We must build: Cox asks lawmakers, Utahns to embrace state’s industrial spirit

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called for a return to the state’s “tradition of true grit” in his State of the State address at the Capitol Thursday evening, declaring that “now is a time for building.”

The governor opened his 25-minute speech to state lawmakers and Utahns from the dais of the House gallery by reflecting on what the Salt Lake Valley looked like when pioneers first came upon it in July of 1847.

“It was so beautiful that one member of the party proclaimed, ‘Weak and weary as I am, I would rather go a thousand miles farther than remain in such a forsaken place as this,” Cox said. “And yet, almost 180 years later, our Utah desert has pulled off the most miraculous upset. The land has blossomed as promised, and our home has become the envy of the earth and a worldwide destination.”

As modern-day Utahns, “We stand on the shoulders of giants,” the governor continued. “Our ancestors irrigated farms, excavated minerals, built homes and neighborhoods, powered cities and connected this continent by rail. In the face of adversity, they built. They built here.”

Across the country, Cox expressed that values of industrialism and innovation have faded, being replaced by “negativity and inertia.” He blamed government regulation and the outsourcing of American manufacturing and other industry for a slowdown in infrastructure and technology building.

“And, worst of all, we stopped building resilient people,” he said. “For decades, families have been under attack. The mental and physical health of our teens is threatened daily by large social media companies. Our national birth rate is in steep decline, and demographic concerns now present one of the gravest threats to our shared future, all while deaths of despair have skyrocketed.”

“But not here. At least not yet. Utah is an outlier. Utah has stayed weird. In the best way,” he added, referencing his previous address when he urged the state to embrace the quirky characteristics that have contributed to its success.

Cox described the state as “at a fork in the road” — with one path succumbing to the “nationwide malaise of dysfunction” and the other building to the future. He identified five key areas of focus he plans to work with lawmakers on during his second term in office and within the 45-day legislative session that began Tuesday: housing attainability, energy abundance, infrastructure and permitting reform, community safety and support, and family strength.

He touted the state’s goal to build 35,000 starter homes before his term concludes and the plan to bring advanced nuclear reactors to the state. In support of families, Cox reiterated his request that lawmakers eliminate the state tax on Social Security benefits.

“It’s a bit embarrassing that we are one of only eight states that still taxes Social Security benefits, and I am determined to see this tax eliminated, putting money back into the pockets of our beloved senior Utahns,” he said. “It’s time. Check that — it’s way past time.”

However, Cox is facing an uphill battle on that proposal. Both Senate and House GOP leaders have signaled a strong desire to cut the income tax again for the fifth consecutive year. Earlier this week, Senate President Stuart Adams suggested another income tax cut, which he claimed would benefit young families facing basic expenses.

Some Republican lawmakers pointed out that the state already offers a Social Security tax credit for Utah seniors making $75,000 a year or less.

Although the governor didn’t address immigration specifically, lawmakers have proposed measures to boost public safety by cracking down on organized crime and undocumented migrants. Some proposals would enhance penalties for fentanyl trafficking while making class A misdemeanors punishable by up to 365 days in prison, which lawmakers believe would facilitate deporting migrants who have committed crimes.

Cox concluded by reiterating a key theme throughout his address: “We must build.”

In the modern context, he explained that “built here” signifies not just embracing infrastructure and housing growth, but eliminating every tax possible, supporting Utahns eager to build businesses, farms or families, and making the state “inclusive to every lawful newcomer,” while also engaging in “the big things — the hard things — in our lives and in this session.”

“Built here means giving our kids and grandkids an inspiring story to tell about our time. So that 180 years from now, our descendants can look back at us with the pride and gratitude and reverence that we feel in our hearts today,” he stated. “Utah, we must build. May God bless us, our nation, and this great state as we build together.”

In response to the governor’s speech, House Minority Leader Angela Romero addressed Cox’s call for building.

“Together, we can build a Utah that embraces and welcomes all,” Romero said, “where everyone feels a sense of belonging and has the opportunity to prosper.”

However, Romero criticized “extreme policies that have impacted our state in recent years.” Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla labeled the legislative session as “challenging,” but emphasized that Democrats – holding a superminority in the House and Senate – would approach it with “determination and resolve.”

“We will push back on reactionary policies that are punitive to working families and fight for solutions that uplift all communities and address the real challenges Utahns face every day,” Escamilla asserted. “We will safeguard the constitutional rights of Utahns, ensuring their due process, freedom of speech, and values that our state and nation are built upon.”

Escamilla and Romero identified several priorities for Democrats, including making housing and child care more affordable, protecting voting by mail, funding public schools, and addressing illegal immigration compassionately.

“Conflating public safety with immigration is misguided,” Escamilla stated. “Our national immigration crisis needs to be solved by Congress.”

Romero emphasized, “Many Utahns worry about the impacts of mass deportation policies. It is crucial for our state leaders to uphold fairness and compassion, protecting the rights of all residents regardless of status.”

The Democratic leaders encouraged Utahns to engage and speak out in shaping the state’s future.

“Let us work toward a Utah that reflects and celebrates the stories and contributions of every individual,” Escamilla concluded. “United, we can create a more inclusive and equitable future for all Utahns.”