishing license — or registration for a wildlife “slam” or bird-watching challenge — from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources makes a thoughtful present that’s easy to buy, supports conservation, and can be enjoyed all year long. Learn more > |
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| Extell Development completed cleanup of the Mayflower mine-waste site along Highway 40 in Wasatch County. In partnership with the Division of Environmental Response and Remediation under the Utah Voluntary Cleanup Program, Extell received a Certificate of Completion on December 2. |
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| Since July 2024, 1,063 One Utah Service fellows have contributed 305,207 hours of service and supervised 11,775 volunteers. In its second year, the Volunteer for Good program has engaged 10,638 Utah high school students, who have completed 182,265 hours of service. |
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Twenty-one newly elected Utah County school board members met this weekend to plan the transition from Alpine School District to three new districts, which will assume all operations in July 2027. |
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Your next Utah road trip just got an upgrade with a new museums directory and public art map from the Department of Cultural & Community Engagement’s Division of Arts & Museums. Designed to be printed, folded, and tucked into your glove box, it makes it easy to find museums and public art stops on your next adventure. See the map > |
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