February 2026 | Vol. 6 Iss. 2
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ournal J T H E
C I T Y
Davis County
Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R
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Lakeview turns 50
The hospital was dedicated in 1976 Page 10
Sweethearts celebrated 72 years together Bountiful couple’s love did not diminish with age
Page 14
2026 Legislative Session underway, lawmakers consider AI, GSL and budget cuts By Becky Ginos | becky.g@thecityjournals.com The 45-day session ends March 6.
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TAH STATE CAPITOL—The 2026 Legislative Session opened Jan. 20 and lawmakers are off and running. Over the course of the session hundreds of bills will be debated. Some will pass, others will fail as it comes to a close on March 6. Legislators will be faced with some of the usual issues such as taxes, affordable housing, education and the GSL but also in the mix this year are criminal justice reforms, energy, a mineral lab and water. “Every generation inherits the work of those who came before it,” said Speaker Mike Schultz in his opening day remarks. “And every generation, whether it realizes it or not, is laying foundations for the next.” But for Utahns, real life doesn’t happen in committee meetings or on the House floor, he said. “It happens around kitchen tables, in the carpool pickup line, at business meetings, in the grocery store and at little league ball games. That’s where our focus should be. Our work here is meaningless if we aren’t focused on the people who put us in these chairs.” “This year, we celebrate 250 years of American liberty,” said Senate President J. Stuart Adams in his opening speech. “Two and a half
centuries filled with lessons of courage, sacrifice and heartache that shaped our nation.” From the Revolutionary War to Gettysburg, Normandy and Afghanistan American service members have stepped forward in moments of the country’s greatest need, he said. “They endured unimaginable hardship so that the liberties we debate, defend and preserve in this chamber might endure.” Reps. Ray Ward, R-Bountiful and Karen Peterson, R-Clinton, were running several bills as of press time. Ward is sponsoring HB184 titled The Small Lots and Starter Lots Amendments. “That’s what it’s about,” said Ward. “Smaller lots and letting there be starter homes. It just says if somebody wants to build a home on a smaller lot, then it’s going to cost a little less just because it’s on a smaller lot. You don’t have to give somebody a subsidy, you just let them build it on a smaller lot.” “I have a bill around the Truth in Taxation process,” said Peterson, R-Clinton. “Across our state and in our county lots of people showed up to Truth in Taxation hearings and felt frustrated that they weren’t heard.” Look for more legislative stories in the March issue of The City Journals. For more information about bills and legislation during the session go to https://le.utah.gov/. l
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Lawmakers and spectators applaud following Senate President J. Stuart Adam’s opening speech. The session started Jan. 20, 2026. Photo courtesy Utah Senate/House
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