Inside Utah Politics with Lindsay Aerts

Elected democrats have been vocal about their opposition to plans to put an ICE detention facility in Salt Lake City. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Sarah Reale weigh in on the impacts the plan could have on state politics and, possibly, new immigration enforcement. Plus, national democrats are putting their cards on the table; they are working toward a purple Utah. we look at how they could mean to get it done.

Senate President J. Stuart Adams joins Lindsay to unpack the work lawmakers have done this legislative session. That includes big agenda defining items like court reform and tax cuts, but also the bills that caught Utah's attention in the 11th hour. With just minutes left to go in the session, lawmakers passed new regulations around signature removal campaigns that could hamper to effort to keep a repeal of Prop 4 off the ballot. It comes as candidate filing opened up for Utah's newly drawn congressional map. Liban Mohamed explains why he decided to make the jump from big tech to politics and responds to comments shared by Rep. Trevor Lee after his announcement.

Congressional candidates are officially filing to run in the primaries, with most of the notable contenders already in the race. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Erin Rider join Lindsay to discuss the new filings, and Phil Lyman and Celeste Maloy in District 3. Plus, a Utah lawmaker voted no to 54% of the 2026 bills, and the panel debates whether that amount is excessive. And is President Trump is requiring his cabinet members to wear a certain type of shoe?

Some 11th hour maneuvers on Capitol Hill have been the talk of the town since Utah's general session wrapped up Friday night. The governor has already signed a bill that would ban signature removal campaigns from pre-paying postage on recission forms. The law take immediate effect, directly impacting the Better Boundaries campaign to keep a repeal of Prop 4 off the November ballot. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray join Lindsay to dissect the impact of the new law, and whether it constitutes changing rules in the middle of the game. Plus, candidate filing opens for Utah's new congressional districts. Our panel sizes up the field as it forms.

45 days goes by in the blink of an eye and lawmakers are done with their work in Utah's 2026 general session. Lindsay sits down with Governor Spencer Cox to discuss his perspective on the work the legislature has accomplished this year from court reform to funding for homelessness. Plus, Sen. Scott Sandall weighs in on water, taxes and what could be on the docket for the next time lawmakers convene on Capitol Hill.

Congress considers checking President Trump's power to wage war in Iran as the conflict enters heads towards a week long. Panelist Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan join Lindsay to weigh in the conflict today date and how the role Congress could play in the days to come. Plus, lawmakers debate a proposal that would write The Word of Wisdom into our state's drug laws.

President Trump says operations in Iran could go on for longer than a month, as Iran retaliates across the region for the strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Leah Murray join Lindsay to assess the impact this latest conflict could have on America and our allies. Plus, Utah's legislative session is wrapping up this week. We dig into some of the issues that remain to be addressed in these waning days- including an overhaul to main-in voting.

Could Utah go back to a secretary of state running elections? One lawmaker has drawn up the plan to make it happen in the final days of the legislative session despite the senate cooling on the idea. Plus, Rep. Cal Roberts explains the big picture on Utah's 6-month cut to the gas tax and how the state is working to keep energy prices lower in the long term. We also dive into Utah's presence at the president's record-breaking State of the Union address, including a shoutout to one of the members of our delegation.

President Donald Trump broke the all-time record for the longest State of the Union address in his speech to Congress Tuesday night. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Taylor Morgan join Lindsay to unpack the highlights and lowlights. Plus, the Utah GOP sues Better Boundaries over their recission campaign's use of pre-paid postage on mailers asking voters to remove their signatures from the push to put Prop 4 back on the ballot.

A federal court has declined a request for an injunction to block a judge-imposed congressional map, just as the Utah Supreme Court has dismissed the legislature's appeal of that same map at the state level. That means, barring action from a higher court, Utah's newest congressional map all but confirmed to stay in place for the 2026 midterm election. The map includes the state's first democrat-leaning district in decades. Panelists Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan join Lindsay to weigh in on what's next for state politics under the new map, even if it is only in place for one election cycle. Plus, lawmakers tease that changes could be coming to the constitutional court proposal that passed just this month. It comes on the heels of a new lawsuit saying the idea of a three judge panel hearing constitutionally impactful cases at the district level is itself unconstitutional.

We have just two weeks left in Utah's general legislative session for 2026. It's a sprint to the finish with some big proposals left to debate. Will Utah tax social media companies? What's going to be in the state budget? Will the state ban non-citizens from public benefits? Our panel of insiders and experts answers these question. Plus, the federal case to overturn Utah's new congressional map meets for the first time. Hear the arguments that could reshape the midterm elections.

A plan to reduce the gas tax has been unveiled on Utah's Capitol Hill, but now that it will cut state revenue instead of taxing refineries, is it the right plan for Utah? Panelists Adam Gardiner and Sarah Reale weigh in. Plus, Utah's redistricting case hits the federal court, and the Utah legislature is weighing changes to the Utah Fits All scholarship.

Utah Republicans are rushing to meet the deadline to put a possible repeal of prop 4 on the ballot. It's a heavy lift, requiring 8% of all active voters in 26/29 senate districts. Utah GOP chair Rob Axson thinks they can get it done, he joins Lindsay to dive into the massive effort to give the voters a chance to weigh in on redistricting one more time. Plus, comments from an American athlete in Italy draw criticism from President Trump and Governor Cox shares his thoughts as state leaders work to bring the world back to Utah in 2034.

Governor Spencer Cox had some pointed words for the media at the Games in Milan after reporters asked him about a back-and-forth between a US skier and President Trump. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in. Meanwhile, Utah's House leadership is pushing a bill to require by-mail ballots to be returned in person with ID. There are some signs of tension at the Utah legislature, and a bill has passed the House that would ban Prop betting in Utah.

As the legislative session approaches the halfway point, lawmakers are still mulling over some big ideas. Should Utah ban kratom? Do we need voter ID? How should venues supported by public funds accommodate gun rights? Panelists Adam Gardiner and Rusty Cannon join Lindsay to weigh in on the hot button topics driving debate on capitol hill. Plus, a federal court will hear the case over Utah's new congressional map. We dig into what that means for what's set to be an interesting midterm election year in Utah.

As the ink dries on the governor's signature to greenlight state Supreme Court expansion, the Utah State Bar association voiced their concerns that lawmakers are moving too quickly to change the courts. Rep. Matt MacPherson joins Lindsay to discuss his proposal to allow for a three-judge panel to weigh in on constitutional case, and whether he still supports impeachment in Utah's redistricting case. Plus, Utah State University's new president Brad L. Mortensen is hard at work on capitol hill after scathing audit blasted the university's spending under his predecessor.

Utah lawmakers are moving along steadily with a slate of transformative reforms to Utah's judiciary, with Supreme Court expansion already signed into law. Now, the Utah State Bar Association is reiterating its criticisms of some of these proposals and the idea that the legislature is making big changes too quickly. Panelists Erin Rider and Rusty Cannon join Lindsay to share their reactions. Plus, members of Utah's federal delegation join the fight over our state's redistricting process with a new challenge that implicates the US Constitution.

Lawmakers have published their audit of Utah State University under former university president Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell. The report details lavish spending including an office remodel nearing $300k, a top-of-the line bidet and a climate controlled golf cart. It also alleges contract dealings that may violate Utah's procurement laws. Panelist Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan join Lindsay to discuss the impacts that audit could, and maybe should have, and how the school is working to address the findings and move on. Plus a bill on Capitol Hill this session asks the question: should election day be a state holiday? What that proposal could mean for Utah if it's made law.

Week one jitters have worn off and now it's back to business at the Utah State Capitol. Reforms to the courts and to Utah's election system have taken top billing in both chambers. A proposal to create a new court specialized in constitutional issues turns heads, while plans to expand the judiciary at all levels speed through the legislature. Lawmakers are also refining a plan to bifurcate federal and state elections to allow for additional citizenship checks. Lindsay interviews Senator Mike McKell and Rep. Andrew Stoddard to get perspective on these issues from both sides of the aisle. Plus, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt comes to town to promote AI regulation.

The Utah legislature is requiring every state agency to propose 5% in cuts to their state budgets, but it's unclear exactly who and what may be cut when all is said and done. Panelists Sarah Reale and Adam Gardiner discuss comments from House Speaker Mike Schultz, who said that education will not see those cuts. Meanwhile, the Senate is poised to vote on DHS funding that could leave the government in a partial shutdown. And, Utah is proposing a Constitutional Court that would funnel Constitutional challenges to a panel of three judges.

The deadly shooting of Alex Pretti during a confrontation with ICE agents reignites nationwide protests over the agency's conduct and the Trump administration's approach to immigration enforcement. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Erin Rider weigh in on the political impact of these shootings and demonstrations and how Utah leaders are reacting to the widening divide over ICE. Plus, state lawmakers could consider intervening in the University of Utah's forthcoming private equity deal to fund its name image and likeness program for college athletes.

Governor Spencer Cox joins the program to outline the 2026 legislative session. Host Lindsay Aerts discusses changes to the judiciary, taxes, culture war bills, and Governor Cox's plans post second term. Plus, she takes you inside House and Senate meetings with reporters, discussions about a bill to require proof of citizenship, and a proposal to block ICE from government buildings.

Utah lawmakers are back the legislative session and have proposed hundreds of bills. One of those would require proof of citizenship for state elections, but not Federal ones. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Adam Gardner weigh in on whether Utah needs the change. Another bill proposes requiring literacy standards to move on from third grade. The Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court addresses tension with the legislature and President Trump is still on a quest to acquire Greenland.

We're just days away from the kickoff of the 2026 general session of the Utah legislature. House Minority Leader Rep. Angela Romero joins Lindsay to explain how Utah's Democrats hope to make an impact on important issues despite their super-minority status. Later on, Rep. Trevor Lee explains the rationale behind his proposal to rename Harvey Milk Boulevard for Charlie Kirk and defends the comments he made about congressional candidate Liban Mohamed that drew allegations of bigotry and racism.

The Republican-majority Utah Legislature plans to introduce a revised Constitutional Amendment D in the 2026 General Session. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Taylor Morgan debate what they'd like to see on the November 2026 ballot. Lawmakers are also considering a tax on social media advertising revenue from major platforms. Plus, lawmakers will look to digitize and streamline signature gathering for initiatives, referendums, and petitions.

Some congressional Republicans are defending Fed Chair Jerome Powell after the DOJ announced a probe into his testimony before Congress regarding renovations made to the Fed building in Washington, DC. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Leah Murray discuss whether trust in the Fed is waning and how the economy may be impacted. Plus, Utah's 2026 legislative session is taking shape with bills on taxes, affordability, constitutional amendments, and some messaging bills.

The Senate has advanced a proposal to curtail the President's ability to use military action in Venezuela after the arrest of leader Nicholas Maduro. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Erin Rider discuss whether the policy is needed and how Utah's senators voted. Plus, the state is looking to ban cell phone use in Utah schools. The Utah county clerk has a new Republican challenger, and other local elections are also taking shape.

A Utah lawmaker is proposing an income tax cut, along with some changes to the way cities and other taxing entities can raise property taxes. Sen. Dan McCay (R-Riverton) joins Inside Utah Politics with Lindsay Aerts to break down the proposals. Plus, the Governor is backing a push to ban cell phone use in schools during the school day. The President of the Policy Project, Emily Bell McCormick, whose advocacy group is behind the push, joins to explain why state leaders believe this is the best policy for Utah schools.

Following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro, the ousted leader is in the United States facing narco-terrorism charges. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray break down what's next for Venezuela, and whether the President might face any wrath from Congress over the legality of Maduro's capture. Plus, Utah's elections for 2026 are shaping up with some must-see storylines. And, the ACLU of Utah filed a lawsuit against the state over Utah's sensitive materials law, as three additional books were banned in Utah.

The judge in Utah's redistricting case has issued a ruling essentially granting the ability for the legislature to appeal the case to the Utah Supreme Court, even with some outstanding claims, and despite the ability to appeal the ruling in August and November. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in on whether it was an oversight or a sound legal strategy. Plus, Former Congressman Rob Bishop is running for the state legislature, and our panel has New Year's resolutions for the legislature.

As the Utah legislature looks to expand the state's Supreme Court, the Utah State Bar says that they would rather have resources come to the lower courts. They discuss the pros and cons of appellate expansion. Plus, Eva Lopez Chavez shares her goals for Congress as she launches her bid in Utah's first district.

President Donald Trump addressed the nation in prime time, touting wins on the economy, immigration and healthcare. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Rusty Cannon join Lindsay to evaluate some of his claims and assess the president’s standing heading into the all-important 2026 midterms. The president’s chief of staff Susie Wiles, in the meantime, is pushing back on reporting from Vanity Fair that takes a candid, it at times unflattering, look at how the White House is running behind the scenes. Additional Referenceshttps://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2025/united-states-18-trillion-dollars-investments/https://emersoncollegepolling.com/december-2025-national-poll-trumps-approval-flips-since-start-of-…https://apnorc.org/projects/trumps-approval-rating-slips-on-the-economy-and-immigration/https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/state-supreme-courts/

The Utah legislature is looking to expand the state Supreme Court from five members to seven in the upcoming legislative session. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in on whether that's good for Utah, and the perception that the legislature may be trying to overturn some recent rulings that didn't go their way. Plus, Australia's social media ban for minors is making waves in the U.S., and President Trump says he's closer to declassifying marijuana.

Utah lawmakers have pushed back filing deadlines to give themselves more time to fight the fight over redistricting. At the same time, they repealed the controversial ban on public sector union collective bargaining, HB 267, avoiding a costly battle at the ballot box next year. Panelists Sarah Reale and Rusty Cannon weigh in on what the impacts could be and where the legislature goes from here. Meanwhile, democrats plow ahead with plans to run in the newly-drawn, blue-leaning district 1. Former State Senator Derek Kitchen joins the show to explain how he plans to stand out in a growing field.

December 9th's special session paved the way for appeals in the redistricting case and repealed the controversial union law known best as HB 267. Panelists Sarah Reale and Erin Rider unpack the impact of lawmakers' latest moves and what the appeals process could look like. Additionally, they discuss the U of U private equity deal and the implications on college sports programs, as well as the Salt Lake County budget cuts.

The Utah State Legislature held a special session on December 9 hoping to buy more time to appeal Utah's redistricting ruling. They also repealed the collective bargaining ban, HB267. Lawmakers are paving the way for future appeals for the redistricting case. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray recap the session, including the comments by Sen. Nate Blouin and the referendum on HB267.

In a surprise press conference days before Thanksgiving, state lawmakers announce that they're launching a three-pronged approach to challenge a Utah judge's ruling, which created a democrat leaning congressional district in Salt Lake County. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in in what's likely to happen next and what it means for the nearing 2026 midterm election cycle. Plus, state leaders announce the new name and branding for the winter games set to kick off in less than 3,000 days: Utah 2034. The new logo has drawn some serious criticism. And, will Gov. Spencer Cox run for president? We dig into all these topics on a special Thanksgiving week edition of IUP+.

In an ABC4 exclusive, one of the candidates for Utah's newly drawn first congressional district joins Lindsay to make their campaign official. Plus, Sen. Kathleen Riebe joins the show to outline her priorities and what lane she'll occupy in a primary that grows more crowded by the day. We wrap things up with

New reporting indicates Utah's four GOP representatives in the House are gaming where they will run under the new congressional district map that seems to reduce the number of seats where conservatives can win. Panelists Erin Rider and Adam Gardiner discuss what that process could look like. Plus, a panel of federal judges rejects the map Texas passed to shore up come midterms, and the president has signed the bill to release DOJ files related to the notorious late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein

We've got what seems to be the first bit of drama of the democratic primary for Utah's newly minted blue-leaning seat. Salt Lake City Council member Eva Lopez Chavez now says she did not endorse former congressman Ben McAdams' bid to return to Washington. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in on what to make of the confusion and what democrats need to be doing now to prepare for midterms. Plus, the Utah judiciary is condemning threats against Judge Gibson over her ruling in the redistricting case.

The Utah legislature is still weighing its options when it comes to fighting a judge's decision to toss out their congressional map in favor of one proposed by the groups suing them. House Majority Whip Rep. Candice Pierucci joins Lindsay to share the GOP majority's thoughts of an appeal strategy, a special session and even impeaching the judge. Plus, former Utah congressman Ben McAdams is officially running for Utah's newly minted Democrat-friendly district 1. Hear how he hopes to set himself apart in what is due to be a crowded field.

The legal drama over Utah's congressional maps likely isn't over. Utah GOP leadership tells us they are keeping all options on the table, including different sorts of appeals of impeaching judge Gibson. Panelists Sarah Reale and Rusty Cannon join Lindsay to discuss the fallout from the redistricting decision and where the Republican lawmakers are likely to go from here. Plus, Kathleen Riebe and Ben McAdams announce their plans to run for congress. Who has the best chance to win in what looks to be one of Utah's most liberal districts in decades?

A Utah judge has blocked the Utah legislature's map C, ruling it violated the state's anti-gerrymandering law known as Proposition 4. The midnight ruling sent shockwaves through deeply red Utah, as the judge ruled that the plaintiff's map 1, which will, in all likelihood, solidify a Democrat in Congress, is the map that will govern Utah's 2026 midterms. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray break down the impacts on Utah politics, criticisms of the ruling, and what's next.

Utah Democrats were denied after they pushed for a special session of the Utah legislature to fund SNAP benefits from Utah's rainy-day fund. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Rusty Cannon break down whether that's the government's role. Ben McAdams is reportedly running for Congress, President Trump's tariffs were in front of SCOTUS, and NYC has a new mayor.

Utah’s municipal election races are coming to a close as final votes get counted. Panelists Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan discuss the Sandy mayoral, Riverton mayoral, Ogden Valley, Ogden City, and other races across the state. New York City also saw an historic election, as did Democrats in Virginia, New Jersey, and Georgia.

Thousands of Utahns are getting ready to go to the polls on Tuesday to vote in hundreds of races across the state. This year, there's a new election law in effect, and you'll need to understand it if you want to make sure your vote counts. Plus, there are dozens of new races on the ballot this year. Lindsay sits down with Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman and Rich Stowell from the sunsetting Alpine School District to explain it all.

Salt Lake County has announced a $3 million budget cut by closing four daycares. Panelists Sarah Reale and Erin Rider delve into whether the cuts were a good decision, whether the government should provide daycare, and if not, who should? Former Utah Attorney Sean Reyes is being sued by a former client for malicious prosecution. And, construction has started on the Power District, west of downtown.

As Utah's redistricting case moves on, Utahns don't seem to be paying close attention. That's according to some new polling from the Deseret News. Panelists Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan discuss why. Speaker of the House Mike Schultz released a video addressing the court case, and where the case stands. Plus, municipals are coming up and some are using their political parties to get a leg up, despite races being non-partisan.

Municipal elections are just days away now. Utahns are voting for local leadership in dozens of races across the state. Governing Group executive director Kyle Friant has his fingers on the pulse. He joins Lindsay to walk us through some of the mostly hotly contested races. Meanwhile, the mayor of Salt Lake County has proposed a nearly 20% property tax hike. She says the county needs to offset rising costs from inflation. Council members Aimee Winder Newton and Suzanne Harrison explain their approaches to the proposal and tell us whether they think the mayor will get the full 20%.

Salt Lake and Davis counties have proposed property tax raises of roughly 20% and higher. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Rusty Cannon weigh in on whether the proposals will stick. Plus, Utah State Senator Daniel Thatcher (District 11, Forward party) has announced his intention to resign from the legislature ahead of the next general session, and the Forward party will fill his seat. Plus, they weigh in on the demolition of the White House's east wing.