The Utah GOP Surrenders to Public Unions [View all]

Last edited Sat Dec 20, 2025, 12:26 PM - Edit history (1)

Utah has become a good-government refuge for West Coasters. But don’t bet on it staying that way after state Republicans this month repealed their ban on collective-bargaining for government workers. This will inevitably lead to higher spending and taxes.

Republicans this spring passed legislation barring government unions from collective bargaining. The goal was to prevent a tax-and-spending ratchet a la California, New York and Illinois. Government unions negotiate rich salaries and benefits. Then lawmakers invariably have to raise taxes to pay for them. Rinse and repeat.

Government unions, unlike those in the private sector, don’t have to worry about driving their employers out of business if they make excessive demands. Public officials also have an incentive to roll over to government unions to win their support in the next election. This is why Wisconsin Republicans in 2011 limited collective bargaining.

The MacIver Institute estimated this year that the Badger State reforms have saved taxpayers $35.6 billion, about two-thirds of which has come from lower healthcare costs. Studies also found that math proficiency improved as a result of the reforms, and that higher-performing teachers moved to districts that rewarded merit.

https://www.wsj.com/opinion/utah-public-unions-collective-bargaining-spencer-cox-jordan-teuscher-95b1f4be?st=9mAZKy

https://www.rawstory.com/utah-unions/