Claim OwnershipInside Utah Politics with Lindsay Aerts
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© Lindsay Aerts 2025
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Each week on Inside Utah Politics, we'll dive into the most pressing stories- from Utah’s Capitol Hill, to your local government and across the nation, exploring how decisions made in the halls of power affect everyday lives. Whether you're a seasoned political observer or just beginning to engage with the issues, we've got analysis, interviews, and insight to help you stay informed and think critically about the world around you.
107 Episodes
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A plan to reduce the gas tax has been unveiled on Utah's Capitol Hill, but now that it will cut state revenue instead of taxing refineries, is it the right plan for Utah? Panelists Adam Gardiner and Sarah Reale weigh in. Plus, Utah's redistricting case hits the federal court, and the Utah legislature is weighing changes to the Utah Fits All scholarship.
Utah Republicans are rushing to meet the deadline to put a possible repeal of prop 4 on the ballot. It's a heavy lift, requiring 8% of all active voters in 26/29 senate districts. Utah GOP chair Rob Axson thinks they can get it done, he joins Lindsay to dive into the massive effort to give the voters a chance to weigh in on redistricting one more time. Plus, comments from an American athlete in Italy draw criticism from President Trump and Governor Cox shares his thoughts as state leaders work to bring the world back to Utah in 2034.
Governor Spencer Cox had some pointed words for the media at the Games in Milan after reporters asked him about a back-and-forth between a US skier and President Trump. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in. Meanwhile, Utah's House leadership is pushing a bill to require by-mail ballots to be returned in person with ID. There are some signs of tension at the Utah legislature, and a bill has passed the House that would ban Prop betting in Utah.
As the legislative session approaches the halfway point, lawmakers are still mulling over some big ideas. Should Utah ban kratom? Do we need voter ID? How should venues supported by public funds accommodate gun rights? Panelists Adam Gardiner and Rusty Cannon join Lindsay to weigh in on the hot button topics driving debate on capitol hill. Plus, a federal court will hear the case over Utah's new congressional map. We dig into what that means for what's set to be an interesting midterm election year in Utah.
As the ink dries on the governor's signature to greenlight state Supreme Court expansion, the Utah State Bar association voiced their concerns that lawmakers are moving too quickly to change the courts. Rep. Matt MacPherson joins Lindsay to discuss his proposal to allow for a three-judge panel to weigh in on constitutional case, and whether he still supports impeachment in Utah's redistricting case. Plus, Utah State University's new president Brad L. Mortensen is hard at work on capitol hill after scathing audit blasted the university's spending under his predecessor.
Utah lawmakers are moving along steadily with a slate of transformative reforms to Utah's judiciary, with Supreme Court expansion already signed into law. Now, the Utah State Bar Association is reiterating its criticisms of some of these proposals and the idea that the legislature is making big changes too quickly. Panelists Erin Rider and Rusty Cannon join Lindsay to share their reactions. Plus, members of Utah's federal delegation join the fight over our state's redistricting process with a new challenge that implicates the US Constitution.
Lawmakers have published their audit of Utah State University under former university president Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell. The report details lavish spending including an office remodel nearing $300k, a top-of-the line bidet and a climate controlled golf cart. It also alleges contract dealings that may violate Utah's procurement laws. Panelist Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan join Lindsay to discuss the impacts that audit could, and maybe should have, and how the school is working to address the findings and move on. Plus a bill on Capitol Hill this session asks the question: should election day be a state holiday? What that proposal could mean for Utah if it's made law.
Week one jitters have worn off and now it's back to business at the Utah State Capitol. Reforms to the courts and to Utah's election system have taken top billing in both chambers. A proposal to create a new court specialized in constitutional issues turns heads, while plans to expand the judiciary at all levels speed through the legislature. Lawmakers are also refining a plan to bifurcate federal and state elections to allow for additional citizenship checks. Lindsay interviews Senator Mike McKell and Rep. Andrew Stoddard to get perspective on these issues from both sides of the aisle. Plus, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt comes to town to promote AI regulation.
The Utah legislature is requiring every state agency to propose 5% in cuts to their state budgets, but it's unclear exactly who and what may be cut when all is said and done. Panelists Sarah Reale and Adam Gardiner discuss comments from House Speaker Mike Schultz, who said that education will not see those cuts. Meanwhile, the Senate is poised to vote on DHS funding that could leave the government in a partial shutdown. And, Utah is proposing a Constitutional Court that would funnel Constitutional challenges to a panel of three judges.
The deadly shooting of Alex Pretti during a confrontation with ICE agents reignites nationwide protests over the agency's conduct and the Trump administration's approach to immigration enforcement. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Erin Rider weigh in on the political impact of these shootings and demonstrations and how Utah leaders are reacting to the widening divide over ICE. Plus, state lawmakers could consider intervening in the University of Utah's forthcoming private equity deal to fund its name image and likeness program for college athletes.
Governor Spencer Cox joins the program to outline the 2026 legislative session. Host Lindsay Aerts discusses changes to the judiciary, taxes, culture war bills, and Governor Cox's plans post second term. Plus, she takes you inside House and Senate meetings with reporters, discussions about a bill to require proof of citizenship, and a proposal to block ICE from government buildings.
Utah lawmakers are back the legislative session and have proposed hundreds of bills. One of those would require proof of citizenship for state elections, but not Federal ones. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Adam Gardner weigh in on whether Utah needs the change. Another bill proposes requiring literacy standards to move on from third grade. The Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court addresses tension with the legislature and President Trump is still on a quest to acquire Greenland.
We're just days away from the kickoff of the 2026 general session of the Utah legislature. House Minority Leader Rep. Angela Romero joins Lindsay to explain how Utah's Democrats hope to make an impact on important issues despite their super-minority status. Later on, Rep. Trevor Lee explains the rationale behind his proposal to rename Harvey Milk Boulevard for Charlie Kirk and defends the comments he made about congressional candidate Liban Mohamed that drew allegations of bigotry and racism.
The Republican-majority Utah Legislature plans to introduce a revised Constitutional Amendment D in the 2026 General Session. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Taylor Morgan debate what they'd like to see on the November 2026 ballot. Lawmakers are also considering a tax on social media advertising revenue from major platforms. Plus, lawmakers will look to digitize and streamline signature gathering for initiatives, referendums, and petitions.
Some congressional Republicans are defending Fed Chair Jerome Powell after the DOJ announced a probe into his testimony before Congress regarding renovations made to the Fed building in Washington, DC. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Leah Murray discuss whether trust in the Fed is waning and how the economy may be impacted. Plus, Utah's 2026 legislative session is taking shape with bills on taxes, affordability, constitutional amendments, and some messaging bills.
The Senate has advanced a proposal to curtail the President's ability to use military action in Venezuela after the arrest of leader Nicholas Maduro. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Erin Rider discuss whether the policy is needed and how Utah's senators voted. Plus, the state is looking to ban cell phone use in Utah schools. The Utah county clerk has a new Republican challenger, and other local elections are also taking shape.
A Utah lawmaker is proposing an income tax cut, along with some changes to the way cities and other taxing entities can raise property taxes. Sen. Dan McCay (R-Riverton) joins Inside Utah Politics with Lindsay Aerts to break down the proposals. Plus, the Governor is backing a push to ban cell phone use in schools during the school day. The President of the Policy Project, Emily Bell McCormick, whose advocacy group is behind the push, joins to explain why state leaders believe this is the best policy for Utah schools.
Following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro, the ousted leader is in the United States facing narco-terrorism charges. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray break down what's next for Venezuela, and whether the President might face any wrath from Congress over the legality of Maduro's capture. Plus, Utah's elections for 2026 are shaping up with some must-see storylines. And, the ACLU of Utah filed a lawsuit against the state over Utah's sensitive materials law, as three additional books were banned in Utah.
The judge in Utah's redistricting case has issued a ruling essentially granting the ability for the legislature to appeal the case to the Utah Supreme Court, even with some outstanding claims, and despite the ability to appeal the ruling in August and November. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in on whether it was an oversight or a sound legal strategy. Plus, Former Congressman Rob Bishop is running for the state legislature, and our panel has New Year's resolutions for the legislature.
As the Utah legislature looks to expand the state's Supreme Court, the Utah State Bar says that they would rather have resources come to the lower courts. They discuss the pros and cons of appellate expansion. Plus, Eva Lopez Chavez shares her goals for Congress as she launches her bid in Utah's first district.
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