Governor Spencer Cox has a bone to pick with the Utah business community.
Honestly, it wasn’t the usual "rah-rah" economic summit talk you’d expect from a state leader. Speaking at the 2026 Utah Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit on January 16, just ahead of the new legislative session, Cox dropped the pleasantries. He basically accused the state’s biggest employers of "abandoning" the political process.
It was a blunt, slightly awkward moment in an otherwise polished event.
The Spencer Cox speech today—and by today, we mean this pivotal week leading into the 2026 General Legislative Session—highlights a massive rift between the people who run Utah's economy and the people who write its laws. If you think the "Utah Miracle" is on autopilot, the Governor's remarks suggest we might be heading for a crash.
The "Silver Tsunami" and the Pyramid Scheme
One of the weirdest but most fascinating parts of the speech was when Cox called our society a "pyramid scheme."
He didn't mean it in a "multi-level marketing" scam kind of way. He was talking about demographics. Utah has always leaned on being the youngest state in the nation. It’s our secret sauce. But the data from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute shows we’re aging. Fast.
Cox is worried about the "silver tsunami."
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If our fertility rates keep dropping, the pyramid collapses. You don't have enough workers paying taxes to cover the social security and healthcare costs of the people retiring. "We are screwed if we don't have that," he said. It’s a terrifying thought for a state that prides itself on being the gold standard of fiscal responsibility.
Why he’s mad at the CEOs
The real heat, though, was directed at the business leaders sitting in the room at the Grand America Hotel.
Cox told them flat-out that they have ghosted the Capitol. He noted that compared to 10 years ago, the business community’s presence on the Hill has basically evaporated. "Everybody just kind of does their thing," he remarked. They complain about the laws once they’re passed, but they don't show up to help write them or prevent the bad ones.
He even went as far as to beg them to run for office.
Phones, AI, and the "Hijacking" of Humanity
The Governor isn’t just focused on taxes and demographics. He’s doubling down on his war with Big Tech.
In a press conference earlier this week, and referenced throughout his recent public appearances, Cox made it clear he wants a "bell-to-bell" cell phone ban in schools. He’s not playing around. He’s backing Senate Bill 69, which would effectively take phones out of students' hands for the entire school day.
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Why the sudden urgency? Artificial Intelligence.
Cox is convinced that AI chatbots are going to "hijack everything that makes us human."
- The threat: AI isn't just a tool; it's an algorithm designed to rewire brains.
- The solution: Creating a phone-free sanctuary in schools where kids actually have to talk to each other.
- The pushback: Some parents and legislators, like Senator Kathleen Riebe, think we should be teaching kids to use these tools responsibly instead of just banning them.
Cox’s response to the "emergency" argument—that kids need phones to stay safe—was pretty dismissive. He argued that in a real crisis, a phone is just a distraction that keeps a kid from following life-saving instructions.
The National Shadow: Assassinations and Social Cohesion
You can't talk about a Spencer Cox speech today without mentioning the heavy cloud of political violence that has defined the last few months.
Ever since the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in late 2025—which Cox labeled a "political assassination"—the Governor has been on a crusade for "disagreement without contempt." He’s clearly shaken by how quickly the country is fraying.
He was joined at the summit by former Senator Kyrsten Sinema.
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Sinema, who knows a thing or two about being a political nomad, echoed Cox’s sentiment. She pointed out that Americans "choose who to reward and who to punish" with their votes and their attention. The duo is pushing a message of "principled partnership," but in a year where 285 candidates are vying for 90 legislative seats, that "calm" might be hard to find.
What’s Actually Coming in the 2026 Session?
So, what does this all mean for you?
The legislative session kicks off next Tuesday. Because of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (the federal tax and energy reform package from 2025), Utah is dealing with flat revenues. They’ve even had to do 5% budget-cut exercises.
Here is what is actually on the table:
- Social Security Tax: Cox wants it gone. Completely. This would help about 150,000 seniors keep more of their money as inflation continues to bite.
- The Social Media Tax: There is a serious move to tax social media companies on their advertising revenue, specifically to fund mental health programs for kids.
- Housing Affordability: This is the #1 concern for voters. Expect a massive fight over zoning laws and "benefits cliffs" that keep people from taking higher-paying jobs.
- National Forests: Utah just signed a 20-year deal with the feds to have more "front-end" say in how our forests are managed. This means more logging and more active fire management.
Actionable Steps for Utahns
The Governor’s main message was: Show up. If you’re a business owner, you can’t afford to be "too busy" for policy. The 2026 session is going to set the tone for the next decade of Utah’s growth. Reach out to your representative before Tuesday. If you’re a parent, look into the details of the "bell-to-bell" phone ban; it’s likely coming to your kid's school whether you like it or not.
The "Utah Way" only works if people actually participate in it.
Honestly, Cox seems tired of being the only one in the room trying to bridge the gap. Whether he's right about the "pyramid scheme" or the "AI hijack," one thing is for sure: he’s not going to be quiet about it this year.