Happy Saturday, and welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah — without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.
Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy recently introduced the Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act, which would strip a president’s sole authority to create or change the size of monuments and hand that power over to Congress, Mark Eddington recently reported.
The bill would replace the section in the Antiquities Act of 1906 that empowers presidents to preserve historic land, landmarks and “objects of scientific interest” on federal lands with one that stipulates creating or extending such monuments can only be authorized by Congress.
The news elicited a strong response on Instagram. Here’s what our followers had to say:
“While I oppose this, in the short term it would stop Trump from trying to reduce national monuments again, which will lead to more court drama, again.”
“Utah representatives should really start paying attention to current data about what their constituents want. This week a new poll came out commissioned by the Grand Canyon Trust, which found that 75% of Utahns support presidents using their executive authority to designate national monuments, including over 60% of Republicans!”
“The vast majority of public lands should be given back to Indigenous peoples to steward and manage. Enough exploiting land for profits and leaving environmental collapse in the wake of it.”
Over on Bluesky, one follower said:
“Can she focus on productive, and not performative, legislation? This action seems a waste of her constituents’ (actual bosses) time and a misuse of resources.”
Give us a follow on Instagram and on Bluesky to join the conversation.
Utah Voices
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Pride flag at the home of grandparents in support of LGBTQ members, including their transgender grandchild, Feb. 12, 2022. The grandparents and 12 other family members are moving to Oregon after a child in the family came out as transgender. The family believes Utah would not provide the supportive environment they want for the child under the state's anti-LGBTQ laws pushed by legislators.
The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.
Cache County
“Logan may not be as in touch with the land as it needs to be, but there is something worth preserving in what it has now,” writes Dax Gove, a graduate student at Utah State University. “The forces of progress and industry that have exerted their influence in too many other places of the world are not what we need to make Logan better. They will destroy it, as they have all the other places they’ve reached.” Read more.
Live in Cache Valley? The Tribune is launching a new weekly newsletter bringing you news, stories and events that’ll keep you in touch with your community. Subscribe here.
Higher education
“Many of our national counterparts have earned the criticism directed at them, but when we make broad judgments about an entire sector based on a few bad actors, we might not notice the successes happening in our own backyard,” writes Brad Mortensen, president of Weber State. Read more.
“General education in college refers to a broad curriculum that all students, regardless of their major, are required to complete. This curriculum covers a wide range of subjects, including humanities, arts, social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics,” write University of Utah provost Mitzi M. Montoya and Utah State University provost Laurens H. Smith. “While students gain training in a particular subject area through their major studies, general education classes provide what is likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to add far-ranging breadth to their learning.” Read more.
Public education
“As Utahns set forth on their new year’s goals and resolutions, there is one that I hope the Utah Legislature and Gov. Spencer Cox will set as a priority for the upcoming legislative session: End partisan state school board elections,” writes William Shields, a social studies teacher. Read more.
“LGBTQ students should feel safe everywhere in schools, not just in rooms with rainbow flags,” write Troy Williams and Marina Lowe with Equality Utah. “Every classroom, hallway and locker room should be safe for all students to learn, grow and express themselves. Now, as Utah’s Legislature prepares to debate HB77 — legislation that would restrict the display of pride flags, among others — lawmakers may remember the old saying, ‘That which you resist, persists.’ Often, such restrictions backfire, inspiring bolder, defiant displays of youth identity.” Read more.
Water
“The revitalization of the Price River is an example of what we can achieve with projects designed to make natural areas more resilient,” write Helper Mayor Lenise Peterman and Utah State Director of Trout Unlimited Jordan Nielson. “With continued federal funding for large-scale, long-term solutions, we can help create a secure water future for the next generation while also safeguarding the incredible natural areas that make Utah unique.” Read more.
Share Your Perspective
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Patrons sit at tables and booths at Thieves Guild, a new fantasy-themed cidery that opened in October, in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Have you dated in Utah? Tell me about your experience — and any challenges you’ve faced.
From Bagley’s Desk
2025 Legislative Session | Pat Bagley
I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop me a note at voices@sltrib.com.
