State Representative Casey Snyder, majority leader and the district’s state lawmaker, told the Midland City Council on Nov. 6 that Utah is facing an estimated $500,000,000 shortfall going into the next legislative session and outlined several policy areas likely to be priorities for lawmakers.

Snyder said the shortfall is being driven in part by federal funding changes and that lawmakers are preparing both budget and policy responses. “Right now, as a last look, we’re about $500,000,000 in the hole going into next legislative session,” Snyder said. He described plans under discussion to create a clearinghouse or coordinating board to bring water agencies together and to craft a long‑term water infrastructure plan. Snyder said the state is also studying a possible water fee and mechanisms to aggregate state credit that could produce roughly $300 million for communities through loans or other instruments.

Why it matters: Snyder framed the proposals as long‑term investments in water and infrastructure that could affect grant applications and local planning. He urged local governments to engage with the League of Cities and Towns and other associations as bills are drafted.

On housing and zoning, Snyder said the pending statewide debate reflects multiple pressures: market factors such as high land and material costs, interest rates, and differences in what new housing types residents prefer. He described discussions at the Capitol about incentives — for example, tying transportation or road funding to communities that promote housing — as preferable to blunt mandates. “I think a better discussion would be around entire lots, what those options provide in terms of housing opportunities,” he said, adding that some policy responses should focus on taxation of second and third homes to limit speculative impacts on affordability.

Snyder also answered questions on education policy and recent court rulings that affect scholarship and school finance measures. He noted significant participation in the state’s scholarship programs (UFA scholarship), warned of accounting and regulatory issues when online or hybrid programs call themselves private schools, and said litigation could reshape how choice policies are implemented.

On separation of powers and courts, Snyder said legislative leaders are concerned about recent judicial rulings that, in his view, extend judicial authority into matters the legislature believes should be settled by elected representatives. He said the legislature is preparing constitutional and judicial‑branch reforms and may seek additional appellate capacity to resolve disputes.

Local exchange: Council members asked Snyder about zoning, truth‑in‑taxation and whether the state or property owners will ultimately drive housing outcomes. Snyder urged local engagement with the League of Cities and Towns and warned that many practical constraints — entitled lots not moving to construction, infrastructure costs and private choices by owners — will shape outcomes more than any single statute.

What’s next: Snyder said lawmakers are already meeting informally and that citizens and local governments should expect active session debates on water, housing, education and court‑related reforms. He encouraged council members to work with legislative staff and the League on technical fixes and to follow proposed bills closely.

(Reporting note: Comments and figures above are drawn from Rep. Casey Snyder’s presentation and subsequent Q&A during the council meeting Nov. 6, 2025.)