Utah consistently finds itself among the fastest growing states in the country. While growth poses exciting opportunities for working families, jobs, and the overall economy, it also puts strains on existing infrastructure and can lead to overcrowding on roads and highways. With our population continuing to increase, we need to stay ahead of that growth rather than waiting for congestion and aging infrastructure to become bigger problems.
I believe the federal government should be a partner to states and local communities, not an obstacle. Utah leaders know where our transportation needs are and should have the flexibility to make those investments without spending years navigating unnecessary federal red tape. Through my work on the Commerce and Environment and Public Works committees, I have pushed for more efficient permitting and environmental reviews and federally-supported, state-led solutions to address our growth and transportation needs.
Utah continues to prove its national and international presence. The Salt Lake Temple open house in 2027, and return of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2034 are especially top of mind. While these events add urgency to our immediate needs, the infrastructure we build and improve should first and foremost serve Utahns long after theyare over.
To that end, I have worked to advance the FrontRunner double-tracking project and introduced the PATH Act to improve the federal process for evaluating major transit projects. These are long-term investments that will help Utah accommodate continued growth and give people more options for getting where they need to go.
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My focus is on making it easier to build what Utah needs and ensuring federal infrastructure dollars are spent on projects that actually improve how people live and move around our state.