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Governor praises Utah Legislature’s session, highlights heavy investment in education and $17 million for homelessness and behavioral health
Summary
In closing remarks to the Senate, the governor called the 2017 session highly successful, highlighted a budget that directs roughly three-quarters of new funds to education, cited steps toward tax reform and air-quality work, and said the state will invest about $17 million in homelessness and behavioral-health efforts.
The governor told the Utah Senate the 2017 legislative session was "one of the best we've ever had," and urged members to take pride in a budget he said puts a large share of new money into education and other priorities. "Seventy‑four percent of all the new money that come into our budget this year is going into education," he said. "Dollars $230,000,000 for public education. Dollars 144,000,000 for higher education."
He highlighted a 4 percent increase in the weighted pupil unit that he said gives local districts flexibility, and described the budget as a deliberate prioritization of education, public safety and rural economic opportunity. "We have to bring people together on tax reform," he said, urging stakeholders to begin work during the interim to broaden the tax base while keeping rates low and promoting fairness.
On air quality, the governor said Utah must continue progress and meet an upcoming deadline in 2019, calling for more policy work during the interim. He also noted steps to support law enforcement and corrections staff, saying lawmakers had put "some money on the table to pay them for their service."
On social services, the governor said the budget includes about $17,000,000 aimed at homelessness, mental health and substance‑abuse programs to help people "get find cures and opportunity to help themselves." He urged continued bipartisanship and stakeholder engagement on complex issues—particularly tax reform and air quality—during the months ahead.
The governor closed by thanking Senate leaders and staff and congratulating members on what he called a productive, collegial session.
