2026 Legislative Session Begins

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