Are universities responding to reform demands?

By Renae Cowley, Frank Pignanelli

Republican Renae Cowley is a political consultant, lobbyist, social media influencer and professional rodeo athlete. Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser who served as a Democrat in the Utah State Legislature.

In previous columns, we analyzed political reforms in higher education. The attention continues, so your columnists must now opine on universities’ response and the impacts to students past, present and future.

After an intense legislative session, Utah’s institutions of higher education must reallocate millions of dollars. The University of Utah will grant credit for missionary and military service, while Utah State combines colleges and cancels programs. How are both being received?

Cowley: The Legislature intended to break things with their reforms, like traditions and conventionality. College campuses should be hotbeds of innovation, not institutional relics of the past. Change is hard. Utah’s universities have been handed a difficult task. It is now up to them to meet the challenge and reimagine what a 21st-century college education should be, or cling to outdated norms and lose funding permanently.

The University of Utah is “leaning into a moment of reinvention” by thinking outside the box to better serve students and taxpayers. The U’s landmark decision to award college credit for church missions and military service recognizes the merits of such transformative life experiences.

My alma mater, Utah State, is merging several colleges and eliminating 14 programs, degrees and certificates — one of which is the major I enrolled in as a plucky, young freshman. After explaining far too many times that, no, Agricultural Communications does not teach you how to speak to cows, I changed my major. For me, change was a good thing, and I believe it will be for my beloved Aggies, too. I eagerly await the selection of our next president (fingers crossed that it’s a Utahn) who will refocus on the great things happening in Logan: the new vet school, space dynamics lab and engineering program.

Pignanelli: “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” — John Dewey

Political operative G. Gordon Liddy personified everything wrong with the Watergate crisis, yet my friends and I eagerly read his biography detailing nefarious activities. As student leaders, we approved his appearance on campus so we could watch the much-heralded debate between him and liberal professors. (Liddy decimated all the lefties with little effort.)

Universities exist to challenge preconceived notions and facilitate rigorous arguments. However, the perception, and often the reality, is otherwise. Concerns exist that the diversity of opinion is struggling, and institutions have become bloated and unresponsive to the practical needs of graduates in the workplace.

These are difficult allegations. My alma mater, the University of Utah, has been remarkably adept in pivoting to safeguard traditional academic principles while restructuring to satisfy the demands of leaders and citizens. Credit for missionary and medical experience acknowledges that learning extends beyond the classroom. Although receiving criticism from several fronts, President Taylor Randall is demonstrating that creative solutions can still flourish in a collegiate environment.

The Trump administration is reinstating collections on defaulted student loans and eliminating grants to Harvard and other universities. The elite colleges are fighting back. How does this affect politics?

Cowley: Those who didn’t attend college should never have to pay for those who did. I’m aghast at those who, of their own free will, took out student loans, got meaningless degrees to nowhere, if they even graduated at all, and then have the audacity to act like they are victims deserving of restitution.

Our national debt is already in dire straits, and I’m grateful Americans rejected Biden’s pathetic campaign gimmick to buy votes by promising to cancel student loan debt.

Republicans are giving a side eye to conservative commentator Candace Owens for supporting Harvard’s First Amendment rights and criticizing Trump. Harvard released reports proving antisemitism on campus is even worse than imagined, proving Trump right, yet again.

Harvard is a private institution, and if it chooses to be mired by DEI policies or study llama spit causing earthquakes, be my guest. The billions in its endowments can fund such causes, not our tax dollars. I support free speech, but no university should promote bigotry.

Pignanelli: Student loans are funded by tax partners of all stripes, regardless of whether they have the benefits of a college education. So, to forgive borrowers is a transfer of wealth and plays to the characterization of Democrats as elitists. Many blue-collar workers never forgave the insult, especially in the 2024 election.

Trump picked another target of elitism, knowing that there would be few tears shed for Harvard. The reports of rampant antisemitism and Islamophobia at the 400-year-old institution will cripple its defenses. Harvard’s funding loss will benefit the more inclusive universities.

What is the future of higher education in America and Utah?

Cowley: Degrees are an economic calculation — consumers are purchasing knowledge, skills and experiences to improve their lives and earning potential. The benefit must match or outweigh the cost, which, for many, isn’t the case anymore. Politicians can keep triaging the impacts of skyrocketing tuition, or they can implement meaningful reforms, making the dream of a college education more attainable and beneficial without the crippling debt.

Pignanelli: Much of technological innovation and benefits to human lifestyles are due to higher education. The future is bright because so many, like our local colleges, are making the necessary changes while preserving essential principles.

Unions’ victories shake Utah politics

By Frank Pignanelli, Renae Cowley

Republican Renae Cowley is a political consultant, lobbyist, social media influencer and professional rodeo athlete. Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser who served as a Democrat in the Utah State Legislature.

Last week, public employee associations and trade unions racked up two significant victories. We discuss the political ramifications.

The Utah Education Association (UEA) submitted more than 320,000 signatures on the referendum. This was far in excess of the 140,000 needed to place the issue on a ballot overturning HB267, which prohibited collective bargaining by public unions. What happens now, and how does this affect potential special sessions and the next legislative session?

Cowley: Many said it couldn’t be done (including some union supporters), but the UEA, public safety unions, volunteers and a paid signature-gathering firm defied the odds. Gov. Spencer Cox offered his congratulations to union organizers. Personal ideology aside, as a political operative, even I can acknowledge the impressive campaign prowess it took to pull this off.

County clerks are now undertaking the tedious signature verification process. There is almost zero chance that invalidation rates and senate district dispersion will fall below the requirement. The Legislature now faces the difficult decision to fight it on the ballot or repeal, and maybe replace, the bill as they did with Our Schools Now and tax reform.

Pignanelli: “Message matters. Message matters almost as much as actions.” — Ron Suskind

The UEA aggressively defends member interests, as it should. However, this intensity can strain relationships with state leaders. When serving as a lawmaker, my mother served on the UEA Political Action Committee. So, when I occasionally veered from the organization’s agenda, family Sunday evening dinners became reminders of campaign assistance wrapped in Catholic guilt. I doubt other state legislators endured this torture.

As stated in prior columns, my legal experience included representing school employees, firefighters and law enforcement officers. These are beloved members of the community who deserve assistance when negotiating (and defending) their interests with employers. Thus, it was easy for them to solicit petition signatures, as there was minimal opposing messaging.

This is a clear signal to the supporters of the legislation that they have a communication problem. A recent strike by these employees would have piqued voters’ interest. But when no problem is identified, the vacuum is filled by others.

If the referendum is placed on the next general election ballot, decisions will be compelled. The governor is already sour on the legislation. Lawmakers should consider revisiting the issue and making adjustments to avoid a protracted fight at the ballot box.

District Court Judge Laura Scott declared the “Utah Fits All” scholarship program unconstitutional. The state will appeal to the Supreme Court. How will state leaders navigate this controversy?

Cowley: A successful signature-gathering effort, punctuated by a massive court victory — this is UEA’s best week ever since defeating school vouchers in 2007.

Considering my own public school experience (it wasn’t great), COVID’s exposure of public school shortcomings, and UEA’s liberal agenda, it’s no wonder parents are seeking education alternatives. Judge Scott said, “It must satisfy the constitutional requirements applicable to the ‘public education system.’”

Many voters don’t subscribe to the “public money for public schools” precept anymore. It should serve students, be it in traditional public ed, charter schools, private schools or homeschooling. We’re not a one-size-fits-all society. Everything is customized from your curated Facebook feed to the position of your car’s seat — even your dirty soda order is tailored to your preferences. Education, and how we pay for it, should fit students’ unique needs.

Homeschoolers make up nearly 80% of UFA participants. They are some of the most well-organized and formidable activists on the Hill. Political onlookers, grab your popcorn, this is only the beginning of a battle royal between UEA and homeschoolers.

The biggest losers, aside from students whose education may be upended, will be judges during next legislative session.

Pignanelli: After the vouchers legislation was passed in 2007, UEA obtained the necessary signatures to have the issue on the general election ballot. 62% of Utahns rejected private school financing, and the matter remained dormant.

Then the pandemic hit. Utah parents were frustrated with school district officials and became open to alternatives. Legislative leaders sensed this shift and tasked Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman, to successfully sponsor the scholarship program legislation. This was a wise choice, as Pierucci is an articulate and intelligent lawmaker who possessed the good sense to marry an Italian.

Most private institutions are well-regarded. While well-developed homeschools offer a valuable option in certain circumstances, this alternative remains a subject of controversy and will drive heated political deliberations across the state.

Cowley: We can put to bed any claims that Utah’s referendum laws are too stringent. A gaggle of volunteers were successful in 2020, and now organized labor has far surpassed the threshold.

Legislators will not go quietly into the night, allowing an activist judge to dismantle Utah’s school choice program. Expect legislation to shore up the program, and judges to once again be recipients of legislative ire.

Pignanelli: Unless resolved soon, the role of public employee associations will be a feature in political party conventions and swing legislative districts. The Supreme Court’s ultimate ruling on the scholarship program could foster another constitutional ballot proposition.

The new politics of food and health

By Renae Cowley, Frank Pignanelli

Republican Renae Cowley is a political consultant, lobbyist, social media influencer and professional rodeo athlete. Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser who served as a Democrat in the Utah State Legislature.

Federal government discussions regarding health have revolved around insurance and food pyramids for decades. Like everything else, this too is changing in dramatic fashion. As foodies, we want to comment.

The Trump administration and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are revamping how the federal government addresses health, medical research, vaccines and other issues. How and why is this happening?

Cowley: The world’s turned upside down. Unions are becoming less Democratic controlled, Republicans are now anti-global conflict and there is a Kennedy serving in a Republican administration! Health is among these shifting political paradigms.

Republicans have become the party of single-ingredient foods, grounding and sunlight exposure. It used to be liberal hippies demonstrating their resistance to the man by creating co-op farms and refusing to eat GMO produce drenched in pesticides. Now, the biggest podcaster in the world, former Democrat Joe Rogan, often discusses clean eating and healthy lifestyles on his show. Crunchy moms who refuse to feed their kids processed sugar, treat seed oils like radioactive waste, and practically bathe in beef tallow are mainstream Republicans. It begs the question: If you aren’t raising chickens in your backyard, are you even a Republican?

Aside from vaccines, food is the focus of the MAHA movement. Fast-food chains are becoming healthier. Farm-to-table restaurants are in vogue, charging a premium for hormone-free dishes. Dare I say, Trader Joe’s is not just for liberals anymore.

Trump recently canceled what should have always been temporary COVID-era funding. The pandemic is over, and thankfully, so is the reckless overspending and overreaction.

Pignanelli: “There’s nothing more political than food.” — Anthony Bourdain

The dining habits of American citizens are a long-time target of federal government agencies. I remember the great debate of whether ketchup could be classified as a vegetable for school lunch programs early in the Reagan administration.

The Department of Agriculture provided nutritional advice for a century, which was a battleground for lobbyists to ensure their clients were well-represented in such recommendations. Yet, suggestions for dietary restrictions from officials or experts were dismissed by many, opining that citizens have freedom of choice, regardless of consequences. Alternatively, recommendations from other healthcare entities and agencies regarding vaccines were implicitly followed as the memories of epidemics lingered.

This long-established order is being flipped. The libertarian viewpoint is now applied to vaccines, fluoride and other traditional mandates. Federal and state officials focus on government pressure for healthier eating. Furthermore, research grants to prestigious universities and medical facilities are subject to new “anti-woke” requirements. This could drive alterations in how health concerns are addressed. Technology, ever present in our lives, has shifted long-held beliefs.

All available vaccines course through my veins while I aggressively pursue nutritional food options. Like many of my generation, I am aghast at — but also embrace some of — these unexpected changes. Such is life in the 2020s.

The Utah Legislature passed several bills aimed at making Utahns healthier or altering how they receive care. This garnered praise from RFK and others. Why is Utah following, or perhaps leading, this trend?

Cowley: Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints follow a divine law for health and well-being, making Utah MAHA before MAHA was cool. Despite a strong penchant for Dirty Dr. Pepper and enormous cookies, Utahns are consistently recognized for overall health, due to low rates of smoking and alcohol consumption.

My favorite bill this year was Rep. Gricius’ landmark legislation making Utah the first to ban fluoride, something EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said he’s considering implementing nationwide. Expect the Utah Legislature to continue pioneering public policies that advance clean air, water and food. Admittedly, Utah has a lot of work to do on clean air.

Obesity is a public health crisis with significant economic costs. Utah Congressman Blake Moore is chairing the Budget Committee’s Health Care Task Force, tackling health care spending. When it comes to physical and fiscal health, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of gold in the federal reserve.

Pignanelli: Because of the Church’s influence, Utah enjoys a reputation for healthy lifestyles. Also, our citizens are respectful but effective challengers of authority, especially from Washington, D.C. Utah is an entrepreneurial haven with a mindset that pervades most residents and impacts lifestyles. Utahns consistently reevaluate what is working and what is not fulfilling expectations, including health and food.

In government finances and economic development, Utah is a leader across the country. Does wellness provide another opportunity to showcase the “Utah Way”?

Cowley: Utah is making major investments in public health and seeing global impacts. University of Utah Health announced a campus in West Valley. BYU will soon enroll students in its medical school. The Huntsman Cancer Institute just broke ground on its new facility in Vineyard. Utah is also setting the standard for holistic, healthy communities through investments in mental health.

Pignanelli: Regardless of where one stands on fluoride, vaccines, red dye or whatever, information exists to support or counter these positions. Thus, shrewd local officials must frequently evaluate data and research, not just emotions. The best results for citizens will require the collaborative approach of the “Utah Way,” which will be an invaluable guide to the country.

How is Utah responding to Trump tariffs?

By Renae Cowley, Frank Pignanelli

Republican Renae Cowley is a political consultant, lobbyist, social media influencer and professional rodeo athlete. Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser who served as a Democrat in the Utah State Legislature.

The cherry blossom bloom at the nation’s capital ended last weekend, and a wonderful version of it will soon retire at Utah’s Capitol. But the politics in both locales continue to thrive.

Special election outcomes in Florida and Wisconsin still reverberate. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., broke a record for the longest speech on the U.S. Senate floor with his verbal attack on President Donald Trump. Do these reveal significant trends?

Cowley: Despite being significantly outspent, Susan Crawford (D) won Wisconsin’s circuit judge seat, and Sen. Randy Fine (R) won Florida’s congressional race. Despite Elon Musk spending $20+ million to put a Republican on the bench, money talks but can’t buy elections. If it did, we would be writing about President Kamala Harris right now.

Long-winded speeches that barely last one news cycle won’t save the Democrats’ sinking ship. They don’t have a plan, a viable presidential candidate or a message. They ignore overwhelming bipartisan support for Trump policies like banning men from women’s sports and securing elections, and ignore pleas from the middle class to rebuild the economy.

Despite zero evidence of efficacy, physicians used bloodletting for centuries to remedy patients’ ills. Similarly, despite their unreliability, political commentators analyze special and off-season elections as predictors of future contests. However, politicos like us cannot help ourselves and will try to glean some nuggets that may prove worthwhile.

Wisconsin voters who placed a liberal into their Supreme Court also approved enshrinement into their state constitution of the requirement of a photo ID before a person can obtain a ballot. This is a lesson for Democrats across the country.

Booker performed a favor to U.S. history by ensuring the longest speech in the Senate is no longer a segregationist rant against voting rights. Despite the attention from national media, serious questions exist about how this 25-hour publicity tactic (only heard by a handful) helps in messaging for future Democratic candidates. Booker’s impressive bladder strength was noted, but few of his statements were covered or will be remembered.

Any additional prognostications for these activities would be akin to using leeches.

Trump is making waves, history and headlines, but not international friends, with his recent imposition of reciprocal tariffs. Utah imports and exports considerable amounts. What are the political ramifications?

Cowley: Millennials like me came of age during the 2008 Great Recession, then endured the 2020 global pandemic. We’ve barely seen a good economy, so another downturn doesn’t phase us — we’re used to a ramen noodle diet.

Tariffs aim to secure better global trade terms and restore domestic manufacturing. Trump said this will cause short-term pain but is necessary to right the economic wrongs of previous short-sighted administrations. You don’t snap your fingers and “voila,” instantaneous return of domestic manufacturing. This could take the entirety of Trump’s term or longer.

COVID-19 demonstrated America’s vulnerabilities in the supply chain. Our limited manufacturing heavily relies on foreign inputs and materials. We must bolster domestic production of energy, steel, microchips and rare earth minerals. Utah could play a part in this strategy with our troves of rare earth minerals and vast energy resources.

America remains the most important consumer market. Companies like Ford are making moves to serve American consumers, duty-free. The E.U. and others are already floating zero for zero tariffs. This is the highest-stakes game of economic chicken ever played. I’m betting on the guy who wrote “Art of the Deal” to win.

Pignanelli: Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., correctly emphasized that when Republicans imposed tariffs in 1890 and 1930, they were hammered in the next elections. A repeat could happen in 2026 if the stock market plunges and inflation explodes. This could significantly impact Utah’s swing districts and possibly a congressional seat.

But the tariffs of the 19th and 20th centuries were enacted by Congress, which means the modern story is unfinished. The president has greater flexibility to modify or Congress may feel forced to intervene, which would change the outcome.

Commentators (including me) have been opining that the political parties are undergoing realignment in multiple demographics, as was apparent in 2024. The eventual outcome of the recent actions by Trump may supercharge political transformations to the extent not seen since the 1850s.

Utah suffered in the 1890s and 1930s. Our diverse and sophisticated economy could again be negatively affected unless the trajectory changes. Thus, intra- and inter-party dynamics in the next several years may be even more extreme than the current environment.

How are other elected officials, including Utah’s delegation, reacting to Trump’s big swings? How might this change politics in perpetuity?

Cowley: Democrats can’t even denounce Tesla vandalism, let alone come up with a cogent counter to Trump’s bold and decisive agenda. Most Republicans are either complicit or silently acquiesce to Trump. Meanwhile, Utah legislators are decisively MAGA/MAHA, basking in praise from RFK Jr. and other Trump secretaries.

Pignanelli: Politicians love to be on the right side of history, but there is no crystal ball to decipher recent events. We may be amidst a massive economic upheaval that reorients political coalitions. So our officials express concern, combined with a desire to help the “hollowed out“ former industrial centers, while offering hope of eventual resolution.

Legislative dust finally settles

By Renae Cowley, Frank Pignanelli

Republican Renae Cowley is a political consultant, lobbyist, social media influencer and professional rodeo athlete. Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser who served as a Democrat in the Utah state Legislature.

March is a stormy time for politics as the Legislature ends and the governor reviews hundreds of bills. We review the implications and fallout from the preceding month.

Gov. Spencer Cox vetoed six bills and allowed two others to become effective without his signature. While some of his objections were technical, others reflected policy positions. He is requesting a special session to reform some bills he signed. Meanwhile, lawmakers will determine the appetite for veto overrides. What are the ramifications of Cox’s exercise of gubernatorial powers?

Cowley: Cox’s vetoes signal his willingness to challenge the Republican-dominated Legislature, yet his special session request reflects collaboration with legislative counterparts.

The governor is keenly aware of opportunities to fulfill his pre-session promises to provide (or in this case, protect) tax relief for seniors.

One of the most debated decisions of where to expend ink was the pride flag bill. Cox allowed it to go into law without his signature, citing that even if he used his red pen, the Legislature would assuredly override it. This nuanced approach will likely result in Cox facing pressure to better define where he stands on the issue.

In a move rarely undertaken by any executive branch, Cox declined to expand his power and vetoed SB296, which would have allowed him to choose the chief justice, preserving judicial autonomy.

Pignanelli: “They called me Veto Corleone. Because I vetoed 2,500 separate line-items in the budget.” — Jeb Bush

Years ago, I conversed with a veteran lawmaker about the governor vetoing bills. He opined that lawmakers, including him, would erupt with anger at such insolence. However, the astute politician also observed that the governor’s office is a muscle that needs exercise, and rejecting legislation maintains strength. He believed the executive pushback built parameters for future lawmaking, even if overridden.

Cox’s vetoes (and bills passed without signature) reaffirm his place in formulating tax and election policies.

SB296 would have given Cox the ability to select the chief justice. There was a compromise by the courts and Utah bar (which this firm is honored to represent) to be neutral on this bill in exchange for dismissal of HB512, an aggressive restructuring of the judicial retention process. Thus, Cox’s veto of the bill raised eyebrows.

As Cox expressed to lawmakers, the courts (including the bar) did not request this action. However, this wrinkle in the agreement may propel an override or a potential future reexamination of judicial retention. Perhaps Cox’s strategy is to assert a more decisive role in actions regarding the judicial branch.

Political observers and the governor have increasingly warned about the number of bills introduced and passed every legislative session. In 2025, 962 bills and resolutions were introduced (surpassing the 2024 record of 942), and an almost record-breaking number passed. Is this an issue, and will it ever be resolved?

Cowley: The public sees the astronomical volume of legislation coupled with headlines of perceived insignificant or even humorously unnecessary bills, and wonder if elected officials are squandering time and resources. As an insider, I can attest that weighty issues are addressed — tax reductions, educational freedom, etc. — but superfluous bills are a distraction. It’s hard to argue that Utah would come to a screeching halt if all 582 bills didn’t pass.

There isn’t a good solution other than encouraging legislators to focus on quality rather than quantity. Limiting the number of bills will only make each longer and more complex, akin to federal spending bills. Only those plagued with political obsession disease or severe insomnia read every word, thus minimizing public scrutiny.

One way to curtail voluminous legislation is for the governor to more liberally use veto authority.

Pignanelli: Decades ago, an arrogant legislator sponsored 20 bills and was chastised by fellow lawmakers and the media for burdening the system. Of course, I was that obnoxious politician who angrily claimed a constitutional prerogative to represent my constituents. So, I cannot join others in the complaint chorus.

Despite the increasing bill flow, I am amazed that the system functions well. Still, modifications are needed to utilize interim sessions better for analyzing complex issues. Lawmakers with bills in similar subject areas should be encouraged to combine efforts. But again, I’m not pointing fingers.

Cowley: Utah has more to offer than just free money. Outdoor Retailers threatened to leave over political differences. They even tried leveraging lawmakers for more incentive money and threw a tantrum when they didn’t get their ransom, but eventually came back. I’ll miss stargazing, but will sleep fine knowing our tax dollars aren’t treated like Halloween candy.

As with many rocky relationships, time apart might help Sundance see what a good thing they had with Park City. It may also open new opportunities utilizing the “greatest snow on Earth,” like the X Games.

Pignanelli: Our firm represented Sundance for several years, and they were aware of local political dynamics. Their decision was a financial consideration, as Colorado offered an incentive larger than Utah’s proposal. The impact will be less than predicted. The festival is a lively event, but unique visitor attendance is dropping. A future return is likely, as Salt Lake City is more user-friendly.

Recognizing Utah women in politics this Women’s History Month

By Renae Cowley, Frank PignanelliRepublican Renae Cowley is a political consultant, lobbyist, social media influencer and professional rodeo athlete. Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser who served as a Democrat in the Utah state Legislature.

On Feb. 14, 1870, Seraph Young (niece of Brigham Young) became the first woman to vote in the United States. Utah treasures this legacy of women’s rights, but is it being fulfilled 155 years later? We consider this question during Women’s History Month.

The Utah Woman and Leadership Project at Utah State University concludes that “the last few years have been record-setting for women running for office in the country and Utah,” but our local leadership remains overwhelmingly male. Women comprise almost half the workforce, yet there is significant inequality in pay and executive positions. What do these surveys get right, and what unique Utah nuances are they missing? What do women in Utah politics look like?

Cowley: The 2024 election produced a record number of women in the legislature. Becky Lockhart, Utah’s first female speaker of the House, would be proud. Three women won seats previously occupied by men. I love to see more women in office, but to the surprise of many, when it comes to good governance, there is more to representation than aligned gender. Hiring or voting for someone should be based on merit, not gender.

Statistical top lines never tell the full story. Many Utah women have different goals than occupying boardrooms or holding office. This does not make us better or worse simply because it’s not the norm across the country, but when have Utahns ever shied away from being peculiar people?

Utah female electees pack a punch. Republican House freshmen included an army of moms who are even more conservative than their incumbent colleagues. Rep. Celeste Maloy carries on the legacy of mighty women in Congress like Mia Love and Enid Green. Tina Cannon is shattering glass ceilings as Utah’s first female state auditor. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson is making her impression in politics and my life. After a meeting when she was a state senator and I, a lowly intern, she instructed me never to sit in the back of the room but to pull up a seat at the table — counsel I think about often. Kudos to her for fighting to preserve the memory of Utah pioneer women swept up in an overly broad directive with obvious unintentional consequences.

Not all Utah female political powerhouses are elected. One cannot mention women in politics without paying homage to Utah’s own Mother Teresa, Pamela Atkinson, and Gayle Ruzicka, conservative activist, grandmother and political kingmaker.

Pignanelli: “Most executives want to elevate women, but oftentimes they don’t know how.” — Pat Jones, Women’s Leadership Institute

Most studies of Utah women ignore their actual impact, as they are usually efficient and effective. I witnessed this phenomenon in my 39 years of public service and lobbying at the state Capitol. This dynamic certainly exists in county and municipal offices. Jenny Wilson and Erin Mendenhall hold the highest profile local positions. My mother was a three-term councilwoman who transformed Holladay City.

While the work of Pat Jones and others to activate Utah women in politics and business is critical, they have a strong foundation of success reaching back almost two centuries.

Cowley: Utah political priorities have always centered around families. This virtue is visible by the presence of babies during floor debates, a cause Pignanelli championed decades ago when he brought his bouncing baby girl onto the House floor. His official minority leader portrait captures this tender moment. But this column isn’t about adorable girl dad Frank, so back to business!

Women typically manage household budgets, so who better to be responsible stewards of tax dollars? XX-chromosome-carrying lawmakers also championed education efforts that give parents more options, like the Utah Fits All Scholarship.

I have faced plenty of prejudice and inappropriate behavior throughout my career, but a wise mentor of mine once said, “Some people will underestimate you simply because you are a woman. Use it to your advantage.” I try to honor her advice.

Pignanelli: Mia Love was a tremendous public official, but her abilities were often questioned. I enjoyed hauling these doubters to Mia’s office, and within minutes they were astonished with her knowledge and preparation. Mia was well-respected by her colleagues in Congress because she analyzed difficult concepts of legislation and combined the results with personal experiences to craft persuasive arguments. Other Utah women developed similar skills of working harder and fostering creativity to overcome silly, unsubstantiated preconceptions.

Cowley: I would be remiss if I did not call out the hypocrisy of virtue-signaling liberals who exalt the virtues of women in politics yet ignore the historic diversity in our first and second ladies, Melania Trump and Usha Vance.

Pignanelli: Renae makes a good point, but her complaint should be spread across the political spectrum. Right-wing groups did not express a modicum of deserved sentiment toward Vice President Kamala Harris or Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, both women of color. All women — regardless of political beliefs — should be acknowledged for their efforts and skills.

Sine die. Finally. Now what?

By Renae Cowley, Frank Pignanelli

Republican Renae Cowley is a political consultant, lobbyist, social media influencer and professional rodeo athlete. Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser who served as a Democrat in the Utah State Legislature.

The 2025 legislative session concluded Friday evening. (Frank won multiple “friendly” bets that lawmakers would end at midnight despite their promises of an early departure.) Since your columnists witnessed the final bang of the gavel, we offer our tired, first-hand observations.

Political battles were fought and passionate speeches delivered. Now that the dust has settled over the legislative session, what were the highlights and how will Utahns be impacted by what did or didn’t pass?

COWLEY & PIGNANELLI: Utah’s 2025 political ironman known as the legislative session is in the books. Successful legislation is now being gussied up for the governor to review and sign. But parts of the Capitol resemble a crypt where ghosts of bills that didn’t pass haunt the hallways.

Every Utahn (now the required spelling for those in the Beehive state) was impacted by legislation, especially how and what we drink. No more fluoridated water. Soft drinks may no longer be purchased with food stamps. The annual alcohol legislation is usually uncontroversial because it was vetted for months behind the scenes, yet this year it passed only in the final hours. Bartenders can now test the quality of drinks by using the “straw test.” (Frank assures us he does his own testing, usually by gulping.)

Lawmakers awaited the final revenue estimates before taking a paring knife to taxes rather than an axe like they wanted to. This spurred intra- and inter-party disputes. However, Utah individuals, families and businesses will benefit from a lower income tax of 4.5%, down from 4.55%. Social Security recipients who make less than $90,000 will be relieved from any income tax obligations.

This was to be the year of energy, and there were plenty of energetic deliberations surrounding policies to reverse the trend of Utah importing power. The current electrical provider, Rocky Mountain Power, fought hard to protect its interests. Observers noted that the ultimate policy decisions were less monumental than some predicted, but still significant. Thus, the remaining arguments, especially around renewable sources, will be fodder for discussions into the summer and next session.

Although they were quiet about their intentions prior to the session, lawmakers eventually revealed dramatic legislation to overhaul how judges are reviewed and retained. This led to a massive exchange of emails and discussions amongst Utah’s legal community. Even Chief Justice Matthew Durrant, in an unusual move, sent a letter to lawmakers expressing concern. Eventually, both sides made some concessions and agreed to work on expanding the current system of judicial evaluations. This tension between the branches of government was a natural dynamic of pressure testing checks and balances. The outcome will likely foster better communications.

The Legislature went until midnight the last night. Were there any last-minute surprises or drama?

COWLEY & PIGNANELLI: Though the feud between Sen. Daniel Thatcher and Senate Republicans was brewing for years, his surprising announcement of switching allegiances from Republican to the Utah Forward Party dominated hallway conversations on Friday.

Budget disagreements between State Auditor Tina Cannon and legislative leadership temporarily placed the auditor’s office location into question. Female lawmakers and activists rallied support behind the first female auditor, and on the final day, a truce was reached. The decision for her to remain in her current digs achieved the constitutional requirements of the auditor to save money by avoiding moving expenses such as redecorating and ordering new stationery.

Election reform was in flux all session long and the final bill passed less than an hour before adjournment. Over the next four years, ballots will be mailed only to voters who indicate their desire to continue performing their civic duty from the comfort of their kitchen tables, swaddled in bathrobes.

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Now that the session is over, what will be the focus of many politicos?

COWLEY & PIGNANELLI: The UEA and several employee associations are set to engage in one of the toughest political efforts — mounting a successful statewide referendum to repeal legislation banning unions from collective bargaining with government employers. They must gather over 140,000 valid signatures in just 40 days while satisfying a threshold in a proportionate number of Senate districts. The sheer scale of constructing a campaign this size is daunting, but having a truncated timeline immediately after the session only increases the political drama. The task before them is challenging. Yet, the UEA successfully qualified for the ballot to reverse school vouchers in 2007. Can they do it again, this time under more demanding referendum requirements? We have a friendly wager on the outcome.

Select advocates, special interest groups and lobbyists whose pleas were unsuccessful with the Legislature now have another bite at the apple with the executive branch. They have 20 days after adjournment to make their case. The biggest question on our minds is whether or not this will be the year the governor doesn’t veto a bill sponsored by his brother-in-law, Sen. Mike McKell.

As for your two humble columnists, we have big plans to occupy our now empty schedules. Renae will be busy readying her rodeo plans for the summer while Frank anxiously awaits sitting on the patio, listening to opera and imbibing without a straw.

Is the speed of federal reform too fast for Utah?

By Frank Pignanelli, Renae Cowley

Republican Renae Cowley is a political consultant, lobbyist, social media influencer and professional rodeo athlete. Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser who served as a Democrat in the Utah State Legislature.

The recently adjourned legislative session was not the only whirlwind of political activity in the last two months. Usually, the federal government bureaucracy plods along slowly. Not this year. We explore the ramifications on state politics.

Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics polls reveal most Utahns support President Donald Trump’s executive orders and initiatives (banning transgender women from participating in women’s sports, reviewing artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency regulations, etc.) However, they have concerns with other actions (pardons for the January 6 protesters, ending birthright citizenship, etc.). How do the actions of Trump affect Utahns’ political deliberations?

Utah Speaker of the House Mike Schultz was an early leader in keeping biological men out of women’s sports. It’s exciting to have the president supporting policies pioneered in Utah. California Governor Gavin Newsom deserves a participation trophy for his tardy, yet correct engagement on the issue. If only Senate Democrats would stop blocking this popular bi-partisan policy.

Our government is adding Bitcoin to their stockpiles of gold, hedging against the dollar. Tech-forward Utahns widely support this policy further legitimizing cryptocurrency, but the jury is still out for me. Why Bitcoin rather than the thousands of other cryptocurrencies? Bitcoin is already strongly tied to the dollar, minimizing any portfolio diversification benefits. I suggest stockpiling Hermès bags, which are proven to hold value, as a better investment strategy. As a fashionista, I am ready to serve my country and consult Trump’s administration on this critical strategy.

Utahns didn’t love Trump’s pardon for J6 protesters, but they REALLY didn’t love Biden’s pardon for his son. Unpopular pardons from either side are now water under the bridge. Let’s refocus on lasting policies, rather than which political allies received get-out-of-jail-free cards.

Freedom in education is very popular among Utah Republicans. With the Department of Education next on the chopping block, expect parents who fought against extended COVID remote learning and indoctrination over education to be very happy.

PIGNANELLI: “Presidential orders and actions shaped American history long before Trump, for good and bad.” — Chicago Tribune

Executive orders range from the visionary (Emancipation Proclamation) to the awful (relocating Japanese Americans). Further, it is traditional in our republic for the party out of power to grumble about presidential actions and remain silent when they recapture the White House.

In this frenetic activity, Trump is fulfilling many of the promises made in the campaign, with only the occasional court order impeding him. National Democrats are enduring inter-party friction and cannot articulate sound opposition to the president.

Despite concerns about several of Trump’s executive actions, most are meeting the approval of many Utahns. This could embolden similar policy efforts at the state and local levels.

Utah is well-known as a safe place to do business because of the consistency of regulations. The confusion created by Trump’s use of tariffs is unsettling to our local business operations. If not resolved soon, frustrations with inflation and economic instability will mount and possibly overshadow earlier popular proclamations.

Related

Utah has $37B in import/export activity. What impacts would Trump tariffs have?

Utah will directly feel the effect of specific initiatives in the Trump administration, including relaxing EPA rules and regulations, deportations, closing federal buildings, and terminating employees. Even the University of Utah is listed among 45 universities under investigation for Title VI violations. What’s the impact on our state?

COWLEY: Senator John Curtis pointed out that disruption is necessary. The public wants radical change, but cutting waste is like going on a diet. It’s difficult and requires discipline. The short-term pain of layoffs is a necessary step in securing the long-term financial health of our nation.

The Utah Legislature fully supports ICE deportations of violent criminals. Utahns historically favor compassionate approaches to immigration that keep families together. If there are widespread deportations locally, it could raise concerns from religious leaders.

PIGNANELLI: Energy production in Utah could benefit from relaxation in EPA restrictions. Indeed, the Uinta basin could flourish again with expanded operation explorations and operations. The University of Utah, under the remarkable leadership of Taylor Randall, is already ahead in resolving the DEI issues so that this recent event will be resolved quickly.

Fortunately, Utah ranks as one of the lowest recipients of federal dollars. Yet, some pain will still be felt as jobs are eliminated and programs are diminished.

Will Utah maintain a “complicated relationship” with Donald Trump (and Elon Musk) — supporting policies but having concerns with their approach?

COWLEY: The Trump/Musk bromance is the greatest liability of this administration. Elon and his wizards should stay hidden in a back room, staring at an array of computer monitors, wearing gaming headsets looking for fraud, waste and abuse, then posting their great work on X. Americans don’t want Elon leveraging his position to sell cars. Product endorsements are for social media influencers in “get ready with me” videos, not the Commander in Chief on the South Lawn.

PIGNANELLI: Trump’s style will continue to breed discomfort with Utahns while his policies reflect much of the state’s policy directions. However, if tariffs and other issues create inflation and diminished productivity, locals will demand more traditional conservative approaches.