News Releases Gov. Cox launches skills-first hiring initiative for state government Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announced the stateâs efforts to eliminate the requirement for bachelorâs degrees in its employee recruitment and emphasized similar support by local governments and the private sector. âDegrees have become a blanketed barrier-to-entry in too many jobs,â Gov. Cox said. âInstead of focusing on demonstrated competence, the focus too often has been on a piece of paper. We are changing that.â The state executive branch has 1,080 different classified jobs. Of those, 98% â or 1,058 â do not require a degree. Instead, the stateâs hiring managers and hiring committees consider comparable experience as equal to educational qualifications at every step in the evaluation and recruiting process. (Read More) Historic plans released for phase 1 development at The Point Yesterday morning, the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (Land Authority) adopted detailed plans for the first phase of development at The Point. This important milestone for the largest and most significant economic and quality-of-life opportunity in Utah history signals a major leap forward in building Utahâs Innovation Community. Located at the heart of The Point, the first phase of development encompasses approximately 100 acres, which is one sixth of the overall site. Plans include world-class retail, shopping and entertainment venues, a people-focused main street with biking, walking and transit options called âThe Promenade,â and a place for The Point Innovation District efforts dubbed âInnovation Row.â (Read More) Romney, colleagues urge Interior Secretary to withdraw guidance that would impede energy infrastructure projects U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) with Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Angus King (I-ME), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Steve Daines (R-MT) today sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland urging the Administration to withdraw recent draft guidance proposed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The guidance puts onerous requirements on energy infrastructure projects before allowing them to take advantage of permitting benefits, such as a structured process for enhanced coordination with agencies, that are available to them under the law. The guidance also imposes additional cost and delay on job-creating energy projects. (Read More) Rep. Stewart joins Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy to discuss China and Ukraine
This week, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) joined Fox Newsâs Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy to discuss the Chinese Communist Partyâs (CCP) growing threat and the situation in Ukraine. âThe most dangerous threat we currently face is the rise of the Chinese Communist Party,ââ¦âWe have to chew gum and walk at the same time â we need to keep our eyes on the global war on terror and prepare for the greater threat of confronting China.â âWe need to ask ourselves, what are our goals and objectives in Ukraine, and does President Zelenskyy align with our goals? President Zelenskyy would love to drag us into a direct conflict with Russia, and we must avoid that.â (Read/Watch More) Utahâs homeless service providers to discuss what is working and the recommendations in Governor Coxâs budget On Wednesday, December 14, at 1 PM, the Coalition of Religious Communities will be hosting a webinar featuring representatives from homeless service providers from Ogden, St. George, Midvale, South Salt Lake City and Salt Lake City. Service providers will be sharing successes from the past year and discussing how the major new investments in domestic violence services and housing to reduce homelessness would change the lives of the people their agencies serve. (Read More) USBE: Child and Adult Care Food Program The Utah State Board of Education â Child Nutrition Programs, announces that the following institutions are sponsors of the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The same meals will be made available to all children or adults enrolled at these institutions, at no separate charge regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Furthermore, there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Children who are members of the Family Employment Program (FEP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) households, or who are economically qualified Head Start participants, are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits. Adults who are members of SNAP, FDPIR, or who are SSI or Medicaid participants, are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits. (Read More) Executive Appropriations Committee adopts budget recommendations ahead of 2023 legislative session Today, the Executive Appropriations Committee (EAC) adopted budget recommendations for the upcoming session that focus on Utahâs long-term wellbeing and economic stability. Lawmakers are committed to ensuring Utah is well-prepared for current and future needs by making strategic investments and wise budget decisions. (Read More) Salt Lake County recognizes 32 years of service by Clerk Sherrie Swensen This afternoon, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and the County Council issued a joint proclamation honoring retiring County Clerk Sherrie Swensen for her 32 years of service as the countyâs first female clerk. âSherrie stepped up to serve back in 1990 when there werenât many women in public office and has been not just a trailblazer for other women in public office, but has modernized, improved, and protected the safety of our elections in Salt Lake County. I thank her for her service and congratulate her on her well-deserved retirement,â said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. (Read More) Utah Senate requests public comment on 3rd District Court Nominee The Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee is seeking public comment on Coral Sanchez, who Gov. Spencer J. Cox nominated to serve as a judge in the 3rd District Court. Those who desire to comment should contact the Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee electronically or by mail at the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 28, 2022. Electronic comments can be emailed to senatejudicialnominees@le.utah.gov. Written comments can be mailed to the Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee at the Utah State Capitol, Suite W210, PO Box 145210, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5210. All statements should include the respondentâs name, telephone number and mailing address. (Read More) | 