Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks from his house throughout a web-based question-and-answer occasion on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Cox each was and wasn’t in any rush to supply his opinion when he was requested in regards to the FBI’s execution of a search warrant at former President Donald Trump’s Florida residence Monday. Utah State Governor’s Workplace
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox each was and wasn't in any rush to supply his opinion when he was requested in regards to the FBI's execution of a search warrant at former President Donald Trump’s Florida residence Monday.
"We actually haven't got a lot data," including that he is "all the time cautious" to weigh in on a scenario when he does not have sufficient data, throughout a web-based question-and-answer city corridor assembly with Utahns on Tuesday night.
The query in regards to the raid was the final one the governor answered, leading to a 6-minute response.
FBI brokers swarmed Trump's Mar-a-Lago property after a decide signed off on a search warrant. The U.S. Justice Division hasn't revealed a lot in regards to the search; nevertheless, Trump's household has indicated that brokers had been searching for official presidential data taken from the White Home, in accordance with Reuters.
It occurred as Congress continues to research the occasions on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, which is tied to Trump's election loss in November 2020.
Cox defined that he might see either side of the argument presently taking part in out. On one hand, the federal authorities has by no means taken motion in a approach like what performed out on Monday; then again, he mentioned the previous president shouldn't be thought of above the legislation — if he did violate legal guidelines.
"Any time one thing that occurs with a former president of the US and we've got one other occasion in workplace, there's mechanically going to be a reflexive motion to imagine that it's political," he mentioned. "I believe, I hope that the Division of Justice and FBI actually perceive that and understood that once they undertook this.
"We don't imagine in punishing our political enemies or utilizing the levers of justice — or police powers of our state — to punish in any approach our political adversaries," he added. "I do not imagine that Republicans ought to do this to Democrats. I do not imagine Democrats ought to do this to Republicans. ... It worries me."
So whereas he figures Democrats will rejoice the raid as proof that Trump is responsible of crimes and Republicans will bemoan the raid as a doable political tactic, he says he'll simply look forward to the info to come back to mild earlier than forming an opinion on the matter.
Election safety
The governor had loads of ideas when it got here to different political matters, akin to latest assaults on Utah election safety. Merely put, he believes Utah's elections are secure and safe.
He identified that the Utah Legislature appears to move a brand new legislation yearly that improves the integrity of Utah elections, particularly with most residents voting by mail. This yr, they permitted a plan so as to add cameras exterior of dropboxes to make sure the containers aren't tampered with.
"We've audits yearly, in each one among our election programs, to ensure they're functioning the precise approach," he mentioned. "We do it proper earlier than an election, we do it proper after an election. We do these pattern audits to ensure issues are working."
Coping with the drought
Drought and water consumption, nevertheless, appeared to be the subject of the day. Utah's reservoirs are at about 51% capability statewide, in accordance with the Utah Division of Water Assets.
Cox mentioned he favors extra environment friendly makes use of of water, akin to water-wise lawns and "extra accountable" farming practices, by utilizing new applied sciences that use much less water.
He additionally believes Utah's new legislation that may quickly take away the state's "use it or lose it" coverage will even assist permit water to stream into the Nice Salt Lake, which is at its lowest ranges ever recorded. Critics of the plan argue that the brand new legislation nonetheless does not completely defend the Nice Salt Lake, although.
Extra initiatives, together with ones to enhance streamflow to the Nice Salt Lake, are on the docket, in accordance with the governor.
Why Utah gasoline costs stay above the nationwide common
Cox led off Tuesday night's occasion by answering a query about why Utah's gasoline costs are nonetheless properly above the nationwide common.
Gasoline presently prices about $4.71 per gallon in Utah, in accordance with AAA knowledge as of Tuesday night. That is about 68 cents per gallon above the nationwide common; nevertheless, Utah's common can be practically a dime beneath the place it was final week and about 50 cents beneath the place it was a month in the past.
The governor reminded his on-line viewers that the excessive gasoline costs general are a combination of issues, together with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He additionally blasted the Biden administration for what he calls an absence of oil and gasoline improvement within the U.S., one thing he has criticized earlier than.
There are different elements as to why Utah is normally above the nationwide common. As an example, there is not sufficient oil and gasoline manufacturing in Utah to offer for the state's wants and there is not sufficient refining capability both, Cox mentioned. The state then depends on imported gasoline, which drives up the associated fee.
"Traditionally, as the remainder of the nation comes down, we come down slower; however because the reservoirs construct up, then we even out with the remainder of the nation," he mentioned. "We're headed in that route however (we) cannot get there quickly sufficient."
What in regards to the academics?
One factor the governor mentioned he's prepared to do is to pay academics extra as a result of, properly, the state may need to. Many faculty districts are anxious about workers shortages as the brand new faculty yr begins.
What does he assume is the quickest resolution? Enhance the pay of academics, which is an space the place the state has traditionally lagged behind others. This can be a tactic the state is already utilizing to assist appeal to and retain Utah Freeway Patrol troopers throughout a scarcity.
"It is the precise factor to do and that is precisely what we should always do," Cox mentioned. "I imagine the identical must be finished for academics."