Happy Friday from #OneUtah, a weekly update from the office of Gov. Spencer J. Cox. Here’s your recap of what we did this week, what's on the horizon, and more.

Saving the Great Salt Lake

The Great Salt Lake continues to reach record low levels, and we need to act now to protect this critical resource. That’s why we’ve issued a proclamation closing any new water appropriations in the Great Salt Lake Basin. 

This suspension doesn’t affect existing water rights and applications, but it will prevent further diversion from the lake. We’ll also continue to promote water conservation measures and wise water use.

We’re hopeful that these measures along with increasing moisture and winter temperatures will help protect the Great Salt Lake. By protecting the lake, we help our economy, environment, wildlife and future. 

Read more about our proclamation here.

New trails for Utah

Trails bring people together, and we’ve heard from Utahns asking for more trails. So last week we announced a vision with the Utah Department of Transportation to build a network of trails that would connect Utahns of all ages and abilities to their destinations and communities. 

A statewide, dedicated trail network will provide additional transportation choices for Utahns, introducing new ways to commute and recreate safely with more personal interaction. We know safe and accessible trails will be a sustainable contribution to the overall quality of life for Utahns and visitors for generations to come. We are excited to work with local communities and the Utah Department of Transportation to accomplish this ambitious goal! 

Learn more about this vision here.

Don’t forget to vote!

Election Day is Tuesday, but you can vote early. We dropped off our ballots at the U.S. Post Office in West Valley, and we encourage all registered voters to either mail in ballots by Monday, Nov. 7, drop off at a polling location or vote in person on Nov. 8.

It’s easy and secure. Make your vote count! More information here.

Remember to thank an election worker

Elections don’t run themselves. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson dropped by the Davis County ballot processing center on Thursday to meet and thank some of the Utahns who help administer elections.

The lieutenant governor then made her way down to the Salt Lake County Government Center to thank the boots on the ground at an early voting location. Poll workers provide Utahns with in-person help and assistance through Election Day. We hope all Utahns treat them with dignity, respect and gratitude. Thanks to all the election workers throughout the Beehive State!

Becoming One Utah

This week, we were pleased to meet with the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs and the Utah Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission to discuss our progress on our administration’s goal to become One Utah. 

We’ve conducted forums, listening sessions and town halls to brainstorm solutions of difficult topics affecting all Utahns including bullying, suicide and racism. Our largest session was the Latino Town Hall, which took place just last week, and drew hundreds together for important conversations. Our office helped raise $1,000,000 to help Afghan refugees settle in Utah. After the last legislative session, we held ceremonial bill signings to bring attention to law enforcement reform and Utah’s newest state holiday – Juneteenth, among other legislation. 

While this progress is great, we know that there is still work to be done. We appreciate all who are involved in this work and look forward to continuing to work together to bridge divides.

Back in the saddle

On Saturday we participated in the 2022 Bison Roundup on Antelope Island. We had five great hours in the saddle alongside some of the best riders in Utah. It’s always special to get back to our roots and ride horses. 

Antelope Island is home to one of the nation’s largest and oldest public bison herds, and this year, 750 bison were rounded up and corralled. This roundup is a primary tool for helping ensure the continued health of the Antelope Island herd. 

It is a true western experience, and we were glad to participate. Thank you, Utah Department of Natural Resources, for the invitation. See more about our day with DNR here.

Honoring Utah’s suffragist past

As eligible voters across the Beehive State cast their ballots, Lt. Gov. Henderson paid tribute to Utah’s outsized role in the decades-long women's suffrage movement as she visited the Salt Lake City Cemetery on Thursday.

Leaving behind yellow roses, a symbol of support for women's right to vote, the lieutenant governor visited the gravesites of four leading suffragists: Emmaline B. Wells, Martha Hughes Cannon, Sarah Melissa Granger Kimball, and Charlotte Ives Cobb Godbe Kirby.

In 1870, 50 years prior to the ratification of the 19th Amendment, Seraph Young became the nation’s first female voter under an equal suffrage law. She voted just two days after the territorial governor signed legislation to extend voting rights to Utah women. In 1887, the U.S. Congress repealed voting rights for Utah women – energizing an influential faction of Utahns to join the women’s suffrage movement. 

The Utah Constitution once again empowered women with the vote after Congress ratified the state’s constitution and granted statehood in 1896. Let’s honor Utah’s history-making women by voting!

November is Native American Heritage Month

This month, we are honoring and recognizing Native Americans. Utah is home to eight federally-recognized Tribes: the Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, Confederated Tribes of Goshute, Skull Valley Band of Goshute, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Navajo Nation. 

We’re grateful for the legacy and many contributions Tribal nations bring to our state and look forward to continuing to work together on issues that affect us all. Learn more about Tribal nations here and read our gubernatorial declaration here.

Governor’s Awards for Excellence Highlight

Each week, we are highlighting a state employee who was recently awarded the Governor’s Award for Excellence. This week we are recognizing Ryan Cowley with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. 

As a newly-appointed director of elections, Ryan stepped into his role amidst unprecedented challenges. In addition to leading the elections team to ensure that Utah’s elections are effectively run, he has also engaged in tireless outreach to help bolster public confidence in the accuracy, legitimacy, and security of our elections. Ryan is a true public servant who every day demonstrates his leadership, commitment to the state, and ability to handle difficult situations. For these reasons, and many others, we are thrilled to honor him for his Outstanding Public Service.

Thank you, Ryan, for your dedication to the state of Utah. Keep up the great work! To read about the Governor’s Awards for Excellence, click here.

ICYMI

• On Tuesday, we welcomed guests to the Governor’s Mansion to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. See photos from our evening here. 
• Utah has been ranked as one of National Geographic’s “Best in the World” adventure destinations. This list highlights some of the most exciting experiences across the globe! Learn more about this distinction here. 
• Lt. Gov. Henderson joined NPR 1A this week for a conversation about elections. Listen here!
• Utah has received a lot of snow this past week, prompting the early seasonal closings of some of Utah’s scenic roads, but also hinting at an early start to ski season. Check in with your favorite Utah ski resort to see when they open for the season. 
• Last Friday, we attended Utah's Business Diversity Summit with the Salt Lake Chamber. We talked about our journey towards creating One Utah. For more information about the summit, click here.
• Utah ranked number five out of 51 on the American Dream Prosperity Index. With the best economy in the nation, one of the best states for job opportunities and the best economic outlook for the 15th year in a row, Utah will continue to prosper for years to come! Learn more here.

Coming up

• Nov. 6: Remember to set your clocks back one hour. 
• Nov. 8: Election Day! Get your votes in and tune in to local news for Election Day coverage. 
• Nov. 8: We’ll be visiting polling locations, high schools and businesses in Salt Lake County as part of our Utah 360 Tour.
• Nov. 11: This Veterans Day we will be attending an event at the University of Utah to honor veterans in Utah. We are grateful for the patriotism, sacrifice, bravery and service of our veterans.

Get involved!

Looking for a new job opportunity? From great employee benefits to versatile work schedules, the career opportunities with the state are truly endless. Join Team Utah today! 

Those looking to volunteer can also consider more than 300 boards and commissions. Find out which openings are available and how you can get involved here!

Get in touch!

You can reach the Governor's Office here. And you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for the latest news and updates.

Contact the Governor's Office