Cox urges lawmakers to have virtue as national leaders make 'a mockery' of it

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah's governor called on state lawmakers to embrace virtue at a time when it's often absent on the national political stage.

In his annual State of the State address Thursday evening, Gov. Spencer Cox called virtue the "foundation" of the American founding, citing Benjamin Franklin's list of 13 virtues he believed were necessary for a "good life."

"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 said.

The Republican governor did not refer to any national political leader by name, including President Donald Trump, whom Cox endorsed in 2024 after years of criticizing his character and behavior. Nor did the governor specify which institutions he felt are being torn down.

Some critics have raised concerns about the erosion of press freedom and an independent central bank, as the Trump administration has recently searched the home of a Washington Post reporter, threatened to criminally investigate Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, and sought to fire Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook. Trump has criticized the Fed for moving too slowly to lower interest rates.

Cox instead focused on what he said were virtues instilled in the Constitution at the time of the country's founding.

"While wisely implementing a series of checks and balances to protect us from our worst impulses, the founders knew we couldn't succeed as a nation without virtuous leaders," he said. "We needed a constitutional framework, to be sure, but we also needed moral character: legislators, executives, judges who could rule their passions and limit their thirst for power. Leaders that were humble enough to listen and learn from others, while always seeking common ground. My fellow public servants, you are those leaders. Or, at least, I hope we are striving to be."

The governor called Utah an example of Franklin's virtues, such as "order, temperance, justice, frugality, industry, humility and, yes, even moderation."

"Of course we have flaws, and we, too, sometimes drift from those virtues. But I'm grateful to be surrounded tonight by people who love their enemies, that still believe in our better angels and try a little harder to be a little better every day," Cox said. "America desperately needs a return to virtue. You could say that America needs a return to Utah."

This is the governor's sixth State of the State address since taking office in 2021. He has said he will not run for reelection in 2028.

Priorities for legislative session

After his call to virtue, Cox turned to several of his priorities for the 45-day legislative session, including improving literacy, bringing homeownership within reach for average Utahns and protecting children from harms related to social media and smartphone use.

Nearly half of Utah's third graders are falling behind in reading, which the governor said is concerning because "reading is how people learn to think and govern themselves."

"Literacy is moral infrastructure, and if we want our children to grow up and live free, purposeful lives, we must give them a strong foundation today," he said.

To that end, Cox has pushed to invest more in support for students and said the state should implement a retention policy to have students repeat third grade if they can't pass a reading comprehension test. The governor also wants lawmakers to fund a public awareness campaign about the importance of reading.

On housing, the governor declared that Utah will "not be a state of renters." He urged lawmakers to "pull every lever to increase the supply of housing," including zoning reform, streamlined permitting and more infrastructure spending.

"If we want strong, stable, connected communities throughout Utah, we have to build more homes," he said. "That means less government, not more."

And as the state looks to build a controversial 1,300-bed homeless campus in northwest Salt Lake City, the governor spoke of his desire to crack down on drug trafficking and expand treatment and recovery for those with mental illness and drug addiction.

"Our mission is to make Utah the worst place in the country to camp on the street — and the best place to get help," Cox said.

The governor's roughly 25-minute speech was attended by members of the House of Representatives and Senate and their guests. Lawmakers will be in session debating hundreds of bills through March 6.

Democratic response

In a prepared statement, Utah Democratic legislative leaders said their caucuses are "focused on fighting for all Utahns," and that some bills proposed by Republicans this session "raise serious concerns."

"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 child care and a paycheck," said Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City. "That's why Utah Democrats are advancing dozens of bills focused on real solutions for families."

Escamilla cited proposals aimed at increasing access to food and health care, expanding child care and after-school programs, addressing the high cost of housing and protecting children.

"Good governance is about trust," she added. "It's about people knowing their voices matter and their government works for them."

Escamilla accused Republicans of "attacks" on judges and the judiciary, trying to "confuse voters" and seeking to weaken the way citizens put initiatives on the ballot.

"These actions don't strengthen our democracy," she said. "They undermine it."

"When people feel seen and respected by their government, our democracy works better," added House Minority Leader Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City. "We are committed to building a Utah where every person knows they belong and has a voice in shaping our shared future."

Romero urged increased resources for public education while also echoing the governor's concerns about literacy. Following her failed effort last year to extend the state's Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives Task Force, Romero — who is a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe — also promised Democrats would fight to increase collaboration between law enforcement and families "when their loved ones go missing."

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