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| Letter from Gov. Cox: 2026 State of the State Address
Last week, I delivered my State of the State address at the Utah State Capitol, and I want to share the heart of it with you. As we begin the 2026 legislative session — and mark 250 years since the Declaration of Independence — I kept coming back to a simple idea: “the pursuit of happiness” isn’t comfort or consumption. It’s character. It’s the daily work of self-government, service, and trying a little harder to be a little better.
That focus matters because we have real work in front of us. Nearly half of our third graders are not reading at grade level, and reading is how we learn to think and reason together.
Housing has to be within reach so families can put down roots, plan for the future, and invest in their neighborhoods.
We’re also facing fentanyl, addiction, and chronic homelessness, and we’re responding with accountability and more access to treatment and recovery.
And we have to protect childhood in a digital age. Parents can’t solve social media’s pull on attention, sleep, and mental health on their own, and government has a responsibility to set commonsense guardrails, including supporting a bell-to-bell phone ban in schools so kids can learn, connect, and just be kids again.
More than anything, my message was this: some of our biggest challenges won’t be fixed by passing more laws, but by returning to the moral foundations that make self-government possible.
Have faith in America. Have faith in Utah. And always — have faith. |
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| Term II Strategic Plan update
One year ago, we set clear second-term priorities for Utah focused on People, Place, and Prosperity with measurable goals and the discipline to track them.
Today, I released our year-one progress report, and the results show real momentum. Rural counties added 76 new primary care providers, a 6.4% increase that already exceeds our 2029 target. Drug-related deaths fell 9.4% as we expanded access to opioid use disorder treatment, strengthened crisis response training, and increased distribution of naloxone and fentanyl test strips. Utah also recorded the lowest number of traffic deaths since 2019, with our transportation safety index improving 9.8% — just shy of our 2029 target.
We’re making progress, and we know there’s more work ahead. We’ll keep pushing on what works, fixing what doesn’t, and staying accountable to the outcomes Utahns can see and feel. |
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| $10 million optimized since GRIT launched
Since launching GRIT (Government Reform, Innovation & Transparency) last May, state teams across Utah have optimized $10 million by simplifying how government works and tightening the systems Utahns rely on.
That progress shows up in the unglamorous places that matter most: less back-and-forth, fewer handoffs, clearer steps, and faster service. It’s the day-to-day work of employees who know where things get stuck—and are willing to fix it. |
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| New North Capitol Building
State leaders gathered on Jan. 16 to celebrate the completion of the North Capitol Building, a major addition to the Utah State Capitol Complex. The new building expands public access and adds secure storage for Utah’s art and historical artifacts, additional office space, a new conference center, and more public parking. It will also house the future Museum of Utah once completed.
Built for long-term stewardship, the North Capitol Building is designed to remain safe and functional during a major earthquake with 89 seismic base isolators. The project also improves the visitor experience with clearer routes, designated bus drop-off areas for school groups and events, and a net gain of more than 315 parking stalls to reduce congestion. During construction, the team even adjusted the footprint to protect the root systems of the historic sequoia trees nearby, reflecting the careful planning behind a space meant to serve Utahns for generations. |
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| Utah launches citizenship review of voter rolls
In our ongoing commitment to ensuring Utah has accurate voter registration lists, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor began a citizenship review last year of all registered voters in Utah. While it is not fully completed, we have shared some preliminary findings. Find details here. |
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| Social Work Day on the Hill
Lt. Gov. Henderson spoke to professionals and students for Social Work Day on the Hill. The work they do supports countless Utahns, often on their worst days. Lt. Gov. Henderson expressed the importance of Utah having well-prepared, compassionate social workers in hospitals, schools, and public clinics. She also praised their involvement during the legislative session and encouraged them to make their voices heard. |
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Utah public schools are set to receive a record $134 million from the Trust Lands Permanent Fund for the 2026–27 school year. The School and Institutional Trust Funds Office announced the distribution through School LAND Trust funding, noting it marks a 20% increase over last year. Learn more > |
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The December 2025 jobs report shows Utah's labor force ended the year with an additional 21,800 jobs, a 1.2% increase. The unemployment rate remained steady at 3.6%. As usual, these numbers are better than the nation, which reported only 0.3% job growth and 4.4% unemployment. |
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The Utah Department of Corrections’ (UDC) recent investment in technology, law enforcement professionals, and drug-sniffing K-9s has paid off with the arrest of a woman suspected of planning to mail hundreds of sheets of drug-infused paper to individuals housed at Utah’s correctional facilities. Efforts are paying off by intercepting drugs before they reach UDC facilities. |
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The Utah Department of Commerce launched the “Scamalot Fraudcast” podcast to help Utahns spot scams before they happen. Each episode shares real consumer and investment fraud cases investigated by the state, highlights common red flags, and offers practical tips to protect yourself. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Listen now > |
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Five murals by Edna Merrill Van Frank, created to commemorate Utah’s centennial, have been installed in the North Capitol Building to mark CCE’s America250 Utah celebration. The murals, donated by the Van Frank family to the Utah Division of Arts & Museums, highlight the June opening of the Museum of Utah. |
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Eleven students from Logan to Blanding showcased their 2025 award-winning projects during CCE’s History Day on the Hill at the Utah Capitol. This spring, students will participate in the Utah Historical Society’s National History Day 2026 regional contests, before the state contest on April 24. Volunteer as a judge > |
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Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation Director Jason Curry recently testified before Congress on the bipartisan EXPLORE Act anniversary, highlighting Utah’s leadership in outdoor recreation. Curry emphasized gratitude for Utah’s federal land partners, the nonpartisan value of outdoor recreation, its role in economic vitality and well-being and the importance of collaboration to sustain access for future generations. |
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The Utah Film Commission is celebrating another standout year for Utah’s film and television industry, driven by major productions, local talent, and continued expansion of filming across rural communities statewide. More here > |
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The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Utah Department of Transportation, and other partners are reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and improving wildlife and fish migration routes. In 2025, they completed 11 projects and one study, including new and upgraded crossing structures statewide. More here > |
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America’s Health Rankings® 2025 Annual Report ranks Utah the 5th healthiest state in the nation (up from 6th in 2024) after analyzing 99 measures across 31 sources. Healthy lifestyles, like low rates of smoking, binge drinking, and chronic illness drive our success, though affordable healthcare and doctor shortages remain significant hurdles. |
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Utah will elevate the national America Gives initiative statewide, said Lieutenant Governor Deidre M. Henderson. Individuals and companies can track and report service hours to qualify for a certificate from America250 Utah, or share a service story to inspire others. Learn more > |
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| | This month, the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission will launch a judge-specific portal to provide modern, accurate, interactive evaluation reports directly to state judges. Replacing static PDFs, the system gives judges access to current and historical data, reduces staff time by 85%, minimizes errors, and improves transparency and efficiency. |
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“The Pen is Mightier: Writing a Revolution,” a Cultural & Community Engagement/America250 Utah exhibition, hangs on the 4th floor of the Utah State Capitol. Highlights include a copy of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” and other tools of communication and innovation. Utahns can also see the traveling exhibit on tour. Learn more > |
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| | Utah's newest school districts have named superintendents ahead of the dissolution of Alpine School District. Dr. Joel Perkins will lead Aspen Peaks School District and Dr. Vicki Carter will lead Lake Mountain School District. Their terms will begin July 1, 2027. |
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Some 400 people marked the MLK holiday at the Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement United in Service project, a partnership of UServeUtah and Thanksgiving Point. Volunteers assembled 2,500 care kits for Ronald McDonald House Charities and meal kits for Alpine School District. Help plan a future project > |
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 Utah launches Mission Critical, a mine-to-market pipeline aiming to supply 25% of the U.S. critical mineral demand. Read more >
 $196M in federal funding awarded to strengthen rural health care across Utah. Read more >
 Utah added 21,800 jobs in 2025, outpacing the nation with stronger growth and lower unemployment. Read more >
 Gov. Cox proposes bell-to-bell phone ban in schools to boost learning and social skills. Read more >
 USDA strengthens oversight of foreign land ownership to protect domestic food supply chains. Read more >
 Utah saves $1.8 million on inmate health care while expanding access and quality. Read more >
 Rodatherm raises $38M for geothermal pilot projects in Beaver & Millard counties. Read more >
 Gov. Cox meets HUD Secretary Scott Turner to expand homelessness support and create more starter homes in Utah. Read more >
 Utah signs 20-year, 8M+ acre agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to strengthen stewardship. Read more >
 Gov. Cox convenes literacy symposium, calling for statewide action. Read more >
Ford Credit Bank and GM Financial Bank approved for industrial bank charters in Utah. Read more >  Utah stocks 11.6M fish across 655 waterbodies in 2025 to boost recreation and conservation. Read more >
 NHL announces Utah will host 2027 Winter Classic at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Read more >
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