As the 2025 Legislative Session quickly approaches, Utah lawmakers are beginning to numerous propose bills. Our expert panel of political insiders discusses potential changes to higher education funding, election integrity, mail-in balloting, and judicial appointments, along with cuts to taxes on Social Security and shrinking the overall state budget.

Plus, we remember the legacy of Former President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at the age of 100.

Host Jason Perry is joined by Brigham Tomco, Utah politics staff writer at the Deseret News — Jeff Parrott, politics editor with The Salt Lake Tribune — and Renae Cowley, lobbyist and political commentator.

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

2024 has proven to be a busy year in the world of politics. From a tumultuous presidential election on the national stage to some decisive policy shifts here at home — our expert panel dives into the major headlines and their impact.

Utah Sen. Mitt Romney's term ends in just a few days. We explore the impact of his time in the Senate, what he accomplished for Utah, and what his legacy will be.

We also discuss one of the biggest political stories of the year — how the Utah Republican Party's convention winners largely did not end up winning their primary elections. What does this say about politics in the state? And what does it mean for future elections?

Host Jason Perry is joined by Maura Carabellow, president of the Exoro Group — Doug Wilks, the executive editor of the Deseret News — and Max Roth, an anchor with Fox 13 News.

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

As a divided Congress struggles to keep the federal government open and funded, our expert panel examines how bipartisanship can work in Washington.

The members of Utah's federal delegation have secured some key committee assignments. We examine how that will impact the Beehive State's standing on the national stage.

Plus, Utah's newest Senator said this week he does not intent to be a rubber stamp for President-elect Donald Trump's political nominees. We discuss the outsized influence John Curtis could have in a closely-divided Congress.

And new polling reveals how confident Utah voters are in the 2024 election results.

Host Jason Perry is joined by Greg Bell, former Utah Lieutenant Governor — Leah Murray, director of the Olene Walker Institute of Politics and Public Service at Weber State University — and Frank Pignanelli, a Utah-based attorney and political commentator. —

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

As the transition to a new Administration takes place, moderate Republican Senator Mitt Romney's tenure in Washington came to a close with a farewell speech in which he called for unity. In this episode of The Hinckley Report, our panel of politcial insiders discusses his replacment John Curtis's record of bridging the political divide with efforts like his Conservative Climate Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. Will Curtis maintain his ability to work across the aisle as Utah's new junior Senator?

Our panel debates whether the Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, co-chaired by Utah Rep. Blake Moore, will be able to cut a proposed $2 trillion from the federal budget.

Plus, Martha Hughes Cannon, the first female State Senator from Utah is finally memorialized in bronze at the U.S. Capitol, sparking conversation around representation of women in politics.

Host Jason Perry is joined by Aimee Winder Newton, Senior Advisor to the Governor and Member of the Salt Lake County Council, Taylor Morgan, Partner at Morgan May Public Affairs, and Greg Skordas, attorney and political commentator.

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

This week Utah Governor Spencer Cox released his budget proposals for the upcoming Utah legislative session. His budget calls for cutting all state income taxes on Social Security benefits - a move that could save more than 150,000 older Utahns about $1,000 each year. Cox also wants the state to invest more than $20 million into nuclear and geothermal electricity. But will his key proposals actually pass the legislature?

In this episode, our expert panel examines the Beehive State's budgeting process. Learn how legislative leaders negotiate with the governor's office and find out who gets the final say on how your tax dollars actually get spent.

Host Jason Perry is joined by Sophia DiCaro, Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget — Rep. Angela Romero, a Democrat from Salt Lake City and House Minority Leader — and Sen. Jerry Stevenson, a Republican from Davis County and Chair of the Executive Appropriations Committee.

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

Even before any votes were cast in the 2024 election, questions about election denialism, overall election security, and the safety of vote-by-mail were in the headlines across the country - even here in Utah. In this episode, our expert panel takes a close look at the safeguards in place to protect election systems. What makes an election secure? And how much confidence do Utahns have in the power of their vote?

Plus, some Utah lawmakers want to change the way elections are overseen in the state. Proposals range from giving a Secretary of State election oversight, to creating an independent election commission. We discuss the options on the table, and evaluate how they would impact ballot access.

Host Jason Perry is joined by Amelia Powers Gardener—a Republican member of the Utah County Commission, Doug Wilks—executive editor of the Deseret News, and Holly Richardson—editor of UtahPolicy.com.

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

As congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. begin preparing for a new term next year, Utah's representatives are jokeying for important committee assignments. Our panel examines how this behind-the-scenes maneuvering impacts the work of Congress, and how it benefits Utah voters in the long-run.

New polling suggests public trust in institutions like Congress and the media is much lower than it used to be. We discuss how this downward trend is a potential threat to our democratic republic, and the best way to improve those relationships.

Plus, what issues will take center stage on Utah's Capitol Hill when lawmakers convene for their annual session in January? And how does our federal delegation work with state leaders to streamline policy changes?

In this episode, host Jason Perry is joined by Representative Celeste Maloy—a Republican from Utah's 2nd Congressional District, former Representative Ben McAdams—a Democrat who represented Utah's 4th Congressional District, and State Representative Tyler Clancy—a Republican representing Provo in the Utah House.

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

As county clerks in Utah wrap up counting final votes, political parties in the state and country are already assessing what went wrong and right for them in the recent election. New polling suggests Republicans and Democrats across the country had vastly different priorities when they cast their ballots. Our panel examines how those priorities translated to wins and losses, and what they suggest about the state of politics in the United States.

President-elect Donald Trump is beginning the process of naming key members of his cabinet. As his future administration starts to take shape, we discuss whether any Utahns are likely to take on key roles.

Plus, national voter turnout is nearing historic levels, but that's not the case here in Utah. Why did fewer people show up to the polls in the Beehive State this election? And how could shifting demographics influence elections in the future?

In this episode, host Jason Perry is joined by Republican Senator Mike McKell, the Assistant Majority Whip representing Utah County in the Utah Senate — Democratic Senator Jen Plumb, the Assistant Minority Whip representing Salt Lake City in the Utah Senate — and Daniel Woodruff, a reporter at KSL 5 News.

Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by Merit Medical and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit pbsutah.org/donate.

While county clerks around the state are still counting some ballots, the results of many races are in. Pres. Donald Trump will be returning to the White House in January and Utah voters have given Gov. Spencer Cox another four years to lead the Beehive State. Our expert panel evaluates what messaging resonated with the electorate, which demographics played a decisive role, and what the results tell us about the priorities of Utahns.

Plus, the trends seen in Utah's election results were a bit different than many other states. We examine what that could signal about our state's influence in national politics.

In this episode, host Jason Perry is joined by Saige Miller, politics reporter with KUER - Thomas Wright, Utah businessman and former Republican Party leader - and Scott Howell, the former minority leader in the Utah State Senate.

With just a few days left until the 2024 election, new poll numbers are painting a clearer picture of what we can expect in some key Utah races. Our panel examines what this all means in the race for president between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. And, will there be any surprises in the race for Utah governor?

The Utah County Clerk is facing scrutiny this week after it was revealed that his office was tracking the ballots of politicians. He also called for Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson to be prosecuted for how the signature gathering process was handled earlier this year. We examine what this all means to confidence in elections, and how other state leaders are responding.

Plus, we discuss voter turnout and our panelists reveal which races they will be watching closely on election night.

In this episode, host Jason Perry is joined by Dennis Romboy, editor and reporter with the Deseret News — Holly Richardson, editor of Utah Policy — and Ben Winslow, politics reporter with Fox 13 News.