Gov. Cox unveils full budget recommendations for 2024 fiscal year

Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson give their 2024 budget recommendations in South Jordan, Dec. 9, 2022. Photo: Utah Governor’s Office

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson unveiled their full budget recommendations for fiscal year 2024 yesterday after announcing their plans for tax cuts and a pay raise for Utah’s teachers on December 8.

Budget highlights from yesterday’s announcement included:

• $516 million for water conservation, agriculture optimization, infrastructure
• $150 million for housing including $11.5 million for first-time home buyers
• $53.5 million for domestic violence prevention and victim support
• $16 million for family support services

“This is a budget that reflects fiscal conservatism and family values by investing in people, and expanding opportunities for Utahns across the state,” Cox said. “Our state is growing and this budget invests in the things that we know work.”

Cox also recommended that Utah allocate $53.5 million for mental health resources, citing Utah’s high suicide rate as a primary reason for the funds. Cox supports is supporting a recommendations from the Behavioral Health Crisis Response Commission for a $5.4 million one-time and $6.3 million ongoing budget increase in order to create more Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams to reach those in need.

“Suicide remains a leading cause of death in Utah, with the state having the sixth highest rate of suicide in the nation,” said Cox’s budget recommendations. “State, county, and local governments are working to develop a broad crisis system to better respond to individuals facing a mental health-related crisis or behavioral health need.”

Cox also recommended that the state invest $8.7 million into providing pregnant women on Medicaid with 12 months of continued postpartum care, going beyond the current 60-day limit.

“Extending coverage for postpartum women beyond the 60-days after birth limit can reduce pregnancy-related deaths, decrease severe maternal morbidity, and improve continuity of care for chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiac conditions, substance use disorder, and postpartum depression,” said Cox’s budget recommendations.

View the governor’s full budget recommendations for 2024 here.