It's Not Over 'til It's Over - The Last Week of the 2019 Utah Legislative Session

It's not over 'til it's over...but there is a lot of uncertainty along the way.

We are now looking at the final three days of the 2019 Utah legislative session. For us, at this point, it's about the budget. What is awarded at this now determines how much we do or don't have to increase tuition, and how our three-year degree pilot will move forward. Until the final budget bills are approved by both legislative bodies, every hint of funding is a little like watching a movie preview -- expecting to see the advertised featured performer, but not seeing them anywhere. That was today.

In one of the training programs I facilitate, we teach "emotion trumps everything." It's true up here too. Be it funding, or policy, or perception, it is easy to see how emotion/passion/concern/empathy drives so much of what happens in our state. The best advice has been, "be patient." Listen and watch. 

We've done good work this session. We've expanded our network of advocates. We've created more awareness about Southern Utah University and the educational successes we are guiding, especially when it comes to "innovation in higher education." This is still my favorite quote of the session as stated by Governor Herbert and echoed by Governor's Office of Management and Budget Executive Director Kristen Cox.

Many thanks to my first-ever legislative intern Alexandra White. She has helped President Wyatt and me take more meetings and have more conversations than ever before. She and the other eight legislative interns were fantastic representatives for SUU and have contributed to our success.

But, it's not over until it's over. Thursday, March 14, 2019 at midnight. Then we will know the full result of the 2019 Utah legislative session, that is, until the special session is called to deal with tax reform in Utah.