The Forward Party of Utah has released the first edition of its new Priorities Pulse newsletter, a monthly publication highlighting 19 priorities adopted by members earlier this year at the party’s April 24 merger convention with the United Utah Party.
In its October 5 release, the party said the newsletter is designed to explore each priority in greater detail. “Priorities” are defined by the party as issues that should be addressed by elected officials, while “policies” are proposed solutions to those issues. The approach is meant to encourage research, debate, and comparison of competing ideas within the party rather than simply having a single platform.
These priorities were first approved during the April 26 joint statewide convention that also formalized the merger between Forward and the United Utah Party. Delegates used approval voting to decide which issues would be adopted. Any topic receiving support from more than half of those in attendance became a priority, while those with at least two-thirds support were designated as top priorities.
In total, 19 priorities were adopted, nine of which were designated top-tier. The results were spread across electoral reform, good governance, societal well-being, and environmental stewardship. The nine top issues were election process reform, representative voting districts, representative voting methods, campaign finance reform, government transparency, separation of powers, housing availability, education funding, and environmental protection.
In the October newsletter, the party explored redistricting and education funding. Regarding redistricting, it highlighted the then-upcoming October 6 legislative special session, which later resulted in the adoption of Map C to replace the 2021 congressional plan after a court ruled it unconstitutional. The party reiterated support for “solutions that give voters throughout the state a fair and equal opportunity to select elected officials who represent their views,” praising citizens, including Forward State Sen. Daniel Thatcher, for submitting maps and engaging in debate.
On education, the newsletter stressed the need for stable, sufficient funding to support long-term growth and civic engagement, all while balancing teacher empowerment with accountability. It noted that reductions in state income tax rates shift funding responsibility to local property taxes, increasing disparities between districts and raising costs for residents on fixed incomes. “When thinking about education funding,” it urged, “talk to your state legislative representatives and to your local school board members about your ideas and priorities.”
The Priorities Pulse project is similar to an earlier initiative launched by the national Forward Party in March called the “Controlling What You Can” series. That effort similarly polled supporters on issues they considered most important as a way to inform the party’s long-term policy goals.
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