Utah lawmakers approved a budget of around $279 million for the upcoming year during the 2025 legislative session. Some significant expenditures included in the budget were $8 million for Gov. Cox’s nuclear power goals, $5 million for public schools addressing English language learner needs, and funding to implement the state’s big tech regulation.
Gov. Cox’s Operation Gigawatt initiative received $8.25 million to invest in nuclear power in an effort to double energy production. There was also emergency funding of $5 million for school districts with a significant increase in English language learner enrollment.
Additionally, the Legislature allocated funding to establish a university-run election debate committee at Utah Valley University to host nonpartisan candidate debates, shifting responsibility from the Utah Debate Commission.
Other budget allocations included $145,000 for high school rodeo athlete and ambulance grants, $51,500 for enforcement of the App Store Accountability Act, and $195,000 to implement Data Sharing Amendments, giving social media users control over their data.
Overall, lawmakers prioritized funding for Governor Cox’s initiatives, key education needs, and big tech regulations in the tight budget year. The budget decisions reflect the Legislature’s focus on addressing important issues and implementing necessary changes through financial allocations.
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