Council’s Corner

Laws to Live By

With the holidays behind us it’s time again to ramp up for the 2024 Utah Legislative session. Washington City has a strong presence at the Capitol lobbying for bills that support our city objectives, standards and outlook. Housing, water, and tax cuts are considered priorities by our state lawmakers. As the session comes into focus here are some key points of emphasis:

• Expanding and optimizing water supply and infrastructure.
• Increase options for affordable housing.
• Improving roads and transportation.
• Strengthening public safety through criminal justice reform.
• Enhancing innovative education outcomes and programs.
• Fiscally responsible tax cuts.
• Empowering parents with resources to protect their children against the many harms of social media.

This year as in the past there has been an attempt to curb the housing crisis in Utah through legislative means, with little improvement. Experts proffer lot size reductions is the answer, competing data points indicate it will take more than that. Housing and Water are my priorities. I plan to be at the Capitol for Legislative Policy and Water Working Board meetings as often as is needed to advocate with our partners on our City’s behalf. The session begins on January 16th and runs through March 1st, for 45 days. At le.utah.gov, you can review the bills, view floor & committee debates and hearings, and, most importantly, reach out to your legislators. If you would like me to advocate on an issue you feel strongly about or would like a discussion please reach out to me: kivie@washingtonicty.org.

 –Kurt Ivie, Washington City Council

                               WashingtonCity.org/council