Alliance for a Better Utah
@betterutah.bsky.social
Government watchdog | Progressive policy advocates | Occasional connoisseurs of snark | Holding politicians accountable
https://linktr.ee/betterutah
https://linktr.ee/betterutah
Utah already underfunds critical health systems. Planning ahead is not just good budgeting; it is an ethical obligation. A system that collapses when families most need help is not a system designed with care.
Economists warn Utah's Medicaid-specific funds are insufficient if there’s a recession • Utah News Dispatch
Utah may not be ready to cover Medicaid expenses in case of a future recession, economists told lawmakers.
buff.ly
November 23, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Utah already underfunds critical health systems. Planning ahead is not just good budgeting; it is an ethical obligation. A system that collapses when families most need help is not a system designed with care.
While the Forward Party’s long-term influence remains unclear, its growth in Utah signals frustration with the state’s winner-takes-all political culture. It could also create new coalition opportunities for democracy-reform advocates.
buff.ly/w94ajqU
buff.ly/w94ajqU
11Chooses | Utah Senate District 11 Selection by Forward Party
A first-of-its-kind open process for choosing a Utah Senate replacement. Transparent, inclusive, focused on election reform and powered by the people of District 11.
11chooses.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:11 PM
While the Forward Party’s long-term influence remains unclear, its growth in Utah signals frustration with the state’s winner-takes-all political culture. It could also create new coalition opportunities for democracy-reform advocates.
buff.ly/w94ajqU
buff.ly/w94ajqU
The deeper story is that Utah Democrats support ideas rooted in fairness: affordable housing, strong social safety nets, and public infrastructure. When voters say “socialism,” many simply mean a government that actually shows up for families.
New poll: Majority of Utah Democrats have favorable view of socialism
Will Utah elect a democratic socialist in the new 1st Congressional District?
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 7:11 PM
The deeper story is that Utah Democrats support ideas rooted in fairness: affordable housing, strong social safety nets, and public infrastructure. When voters say “socialism,” many simply mean a government that actually shows up for families.
Nielsen joins the court at a time when judicial independence is increasingly under political pressure in Utah and nationwide.
🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune: buff.ly/kIjR7qH
🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune: buff.ly/kIjR7qH
Utah Supreme Court’s new justice says he’ll do his ‘utmost to ensure a legacy of trust’
Judge John J. Nielsen will be the next justice of the Utah Supreme Court, joining at a time of intense friction between the judiciary and the state’s GOP leadership.
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Nielsen joins the court at a time when judicial independence is increasingly under political pressure in Utah and nationwide.
🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune: buff.ly/kIjR7qH
🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune: buff.ly/kIjR7qH
The signal for policymakers is clear. Utah needs sustained investment in the foundations of a functioning state. The choices made now on water, health, housing, education, and cybersecurity will determine whether Utah can keep up with rapid growth.
Here are the top 10 biggest issues facing Utah right now
A new report prepared by the Utah State Legislature's Auditor General identified what he believes are the top 10 biggest issues facing the state right now.
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 4:11 AM
The signal for policymakers is clear. Utah needs sustained investment in the foundations of a functioning state. The choices made now on water, health, housing, education, and cybersecurity will determine whether Utah can keep up with rapid growth.
Oversight problems that stretch across decades show how easy it is for vulnerable students to fall through the cracks when systems lack clarity and accountability.
🔗 FOX 13: buff.ly/x1dWvQF
🔗 FOX 13: buff.ly/x1dWvQF
Parents, students relieved as audit preserves funding for Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
A legislative audit of Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind recommended some changes to the school's governance and management, but no major funding cuts.
www.fox13now.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Oversight problems that stretch across decades show how easy it is for vulnerable students to fall through the cracks when systems lack clarity and accountability.
🔗 FOX 13: buff.ly/x1dWvQF
🔗 FOX 13: buff.ly/x1dWvQF
Utahns believe in accountability and redemption. You cannot have either when the system ignores people in crisis. Fixing this requires investment, oversight, and leadership that is willing to acknowledge harm and correct course.
🔗 Utah News Dispatch:
🔗 Utah News Dispatch:
Audit: ‘Inmates are often abandoned’ by mental health care system in the Utah State Prison • Utah News Dispatch
Two new legislative audits paint a picture of inadequate and flawed mental health care in the Utah prison in Salt Lake City.
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Utahns believe in accountability and redemption. You cannot have either when the system ignores people in crisis. Fixing this requires investment, oversight, and leadership that is willing to acknowledge harm and correct course.
🔗 Utah News Dispatch:
🔗 Utah News Dispatch:
Planning for millions more people means planning for affordable housing, transit people can actually use, and water policies that protect future generations. Without that long-term thinking, families get priced out and communities lose stability.
Utah’s 2065 projections see 2M more people, and a birth rate that keeps falling
The latest 40-year projections show growth slowing slightly, but still outpacing national numbers by a factor of three.
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Planning for millions more people means planning for affordable housing, transit people can actually use, and water policies that protect future generations. Without that long-term thinking, families get priced out and communities lose stability.
Utah families depend on a school system that treats every child with dignity, whether they are disabled, LGBTQ, learning English, or growing up in a low-income household. Federal protections have long served as a backstop when states fall short.
buff.ly/iXjui0t
buff.ly/iXjui0t
Trump’s dismantling of Education Department could strip students’ civil rights protections, Utah advocates warn
Utah education groups are sounding the alarm: Trump’s new plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education could put students’ civil rights at risk. Here’s what it means for at-risk kids across the…
www.sltrib.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Utah families depend on a school system that treats every child with dignity, whether they are disabled, LGBTQ, learning English, or growing up in a low-income household. Federal protections have long served as a backstop when states fall short.
buff.ly/iXjui0t
buff.ly/iXjui0t
Transparency is essential for public trust, especially in cases involving systemic abuses of power. Utah’s delegation made the right call by supporting the release.
🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune: buff.ly/LNrYRyV
🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune: buff.ly/LNrYRyV
With Trump’s blessing, Utah’s congressional delegates vote to release the Epstein files
Following President Donald Trump's guidance, Utah’s all-GOP U.S. House delegation voted to release the Epstein files. The Senate also voted for transparency.
www.sltrib.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Transparency is essential for public trust, especially in cases involving systemic abuses of power. Utah’s delegation made the right call by supporting the release.
🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune: buff.ly/LNrYRyV
🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune: buff.ly/LNrYRyV
Utahns believe in neighborliness, stewardship, and fairness. A mega shelter acting more as a prison that concentrates poverty in one area violates all three.
🔗 Utah News Dispatch: buff.ly/aJF63f4
🔗 Utah News Dispatch: buff.ly/aJF63f4
Homelessness advocates, environmentalists rally against homeless ‘mega shelter’ • Utah News Dispatch
Advocates, faith leaders and environmental groups oppose state leaders’ proposal for a homeless “campus” in northwest Salt Lake City.
utahnewsdispatch.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Utahns believe in neighborliness, stewardship, and fairness. A mega shelter acting more as a prison that concentrates poverty in one area violates all three.
🔗 Utah News Dispatch: buff.ly/aJF63f4
🔗 Utah News Dispatch: buff.ly/aJF63f4
The governor’s decision to stand with lawmakers who pushed through gerrymandered maps has consequences. Utahns value fairness and accountability, and when leaders brush aside public input, people notice.
🔗 Deseret News:
🔗 Deseret News:
Utah Gov. Cox popularity dips among Democrats amid redistricting battle
The dip in Democratic support reflects a trend for the Republican governor extending back over a year. An expert weighs in on why that might be
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 1:11 AM
The governor’s decision to stand with lawmakers who pushed through gerrymandered maps has consequences. Utahns value fairness and accountability, and when leaders brush aside public input, people notice.
🔗 Deseret News:
🔗 Deseret News:
Public school buildings are community assets and should stay in community hands. Prioritizing charter acquisition before districts can repurpose buildings or open them for local use shifts power away from local voters.
🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune: buff.ly/2kCJZWw
🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune: buff.ly/2kCJZWw
Utah charter schools would get first dibs on buying closed district schools under this proposal
The proposal is already intensifying community efforts to keep schools open and pitting district parents against prospective charter buyers.
www.sltrib.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Public school buildings are community assets and should stay in community hands. Prioritizing charter acquisition before districts can repurpose buildings or open them for local use shifts power away from local voters.
🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune: buff.ly/2kCJZWw
🔗 The Salt Lake Tribune: buff.ly/2kCJZWw
Utah’s move aligns with national efforts to weaken corporate climate accountability. Climate impacts already cost Utahns real money through drought, wildfire, and water scarcity. Opposing transparency does not protect businesses; it shields polluters.
Utah joins Iowa AG in brief against California climate reporting laws • Utah News Dispatch
Attorneys general from 25 states are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to issue a stay on California emissions reporting laws.
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Utah’s move aligns with national efforts to weaken corporate climate accountability. Climate impacts already cost Utahns real money through drought, wildfire, and water scarcity. Opposing transparency does not protect businesses; it shields polluters.
Energy transitions come with high stakes for safety, environmental stewardship, and community consent. Nuclear power carries real risks and long horizons.
🔗 Utah News Dispatch: buff.ly/lcqbMBb
🔗 Utah News Dispatch: buff.ly/lcqbMBb
Nuclear ‘energy ecosystem’ and, eventually, Utah’s first reactor will live in Brigham City • Utah News Dispatch
Brigham City may become a nuclear energy hub amid Utah's quest to become a major leader in nuclear technology.
utahnewsdispatch.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Energy transitions come with high stakes for safety, environmental stewardship, and community consent. Nuclear power carries real risks and long horizons.
🔗 Utah News Dispatch: buff.ly/lcqbMBb
🔗 Utah News Dispatch: buff.ly/lcqbMBb
U.S. attorneys wield enormous discretion- how her office approaches civil rights enforcement, public corruption, and white-collar crime is integral. Accountability should apply evenly across the system and not be filtered through partisan priorities.
Trump administration appoints Melissa Holyoak, ‘a fearless champion,’ to be Utah’s next U.S. attorney
Former Utah Solicitor General Melissa Holyoak was appointed Monday as the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Utah by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 4:17 PM
U.S. attorneys wield enormous discretion- how her office approaches civil rights enforcement, public corruption, and white-collar crime is integral. Accountability should apply evenly across the system and not be filtered through partisan priorities.
This poll shows that Utahns are split on shutdown blame, despite the headline suggesting otherwise. The results show that 35 percent of Utahns blame Democrats and 34 percent blame both parties- a split verdict rather than a clear assignment of blame.
buff.ly/Hq5BK2V
buff.ly/Hq5BK2V
Utah voters more likely to blame Democrats for shutdown, poll shows
A new Deseret News poll shows Utah voters were most likely to blame Democrats for the shutdown — but a strong share of respondents said both parties shared responsibility.
www.deseret.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:11 AM
This poll shows that Utahns are split on shutdown blame, despite the headline suggesting otherwise. The results show that 35 percent of Utahns blame Democrats and 34 percent blame both parties- a split verdict rather than a clear assignment of blame.
buff.ly/Hq5BK2V
buff.ly/Hq5BK2V
Schultz's frustration signals how much political pressure Republican leadership is under following the ruling. But courts do not schedule decisions around political convenience.
🔗 KUTV: buff.ly/HEBaVks
🔗 KUTV: buff.ly/HEBaVks
Utah House Speaker says judge's timing 'tied our hands' on appeal of redistricting ruling
A week after a 3rd District Court ruling threw Utah’s congressional boundaries into turmoil, the rapid legal battle many expected has yet to materialize.The Hin
kutv.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Schultz's frustration signals how much political pressure Republican leadership is under following the ruling. But courts do not schedule decisions around political convenience.
🔗 KUTV: buff.ly/HEBaVks
🔗 KUTV: buff.ly/HEBaVks
SLC Councilmember Eva Lopez Chavez told ABC 4 that she did not endorse Ben McAdams’ congressional run. She said her supportive remarks were meant as encouragement, not a formal endorsement, which she said she was never asked for.
🔗 ABC 4: buff.ly/6POZMGF
🔗 ABC 4: buff.ly/6POZMGF
November 19, 2025 at 10:11 PM
SLC Councilmember Eva Lopez Chavez told ABC 4 that she did not endorse Ben McAdams’ congressional run. She said her supportive remarks were meant as encouragement, not a formal endorsement, which she said she was never asked for.
🔗 ABC 4: buff.ly/6POZMGF
🔗 ABC 4: buff.ly/6POZMGF
Threatening a judge for enforcing the Utah Constitution is a direct attack on the rule of law and the separation of powers. Utahns may not agree on maps, but we do agree that public servants should be safe while doing their jobs.
🔗 Axios Salt Lake City: buff.ly/NeFx2Le
🔗 Axios Salt Lake City: buff.ly/NeFx2Le
Utah judge faces violent threats after ruling against GOP in gerrymandering case
Threats over redistricting attack "the heart of the rule of law," the state judiciary wrote.
www.axios.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Threatening a judge for enforcing the Utah Constitution is a direct attack on the rule of law and the separation of powers. Utahns may not agree on maps, but we do agree that public servants should be safe while doing their jobs.
🔗 Axios Salt Lake City: buff.ly/NeFx2Le
🔗 Axios Salt Lake City: buff.ly/NeFx2Le
Kennecott sees where the future is headed and is investing accordingly. Meanwhile, Utah lawmakers continue to stall or undermine renewable energy reforms even as businesses take the lead.
🔗 Utah News Dispatch: buff.ly/gSRArpS
🔗 Utah News Dispatch: buff.ly/gSRArpS
Kennecott bets on wind energy coming from a newly opened Texas project • Utah News Dispatch
Rio Tinto's Kennecott mine signed a 15-year agreement to buy energy from a newly completed wind farm in Texas.
utahnewsdispatch.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Kennecott sees where the future is headed and is investing accordingly. Meanwhile, Utah lawmakers continue to stall or undermine renewable energy reforms even as businesses take the lead.
🔗 Utah News Dispatch: buff.ly/gSRArpS
🔗 Utah News Dispatch: buff.ly/gSRArpS
Transparency should be the bare minimum- elected officials should not hesitate to join bipartisan calls for releasing the documents. Survivors deserve clarity and our institutions deserve scrutiny. Powerful people should not get special protection.
buff.ly/ZO31O8y
buff.ly/ZO31O8y
Poll: Utahns align with national voters on releasing Epstein documents
A new poll also shows how many voters are — and aren’t — engaged with the issue
www.deseret.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Transparency should be the bare minimum- elected officials should not hesitate to join bipartisan calls for releasing the documents. Survivors deserve clarity and our institutions deserve scrutiny. Powerful people should not get special protection.
buff.ly/ZO31O8y
buff.ly/ZO31O8y
🚨 Help Protect Utah’s Fair Maps!
Tell your lawmakers to respect the court’s decision and uphold Utah’s constitutional right to fair districts. This map belongs to the people, not the politicians.
Contact Your State Representative: buff.ly/eIa4zqN
Contact Your State Senator: buff.ly/YG2Mith
Tell your lawmakers to respect the court’s decision and uphold Utah’s constitutional right to fair districts. This map belongs to the people, not the politicians.
Contact Your State Representative: buff.ly/eIa4zqN
Contact Your State Senator: buff.ly/YG2Mith
November 19, 2025 at 4:02 PM
🚨 Help Protect Utah’s Fair Maps!
Tell your lawmakers to respect the court’s decision and uphold Utah’s constitutional right to fair districts. This map belongs to the people, not the politicians.
Contact Your State Representative: buff.ly/eIa4zqN
Contact Your State Senator: buff.ly/YG2Mith
Tell your lawmakers to respect the court’s decision and uphold Utah’s constitutional right to fair districts. This map belongs to the people, not the politicians.
Contact Your State Representative: buff.ly/eIa4zqN
Contact Your State Senator: buff.ly/YG2Mith
Transit connects communities. Utah is growing fast, and building more freeways cannot keep up. A new FrontRunner station is a tangible step that gives working families more mobility, reduces congestion, and helps us steward our air quality.
buff.ly/CWnI76x
buff.ly/CWnI76x
All aboard, suburban Salt Lake County: You’re getting a new FrontRunner station
Here's when — and where — you'll be able to hop on the FrontRunner at a new station.
www.sltrib.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Transit connects communities. Utah is growing fast, and building more freeways cannot keep up. A new FrontRunner station is a tangible step that gives working families more mobility, reduces congestion, and helps us steward our air quality.
buff.ly/CWnI76x
buff.ly/CWnI76x