As Joe Biden’s presidency comes to a close, I’ve found myself reflecting on everything he’s done for Utah. Unlike President Trump, who reportedly withheld federal aid from states who did not vote for him in the 2016 election, President Biden provided critical aid to red states as well as blue. He recognized that, no matter our partisan affiliations, we are all Americans, and all of us deserve the support of our government.
Many of President Biden’s policies were often focused on helping close the gap between rural and urban Utahns. He allocated over $317 million to establish affordable, reliable broadband infrastructure for rural Utahns. Under President Biden, the Department of Agriculture invested $1.8 million to help 17 rural Utah businesses access reliable renewable energy, lowering their energy costs by thousands of dollars a year. He allocated over $10 million to help protect rural communities from the devastating effects of wildfires.
But Joe Biden’s impact was not limited to rural areas. His administration allocated $60 million to help the Utah Transit Authority purchase new light-rail vehicles, ensuring that Trax remains safe for Utahns. Under his administration, 367,000 Utahns gained affordable health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. The Salt Lake City Airport was allocated $29 million to help construct its sleek new terminals, which helped the airport earn a top ranking for customer satisfaction. The Biden administration also cancelled over $687 million in student debt for Utahns, reducing one of the greatest barriers of entry to the American middle class.
It was due to the CHIPS Act, signed by President Biden, that Texas Instruments received funding to construct three new manufacturing centers in Utah. It is worth noting that only one member of Utah’s congressional delegation, Sen. Mitt Romney, voted in favor of the CHIPS Act. That didn’t stop Rep. Burgess Owens from attending the announcement of the Texas Instruments deal, echoing a disturbing trend of congressional Republicans taking credit for federal funding they opposed. This bill, along with the millions in federal investment from the Biden administration, helped bring $13.7 billion in private investment to Utah, and created 286,000 new jobs for Utahns.
Our state is prosperous. We emerged from the post-pandemic economic slump with a thriving economy. I’m not saying Utahns need to agree with President Biden on every issue. All I’m asking is that we remember his legacy, and thank President Biden for his profound impact on our state. There is more to do, and Utahns must be ready to advocate for continued federal support under the second Trump administration. But as we look ahead, we must not forget what has worked for us in the past, nor should we forget the man who helped us get where we are today: President Joe Biden.
Oscar Mata, vice chairman of the Utah Democratic Party
