Image above: Rep. Thurston meets with our current state FFA officers. (Note: Rep. Thurston was the state FFA vice president from 1985-86.)
This week your Legislature continues to work toward passing a balanced state budget in face of lighter than expected revenues while trying to change laws to make life better for Utahns. This week, I worked on clarifying the governance of our state school board and reducing the burden of government on our citizens. You can continue to follow along with the process, either in person or online at le.utah.gov. If you have questions or would like to share your thoughts, reach out. I would love to hear from you.
Image above: The Utah Legislature honors Utah’s first responders that have died within the past year and their families. While we mourn the loss of those courageous responders, we recommit ourselves to support their families who remain.
Balancing Utah’s Budget with Limited Funds
Utah’s Constitution requires the legislature to pass a balanced budget. That means we cannot spend a dime more than we actually bring. Over the past four years, we’ve lowered your taxes by over $1.3 billion, meaning that we have to keep a careful eye on expenses. As a result of our thoughtful process to budgeting, Utah has remained the best state for economic outlook for 17 consecutive years. This year we have less revenue than we expected, but we remain committed to fiscal restraint. There will be some hard decisions about what areas get funded and which do not, but the process will work to focus on getting the highest benefit from what we have.
Click here to learn more about the latest budget estimates.
Image Above: Representative Thurston and Matthews in committee.
Meeting with Constituents
Image Above: Representative Thurston meets with our future physicians, students from Noorda-COM in Provo.
Every week I am grateful to meet those from my district, and I had so many great opportunities to meet constituents and leaders from Provo and Springville. I am always impressed by the bright minds that come from my district. Some of the highlights include:
- 8th Grade Students from Latinos in Action, Shoreline Middle School
- Students from Noorda College of Medicine
- Students that participate in FFA
- Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi
If you are planning to come to the capitol, please let me know at least a day or two in advance so we can make sure I have time to meet with you.
Image Above: Representative Thurston meeting 8th grade students from Shoreline Middle School’s Latinos in Action.
Reminder: Town Hall, March 1st
Mark your calendar for Bills & Bagels on March 1st from 7-9am! This will be held at the Nebo School District Office (350 S Main St, Spanish Fork, UT 84660) where we’ll have breakfast and take questions for legislators that represent southern Utah County.
An Update on My Bills
Image Above: Representative Thurston presents his Massage Therapy bill (HB 278) which passes unanimously in the House and was sent to the Senate. See last week’s wrap up for more detail.
- ✅ HB 14 – Emergency Personnel Amendments
- Sent to the Governor to sign.
- HB 156 – Education Board Amendments
- Passed in House Education Committee, sent to the House Floor.
- HB 165 – Process for Submitting Nonbinding Question
- Passed in House Government Operations Committee, sent to the House Floor.
- HB 190 – Motorcycle Amendments
- Passed in Senate Committee, sent to the Senate Floor.
- HB 216 – Income Tax Revenue Amendments
- Passed in Senate Committee, sent to the Senate Floor.
- HB 257 – Pharmacy Benefit Amendments
- Passed in Senate Committee, sent to the Senate Floor.
- HB 263 – Election Records Amendments
- Sent to the House Government Operations Committee, waiting for a hearing
- HB 278 – Massage Therapy Amendments
- Passed in the House and sent to the Senate
- ❌HJR 1 – Joint Rules Resolution – Sponsor’s Handout
- Held by the Senate Rules Committee
- ✅HCR 2 – Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Pharmaceutical Rebates Sent to the governor to sign.
These bills are in House Rules awaiting assignment to committees:
- HB 205 – Ballot Counting and Ballot Drop Box Modifications (may not be necessary, depending on the the provisions included in HB300)
- HB 494 – Boards and Commissions Amendments
Norm in the News
- Committee advances bill that would give lawmakers input in search for new state superintendent – KSL ft. my bill HB156
- Utah bill would change where your money goes if you pick a black license plate – KSL
- Utah’s black license plate is so popular, the legislature eyes some of the money it makes – Fox 13
- Utah’s black license plates are so hot, a lawmaker is eyeing a cut of the action – KUER
