House adopts 'Utah Tomorrow' strategic planning resolution, endorses performance measures

The Utah House on the morning floor adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, a formal endorsement of the Utah Tomorrow strategic planning document that adds measurable performance indicators to state goals.

Representative Birmingham, sponsor of the resolution, told colleagues the draft brings executive and legislative planning together and inserts performance measures into budgeting decisions. "The number of courses currently offered in that way are 3,163," he said when describing telecommunications delivery of post-secondary classes, using the figure to illustrate how the document links goals to measurable outcomes. Birmingham said the plan shows changes such as a decline in the uninsured rate in Utah from 13 percent in 1980 to 9 percent in 1990 and stressed agencies have begun fitting their internal goals to the statewide framework.

Supporters on the floor framed the resolution as a practical tool. "If you think about taking a long trip without a road map, that's sometimes what we get involved in in government," Representative Bush said, urging members to adopt the resolution. Representative Eubanks, a member of the task force, also expressed strong support.

The clerk recorded the vote and the resolution was transmitted back to the Senate for further consideration and finalization. Sponsors said the Utah Tomorrow book distributed to members is a draft and that performance measures will be refined over time. The resolution’s adoption does not by itself create new law; it signals legislative support for using defined objectives and measurements when evaluating legislation and agency budgets.

The House then moved on to remaining calendar business and committee reports.