How the governor and lawmakers settled on April 10 to lift the statewide mask mandate
Gov. Spencer Cox says they wouldn’t wait until everyone had a chance to get the vaccine so ‘The Legislature owns this now.’
(Francisco Kjolseth | Tribune file photo) Gov. Spencer Cox steps into the House chamber following Rep. Francis Gibson, R-Mapleton, motion Friday night that the Legislature hear from “Gov. Gary Herbert.” The legislative session ended March 5, after lawmakers passed a bill ending the statewide mask mandate April 10. Cox said in an interview Wednesday that the Legislature wouldn t wait any longer so it now owns the consequences.
Legislative leaders nearing agreement on transportation funding
At issue is whether Utah should borrow more than $1 billion to fund infrastructure projects.
(Leah Hogsten | Tribune file photo) Utah Transit Authority riders board the FrontRunner train in Ogden on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. Last week, House leaders introduced a massive $2.26 billion proposal to fund roads, transit and other infrastructure projects.
| March 2, 2021, 1:53 a.m.
As Utah lawmakers prepare to finish the budget for next year, the biggest sticking point is whether to borrow $1.4 billion to pay for several transportation and transit projects over the next few years. But, House and Senate leaders are close to breaking their impasse on the issue.
Proposed constitutional amendment would increase money lawmakers can spend and cut in a special session
Lawmakers say current rules tied their hands too much when adjusting the budget during the pandemic.
(Rick Egan | Tribune file photo) Utah lawmakers are pushing a constitutional amendment that would allow them to spend, and cut more money from the budget during a special session. This March 14, 2019, file photo shows the Utah House in session.
| March 1, 2021, 10:48 p.m.
Legislators want to ask Utah voters to loosen their purse strings a little under a proposed constitutional amendment designed to tweak the rules for some special legislative sessions.
Money would fund construction at the inland port and elsewhere.
(Francisco Kjolseth | Tribune file photo) A map shows the extensive boundary of the planned Inland port development, displayed during a news conference at the Utah Capitol, Jan. 22, 2020. Primary among issues described in a new report are human health impacts from increased pollution the port will bring. On Monday, a Senate panel advanced a proposal to create a $115 million loan fund to assist in needed improvements of roads, water and electric systems in the inland port area of Salt Lake City, the Point of the Mountain and in other large-scale developents.
| Updated: 1:32 a.m.
Utah legislative leaders said the process of setting next year’s $21.7 billion budget was one of the easiest they’ve ever experienced. Having more than $1.5 billion in extra money to spend can help clear any roadblocks that pop up.
“This is probably the smoothest budgeting process I’ve seen in my nearly decade of doing budget negotiations with the Senate,” House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, told reporters Friday.
Last year, the unfolding coronavirus pandemic forced legislators to cut nearly $1 billion from the budget they had approved just a few months earlier. But, the economic damage from COVID-19 was not nearly as bad as they predicted.