Gov. Cox asks Utah Legislature to pursue happiness — and a bell-to-bell phone ban

On the third day of the 2026 legislative session, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox encouraged lawmakers to address some of Utah’s most pressing issues, like housing, education and social media policies, but he also asked them to pursue happiness — as the Founding Fathers had.

The Thursday evening address was attended by lawmakers from both chambers, statewide elected officials and members of the state Supreme Court. As the country approaches its 250th birthday, the governor leaned heavily into the teachings of the nation’s founders.

“Conventional thinking today defines ‘the pursuit of happiness’ as something like the pursuit of pleasure or materialism, but that’s not what the founders meant,” Cox said. “To the founders, the pursuit of happiness had everything to do with character, self-mastery, moral formation and a life oriented toward purpose and public service. Happiness wasn’t feeling good — it was being good.”

In his remarks, Cox asked that lawmakers consider limiting the number of bills they run, noting there’s been a significant increase in the number of bills run in recent years.

“We are still working to implement the 582 bills passed last session,” the governor said.

He commended Rep. Stephen Whyte, R-Mapleton, who, Cox said, “had several bills he was planning to run this year. However, after calls to different cabinet members, he was able to find solutions and drop those bills.”

In the lead-up to the session, much of Cox’s policy focus has been on literacy and banning cell phones during school hours.

“Nearly half of our third graders are not reading at grade level — and too many of those children never catch up,” he said. “That should concern us because reading is how people learn to think and govern themselves. A society that cannot read cannot reason together, and when reasoning breaks down, power rushes in to fill the void.”

Cox described literacy as “moral infrastructure” and thanked Sen. Ann Millner, R-Ogden, and Rep. Karen Peterson, R-Clinton, for taking the lead on literacy bills.

“We desperately need a bell-to-bell phone ban in schools across Utah,” he said. “Let’s give the school day, the full school day, back to kids to learn, connect and just be kids again.”

As he concluded his speech, Cox spoke to the national political environment.

“Patiently built in an unforgiving desert, our state has become perhaps the greatest success story of the American experiment,” Cox said. But he warned that “dark clouds are building all around us,” referring to political polarization and contempt.

“Honestly, we see it in both major political parties and those who represent us at the national level, making a mockery of Franklin’s virtues — rewarding grift, rejecting decency, and wantonly tearing down the very institutions that made us the envy of every nation,” Cox told lawmakers.

“Have faith in America,” the governor concluded. “Have faith in Utah. And always — have faith.”

In their response to the governor’s address, Democratic leaders from both chambers focused on addressing economic uncertainty and social programs to support Utah families.

“We cannot call our economy strong when children are going hungry, when housing is out of reach, or when parents are forced to choose between childcare and a paycheck,” Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, said. “Utah prides itself on being a family state. That has to mean more than words. It means showing up for families in real ways and building a future where they don’t just get by, but truly succeed.”

House Minority Leader Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, addressed several recent shootings in the state in her own remarks.

“Moments like those remind us that people deserve to feel safe when they’re gathering with their neighbors, attending school or church, or exercising their First Amendment rights through peaceful assembly and free speech,” Romero said. “Community safety means taking threats seriously and being willing to have honest conversations about sensible gun safety laws.”

Following the speech, Senate President J. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, said Cox’s address “showcased how Utah’s strength is built on its character.”

“As we celebrate 250 years of the great American experiment,” Adams said in his statement, “Utah continues to lead by example, proving that responsible leadership, limited government and shared values deliver freedom and lasting prosperity.”

Read a copy of the governor’s full speech below:

Note to readers • The Salt Lake Tribune is making this story about the Utah Legislature free to all. Donate to support our nonprofit newsroom.