Happy Friday from #OneUtah, a weekly update from the office of Gov. Spencer J. Cox. Here’s your recap of what we did this week, what's on the horizon, and more.

Emergency coordination in southern Utah

Flooding has torn through communities, damaged homes and businesses, and endangered lives throughout southern Utah. We want these communities to know that their state government remains ready to offer emergency coordination as these areas recover and rebuild.

We’ve issued a State of Emergency declaration to raise awareness of the dangers of flash flooding and to ensure the state can continue offering state assistance to local governments as needed. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson and the Utah Department of Public Safety were also in Moab working directly with local officials.

Flash flood warnings should always be taken very seriously. We mourn the loss of Jetal Agnihotri of Tucson and are praying for her loved ones. About 170 individuals spent 1,700 hours on search and rescue and we can’t thank them enough for their relentless efforts.

Elevating women in Utah

Utah needs more female leaders in communities, businesses, and on Capitol Hill. We appreciate the work that The Women’s Leadership Institute is doing to elevate women in our state.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to join Patricia Jones, CEO of the Women’s Leadership Institute, to discuss how we can all better enlist women in politics, support women in leadership, narrow the wage gap, engage youth and more. The State of Utah will continue working to improve these pipelines.

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Conserving and managing Utah lands

The lands that make up Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments are a stewardship that none of us take lightly. Unlawful designations, however, place them all at risk.

A lawsuit filed this week by Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes argues the size of the monuments, which covers a combined 3.2 million acres, violates the Antiquities Act of 1906, which limits presidents to create monuments “confined to the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the objects to be protected.”

A Congressional solution could ensure tribal access to sacred sites, provide federal agencies with the management tools they need, channel visitation into appropriate protected locations, and give local communities the funding and flexibility they need to thrive economically.

We joined Attorney General Reyes, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, State Auditor John Dougall, Treasurer Marlo Oaks, Senate President Stuart Adams, House Speaker Brad Wilson, Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. Mitt Romney, Rep. Chris Stewart, Rep. John Curtis, Rep. Burgess Owens, and Rep. Blake Moore in supporting the lawsuit. Read more here.

Another impressive jobs report

The most recent Utah job report indicates promising growth for the state! Utah’s nonfarm payroll employment for July 2022 increased an estimated 3.5% across the past 12 months, with the state’s economy adding a cumulative 56,600 jobs since July 2021. Utah’s current job count stands at 1,664,300.

Despite high inflation and two consecutive quarters of declining national GDP, jobs in Utah are on the rise and unemployment rates remain historically low. We're so grateful for the hard-working Utahns who contribute to the most robust economy in the nation. Let’s keep up the good work!

Working with Utah manufacturers

Utah’s manufacturers are a major contributor to Utah’s successful economy, and this week we were able to spend time speaking with about 60 CEOs in the manufacturing industry about the economy, supply chain, and more. 

Thank you all for supporting, employing and empowering Utahns across the state.

Data migration at the Utah State Prison

On Aug. 1, a vendor contracted with the Utah Department of Corrections launched a new Electronic Health Records system to help manage care in correctional facilities. Within a matter of days, it became apparent that there were some problems with the roll-out.

The Utah Department of Corrections is working around the clock to remedy issues with this system-wide health data migration issue. UDC recognizes the severity of the crisis at hand and will continue to be transparent and accountable to repair the issues and restore confidence that all incarcerated individuals will reliably receive their medications in a timely and accurate manner.

Welcoming Utah mayors

On Monday we welcomed more than 100 mayors from across Utah to the Capitol and Governor’s Mansion to celebrate their hard work and meaningful contributions. The mayors began with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Capitol where they learned about the rich history of the building and spoke with Lt. Gov. Henderson. The tour was followed by dinner at the Governor’s Mansion. 

We're grateful to each one of these mayors for their willingness to step forward and serve. Keep up the good work!

Speaking directly with students

We were also able to spend time with the administration and students at Alta High School. These students and administrators are doing such good work in promoting mental health care and civic engagement, and we thank them for welcoming us.

Go hawks!

Big things in Weber County

We’re so excited about the incredible work taking place in Weber County. 

Lt. Gov. Henderson joined Department of Cultural & Community Engagement Executive Director Jill Love to tour the United Way of Northern Utah, James Madison Elementary School, and the Nine Rails Creative District in downtown Ogden.

Community partners – both private and public – have stepped up in a huge way to fill resource and programming gaps in the community to help children and families succeed at home and school. One highlight: the MarketStar Student Resource Center, a sort of one-stop shop for Ogden-area students who need basic goods like a backpack, clothes, shoes, school supplies, and much more.

We also visited the booming Nine Rails Creative District in downtown Ogden. Utah ranks as one of the most diverse economies in the nation. The arts are an essential part of our economic strength. The Ogden arts district shows how public and private interests can collide with help from the community to revitalize and revolutionize downtown areas around the state.

Discover Utah caves — safely

Utah is known for its elaborate cave systems winding beneath beautiful terrain. Follow these steps to uncover these beautiful structures safely, with minimal effects on the environment, so the caves can be explored for years to come.

Spotlighting Utah’s ‘Spirit of Service’

In our inaugural Governor’s Spirit of Service Award Ceremony, we recently recognized the outstanding service that Utahns are doing throughout the state. Each week, we’ll highlight one of these unsung heroes. This week, we’re highlighting Moab Multicultural Center.

Moab Multicultural Center, which works to help the homeless find a place to sleep and make sure the less fortunate families in Moab get food for dinner.

Read more about the Moab Multicultural Center and the other honorees here.

ICYMI

A year later, we remain grateful for Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover's tremendous bravery and commitment to his country. Our prayers are with his family and loved ones.

Team Utah recently paid a visit to the Davis Catalyst Center, an educational institution dedicated to providing students with technical skills and certifications during their high school experience. This innovative approach to education is an exciting step forward for the students of Davis county, and we are hopeful that these opportunities will continue to become available to students throughout the state.

Do you want to help Moab’s recovery from recent flooding? Visit Moab, Lt. Gov. Henderson said on Tuesday. Locals need your business and support – now more than ever.

Utah's farmers and ranchers are at the table ready to do their part to conserve water — and we want to help. Since taking office, this administration changed an old “use it or lose it” law, continues to support agricultural optimization, and more. Learn more about how Utah’s agricultural community is helping us save water here.

The Office of Energy Development awarded a number of students with the Energy Pathways Scholarship on Wednesday. Lt. Gov. Henderson praised their flexibility and drive. One key component of our One Utah Roadmap is educating and training Utah’s future energy workforce. The future of energy is bright in Utah!

Planning an outdoor adventure for kids is a daunting endeavor for any parent. But Utah’s scenic hikes and vistas are worth it. Visit Utah has a definitive guide to getting your family outdoors for a safe and unforgettable vacation.

We’re inviting business leaders throughout the state to participate in a 10-minute survey and help advise policy decisions that impact Utah businesses daily. Take the survey here.

Coming up

Aug. 31: We’ll be meeting with business, education, and community leaders in Davis and Weber counties.

Sept. 1: We’ll head up to Cache County to speak with students and members of the agricultural community.

Sept. 5: Happy Labor Day! Our office will be closed.

Sept. 8: We’ll be on a trade mission to Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Stay tuned for details!

Get involved!

Looking for a new job opportunity? From great employee benefits to versatile work schedules, the career opportunities with the state are truly endless. Join Team Utah today! 

Those looking to volunteer can also consider more than 300 boards and commissions. Find out which openings are available and how you can get involved here!

Get in touch!

You can reach the Governor's Office here. And you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for the latest news and updates.

Contact the Governor's Office