Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
- Gov. Spencer Cox addressed the Sundance Film Festival's future in Utah, dismissing concerns that a flag bill could hurt the state's bid.
- He expressed concern about Trump's tariffs, noting potential economic risks, but said he's hopeful Trump proves many economists wrong.
- Cox said he has taken a more private role in negotiation on bills, preferring private talks with lawmakers.
SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox addressed the future of the Sundance Film Festival in Utah and weighed in on President Donald Trump's tariff plans and funding cuts during his monthly news conference Thursday.
The governor said he doesn't believe a bill banning gay pride and other flags from public buildings will impact the state's bid to keep the Sundance Film Festival. The assessment comes a week after an anonymous "Sundance insider" was reported to have said the bill would hurt efforts to keep the festival in the state.
The Sundance Institute is mulling three bids to host the festival beginning in 2027 after narrowing the field down to Salt Lake City/Park City, Boulder, Colorado, and Cincinnati, Ohio. During his monthly news conference Thursday, Cox was asked about the potential fallout from HB77, but he appeared unconcerned.
"We've been told by the (Sundance) board very clearly that political issues have nothing to do with the decision," he said. "I'm going to take the board at their word."
Cox reiterated hopes that Utah can retain the festival, which has been held every year in the Beehive State since it was created in 1978. He downplayed comments by the single anonymous insider and said if the person truly wanted to have a positive impact in supporting Utah's LGBTQ+ community, they could do more by keeping the festival's footprint in Utah.
"I would encourage you to go ask that board member if that bill did not become law ... does that mean that that board member is going to vote to stay here for sure?" the governor said. "If that person does care about making a difference on these issues, I don't know why leaving makes that better."
The governor has seven days to sign or veto the remainder of the 582 bills passed by Utah lawmakers and is still mulling several proposals some have urged him to nix, including the flag bill and one that would prevent cities from adding fluoride to water.
Cox has said he will likely use his veto pen before the end of next week but hasn't indicated which pieces of legislation he's eying.
Trump tariffs
Asked about the tariffs Trump has imposed early in his second term and the plans for more as soon as next month, Cox said he's "concerned" about the potential economic ramifications but is hoping Trump is on to something. He noted that tariffs have been "widely panned" since the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 — passed by Utah Sen. Reed Smoot — but said former President Joe Biden's decision to keep tariffs on China made him think there might be more benefit than the traditional economic consensus.
"I hope that President Trump is right when it comes to tariffs, I really do. I hope this works. I think it's a huge gamble," he said. "I'm curious. I'm hopeful that this will lead to something better for our country, and we're going to find out. ... Markets are going to do what markets do, and we'll see if it's a little short-term harm for a long-term gain, or if this potentially sends us into a recession. I certainly hope not."
Cox also spoke in favor of "the idea of DOGE," or the Department of Government Efficiency, saying it's time a president seriously address the amount of debt the federal government accumulates. But, he said, the way Trump and Elon Musk go about it could have ramifications for future efforts to limit spending.
"Obviously, there are examples where it's been a little clumsy, where it's been done the wrong way," he said. "And so my concern there ... is that if done poorly, the backlash will be so severe that it will end, and we need it to continue. And so, that's where I'm hopeful that they'll learn lessons from the places where they make mistakes, but it's going to be hard."
More behind-the-scenes effort on bills
With the recent legislative session now in the books, Cox said he has traded giving public input on proposed bills for a more private approach.
"I've actually been louder in advocating for and against bills, just not publicly," he said. "I've learned over time that it's easier to praise in public and criticize in private, and that tends to carry more water and help us get where we need to go."
The governor described his relationship with lawmakers as "incredible" and said he has wanted to avoid drowning out their voices through his bully pulpit, even when he disagrees with them.
"Now, that being said, there will be some bills to get vetoed next week, and that will make some people very unhappy, but that's part of the process," he said.
As for what those bills will be, Cox is playing his cards close to the vest. When asked which bills he plans to veto, he said: "Oh, there it is. Been waiting all day for that question, and I'm just going to disappoint you again."
The governor's office has spent the last couple of weeks reviewing the 582 bills passed by lawmakers this year. He has until March 27 to sign, veto or let bills become law without his approval.
