Utah Governor's Office of Planning and Budget

Building on Long-Term Strategies. Investing in services and infrastructure that strengthen our communities. To learn more, visit gopb.utah.gov/current-recomm…!

Utahns want reliable power, built here. Fervo Energy’s next-generation geothermal project in Beaver County is on track to deliver its first 100 megawatts this October, with a 500-megawatt buildout planned by 2028. I’m grateful for the crews and partners doing the hard work to make this happen, and proud that Utah is leading America’s next chapter of energy security. 🇺🇸 More here: canarymedia.com/articles/geoth…

When the world comes back to Utah for the 2034 Olympic Games, the Great Salt Lake will be full. The lake is our heritage and our future. We will not let it fail. More here: ksl.com/article/514376…

The founders understood the pursuit of happiness as character, self-mastery, moral formation, and a life oriented toward purpose and public service. That starts with literacy. When kids can read, they can reason. They can participate. They can lead. More here from my 2026 State of the State Address: sltrib.com/news/politics/…

Taking Care of the Next Generation. Investing in our people and creating places for future generations to thrive. To learn more, visit gopb.utah.gov/current-recomm…

Responsible Fiscal Management. Investing in what works and providing opportunities for long-term economic prosperity. Visit gopb.utah.gov/current-recomm… to learn more!

Today, the North Capitol Building officially opens at the Utah State Capitol Complex. It will soon be home to the future Museum of Utah, along with safer storage for the state’s art and historical artifacts. This Capitol campus belongs to the people of Utah. Welcome!

Today we launch Mission Critical. A mine-to-market pipeline for critical minerals, built with clarity, speed, and responsibility. Economic strength. National security. Built here. 🇺🇸 More here: deseret.com/politics/2026/… @UtahOGM @UtahOED

Today we marked the completion of the North Capitol Building at the Utah State Capitol Complex. It’s a place designed for the work of the people, and for the generations who will follow. We’re grateful for all those who made it possible.

$10 million optimized with GRIT, and we’re just getting started. From water conservation to modernized online services, state employees are doubling down on what works and stepping up to fix what doesn’t. Less red tape. Lower costs. Better service for Utahns. Learn more: governor.utah.gov/grit/

Responsible Fiscal Management, Caring for the Next Generation, and Building on Long-term Strategies—the FY27 budget recommendations bring these priorities together to strengthen Utah today and create opportunities for the next generation to thrive.

Last fiscal year, Utah’s correctional health team reduced the average daily cost per inmate while maintaining high-quality services and expanding access to care. The team managed these savings even as healthcare and pharmaceutical costs across the country have trended upward. That’s a meaningful efficiency that adds up to real savings for the state, while continuing to meet the needs of people in custody.

Utah’s approach to homelessness is grounded in recovery, compassion, and accountability. We start by helping people in crisis today with emergency shelter, safety, and stability. And we’re building long-term systems that expand mental health treatment, reduce repeat system failure, and restore order in our neighborhoods. This is a statewide strategy focused on what works, now and for the future. More to come.

Today, Utah signed a 20-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. @forestservice to strengthen forest stewardship across our state. This agreement does not change land ownership, does not alter NEPA review, and does not limit public input. What it does do is help Utah and our federal partners work faster and smarter to reduce wildfire risk, protect water resources, and keep our forests healthy for generations. More here: fs.usda.gov/about-agency/n…

Every child can become a strong reader with the right support. Right now, half of Utah third graders aren’t reading at grade level. About one in three students in grades 1–3 are below or well-below benchmark. That’s why this has to be a top priority in 2026. It means earlier interventions, more help in classrooms, clear reading plans for students who are falling behind, and better answers for chronic absenteeism. At today’s Literacy and Reading Symposium, I’m grateful to be working with state and federal education leaders to tackle this problem. Utah’s educators and families are stepping up, and state government is too.

The Utah Department of Corrections found ways to recruit faster and more efficiently. The team brought ad production in-house, expanded existing software capabilities, and removed an open supervisory position. The result is an estimated $332,606 in annual savings.

Happy Holidays from GOPB! We appreciate our dedicated staff and the Utah communities we serve. Through teamwork and thoughtful planning, we continue to deliver results that strengthen our state and support Utahns statewide.

The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole increased efficiency in victim notification by streamlining the process through the new MyVoice Notification System. This improved quality, transparency, and overall efficiency. Reducing notification time saves an estimated $20,250 and 450 staff hours each year. It also allows the victim coordinator to spend more time on direct victim support, including parole hearing preparation.

Explore the Budget Dashboard for an interactive look at Gov. Cox’s FY27 budget recommendations—highlighting responsible fiscal management and how today’s investments support Utah’s future. Visit gopb.utah.gov/current-recomm… to view more!