A Utah judge has ruled that Utah's controversial school chioce program violates two sections of the state constitution. This case revolved around the "Utah Fits All Scholarship", which uses public funding to help Utah families pay for private schools and homeschooling programs. Our expert panel discusses the ruling, and what this means for the voucher program moving forward. Organizers of a referendum effort in Utah are inching closer to qualifying for the ballot. As of Friday, county clerks hav...
Apr 25, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 34
Organizers of a ballot referendum to overturn HB267 submitted their final batches of signatures this week. State law requires about 140,000 signatures, but supporters more than doubled that total with more than 330,000. Now county clerks across the state will work to verify the signatures and determine if they meet the minimum thresholds in 15 of Utah's 29 senate districts. Groups who are opposed to the proposal also have 45 days to convince signers to remove their signatures from the referendum...
Apr 18, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 33
Three members of Pres. Donald Trump's cabinet visited the Beehive State this week. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and EPA Director Lee Zeldin met with state lawmakers and members of the state's congressional delegation. Our expert panel discusses why the three federal leaders have high praise for Utah. Kennedy specifically praised a bill recently passed by the Utah legislature that bans fluoride from water systems in the state. The move aligns with ...
Apr 11, 2025•26 min•Season 9Ep. 32
With the growth of artificial intelligence and more data centers being built in Utah, the state's electricity needs are expected to increase exponentially in the coming years. That growing demand has some politicians in the Beehive State worried that production won't be able to keep up. Governor Spencer Cox has proposed big changes through his "Operation Gigawatt". And the Utah State Legislature has responded by passing several bills in recent years that seek to shore up Utah's energy position. ...
Apr 04, 2025•26 min•Season 9Ep. 31
The deadline has passed for Governor Spencer Cox to sign legislation from the 2025 General Session. He ended up vetoing 7 bills this year, and allowed two more to become law without his signature. Our expert panel examines some of the thought processes that go into making these executive decisions. Of the bills he vetoed, SB296 (sponsored by Sen. Chris Wilson, R-Logan) would have hanged the way the Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court is appointed. Currently, the sitting justices choose among...
Mar 28, 2025•26 min•Season 9Ep. 30
Utah Governor Spencer Cox has less than a week left so sign or veto bills from the 2025 General Legislative Session. This year lawmakers passed 582 proposals and resolutions, a number the governor believes is far too high. Cox says he may veto some of the measures, but there are others that he will still sign even though he isn't in 100% agreement with the legislation. Our expert panel discusses why the governor may, or may not, use his constitutional authority to override the legislature. At th...
Mar 21, 2025•26 min•Season 9Ep. 29
The Utah Legislature passed 582 bills in the 2025 General Session, only nine shy of the record set last year. In response, Governor Spencer Cox is calling on lawmakers to decrease that number in the future. He believes too much legislation prevents Utahns from engaging in the process. Our expert panel discusses whether or not we're likely to see any changes next year. We also explore the major themes of the session, including changes to higher education funding. Utah's public universities and co...
Mar 14, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 28
With the 2025 Utah Legislative Session coming to a close, our expert panel examines the common themes. From a battle between state vs. local control, to proposed reforms of Utah's judicial and electoral systems, it has been a busy 45 days on Capitol Hill. A bill that impacts how the state's capital city manages its own streets is now on the way to Governor Cox's desk. SB195, sponsored by Sen. Wayne Harper (R-Salt Lake County), passed the legislature this week. An earlier version of the bill woul...
Mar 07, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 27
With just a week left in the 2025 Utah Legislative Session, lawmakers still have a lot of bills to debate and consider. Several deal with elections and ballots in the Beehive State. HB563 is sponsored by House Speaker Mike Schultz and changes how ballot titles and analysis are written for proposed constitutional amendments. Currently, legislative leaders craft the language, but this bill would shift that responsibility to non-partisan lawyers who work for the legislature. The move follows a Utah...
Feb 28, 2025•26 min•Season 9Ep. 26
As the Utah Legislature prepares to pass a final budget, they will have less money to work with than originally estimated. Lawmakers received new estimates this week showing that projected revenue for the state is down about $112 million total. Our expert panel discusses what this means for state programs, and where cuts could be made. Plus, will there still be a tax cut? Governor Spencer Cox had been hoping to eliminate Utah's portion of the income tax on social security benefits, but that coul...
Feb 21, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 25
The Utah Legislature is considering a potentially historic number of constitutional amendments this year. One appears to be in direct response to decisions made by the Utah Supreme Court in the Fall of 2024 regarding a requirement that proposed amendments be published in newspapers. Another would change the percentage of "yes" votes needed to approve some voter ballot measures. Our expert panel examines the proposals and discusses why we are seeing so many. We are now officially past the halfway...
Feb 14, 2025•26 min•Season 9Ep. 24
In the third week of the Utah Legislative Session, lawmakers passed a controversial bill that bars public employee unions from collective bargaining. Debate over the proposed legislation had been extensive, with union members negotiating behind the scenes for a better version of the bill. But in the end, the original bill passed the Utah House and Senate. Advocates are now urging Governor Spencer Cox to veto the measure. Our expert panel discusses whether we could see that happen, and whether or...
Feb 07, 2025•26 min•Season 9Ep. 23
In Week 2 of the 2025 Legislative Session, Utah lawmakers work to allocate funds in a tight budget year after extra federal spending from the COVID-19 pandemic has dried up. Proposed legislation could affect how voters pass ballot initiatives and how the state manages elections. Lawmakers also discuss shoring up the state's resources as Federal grant and loan funding for state and local programs is thrown into question by executive orders from DC. Utah State Majority Assistant Whip Sen. Mike McK...
Jan 31, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 22
Following his inauguration, President Donald Trump signed a flood of executive orders including actions on immigration, public safety, and birthright citizenship. He also pardoned approximately 1,500 people convicted of crimes related to the events of January 6th, 2021, including 18 Uthans. Governor Spencer Cox focused his State of the State Address on building affordable homes, energy production, regulatory reform, and strengthening families and communities in Utah. The 45-day Legislative Sessi...
Jan 24, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 21
With just a few days until Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, people close to his incoming administration say he is planning extensive executive action on his first day in office. Our panel examines how Utah could be impacted, including potential changes to the boundaries of national monuments like Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. Plus, what will be the overall tone of his inaugural speech, and will it do anything to unite the country? The Utah legis...
Jan 17, 2025•26 min•Season 9Ep. 20
The inauguration ceremony for members of Utah's Executive Branch was held this week at the Eccles Theatre in downtown Salt Lake City. Governor Spencer Cox and Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson both took the oath of office and delivered an inaugural address. Our panel examines the tone of their speeches, and what it signals about their next four years in office. Plus, with about a week and a half until the 2025 Utah Legislative Session begins, state lawmakers are already making their policy prioritie...
Jan 10, 2025•26 min•Season 9Ep. 19
As the 2025 Legislative Session quickly approaches, Utah lawmakers are beginning to numerous propose bills. Our expert panel of political insiders discusses potential changes to higher education funding, election integrity, mail-in balloting, and judicial appointments, along with cuts to taxes on Social Security and shrinking the overall state budget. Plus, we remember the legacy of Former President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at the age of 100. Host Jason Perry is joined by Brigham T...
Jan 03, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 18
2024 has proven to be a busy year in the world of politics. From a tumultuous presidential election on the national stage to some decisive policy shifts here at home — our expert panel dives into the major headlines and their impact. Utah Sen. Mitt Romney's term ends in just a few days. We explore the impact of his time in the Senate, what he accomplished for Utah, and what his legacy will be. We also discuss one of the biggest political stories of the year — how the Utah Republican Party's conv...
Dec 27, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 17
As a divided Congress struggles to keep the federal government open and funded, our expert panel examines how bipartisanship can work in Washington. The members of Utah's federal delegation have secured some key committee assignments. We examine how that will impact the Beehive State's standing on the national stage. Plus, Utah's newest Senator said this week he does not intent to be a rubber stamp for President-elect Donald Trump's political nominees. We discuss the outsized influence John Curt...
Dec 20, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 16
As the transition to a new Administration takes place, moderate Republican Senator Mitt Romney's tenure in Washington came to a close with a farewell speech in which he called for unity. In this episode of The Hinckley Report, our panel of politcial insiders discusses his replacment John Curtis's record of bridging the political divide with efforts like his Conservative Climate Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. Will Curtis maintain his ability to work across the aisle as Utah's new ju...
Dec 13, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 15
This week Utah Governor Spencer Cox released his budget proposals for the upcoming Utah legislative session. His budget calls for cutting all state income taxes on Social Security benefits - a move that could save more than 150,000 older Utahns about $1,000 each year. Cox also wants the state to invest more than $20 million into nuclear and geothermal electricity. But will his key proposals actually pass the legislature? In this episode, our expert panel examines the Beehive State's budgeting pr...
Dec 06, 2024•24 min•Season 9Ep. 14
Even before any votes were cast in the 2024 election, questions about election denialism, overall election security, and the safety of vote-by-mail were in the headlines across the country - even here in Utah. In this episode, our expert panel takes a close look at the safeguards in place to protect election systems. What makes an election secure? And how much confidence do Utahns have in the power of their vote? Plus, some Utah lawmakers want to change the way elections are overseen in the stat...
Nov 29, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 13
As congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. begin preparing for a new term next year, Utah's representatives are jokeying for important committee assignments. Our panel examines how this behind-the-scenes maneuvering impacts the work of Congress, and how it benefits Utah voters in the long-run. New polling suggests public trust in institutions like Congress and the media is much lower than it used to be. We discuss how this downward trend is a potential threat to our democratic republic, and th...
Nov 22, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 12
As county clerks in Utah wrap up counting final votes, political parties in the state and country are already assessing what went wrong and right for them in the recent election. New polling suggests Republicans and Democrats across the country had vastly different priorities when they cast their ballots. Our panel examines how those priorities translated to wins and losses, and what they suggest about the state of politics in the United States. President-elect Donald Trump is beginning the proc...
Nov 15, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 11
While county clerks around the state are still counting some ballots, the results of many races are in. Pres. Donald Trump will be returning to the White House in January and Utah voters have given Gov. Spencer Cox another four years to lead the Beehive State. Our expert panel evaluates what messaging resonated with the electorate, which demographics played a decisive role, and what the results tell us about the priorities of Utahns. Plus, the trends seen in Utah's election results were a bit di...
Nov 08, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 10
With just a few days left until the 2024 election, new poll numbers are painting a clearer picture of what we can expect in some key Utah races. Our panel examines what this all means in the race for president between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. And, will there be any surprises in the race for Utah governor? The Utah County Clerk is facing scrutiny this week after it was revealed that his office was tracking the ballots of politicians. He also called for Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson to be prose...
Nov 01, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 9
Political disagreement is nothing new in the United States. The Founding Fathers certainly didn't see eye-to-eye at all times when they were drafting documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. But their disagreements always gave way to compromise, a pattern that helped develop the country we know today. In recent years, however, political disagreement seems to have reached new heights, and some argue the great American tradition of compromise has been replaced by contem...
Oct 25, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 8
This week, Utah voters are receiving their ballots in the mail. In addition to choosing candidates for a variety of political races, you will be asked about important questions about judges, constitutional amendments, property tax changes, and much more, all depending on where you live. Our expert panel breaks down what you can expect, and where you can find resources to be a more informed voter. Plus, new polling suggests some interesting trends in both the race between Vice President Kamala Ha...
Oct 18, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 7
As county clerks prepare for a historic election, candidates are making their final push to reach undecided voters. Our panel examines the unique circumstances at play in 2024. Plus, Sen. Mitt Romney weighs in on the presidential race. Journalists Doug Wilks and Jeff Parrott join political insider Becki Wright on this episode of The Hinckley Report with Jason Perry.
Oct 11, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 6
The candidates for Vice President of the United States meet up for their only debate of the 2024 election cycle. Our panel examines how the exchange likely impacted Utah voters. Plus, why Utah's Lt. Governor is being outspoken about election security. Utah Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost joins political insiders Greg Hughes and Damon Cann on this episode of The Hinckley Report with Jason Perry.
Oct 04, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 5
