Gov. Cox and Lt. Gov. Henderson applaud results of the 2023 General Legislative Session

Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson declared the 2023 General Legislative Session a resounding success for the people of Utah, with legislators approving historic funding for education, housing, water conservation and infrastructure. They also applauded historic tax cuts that will benefit Utahns during a time of inflation. 

“We’re grateful to legislators and their families for their hard work and commitment to public service over the past 45 days,” Gov. Cox said. “The partnership legislators have with our administration has advanced our priorities and supported major initiatives that will benefit Utahns for generations. This is a landmark session that will shape our state’s future in incredibly positive ways.” 

Securing Utah’s water future has been a top priority of the Cox-Henderson administration and legislators supported measures to promote water conservation, agricultural optimization, infrastructure and measures that will preserve the Great Salt Lake. 

Utah schools will benefit from record funding in the weighted pupil unit, a hefty compensation increase for teachers and expanded school options for parents. Additional measures will fund optional all-day kindergarten and eliminate school grading. 

Housing bills will provide grants for first-time homebuyers, streamline the construction application process for new housing, and boost funding for homeless services and affordable housing. 

These investments are occurring simultaneously with massive tax cuts, including slashing the income tax from 4.85% to 4.65%, rolling back Social Security taxes and providing a double tax exemption for pregnant women. In addition, voters will have the opportunity to amend the Utah Constitution to remove the state portion of the sales tax on food and constitutional earmark for education funding in 2024, actions the Cox-Henderson administration support. 

Legislators also strengthened landmark domestic violence prevention measures requiring lethality assessments and data sharing.

“This year will have a transformative and positive impact on victims of domestic violence in Utah,” Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson said. “We’ve expanded coordination, closed data gaps, secured historic funding for victim services, and united stakeholders. This is the result of tireless advocacy from legislators, victim advocates, and law enforcement. It will save lives.” 

In addition, Utah families will benefit from groundbreaking protections from the harms of social media as well as the extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months to benefit mothers and their families.

Once the session ends, Gov. Cox has 20 days to review the 575 bills the Legislature passed.