Speaker Schultz urges partnership with cities on housing, transit and gas-tax reform

Speaker of the House Mike Schultz addressed nearly 250 online attendees and a full room at the Senate Building, urging collaboration between state and local officials on housing, transportation and fiscal policy.

"I have never been in favor of preemptions, just for the record," Schultz said, adding he supports working with cities to find local solutions rather than blanket state takeover of zoning decisions.

On housing, Schultz said the central problem is supply and pointed to a multi-year run of apartment completions that pushed rents down. "Rent prices in the state of Utah has been coming down 3 years in a row," he said, and urged cities to partner with the legislature on infrastructure mechanisms that would unlock starter-home lots. He noted Representative Cal Roberts is working on a loan-style infrastructure fund (not a direct grant) that could be repaid through permit revenue or other local sources.

Schultz also discussed transit and past UTA governance changes, saying the state must keep accountability as transit expands. On the gas tax, he described a plan to broaden the tax base to include gallons produced in Utah regardless of destination and then lower the rate to reduce pump prices; he pledged the local distribution (the share that goes to cities and counties) would be preserved.

Why it matters: Schultz’s remarks signal a legislative posture favoring negotiated, statewide tools (infrastructure loans, potential gas-tax changes) while cautioning against top-down preemption of local land-use control.

Next steps: Speaker Schultz took questions and invited continued collaboration with League staff and city officials as bills move through the session.