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The Hinckley ReportAuthor: Jason Perry
The Hinckley Report with Jason Perry provides insight and analysis into the most pressing political issues facing the state of Utah. Language: en-us Genres: News, News Commentary, Politics Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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2026 Legislative Session Week 6
Episode 24
Friday, 27 February, 2026
With the legislative session about to enter its final week, host Jason Perry leads a discussion on which bills and policies willl get prioritized. Plus, we analyze the latest court rulings affecting Utah's congressional map and how state leaders are asking for federal help with the Great Salt Lake. THE DEEPER DIVE: • For the first time ever, more than 1,000 bills and resolutions have been introduced in the Utah Legislature. As the final week begins, leadership in the House and Senate will be able to prioritize proposals and streamline bills for potential passage. Top members of the Legislature expect that lawmakers will pass fewer bills than during previous sessions.• The state will have more money to spend this year than originally expected. Lawmakers are required by state law to pass a balanced budget, and the appropriations committee is currently going through spending requests. We discuss what will likely get approved and whether some state agencies could still see budget cuts.• State lawmakers are focused on several aspects of managing artificial intelligence in Utah. One would manage how law enforcement utilizes AI. Another would have regulated how companies can use AI to manipulate the price you are charged for products. • There's a push on Capitol Hill to increase transparency within Utah's judicial branch. We examine arguments from both sides of the aisle regarding modifications to the Courts. • The Great Salt Lake is getting lots of renewed attention at the national level. Pres. Donald Trump pledged his support to help save the lake in a social media post. It came after Utah Gov. Spencer Cox spent an hour in the Oval Office last week. Our panel evaluates what this could mean for influencing water policy in the Beehive State.• ⚖️ Two big court rulings in Utah's redistricting case came down this week. A panel of federal judges declined to prevent Utah from using the congressional boundaries implemented by a state court late last year. A separate ruling from the Utah Supreme Court also refused to intervene while the case continues moving through district court. • ️An initiative effort to repeal the state's independent redistricting law is on the cusp of qualifying for ballots. Now opponents to the intiative are working to get people to remove their signatures.• The federal government is suing Utah Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson to gain access to Utah's voter rolls. The LG has refused to share the information in the past citing Constitutional and privacy concerns. ️ FEATURING:• Senator Stephanie Pitcher – (D) Millcreek• Senator Chris Wilson – (R) Logan, Majority Whip• Brigham Tomco – Reporter, Deseret News Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by the Cleone Peterson Eccles Endowment Fund and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley
