News Releases Zelenskyyâs visit highlights aid support from Utah to Ukraine Utah Governor Spencer Cox welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Utah today, stating that âUtah stands behind Ukraine.â Utah nonprofit Lifting Hands International (LHI) plays a key role in providing aid to Ukraine from and within the Beehive State. Two years since the start of the war in Ukraine, this local humanitarian organization has built a comprehensive array of highly impactful programs helping displaced Ukrainians and Ukrainian refugees in Ukraine and Utah. Lifting Hands International also operates 7 Community Centers across Ukraine that provide healing therapy and social-emotional support." (Read More) Romney secures Utah priorities in annual defense bill U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) this week secured several measures in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the Senate Armed Services Committee last month. The bill would authorize funding levels and provides authorities for the U.S. military and other critical defense priorities, ensuring Americaâs forces have the training, equipment, and resources they need to carry out their missions. The bipartisan Senate NDAA includes twelve Romney requests aimed at protecting against threats from China, reaffirming the critical role Utah plays in our national security, and addressing the military recruiting crisis. The legislation is expected to be considered on the Senate floor in the coming weeks. (Read More) Utah Global Diplomacy to empower Utah nonprofits through marketing masterclass Utah is home to over 13,000 nonprofits, many of which are directly uplifting Utah communities by delivering critical services and driving global change right here at home. These nonprofits are improving social conditions for underserved communities, solving food insecurities, increasing degree attainment, supporting the stateâs veteran community and much more. Utah Global Diplomacyâs Cutting Through the Noise Symposium will help nonprofits stand out and showcase their impact. The event brings together experts, visionaries, and changemakers to share invaluable insights, strategies, and tools to help amplify an organizationâs message and create meaningful change. (Read More) NGA Chair Utah Gov. Spencer Cox invites âExhausted Majorityâ to get engaged to help America âDisagree Betterâ During the National Governors Association (NGA) Summer Meeting, NGA Chair Utah Gov. Spencer Cox shared the top takeaways from his year-long Disagree Better campaign and unveiled study results indicating the initiativeâs message is effective in reducing polarization among voters. Launched in July 2023, the Disagree Better initiative aims to help Americans learn the skills of healthy conflict and to change the political behavior of both voters and elected officials â showing that the right kind of conflict often leads to better policy, can be more successful politically than negative campaigning, and is the pathway to restoring trust in our political institutions. (Read More) Utah Senate Democrats applaud Supreme Court decision The Utah Senate Democratic Caucus releases the following statement in regard to the Utah Supreme Court Decision in âLWVU v. Legislatureâ, published today: âToday, the Supreme Court of Utah issued a landmark decision in âLeague of Women Voters of Utah v. Legislatureâ, affirming the constitutional protections of citizen-led initiatives. The courtâs ruling underscores the fundamental principle that the power to alter or reform our government is inherent in the people of Utah and must be safeguarded against undue legislative interference." (Read More) Utah House Democratic leadership team on the Utah Supreme Courtâs decision The Utah House Democratic Leadership Team released the following statement in response to the Utah Supreme Courtâs decision on League of Women Voters of Utah, et al., v. Utah State Legislature, et al.: âWe commend the Utah Supreme Courtâs decision allowing the lower courts to proceed with the lawsuit challenging the legislatureâs redistricting boundaries. We urge the court to thoroughly examine the issues at hand and promptly resolve the case before the next election cycle. This timely action is crucial to prevent prolonged uncertainty and to uphold the integrity and public confidence in our democratic election process." (Read More) Utah Supreme Court sides with voters Utah Democratic Party Chair Diane Lewis and Salt Lake County Democratic Party Chair Jade Velazquez released the following joint statement today: âThe Utah Democratic Party and the Salt Lake County Democratic Party celebrate the Utah Supreme Courtâs Decision to respect the result of the 2018 Better Boundaries Initiative. Referendums are meant to act as a check on the power of the legislative branch. For too long, MAGA extremists in the Utah legislature have overridden the will of Utah voters for partisan political gain. Today, the courts have reaffirmed that the Republican supermajority cannot override the will of the voters. While the lower court must still rule on whether the state must redraw legislative and congressional districts, todayâs ruling is a victory for Utah voters against hyper-partisan gerrymandering and will protect future ballot initiatives from legislative overreach.â President Adams and Speaker Schultz respond to Utah Supreme Court decision President J. Stuart Adams and Speaker Mike Schultz release the following statement regarding the Utah Supreme Courtâs decision: âUtah has been recognized as the best-managed state in the nation, with a strong spirit of collaboration known for solving tough issues for the citizens of the state. This is one of the worst outcomes weâve ever seen from the Utah Supreme Court. Rather than reaching the self-evident answer, today the Court punted and made a new law about the initiative power, creating chaos and striking at the very heart of our republic. This ruling will have profound and lasting ripple consequences that could negatively impact the stateâs future...Despite this inaccurate interpretation, we remain committed to crafting policies that strengthen statutes and protect Utahns." (Read More) Gov. Spencer Cox issues statement on League of Women Voters case "The issues addressed in todayâs opinion by the Utah Supreme Court are significant â so significant that I filed an amicus brief with the Court last year. While I disagree with some of the Courtâs analysis and determinations, I respect the role of the Court in our system of government. Ultimately, what matters is that we craft policy that keeps Utah the #1 state in the nation to work, live, and raise a family. We look forward to continuing Utahâs pattern of careful and deliberate policymaking with the best interests of Utahns as the top priority." | 