Family, Ranching, Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives

Hooper, UT
Joined February 2018
Utah’s new approach to homelessness is showing that accountability works. For the first time in years, Utah is seeing a year-over-year decline in homelessness. In 2026, unsheltered homelessness fell 9.7% and chronic homelessness declined 6.7%.
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One of the things I love about these habitat improvement projects is going back and seeing them in use for both our cattle and wildlife. That’s a win-win worth investing in.
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Utah just ranked No. 1 in the nation for the lowest student loan debt burden, leads the nation in concurrent enrollment for high school students, and offers some of the best tuition value in the country. That's the result of a shared effort. From the Legislature investing in higher education and pushing for accountability and value, to the Utah Board of Higher Education, university presidents, campus leaders, faculty, and students working together to keep costs manageable and outcomes strong. A big thank you to the Board of Higher Ed and university leaders for coming together to make this a reality. It's incredible to see the changes that have been made in just a few years. There's still more work to do. Utah families are feeling the cost of living rise. We're going to continue working to make higher education attainable, keep life affordable, and make sure Utahns have the opportunity to build a future here in Utah. ksl.com/article/51627873/uta…
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Great morning at @USUAggies seeing firsthand how the university is leaning into its land-grant mission. From water research and agricultural innovation to the work happening at Space Dynamics Laboratory, Utah State is tackling some of our state’s biggest challenges with research and innovation that can make a real difference for Utahns. I was especially impressed by the work being done to make every drop of water go further. Utah State is working to find smarter, more efficient ways to use and conserve water, benefitting both the Great Salt Lake and Utah’s overall water supply. Just as importantly, students are gaining hands-on experience and the opportunity to work alongside researchers and industry leaders, equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in Utah’s workforce. Proud to see Utah State putting research, innovation, and most importantly, students at the center of its mission and helping build the future of our state.
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Really heartbreaking news about Utah’s Teacher of the Year, Talia Casares. I didn’t know her personally, but I've heard nothing but good things about her and her ability to make a lasting impact on students' lives. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, loved ones, students, and colleagues. fox13now.com/news/local-news…
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This is a great article! I love learning from people who are willing to try something different and share what they’re learning. I started implementing regenerative/holistic farming and ranching about 15 years ago, and I’ll admit, I was pretty skeptical at first. However, the more I learned and saw, the more I became a believer. I’ve now seen the amazing results firsthand. On one of my fields where I took a more regenerative, holistic approach, I saw significant improvements in soil health in just four years while using less fertilizer and less water. This year, we actually saw a 20% increase in yield, even during a drought. We need to talk more about these practices and share what’s working. Finding ways to use less water is good for agriculture, good for our watersheds, and good for Utah. It’s also one of the biggest things we can do to improve water efficiency and help protect the Great Salt Lake. deseret.com/the-west/2026/08…
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Twenty-five years ago, in the middle of all the darkness, something powerful happened: we came together. For a while, the things that divided us seemed a whole lot smaller than the things that united us. I’ll never forget that unity, and I wish we had a little more of it today. We don’t have to agree on everything to remember that we’re on the same team. 🇺🇸
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It was great meeting with Sec. @DougBurgum at the RNC Midterm Convention. We appreciate all he’s doing for Utah – expanding access to public lands, promoting responsible management, and being a strong, reasonable voice for Western states. Grateful to have him in our corner.
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Charlie believed that our country is better when people are willing to show up, speak up, and engage with one another. That’s a legacy worth carrying forward. Today, we remember Charlie, his love of God, family, and country, and his commitment to the next generation.
Today, we remember Charlie’s life, his commitment to civic engagement, and his willingness to stand for family, liberty, and constitutional government. In February, the Utah Legislature adopted an official citation honoring Charlie’s life and service, expressing support for Erika and her family, and recognizing the students who carry forward his commitment to meaningful dialogue. Charlie’s death is a lasting reminder that political disagreement should never lead to violence and that peacefully debating ideas is fundamental to what makes the United States of America the greatest country in the world.
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I couldn't agree more with @KennedyForUtah. Government's job is to protect our rights, not keep tabs on how we live our lives. I'm deeply concerned about the growing use of technology to track and monetize the everyday lives of Utahns, especially when we’re seeing reports of people illegally accessing that information. Limited government isn't just about the size of government. It's about protecting the freedom and privacy of the people we serve. As technology advances, it's our responsibility to put safeguards in place that protect Utahns from surveillance. Fortunately, we don’t have to choose between public safety and privacy. We can protect both, and law-abiding Utahns should not have to sacrifice their privacy to keep their communities safe. deseret.com/opinion/2026/08/…
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There’s a lot we can be proud of when it comes to education in Utah. Our teachers work incredibly hard, parents are deeply invested in their kids, and the Legislature has made significant investments in public education, including more funding for schools and higher teacher salaries. We’re not going to pretend there isn’t more work to do. But we also shouldn’t overlook the progress we’ve made or the fact that Utah continues to be recognized as a national leader in education. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and we’ll keep working to make sure every Utah student has the opportunity to succeed. Check out this article highlighting what makes Utah’s education system one of the best in the country. abc4.com/gtu/what-makes-utah…
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Federalism isn’t about political debates over taxes, education, healthcare, or public lands. It’s about where those decisions are made and who makes them. States may not always agree on policy, and that’s one of our nation’s strengths. But every state deserves the authority to serve its own people. Preserving the constitutional structure that keeps power close to the people is essential to protecting that principle. Our responsibility is to strengthen the foundation that our Founding Fathers laid for us, protect our constitutional system, and leave it stronger for the next generation. Thank you to Rep. @KenIvoryUT, Rep. @JasonEThompson, Sen. @KevenStratton, and everyone who joined us for the National Federalism Initiative Summit this week.
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Being recognized as the best state in the nation for four years in a row is an extraordinary achievement and a reflection of the people of Utah. This recognition reflects decades of planning, hard work, and a commitment to building a better future. We never stop working, innovating, and looking for ways to make our state better and stronger. deseret.com/utah/2026/07/27/…
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Mike Schultz retweeted
Be grateful on Pioneer Day. Latter-day Saint pioneers created one of the most cohesive, resilient & generous societies that has ever existed. Their faith, sacrifice & forethought continue to bear fruit that we all benefit from, regardless of church membership. Utah has ranked No. 1 in: Religious adherence Church attendance Married, two-parent households Neighborhood friendships Volunteerism/service Charitable giving Social capital Upward mobility Low child poverty GDP growth Median household income Economic outlook These metrics aren't an accident or an anomaly. They aren't just the result of pro-growth policy, either. It's community. We have something special. An inheritance we can respect, preserve & build upon — or dismiss, neglect & squander. Be grateful on Pioneer Day.
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On Pioneer Day, I had the opportunity to tour Beaver and see firsthand the devastating impact of both wildfire and flooding. Standing in those burned and flooded landscapes, talking with the Forest Service personnel, local leaders, and the people of Beaver one thing was crystal clear: forest management works. The difference between treated and untreated forest was visible. Areas that had been thinned or otherwise managed gave firefighters a chance. They slowed the fire, reduced its intensity, helped crews establish containment lines, and in some cases, stopped the fire altogether. In the overgrown, untreated areas, the fire burned hotter, moved faster, and left behind far greater destruction, burning an unprecedented 70,000 acres in two days. It's frustrating that while the United States is the world's largest importer of lumber and paper products, millions of acres of our own forests sit overcrowded and vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire. The boots-on-the-ground Forest Service personnel managing these forests know what needs to be done and want to actively manage these lands, but too often commonsense projects are delayed or stopped by endless litigation and opposition by environmentalists and bureaucrats in Washington D.C. That's why the Fix Our Forests Act deserves to move forward. The legislation passed the House with strong bipartisan support, but has been stalled in the Senate for 18 months. It needs to move forward. I'm grateful to Congresswoman Celeste Maloy for bringing us together to see this firsthand, and to the Trump Administration officials who came to Utah to witness these conditions on the ground. With the U.S. Forest Service headquarters coming to Utah, we have a tremendous opportunity to ensure the people making decisions about our forests are closer to the landscapes and communities they serve. Thank you to USDA's Michael Boren, Sam Crofts from the Bureau of Land Management, and Chairman Bruce Westerman of the House Natural Resources Committee for taking the time to be there and hear directly from those who have been impacted by this catastrophe. On Pioneer Day weekend, that lesson feels especially meaningful. The pioneers who settled this state understood that stewardship requires hard work, planning, and taking responsibility for the land we call home. We honor their legacy not by leaving our forests untouched until they burn and cause catastrophic damage, but by actively caring for them so they remain healthy for generations to come. The Beaver community continues to show incredible resilience. I was reminded why I'm so proud to be a Utahn. We face challenges head-on, we help our neighbors, and we don't shy away from doing the difficult work that's necessary to protect our communities and our public lands. @realDonaldTrump @RepMaloyUtah @RepWesterman @SenJohnCurtis @RepBurgessOwens @RepMikeKennedy @USDA @forestservice @Interior @BLMNational @NatResources @JStuartAdams @cralbrecht52 @BeaverCountyUT
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The pioneers built this state through faith, sacrifice, hard work, and a vision for the future. Their determination laid the foundation for the Utah we know today. The greatest way we can honor them and all those who came before us is by ensuring those who come after us inherit an even stronger Utah. Happy Pioneer Day. 🤠❤️
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After more than a year of work, we've secured more than $50 million over the next five years to expand local food processing across Utah. This has been a top priority, and I'm grateful to be working with the Trump Administration, especially @SecKennedy and @SecRollins, to make it happen. A huge thank you as well to Rep. @tiara4utah and Rep. @RepKChevrier, who have been great partners in advancing this effort. This is a win-win for Utah families and our farmers and ranchers. More Utahns want to know where their food comes from, buy local, and support the farmers and ranchers who feed our communities. This investment will help make that possible by creating more opportunities for Utah producers to process and sell their products closer to home. We learned an important lesson during COVID: relying on a handful of large processing facilities leaves both families and producers vulnerable. By investing in local food processing, we're strengthening our food supply, supporting rural communities, making our state more resilient, and building healthier local economies. When agriculture succeeds, Utah succeeds.
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I was saddened to learn of the passing of former Utah House Speaker Mel Brown. As a freshman lawmaker, Mel was a great mentor. I often sat by him during caucus lunches, and he was always willing to share his wisdom, institutional knowledge, and perspective. I learned a great deal from those conversations and will always be grateful for his kindness and willingness to invest in others. He dedicated many years to serving the people of Utah with integrity and humility, and his impact on our state and on those who had the privilege of serving alongside him will be felt for years to come. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace.
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Today is a great day for Utah's public lands and the people who love them. The Antiquities Act says Monuments should be, “the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected.” President Trump's action restores common sense and honors the original intent of the Antiquities Act by protecting the truly significant cultural and natural resources while giving these lands the active management they deserve. For too long, these monument boundaries stretched across more than 3.2 million acres, creating unnecessary restrictions while making it harder to properly care for the land. Conservation doesn't mean neglect. Healthy public lands require active stewardship. These changes will improve public access for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, off-highway recreation, horseback riding, and the countless outdoor traditions that define Utah. They also create better opportunities to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk through responsible vegetation management, invasive species control, prescribed burns, and maintaining access roads that are critical for firefighters. We believe these public lands should be protected, actively managed, and enjoyed, not locked away behind unnecessary restrictions or left vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire. This is an important step toward better management, stronger rural communities, and lasting public access. We'll continue fighting for a permanent solution that ends the political back-and-forth once and for all. Thank you, President Trump! 🏜️ house.utleg.gov/the-state-of…
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As we look ahead to America's 250th birthday, I'm reminded of what makes this country so extraordinary. I'm grateful to call both America and Utah home. Our nation was built on faith, freedom, hard work, and the belief that our rights don't come from government, they come from God. As we celebrate all that's made America and Utah so special, let's also recommit ourselves to making them even stronger for the next generation. 🇺🇸
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