The Hinckley Report

As the Utah Legislature prepares to pass a final budget, they will have less money to work with than originally estimated. Lawmakers received new estimates this week showing that projected revenue for the state is down about $112 million total. Our expert panel discusses what this means for state programs, and where cuts could be made.

Plus, will there still be a tax cut? Governor Spencer Cox had been hoping to eliminate Utah's portion of the income tax on social security benefits, but that could be in limbo now. While legislative leaders say a cut is still possible, we evaluate the likelihood of one passing.

Other bills moving forward on Utah's Capitol Hill include a proposal to disband the State Records Committee, and a change in how Utah school districts receive their funding. SB277, sponsored by Senator Mike McKell (R-Utah County), would replace the State Records Committee with an administrative law judge. Under current law, people requesting access to public records can appeal state decisions to a committee made up of volunteer community members. Sen. McKell believes that group takes too long to make decisions, and centralizing the process with a single political appointee would be better. Meanwhile, SB37 would funnel property tax revenue levied by local school district to the state general fund before that money is reallcoated back to the districts. The money could then also be used to pay for other state needs.

A bill that would have kept Utah clocks from moving back and forth twice a year appears to be dead. The proposal from Rep. Joe Eliason (R-Washington County) would had Utah join Arizona and Hawaii on permanent standard time, unless Congress passed a law to move the nation to permanent Daylight Saving Time. HB120 had passed the Utah House of Representatives with bipartisan support, but a Senate committee voted to "table" the bill, meaning it likely won't move any further this year. But could it make another appearance in the future? Our panel discusses the possibility.

Host Jason Perry is joined by Representative Doug Owens, a Democrat from Salt Lake County and Minority Caucus Manager in the Utah House of Representatives — Representative Ariel Defay, a Republican from Davis County — and Daniel Woodruff, a reporter with 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 https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

The Utah Legislature is considering a potentially historic number of constitutional amendments this year. One appears to be in direct response to decisions made by the Utah Supreme Court in the Fall of 2024 regarding a requirement that proposed amendments be published in newspapers. Another would change the percentage of "yes" votes needed to approve some voter ballot measures. Our expert panel examines the proposals and discusses why we are seeing so many.

We are now officially past the halfway point of the 2025 Utah Legislative Session. Lawmakers have drafted nearly 1,000 bills but have, so far, passed fewer than 100 of them. We discuss what bills could still be coming, and what the legislature is likely to prioritize in the session's final weeks.

Finally, there are a number of bills that would modify the judicial branch of government in the Beehive State. One would increase the number of justices on the Utah Supreme Court. Another would increase the threshold for judges to be retained in retention elections from 50% support to 67%. We evaluate how these proposals could reshape the judiciary, and discuss what is the likely motivating factor behind the bills.

Host Jason Perry is joined by Senator Chris Wilson, a Republican from Cache and Rich Counties and Majority Whip in the State Senate — Representative Sahara Hayes, a Democrat from Millcreek and Minority Assistant Whip in the Utah House — and Holly Richardson, editor of Utah Policy.

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 https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

In the third week of the Utah Legislative Session, lawmakers passed a controversial bill that bars public employee unions from collective bargaining. Debate over the proposed legislation had been extensive, with union members negotiating behind the scenes for a better version of the bill. But in the end, the original bill passed the Utah House and Senate. Advocates are now urging Governor Spencer Cox to veto the measure. Our expert panel discusses whether we could see that happen, and whether or not union organziers will launch a referendum campaign to let Utah voters decide the bill's fate.

Utah lawmakers are also considering bills to reform elections in the Beehive State. One proposal would require most voters to turn in mail-in ballots in person and show ID when doing so. Opponents of the measure worry this will disenfranchise voters in rural Utah, older Utahns, and people with disabilities from engaging in the democratic process. We evaluate the likelihood of this bill passing, and whether it has support in both chambers of the legislature.

Plus, with Pres. Donald Trump issuing numerous executive orders dealing with immigration, some Utah lawmakers are seizing the opportunity to enact reforms here at home as well. We discuss some of those proposals, and the significance of Utah's newly elected Attorney General wading into the debate over birthright citizenship.

Host Jason Perry is joined by Representative Steve Eliason, a Republican from Sandy and Parliamentarian in the Utah House — Senator Jen Plumb, a Democrat from Salt Lake City and Minority Assistant Whip in the Utah Senate — and Robert Gehrke, a reporter with The Salt Lake Tribune.

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 https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

In Week 2 of the 2025 Legislative Session, Utah lawmakers work to allocate funds in a tight budget year after extra federal spending from the COVID-19 pandemic has dried up.

Proposed legislation could affect how voters pass ballot initiatives and how the state manages elections. Lawmakers also discuss shoring up the state's resources as Federal grant and loan funding for state and local programs is thrown into question by executive orders from DC.

Utah State Majority Assistant Whip Sen. Mike McKell and Minority Whip Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost join KUER politics reporter Sean Higgins and host Jason Perry on this episode of The Hinckley Report.

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.

Following his inauguration, President Donald Trump signed a flood of executive orders including actions on immigration, public safety, and birthright citizenship. He also pardoned approximately 1,500 people convicted of crimes related to the events of January 6th, 2021, including 18 Uthans.

Governor Spencer Cox focused his State of the State Address on building affordable homes, energy production, regulatory reform, and strengthening families and communities in Utah.

The 45-day Legislative Session also kicked off with Utah legislators proposing bills to protect kids from social media, change how Utahns pass ballot initiatives, and amend the election process.

What do lawmakers care about most and how could these sweeping changes in government affect Uthans?

Republican Majority Leader Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore, Democratic Minority Leader Sen. Luz Escamilla, Bountiful City Councilwoman Kate Bradshaw, and host Jason Perry break down these important issues on this week's episode of The Hinckley Report.

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.

With just a few days until Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, people close to his incoming administration say he is planning extensive executive action on his first day in office. Our panel examines how Utah could be impacted, including potential changes to the boundaries of national monuments like Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. Plus, what will be the overall tone of his inaugural speech, and will it do anything to unite the country?

The Utah legislature is also just days away from beginning its 2025 General Session. Legislative leaders have indicated their priotities include energy policy and development. We discuss how an "all of the above" approach could include both coal AND nuclear power. One proposal on Capitol Hill would re-direct some property tax revenue into energy development, but will this face push-back from rural counties that already count on that funding for their general budgets?

Tax cuts will be another big topic during the legislative session. Over the past several years, the legislature has passed $1.2 billion in tax cuts, and legislative leaders are eyeing another $165 million in 2025. Governor Spencer Cox wants the cut to come from removing income taxes on all social security benefits, but other lawmakers may have different ideas.

Plus, as Salt Lake CIty moves forward with plans to use sales tax revenue to develop a sports and entertainment district downtown, our panel discusses new polling that reveals just how popular the Beehive State's new major-league hockey team actually is.

Host Jason Perry is joined by Jay Evenson, opinion editor at the Deseret News — Lindsay Aerts, ABC4 News Anchor and Host of "Inside Utah Politics" — and Marty Carpenter, partner with Northbound Strategy.

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.

The inauguration ceremony for members of Utah's Executive Branch was held this week at the Eccles Theatre in downtown Salt Lake City. Governor Spencer Cox and Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson both took the oath of office and delivered an inaugural address. Our panel examines the tone of their speeches, and what it signals about their next four years in office.

Plus, with about a week and a half until the 2025 Utah Legislative Session begins, state lawmakers are already making their policy priorities clear. Republican lawmakers held a news conference this week to discuss several bills they will sponsor tackling immigration issues. The policies would primarily target immigrants who are in the country illegally and commit other crimes while they are here.

These proposals call into question whether political leaders remain committed to the Utah Compact on Immigration. That is a statement signed by hundreds of Utah business and community leaders in 2010, and re-signed in 2019, that affirms Utah's commitment to treating immigrants with humanity, opposing policies that would separate families, and incorporating immigrants into the workforce and economy. We discuss how these new policies fit in with the original intent of the Utah Compact, and how they could influence immigrants in the Beehive State.

Host Jason Perry is joined by Representative Candice Pierucci, a Republican from Riverton and the Majority Caucus Manager in the Utah House — Dennis Romboy, an editor with the Deseret News — and Chris Bleak, a political commentator and partner with RRJ Consulting.

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 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.