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Utah's congressional contests are beginning to take shape. Host Jason Perry leads a discussion about how endorsements and accusations of scandal are impacting the races. Plus, Utah leaders weigh in on national headlines. THE DEEPER DIVE: • ⚖️ Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen has been accused of an inappropriate relationship with an attorney who argued the Prop 4 redistricting case before the court. Governor Spencer Cox and legislative leadership are moving forward with an independent investigation into the matter, but Justice Hagen has denied any wrongdoing. We evaluate what impact this could have on the public's trust in the process. • Utah Rep. Trevor Lee (R-Layton) is facing accusations of past impropriety regarding his actions in a former job that involved check fraud. This news dropped just days before Lee faces a challenger at the Davis County Republican Convention. Our panel examines waht this could mean for his future in the Utah Legislature. • The Democratic race for Utah's 1st Congressional District is heating up. This week, a national political news website published numerous controversial posts published by Sen. Nate Blouin (D-Millcreek) several years ago. Blouin quickly apologized for the offensive comments, but calls for him to drop out of the race came from many members of his own party. We discuss Blouin's response and why some Democrats are still supporting his candidacy. • ️ In the Republican race for Utah's 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Blake Moore is facing stiff competition from State Rep. Karianne Lisonbee. She has recently stated that Moore's past support for independent redistricting should be reason enough for voters to not send him back to Washington. Our panel evaluates what impact this will have on the race. • Controversy over Utah Valley University's scheduled commencement speaker has resulted in the school decidiing to have no speaker at all. Social media influencer Sharon McMahon, also known as "America's Government Teacher", had been selected by the shool to speak to graduates, but some students were upset over comments McMahon made in the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination at UVU. The university eventually decided that out of safety concerns, there would be no speaker. ️ FEATURING: • Heidi Hatch – KUTV 2News • Marty Carpenter – Partner, Northboudn Strategy • Daniel Woodruff – Reporter, KSL Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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

A change in Utah law means the voter registration information of hundreds of thousands of Utahns could soon be made public. Host Jason Perry leads a discussion examining the change, and what this means for some voters. Plus, the campaigns for Utah's 4 congressional seats are heating up. THE DEEPER DIVE: • ️ A change to Utah law regarding voter registration information is making headlines this week. Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson sent letters to the approximately 300,000 voters who will be impacted. Previously, Utah voters could choose to keep their voter registration data private, but the state legislature passed a bill in the most recent legislative session requiring that voters apply for an exemption. Our panel evaluates how this could change the dynamics of elections in the Beehive State moving forward. • ⚖️ That change comes amid a legal fight between Utah and the federal government over the state's voter rolls. The Trump administration wants Utah to hand over all voter registrations, including sensitive data like social security numbers. But the Lieutenant Governor has refused, citing state law that would prevent her from doing so. We look at arguments on both side of the debate. • Campaigning for Utah's four congressional seats is kicking into high gear. The Republican and Democratic parties will both hold their nominating conventions at the end of the month, and several candidates have already qualified for the primary ballot through signature gathering. We discuss the unique intra-party challengers facing incumbents this year. • Pres. Donald Trump has earmarked $1 billion in his proposed budget for the next fiscal year to help save the Great Salt Lake. But that doesn't mean the funding will actually be approved. Our panel examines the politics that could keep it from passing, and how Utah managed to get to this point. ️ FEATURING: • McKenzie Romero – Editor, Utah News Dispatch • Brigham Tomco – Reporter, Deseret News • Sean Higgins – Reporter, KUER News Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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

As the debate over election security continues at the national level, host Jason Perry leads a discussion about how primary election season is officially kicking off in the Beehive State. Plus, a contentious citizen initiative will not appear on ballots this November after all. THE DEEPER DIVE: • Pres. Donald Trump signed an executive order that would require states to use a federally created "Citizenship List" to compile a roll of eligible voters. That list would also impact state's that utilize vote-by-mail. Utah Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson quickly pushed back. Our panel examines the constitutional questions at the center of this debate, and what the Trump administration is threatening if states don't comply. • ️ This week the deadline passed for Utah voters to change their political party affiliation ahead of the primary election in June. In Salt Lake County, the number of registered Democrats did increase, leading to questions about whether the state's new Congressional map had any impact on the shift. • ❌ The citizen initiative aiming to repeal Utah's independent redistricting law has officially failed to qualify for the ballot. Organizers had originally submitted enough signatures, but enough voters requested to have their signatures removed, leading to the initiative falling below required thresholds. We discuss where the fight over Prop 4 could go from here. ️ FEATURING: • Leah Murray – Director, Walker Center for Politics and Public Service at Weber State University • Robert Gehrke – Reporter, The Salt Lake Tribune • Max Roth – Anchor, Fox 13 News Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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

On this special episode of The Hinckley Report, we're on location in St. George. As the population of southern Utah continues growing, host Jason Perry leads a discussion about how local leaders manage the needed infrastructure and natural resources for an expaning population. Plus, with more people comes more political power. We examine the growing influence of Washington and Iron Counties on both the state and federal governments. THE DEEPER DIVE: • ️ Southern Utah is growing fast, and local leaders are working to balance that growth in community character, housing needs, and quality of life. • From water conservation to billion-dollar infrastructure investments, the region is planning ahead to make sure growth is sustainable in one of Utah's driest areas. • ️ The economy is shifting beyond tourism with healthcare, construction, technology, and education playing an increasing role in southern Utah's future. • Transportation, land use, and federal land restrictions add unique challenges for the area, but also highlight the complexity of building in this part of the state. • As population and economic importance rise, the region's influence is growing at the Utah Capitol and in Washington D.C., shaping policy decisions statewide and beyond. ️ FEATURING: • Christa Hinton – Santa Clara City Council • Zach Renstrom – General Manager, Washington County Water Conservancy District • Mary Weaver Bennett – Director, Leavitt Center for Politics and Public Service at Southern Utah University • Brad Last – Former Member of the Utah House of Representatives and Special Assistant to the President of Utah Tech University for Community and Government Relations Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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

As the dust settles on the 2026 legislative session, host Jason Perry leads a discussion about which issues won and which were voted down. Plus, Utah voters attend their neighborhood caucus meetings as election season really heats up. THE DEEPER DIVE: • ✍️ Governor Spencer Cox is now in the process of reviewing all the bills passed during the legislative session. Will there be any vetoes? Our expert panel discusses how the executive branch engages with the lawmaking process. • ️ Both Republicans and Democrats held neighborhood caucus meetings this week to elect precinct chairs and delegates to county and state party conventions.These meetings appear to have had renewed energy for the members of at least one political party. We evaluate what people on the ground experienced. • ️ With the candidate filing period closed for Utah's four congressional seats, campaigning is now in full swing on both sides of the political aisle. Every incumbent is facig an intra-party challenger, and the field is especially large in the Democratic race for the state's newly drawn 1st congressional district. • Efforts to pass the SAVE America Act on the federal level have Utah politics in the national spotlight. The effort is backed by Sen. Mike Lee, yet Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson has publicly pushed back on the rhetoric being used by meembers of her own party. We examine why Pres. Donald Trump is pushing for the law so strongly and how it could impact the Beehive State. • This last week, the federal government purchased a warehouse in Salt Lake City for a potential ICE detention facility. Mayors Erin Mendenhall and Jenny Wilson have both spoken against the pruchase. While Gov. Cox is supportive of establishing an ICE facility of some kind in Utah, he says no one in his administration had any advance knowledge of this purchase. ️ FEATURING: • Ben Winslow – Reporter, Fox 13 News • Amelia Powers Gardner – (R) Utah County Commission • Wesley Smith – Partner, Northbound Strategy Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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

Are Utah's colleges and universities adapting quickly enough in our tech-forward world? Host Jason Perry leads a discussion about the pressures facing higher education and how schools are preparing the future workforce while still keeping tuition affordable. THE DEEPER DIVE: • With public trust in institutions near all-time lows, Utah’s higher education system is in the midst of a course correction. We examine how schools are renewing their focus on value, transparency, public accountability, and student success. • As some question the value of a college degree, Utah’s higher education institutions are working to ensure a return on investment for students. Our panel discusses the ways schools are ensuring degrees and certificates lead to real career and economic opportunities. • The 16 publicly funded colleges and universities in Utah are working to improve collaboration across the system by streamlining programs, reducing duplication, and creating clearer pathways between technical colleges and four-year university programs. • This year, the Utah legislature pledged a historic $50 million investment in university research. We explore how this money will support innovation, industry partnerships, economic growth, and hands-on student experience across the state. • As artificial intelligence continues disrupting industries across the world, higher education is no exception. Our panel evaluates the efforts to reshape classroom learning, enhance university operations, and prepare students for an AI-powered workforce. ️ FEATURING: • Commissioner Geoff Landward – Utah System of Higher Education • Representative Karen Peterson – (R-Clinton, House Vice Rules Chair) • President Brad Mortensen – Utah State University Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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 final hours of the 2026 Legislative Session, Utah lawmakers are still working through a record number of bills. Host Jason Perry leads a discussion examining the major themes this year, whether there were any big surprises, and how all the new legislation will impact the lives of Utahns. THE DEEPER DIVE: • On the final day of the legislative session, a record number of bills have been filed, but does that mean lawmakers will approve a record number of new laws? Our panel discusses whether we achieve better policy with fewer bills. And will there ever be an appetite to limit the number? • ⚠️ This year, more than 400 bills had substitute language inserted at some point in the legislative process. We examine how this affects legislation and whether this leads to a lack of transparency in the law-making process. • ⛽ Occassionally bills are killed in a committee hearing and eventually come back later in the session and end up passing. That's what happened this year with a proposed cut to Utah's tax on gasonline. How did it change? And what is the net benefit to Utahns? • Several proposed bills this year would have impacted immigration, including one from Rep. Trevor Lee (R-Layton) that didn't pass a legislative committee. The language from his bill was eventually included in another piece of legislation. We discuss how this political maneuver played out in the Utah House of Representatives and resulted in no support from the Utah Senate. • A bill that would have changed Utah's populuar vote-by-mail system did not advance in the legislature. The proposal from Rep. Jefferson Burton (R-Provo) would have required voters to show their ID when they dropped off ballots. Will a version of this bill come back in the future? • ️ Should Utah's lieutenant governor continue overseeing the state's elections? A bill from Rep. Lisa Shepherd (R-Provo) would have shifted oversight from the L.G. to a newly-created Secretary of State. The bill did not pass, but did bring up questions about election oversight in the Beehive State. • ️ The filing period for congressional candidates in Utah opens up next week. Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT4) announced he is retiring and will not run for re-election. How will this shape the race for the other incumbents in Congress? And how will the state's new congressional boundaries influence the ballot? ️ FEATURING: • Chris Bleak – Partner, RRJ Consulting • Kate Bradshaw – Mayor, Bountiful City • Glen Mills – Political Commentator Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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

With the legislative session about to enter its final week, host Jason Perry leads a discussion on which bills and policies willl get prioritized. Plus, we analyze the latest court rulings affecting Utah's congressional map and how state leaders are asking for federal help with the Great Salt Lake. THE DEEPER DIVE: • For the first time ever, more than 1,000 bills and resolutions have been introduced in the Utah Legislature. As the final week begins, leadership in the House and Senate will be able to prioritize proposals and streamline bills for potential passage. Top members of the Legislature expect that lawmakers will pass fewer bills than during previous sessions. • The state will have more money to spend this year than originally expected. Lawmakers are required by state law to pass a balanced budget, and the appropriations committee is currently going through spending requests. We discuss what will likely get approved and whether some state agencies could still see budget cuts. • State lawmakers are focused on several aspects of managing artificial intelligence in Utah. One would manage how law enforcement utilizes AI. Another would have regulated how companies can use AI to manipulate the price you are charged for products. • There's a push on Capitol Hill to increase transparency within Utah's judicial branch. We examine arguments from both sides of the aisle regarding modifications to the Courts. • The Great Salt Lake is getting lots of renewed attention at the national level. Pres. Donald Trump pledged his support to help save the lake in a social media post. It came after Utah Gov. Spencer Cox spent an hour in the Oval Office last week. Our panel evaluates what this could mean for influencing water policy in the Beehive State. • ⚖️ Two big court rulings in Utah's redistricting case came down this week. A panel of federal judges declined to prevent Utah from using the congressional boundaries implemented by a state court late last year. A separate ruling from the Utah Supreme Court also refused to intervene while the case continues moving through district court. • ️An initiative effort to repeal the state's independent redistricting law is on the cusp of qualifying for ballots. Now opponents to the intiative are working to get people to remove their signatures. • The federal government is suing Utah Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson to gain access to Utah's voter rolls. The LG has refused to share the information in the past citing Constitutional and privacy concerns. ️ FEATURING: • Senator Stephanie Pitcher – (D) Millcreek • Senator Chris Wilson – (R) Logan, Majority Whip • Brigham Tomco – Reporter, Deseret News Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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

With just two weeks left in the 2026 Utah Legislative Session, lawmakers are in a race against the clock to pass bills. Host Jason Perry leads a discussion about what will likely get approved, and what might be left behind. Plus, the Utah GOP submits signature packets with the hope of impacting the 2026 ballot. THE DEEPER DIVE: • This is officially a record-breaking year on Utah's Capitol Hill. Lawmakers have introduced 969 bills having been introduced so far, but have only passed 96. Does that mean we can expect the pace to pick up in the final two weeks? Representatives from both sides of the political aisle weigh in. • ⛽ Several bills dealing with taxes are working through the legislature, one of which would reduce the tax drivers pay at the gas pump. The original proposal would have replaced that lost revenue with a new tax on gasoline exports to surrounding states. A compromise bill could be coming, and we examine what that would mean for the state's balance sheet. • ⬇️ The legislature is poised to reduce the income tax in Utah for the 6th year. The average Utah family will see a savings of about $45 each year. • ⚖️ A federal court in Salt Lake City heard arguments this week regarding the state's Congressional boundaries. The panel of three judges appeared hesitant to wade into the dispute. We discuss when a ruling could be issued, and how it could impact the 2026 election. • This week the Utah GOP submitted final signature packets for an initiative that would ask Utah voters to repeal Prop 4, the state's independent redistricting law. Organizers say they have gathered more than 200,000 signatures. County clerks have a few weeks to verify those and determine if the number of signatures met required thresholds in 26 of Utah's 29 senate districts. • ⚛️ A small-scale nuclear reactor arrived in Utah at Hill Air Force Base this week, which could mark the beginning of a new era for energy development in the state. • ‍⚖️ New polling shows a majority of Utahns support a new law expanding the size of the Utah Supreme Court. We examine why public sentiment is in favor of the expansion. • ️ Several other bills are being considere including those dealing with taxing social media companies, state funding for services for undocumented immigrants, municipal election modifications, homelessness, criminal justice reform, and mental health resources. ️ FEATURING: • Heidi Hatch – Anchor, KUTV 2News • Rep. Steve Eliason – (R) Sandy, House Parliamentarian • Rep. Andrew Stoddard – (D) Midvale Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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

Utah lawmakers may consider big changes to the way state government is run. Host Jason Perry leads a discussion on the policies at play and why one proposal would require voter approval. Plus, debates over housing, homelessness, and Salt Lake City's roads could have major local impact. THE DEEPER DIVE: • ️ Utah lawmakers are on track to file a record number of bills in 2026. But does that mean they will pass a record number of laws? Some lawmakers say legislation is moving through the legislature at a slower pace than recent years. We'll explain why politicians on both sides of the aisle believe that's a good thing. • ️ Should the Utah Legislature modify the way it does business? A proposed constitutional amendment would break up the 45-day annual general session into three 15-day sessions. This proposal raises questions about whether Utah has grown enough to warrant a full-time legislature. Our panel discusses the pros and cons. • This coming week lawmakers will receive updated revenue numbers as they begin finalizing budget requests from state agencies. Many expect the overall budget to be flat compared to last year. Major funding requests include more money for education and a $130 million expansion of the state prison in Salt Lake City. • Housing and homelessness continue to be big issues on Capitol Hill. This week the House Majority Leader (Rep. Casey Snider, R-Paradise) announced legislation that would derail state plans for a new homeless campus on Salt Lake City's west side. • Utah voters say the housing shortage is their number one concern. Our panel discusses several proposals to tackle this issue. • ⛽️ A proposed tax on gasoline exports from Utah is sparking some conflict with neighboring states. We examine why this idea developed, and how negotiations could modify the bill. • Should internet platforms be required to label "deep fakes"? That's the idea behind one of several bills that would regulate Artificial Intelligence. We explore how the state is looking to place guardrails around AI. • Our panel also discusses several ther bills being considered in the legislature, including one that would expand maternity leave for state employees and several that focus on water issues in the state. ️ FEATURING: • Rep. Ariel Defay – (R) Kaysville • Rep. Doug Owens – (D) Millcreek, Minority Caucus Manager • Jeff Parrott – Statewatch Editor, The Salt Lake Tribune Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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

With week 3 of the session in the books, lawmakers make major moves to reshape Utah's courts. Host Jason Perry leads a discussion about how this will impact the state's judiciary. Plus, as legislative leaders consider additional tax cuts, state agencies defend their budgets. THE DEEPER DIVE: • ⚖️ The bill that added two new justices to the Utah Supreme Court and also added judges to the Utah Court of Appeals and the district courts has passed the legislature and has already been signed into law by Gov. Spencer Cox. Opponents of the bill describe is as "packing" the Supreme Court, while supporters say this simply gets Utah on the same level with similarly sized states. • ✍️ Utah Reps. Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens have filed a lawsuit in federal court over a Utah judge's ruling in a redistricting lawsuit. They claim the court-imposed map causes "irreparable harm". At the same time, an initiative effort to overturn the state's independent redistricting commission has one more week to gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. We discuss whether organizers will meet the thresholds, and some controversy over alleged fraud on the part of signature gatherers. • In a year with tight budgets, some lawmakers are pushing to cut income taxes for a sixth straight year. We look at the impact this would have on taxpayer pocketbooks, plus how some state programs could be negatively affected. • Sen. Mike Lee is pushing for changes at the federal level to require proof of citizenship before voting in federal elections. Many of the provisions in his bill are already law at the state level in Utah. • ️ Pres. Donald Trump has called for nationalizing some elections. The proposition has received bipartisan opposition, including from Utah's Republican Lieutenant Governor, Deidre Henderson. • A bill to ban Kratom in Utah is making its way through the State Senate. We hear from people on both sides of the argument, and from from lawmakers about why this proposal has bipartisan support. ️ FEATURING: • Sen. Jen Plumb – (D) Salt Lake City, Minority Assistant Whip • Sen. Mike McKell – (R) Spanish Fork, Majority Assistant Whip • Daniel Woodruff – Politics Reporter, KSL Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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

Week two of the 2026 Utah Legislative Session is in the books, and funding priorities are coming into view. Host Jason Perry speaks with our expert panel about which state budgets could be given more money or be trimmed, and they break down several bills now being debated on Capitol Hill. Plus, national headlines around ICE are rippling across Utah. THE DEEPER DIVE: Multiple cities in Utah have seen demonstrations and walk outs against ICE, with city and state leaders speaking out. Hinckley and Deseret News conducted a poll on the issue. Where do Utahns stand? The legislature passed base budgets this week, including for public education, health and human services, and higher education. Many budgets could see cuts of tens of millions of dollars. Taxes have been a huge topic this week, as one bill moving through the legislature proposes an income tax cut for Utahns, while another unreleased bill could slash the gas tax in half. How much money could Utahns save? Hear what the panel has to say on bills that would make changes to the courts, including one that creates a new, three-judge “constitutional court.” Bills focusing on elections aim to regulate voting equipment, and add an additional step to the petition signature gathering process. Huge news this week with the state confirming plans to buy US Magnesium, which was one of the state’s largest polluters. The news is bringing a lot of excitement over how it could help the shrinking Great Salt Lake.   FEATURING: Rep. Paul Cutler — (R) Centerville Rep. Sahara Hayes — (D) Salt Lake City, House Minority Assistant Whip Doug Wilks— Executive Editor, Deseret News Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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

With the 2026 Utah Legislative Session officially under way, host Jason Perry leads a discussion on how lawmakers are pushing for their priorities. It's expected to be a tight budget year, so how will that affect things on Capitol Hill? Plus, Gov. Cox delivers his annual State of the State address. THE DEEPER DIVE: • From big-picture priorities like AI, critical minerals, and long-term infrastructure to a potentially record number of bill filings, we break down the session's opening week. • In his State of the State address, Governor Spencer Cox focused on efforts to improve childhood literacy, housing affordability, and homelessness. We also explore his call for greater unity and less political divisiveness. • ⚖️ Tensions between the judicial branch and legislature may be at a tipping point. Chief Justice Matthew Durrant addressed the issues in rare public comments. We discuss the changes lawmakers are considering for Utah's judiciary. • What bills are our political experts watching? From water-use reporting and Great Salt Lake protections to alcohol policy changes and some quirky proposals, our panel brings you into the conversation. ️ FEATURING: • Kate Bradshaw – Mayor, Bountiful City • Dennis Romboy – Deseret News • Ben Winslow – Fox 13 News Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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

As Utah lawmakers prepare for the 2026 General Legislative Session to start next week, host Jason Perry leads a discussion about which issues will get the most attention. Plus, new polling offers a closer look at what matters most to Utah voters. THE DEEPER DIVE: • ️ Utah Legislature Prepares for 2026 Session: Lawmakers preview major policy debates—including affordability, housing, and tax reform—as the state enters a year with a tighter budget and shifting economic conditions. • Housing Affordability Takes Center Stage: Panelists highlight rising housing costs, zoning challenges, infrastructure gaps, and property tax pressures, describing affordability as the top concern among Utah residents across political parties. • Budget Constraints Drive Tough Decisions: With revenues flat due to the One Big Beautiful Bill and mandated 5% budget‑cut exercises, legislators grapple with funding priorities in higher education, criminal justice, and essential state services. • Key Policy Battles Ahead: The session is set to debate high‑impact bills on non‑compete agreements, K–3 literacy, income tax rate reductions, and property tax restructuring, each carrying significant implications for Utah workers, families, and businesses. • ️ Redistricting & Elections Shape Political Landscape: Momentum builds around a ballot initiative to repeal the independent redistricting commission, while Utah sees an unprecedented 285 candidates running for 90 legislative seats, signaling heightened civic engagement and competitive races. ️ FEATURING: • Rep. Karen Peterson – (R) Clinton, House Rulse Vice Chair • Rep. Grant Miller – (D) Salt Lake City • Chris Bleak – RRJ Consulting Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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

As the candiadate filing deadline for the 2026 elections closes, some elected officials gear up to face challengers while others decide not to seek reelection. The major issues of the 2026 Utah legislative session emerge including water usage for AI data centers, homelessness, and childhood literacy. THE DEEPER DIVE: • ✍️ Utah elected officials decide whether to face challengers in their reelection campaigns or to drop out of the race. • ️ Legislators gear up for the 2026 Legislative Session, which begins on January 20th and runs through March 6th. • Major issues come to the forefront as legislators begin to file bills including water usage by AI data centers, homelessness, and how to fix poor childhood literacy rates among Utah's elementary school students. ️ FEATURING: • Sean Higgins – Politics Reporter, KUER • McKenzie Romero – Editor, Utah News Dispatch • Marty Carpenter – Partner, Northbound Strategies LINKS: The Future Is Watching: Understanding Utah's Early Literacy Landscape. Report on childhood literacy in Utah by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute: https://d36oiwf74r1rap.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EarlyLiteracy-Jan2026-Final.pdf Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund 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