The Bulldog Press attended Governor Spencer Cox’s Monthly Press Conference on Wednesday January 16, 2025.

The main topics, questions, and concerns addressed were: 

• Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees, executive orders, and presidency
• Will the Sundance Film Festival stay in Utah? 
• Park City Ski Patrol strike 
• Cost of energy and housing
• Road safety 
• Preservation of Utah’s National Parks such as Bears Ears and Grand Staircase

Video Transcript

GSC: Governor Spencer Cox, Utah Governor 

BB: Bailey Britter

LS: Lauren Steinbrecher, PBS Utah News Moderator 

BT: Brigham Tomco, Deseret News Reporter

PM: Parker Malatesta, KPCW

BW: Ben Winslow, KSTU Fox 13 Political Reporter 

KD: Kyle Dunphey, Utah News Dispatch 

BA: Blake Apgar, Local/Communities Editor for Salt Lake City Tribune

BR: Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers

DK: Dave Keuning, backing voice of The Killers 

RC: Rivers Cuomo, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of Weezer

0:00 – 0:03 

BB: Reporter’s Journal: January 16, 2025 

0:04 – 0:14 

BB: The Bulldog Press attended Governor Spencer Cox’s Monthly Press Conference taping at PBS Utah along with an audience of local journalists.  

0:14 – 0:18

(music)

0:19 – 0:25

GSC: Good morning, everyone. Welcome. I appreciate the members of the media that are joining us today, and those who are watching from home…

0:25 – 0:33

BB: Topics during the lively Q & A session included; newly elected President Trump’s proposed Cabinet nominees…

0:34 – 0:38

BT: Governor, will you be at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday? 

GSC: I will, yes. Yeah. 

0:38 – 1:58

BT: And how soon are you expecting that the state will need to be ready to respond to executive orders on things like immigration or energy? Are you expecting it on day one or next week, or…?

GSC: Yeah, I’m expecting it on day one. Honestly, Brigham, we’ve…so I was in West Palm Beach just a week ago…yeah, it was exactly a week ago…with 24 other governors. 

There were 24 of the 27 Republican governors that were in attendance, and that was one of the discussions we had. In fact, I specifically asked the question. 

What we’re seeing are orders, decisions coming out of the Biden Administration, that are, you know, clearly last minute, very politically driven. 

And just unseemly orders that are coming out and the question I asked is, “What is your administration’s plan to deal with these last minute orders that they never would have done had they actually won the election?”

And the message from President Trump was that literally on day one that his plan is to leave the diece after being sworn in, and go into the Capitol and start signing orders to undo some of those things. 

So, I don’t know what that will look like, and…but we’ll be prepared from day one to start working together on whatever that is. 

1:58 – 2:04

BB: Governor Cox’s top priorities for the upcoming

 legislative session include…

2:05 – 3:01

GSC: Our number one priority last year continues to be this year, it’s the price of housing and our ability to build more and to lower the price of housing so our kids and grandkids can live here and can own real property and achieve the American dream. 

Number two is energy; energy production in this state. We have an energy crisis across the nation, across much of the developed world. Through our Operation Gigawatt, we’re working very closely with the legislature. We know we need to double the amount of energy we’re producing in the next few years. And we have robust plans to do that. So that’s a huge one for us. 

And then helping our seniors, getting a tax cut for our seniors…making sure that we eliminate the tax on social security. We’re 1 of only 8 states that after West Virginia completely repeals theirs will be taxing social security. That’s a huge one for us, as well as some other issues around our seniors, making sure that we’re helping them as some of our most vulnerable.   

3:02 – 3:12

BB: As well as the lingering question whether the famous Sundance Film Festival will leave Utah as several U.S. cities compete for the festival’s positive economic impact.

3:13 – 4:48 

GSC: Yeah.

BA: I would ask what odds you’d put on Sundance staying. 

GSC: Oh gosh, I don’t know. I hope, really high. Again, I don’t know. I’m not privy to what the discussions are happening internally for Sundance. 

But, again, I really think that if you just look at the history of Sundance. If you look at the package that’s been put together to work with them, to help them stay here…I feel very good about it. 

It may not be the most lucrative package, there are some other states who can probably throw some more money at it…but if they want to stay successful, have a destination…

The plan that we worked on together with Salt Lake City and Park City together I think is a brilliant plan and a brilliant model. 

And so, I would be surprised if they didn’t stay, but again I don’t get to make that decision. We’re certainly hopeful.

We went through this with outdoor retailers a few years ago. Outdoor retailers made a huge mistake. 

They thought it would be better if they chase the money, the politics, and they went somewhere else…and it didn’t work out for them. And they came back. 

And so, I hope that we don’t have to have a repeat of that with Sundance. Because Sundance is so important. And again; Sundance is Utah, and Utah is Sundance. You can’t really separate those two. 

And so, we’re really hopeful that we can provide the type of packages…not just government, there’s the private sector who’s working on this…can provide the right type of package to keep Sundance here, one that they’ll appreciate and that they’ll stick around and keep their seat at the table. 

4:48 – 5:01

BB: Thanks to Judge Memorial’s partnership with PBS Utah and PBS NewsHour, I was able to participate in the live press conference and get a direct response from Utah’s Governor to my question. 

5:02 – 5:12

LS: And, Governor, I would like to introduce you to Bailey Britter. She’s a Judge Memorial high school student sitting behind me. She’s here for the PBS Newshour Student Reporting Lab, so Bailey go ahead and ask your question. 

5:13 – 5:57

BB: Governor Cox, thanks for taking my question. As a soon to be driver on Utah roads – traffic safety is very important to me and my high school peers. I know your administration supports zero fatalities through the Utah Department of Transportation, and encourages trucks to secure their loads to avoid dangerous road debris. 

My question is: why do I see so many large dump trucks full of gravel and other loose materials driving on our roads without covering their loads when often their truck bed covers are folded up by their cabs instead? 

Now, I understand that this is currently required by law, but how could we as a state increase penalties and enforcement to protect Utah drivers? 

What are your thoughts on that, sir?

5:57 – 7:04

GSC: Yeah. Thank you, Bailey, for the question. As a dad of a teenage driver, I worry about those things too, and I so appreciate that. 

We do have laws in place and stiff fines for those who do not secure their loads. And sadly every day you see it, I see it. 

We’ve had conversations with law enforcement, and we’ve had efforts over the past couple years to increase the enforcement piece of that. 

Obviously, it’s up to the legislature if there is a desire to actually increase the fines and penalties associated with that. 

But, it’s something we’re deeply concerned about. I can tell you that the legislature has approved an increase for us this last legislative session. 

It takes a while. Once the money kicks in in July, then you have to go through the hiring process, and people have to go through a pose. 

And so we’ve been hiring additional officers at the Highway Patrol to help us on some of those roads that you’re talking about and that you’re driving on,  

so that we can catch more of the people who are not securing their loads, and try to do better on that phase. 

Thank you.

7:05 – 7:14

BB: It was interesting to hear what other journalists asked the Governor during the taping and meet the new PBS moderator and TV reporter, Lauren Steinbrecher. 

7:14 – 7:20

LS: Um, we want to go to Parker Malatesta with KPCW. Uh, Parker, go ahead with your question. 

7:22 – 7:37

PM: Hey, Governor. Park City has been the subject of national news recently. A lot of holiday visitors to Park City Mountain were upset over conditions due to the Ski Patrol strike. 

Any concern about Utah’s biggest tourism destination taking a reputational hit? 

7:37 – 8:37 

GSC: Well, sure. I don’t think we love it when that type of thing happens. We try not to meddle in those situations, and I’m glad that a resolution was reached. 

We have lots of amazing ski resorts in this state, lots of amazing ski destinations, and I’m hoping that was something that was a blip and we won’t see it again anytime soon. 

I appreciate the patience of everybody who was involved, and some who had their vacations disrupted because there were long lines and less areas open. 

But, what I can say is, the ski industry is doing very well this year. We’ve had great snow, and we’re right about normal…a little above normal in some Northern Utah areas. Southern Utah below normal for sure, and we’re hoping to get more precipitation in Southern Utah. 

But, again, best snow on Earth, best skiing anywhere around, the best snowboarding…

It’s great that Utah is such a destination. 

8:37 – 9:00

BW: Do you support shrinking Bear’s Ears again? 

GSC: Yes. Yeah, why? Sorry…

8:42 – 0:00

LS: And Parker has a follow-up question. Go ahead, Parker. 

GSC: Yeah, sure. 

PM: Yeah, relevant to the LA wildfires, we’ve heard from insurers that Wasatch Back home owners are increasingly dealing with higher premiums and a lack of coverage in some areas due to wildfire risk. 

Does your administration or the legislature have any plans to address this issue?

9:01 – 10:51

GSC: Yeah, we’ve been having conversations for sure. We’ve been talking with insurers John Pike, who’s the insurance commissioner for our state, has been leading the charge here. 

What I can tell you is that we are very fortunate to have about 100 insurers in the state of Utah that provide homeowner’s insurance here. 

And while there are decisions being made, again by some carriers about what their pricing will be, and what areas they’re willing to cover. 

So far, there still is an ability for Utahns to get coverage…unlike some places in California. 

And I would just add that one of the reasons it’s so hard to get coverage in California is because of decisions that politicians and the people of California made that may have seemed good in the short term, in limiting the ability to raise insurance rates to actually cover losses. 

And so, they’re providing coverage below market rates and below the risk that actually happens there. 

And because it takes upwards of a year to get approval in California for any rate increases, and those rate increases have been limited, it is true that Californians have been paying lower prices than they otherwise would have paid. 

And now we see the end result of that is that the market can’t keep up, and so many are pulling out of the market. 

That’s bad! 

So, something that was meant to help Californians actually ended up hurting them worse on the back end. And I’m hoping that we won’t make the same mistakes here in the state of Utah. And, we again have to make decisions based on risk. And as more and more people want to build in areas where wildfire is a danger, they’re going to pay higher premiums. That’s just the nature of this, and that’s not a bad thing. 

I mean, it is…again, nobody likes to pay more, I understand that, but you’ll like it a lot less when your house is gone you don’t have any insurance coverage. 

10:52 – 11:00

KD: Governor, Doug Burgham testified in front of the Senate committee today. 

I’m curious what you think of that nomination, and how that could change how public blinds are managed in the state.   

11:01 – 11:04

GSC: Yeah! Well, how did it go? I haven’t had a chance this morning to see anything. (laughs) 

11:04 – 11:13

KD: It seemed like it went well. He did express some desire to maybe work with the state to change the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase. 

11:13 – 13:05

GSC: Yeah, so let me just answer the question. Again, I haven’t had a chance, I’ve been working all morning, so I haven’t seen any of the coverage of his hearing. 

What I can tell you is that Doug Burgum, as the pick for Interior Secretary of interior, was probably the single best decision that Donald Trump has made in his previous administration or this current one. 

I like to tell people that Doug Burgum is so well respected by governors, both the right and the left; Republicans and Democrats. I’ve joked that every governor likes to think they’re the smartest person in the room, until we get in the room with Doug Burgum, and then we all know it’s not us. 

And Governor Burgum, soon to be Secretary Burgum, is just a brilliant human being. He understands these issues as well as anyone out there. 

You know, one of my favorite moments…if you’ll forgive me for just rattling on a little bit about how great I think he is…we were meeting together as NGA, The National Governors Association, and we had a meeting that was just the governor’s lunch where we can talk a little more freely. 

And a debate broke out between two governors: the Governor of North Dakota, Governor Burgum, and the Governor of the great state of Washington, Governor Inslee. 

You probably won’t find two more different people when it comes to their views on the environment and regulation and everything else. And the debate was incredibly respectful. The meeting ended and they stayed there for 20 minutes, talking to each other about these very issues. And it again just showed his willingness to listen and to learn from others, but also again, the brilliant way in which he pushed back on what I believe are some of the most important issues of the day. 

13:05 – 14:08

GSC: So, yes. Governor Burgum is a dear friend, I talk to him regularly. And I think he’s going to be a great help when it comes to the public lands issues, permitting reform…the things that we need to happen to continue to protect the environment, to save our most beautiful landscapes. 

But also, to unleash the ingenuity that exists in America, and the value of our public lands in protecting not just the economies of the United States, but also homeland security. 

I mean, our reliance on other nations, hostile nations, for critical minerals that are so important. Our reliance on other nations, again our energy production…it’s crazy that we’re outsourcing those most valuable and precious resources that we have to people who hate us and wish to do harm to us, and who don’t care about the environment at all. 

So, he will be a breath of fresh air in this space. 

14:09 – 14:16

BB: During a break, Governor Cox also took my personal questions about music and revealed his two favorite rock songs. 

14:17 – 14:18

(guitar riff) 

14:19 – 14:21

BB: The Killers “All These Things”… 

14:22 – 14:51

BF and DK:

And my affection, well, it comes and goes

I need direction to perfection, no no no no

Help me out, yeah

You know you gotta help me out, yeah

Oh, don’t you put me on the back burner

You know you gotta help me out, yeah

And when there’s nowhere else to run

Is there room for one more son

These changes ain’t changing me

The gold-hearted boy I used to be

Yeah

14:51 – 14:52

(guitar solo) 

14:53 – 14:56

BB: …and to no surprise, Weezer’s “Cardigan”. 

14:57 – 15:06

(electric guitar solo)

15:07 – 15:19

RC: 

If you want to destroy my sweater

Hold this thread as I walk away (As I walk away!)

15:20 – 15:26

BB: Thanks PBS Utah for the invitation. Reporting for the Bulldog Press, I’m Bailey Britter. Thanks for watching!

15:26 – 15:32

Outro Music and Closing Credits