January 30, 2026

2026 Legislative Session Week 2

26 minutes

Week two of the 2026 Utah Legislative Session is in the books, and funding priorities are coming into view. Host Jason Perry speaks with our expert panel about which state budgets could be given more money or be trimmed, and they break down several bills now being debated on Capitol Hill. Plus, national headlines around ICE are rippling across Utah.

THE DEEPER DIVE:

Multiple cities in Utah have seen demonstrations and walk outs against ICE, with city and state leaders speaking out. Hinckley and Deseret News conducted a poll on the issue. Where do Utahns stand?

The legislature passed base budgets this week, including for public education, health and human services, and higher education. Many budgets could see cuts of tens of millions of dollars.

Taxes have been a huge topic this week, as one bill moving through the legislature proposes an income tax cut for Utahns, while another unreleased bill could slash the gas tax in half. How much money could Utahns save?

Hear what the panel has to say on bills that would make changes to the courts, including one that creates a new, three-judge “constitutional court.”

Bills focusing on elections aim to regulate voting equipment, and add an additional step to the petition signature gathering process.

Huge news this week with the state confirming plans to buy US Magnesium, which was one of the state’s largest polluters. The news is bringing a lot of excitement over how it could help the shrinking Great Salt Lake.

FEATURING:

Rep. Paul Cutler — (R) Centerville

Rep. Sahara Hayes — (D) Salt Lake City, House Minority Assistant Whip

Doug Wilks— Executive Editor, Deseret News

Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

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By Jason Perry

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