Ever wonder what’s really going on behind the scenes in Utah politics? From the Capitol to your headphones, Special Session with Bryan Schott breaks down the most important news stories from the world of Utah politics. Bryan Schott has been covering Utah politics for more than 25 years, digging into the stories that matter the most to you. He brings insights into politics and policy and interviews with newsmakers to help you understand what’s driving the latest headlines.
Episodes
6 hours ago
6 hours ago
Utah lawmakers face off against Salt Lake City in a battle over Pride flags.
The state’s most successful signature gathering effort in history puts a union-busting bill on the ballot.
Could Donald Trump influence the future leadership of the Utah Republican party?
Plus, a deep dive into the upcoming GOP convention, where the party's direction hangs in the balance.
Also, some corrections from last week's episode.
Sign up for my newsletter at Utah Political Watch for free, and consider becoming a paying subscriber to support my Utah politics coverage.
If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news.
Follow us on social media:
Friday May 02, 2025
Friday May 02, 2025
In this week's episode:
The Utah Legislature faces a tough reality as the referendum to overturn the anti-union bill surpasses its signature goal, signaling a significant pushback against Republican lawmakers. A judge's ruling that the state's private school voucher program is unconstitutional leaves legislative leaders scrambling to respond. With no veto override session on the horizon, Governor Spencer Cox's vetoes remain intact
Plus a conversation with former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, co-founder of the Forward Party, as we discuss the recent merger with the United Utah Party and the unique structure of this new political entity. How will they navigate the challenges of a two-party system? What strategies will they employ to resonate with voters?
Sign up for my newsletter at Utah Political Watch for free, and consider becoming a paying subscriber to support my Utah politics coverage.
If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news.
Follow us on social media:
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
In this week's episode:
- Unions collect 320,000 signatures for the referendum to overturn the union busting bill.
- Utah's economy earns praise from a conservative group, but dark clouds may be on the horizon.
- A Utah congressman visits a notorious prison in El Salvador.
- What is Jason Chaffetz up to?
- Mike Lee's bestie Elon Musk has a LOT of kids.
Sign up for my newsletter at Utah Political Watch for free, and consider becoming a paying subscriber to support my Utah politics coverage.
If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email me at schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news
Follow us on social media:
Friday Apr 04, 2025
Friday Apr 04, 2025
In this week's episode:
- The Utah Legislature is poised to override a veto of a bill pushed by conspiracy theorists.
- What did the Utah Board of Education waste time on this week?
- A merger to create the 6th largest political party in Utah.
- The parallels between Sen. Mike Lee and Jar Jar Binks.
Sign up for my newsletter at Utah Political Watch for free, and consider becoming a paying subscriber to support my Utah politics coverage.
If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email me at schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news
Follow us on social media:
Friday Mar 28, 2025
Friday Mar 28, 2025
In this week's episode:
👋 Sundance says farewell
🚫🏳️🌈 Utah is the first state to ban Pride flags and fluoride in drinking water
🗳️Gov. Spencer Cox nixes vote-by-mail
😳 The effort to overturn Utah's union busting bill gets off to an impressive start
👉 An update on my lawsuit against the Utah Legislature
Sign up for my newsletter at Utah Political Watch for free, and consider becoming a paying subscriber to support my Utah politics coverage.
If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email me at schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news
Follow us on social media:
Friday Mar 14, 2025
Friday Mar 14, 2025
In this week's episode:
- Could the Pride flag ban prompt the Sundance Film Festival to flee the state?
- Lawmakers quietly gut Utah's open records law.
- Freebies for lawmakers during the session.
- Utah is on the verge of letting the Cavity Creeps win.
My guest this week is Austin Archer. He's a Utah born actor, writer and online social media content creator. His social media posts lampooning conservatives and Trump voters have gained a large following.
He joins the show to talk about political satire, how he portrays Trump supporters and why conservatives aren't good at producing art.
Follow Austin on TikTok, and YouTube.
Sign up for my newsletter at Utah Political Watch for free, and consider becoming a paying subscriber to support my Utah politics coverage.
If there's a topic or guest you'd like to hear, drop me a line at schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news
Catch me on social media:
Saturday Mar 08, 2025
Saturday Mar 08, 2025
In this week's episode of Special Session:
- The 2025 Utah Legislature is over.
- Legislative leaders aren't going to let a minor thing like a bill dying in committee stop them.
- Legislators pick a fight with the state auditor over office space...and lose.
- Phil Lyman wants to run the Utah Republican Party.
My guest this week is Sen. Daniel Thatcher. He announced Friday that he was leaving the Republican Party to join the Utah Forward Party. Thatcher says the Republican majority is becoming increasingly disconnected from the public. We’ll discuss his decision and how he will approach his job as a caucus of one.
Want more? Sign up for my newsletter at Utah Political Watch for free, and consider becoming a paying subscriber to support my Utah politics coverage.
If there's a topic or guest you'd like to hear, drop me a line at schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news
Catch me on social media:
Saturday Mar 01, 2025
Saturday Mar 01, 2025
In this week's episode of Special Session:
- Governor Cox and legislative leaders are throwing a party over education funding that might not be all it's cracked up to be.
- Next year's budget is going to be tight, but don't worry...there's always room for tax cuts.
- The legislature hatches a plan to take control of political debates in Utah. We explain why this is a scary idea that should upset you.
- Plus, Phil Lyman wants to run the Utah GOP.
Don't forget to hit subscribe and drop us a rating!
Want more? Sign up for my newsletter at Utah Political Watch for free, and consider becoming a paying subscriber to support my Utah politics coverage.
If there's a topic or guest you'd like to hear, drop me a line at schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news
Catch me on social media: