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