Plus, the Deseret News Editorial Board says compromise on LGBTQ rights and religion finally hits Washington.
State employees, Great Salt Lake and rural Utah win big in latest budget proposal from Gov. Cox |
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| | On Friday, Gov. Spencer Cox released his budget proposal for the new state fiscal year that starts on July 1, 2023, and the $28.4 billion proposed budget is a win for state employees, rural Utah and the Great Salt Lake. “We believe it’s a fiscally conservative proposal, but also one that meets the needs of the citizens of the state of Utah,” he said. By the numbers: $560 million supporting water management and conservation programs $132.9 million of which focuses on the Great Salt Lake $150 million addressing the state's housing shortage $177 million funding cost of living increases for state employees $463 million invested into rural Utah communities | The Deseret Editorial Board supports the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act and how it will inspire peace in a divided nation. The bill follows the example of 2016's "the great Utah compromise" by respecting the rights of LGBTQ people and reinforcing First Amendment religious freedoms. While many fear the implications the bill would have on churches, the editorial board outlines how the bill actually protects churches. "The amended bill draws clear lines protecting those rights," the editorial board writes. "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has not changed its doctrine on marriage, and the bill would assure that Washington could not attempt to force it to do so. No one, on either side of this issue, would be forced to compromise core beliefs." Read the full editorial here. More in Politics: Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: Are perceived ‘threats to democracy’ real or imagined? (Deseret News) Why did Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema leave the Democratic Party (Deseret News) Jaylen Smith, 18, becomes the youngest Black mayor in U.S. history (Deseret News) | Entertainment: The best family movies and TV shows on Amazon Prime (Deseret News) Faith: Church donates $10 million to fight polio and tetanus in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Africa (Church News) Northern Utah: OWCAP holiday event meant to brighten Christmas for 2,000 kids (Standard-Examiner) The Wasatch Front: Utah officers' actions in 2 police shootings were legally justified, report says (KSL) Southern Utah: Volunteer pilots help Santa fly Christmas to a Southern Utah School (KSL) St. George police investigate reports of gun fired in middle school bathroom (St. George News) The West: Police looking for Hyundai in University of Idaho quadruple homicide case (Deseret News) The Nation: The first Gen Z member of Congress was denied a D.C. apartment due to bad credit (NPR) The World: Brittney Griner is back in the U.S. after prisoner swap (Deseret News) Ex-MEP arrested over allegations of bribery by Gulf state (BBC) China’s Xi visits Saudi Arabia to strengthen relations (Deseret News) | Utah Tech and Southern Utah University will join 8 other schools in a new football conference with hopes to join the FBS level. The yet to be named conference will feature teams from the Western Athletic Conference and ASUN Conference. It will be a football-only conference with plans to advance to the FBS level as soon as possible. Read the full story here. New With The: BYU Cougars: Why role reversal may be in store when Cougars, Mustangs meet again (Deseret News) Utah Jazz: 3 keys to the Utah Jazz’s 10-point loss in Rudy Gobert’s return (Deseret News) Utah Utes: Has Craig Smith turned the Runnin' Utes around already? (KSL) |
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