Taylor Stevens

State Government Reporter

Taylor covers Utah politics and government for The Tribune, where she has worked since January 2017. A Salt Lake native and Westminster College alumna, Taylor first joined The Tribune team as an intern on a single day’s notice.

(Francisco Kjolseth | Tribune file photo) Jim Winder, left, chief of investigations at the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office, overlooks the damage to the building after protesters reacted to the announced ruling by Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill on Thursday, July 9, 2020, that the shooting death of 22-year-old Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal in May by police officers was legally justified. On Thursday, a Senate committee unanimously advanced a bill that would “raise the bar” for use of the gang enhancement by ensuring it applies primarily to violent offenses against people — not property — and by increasing the number of participants who need to be involved in a crime before it could be used.

Senate committee recommends bill to ‘raise the bar’ on use of gang enhancement penalties

By Taylor Stevens | January 22, 2021, 2:01 a.m.

(Evan Vucci | AP) President Joe Biden waits to sign his first executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. An order starting the restoration of original boundaries to Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument were expected to be among the initial orders signed.

President Joe Biden starts process to restore Utah’s national monuments

By Brian Maffly | Zak Podmore | Taylor Stevens | January 22, 2021, 12:54 a.m.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Spencer Cox is sworn in as Utah's 18th Governor at Tuacahn Center for the Arts in Ivins on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.

Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox is sworn in as Utah’s 18th governor

By Taylor Stevens | January 22, 2021, 12:54 a.m.

(Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) Spencer Cox speaks at his inauguration as Utah's 18th governor at Tuacahn Center for the Arts in Ivins on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. At left are Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson and Gabe Henderson. The budget plan Cox released Monday morning totals nearly $22 billion and includes a 5.83% increase for the public school basic funding formula and $1,000 teacher bonuses.

Gov. Spencer Cox unveils his first budget plan, ringing in at nearly $22B

By Taylor Stevens | January 22, 2021, 12:53 a.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah State Auditor John Dougall, pictured at the Utah Capitol, Thursday, May 23, 2019. Dougall is one of several Utah Republicans who has criticized President Donald Trump in the days since a group of pro-Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

After violence at the U.S. Capitol, will Utah Republicans jump the Trump train?

By Taylor Stevens | Bethany Rodgers | January 22, 2021, 12:52 a.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune ) Members of the Hill Air Force Base honor guard remove the casket with Dallas Lynn Stevens, who served 38 years in the Utah Air National Guard as he was laid to rest at the Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park in Bluffdale on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Stevens was buried with military honors.

Senate President Stuart Adams wants to lower Utah’s vaccination age from 70 to 65

By Scott D. Pierce | Taylor Stevens | January 22, 2021, 12:52 a.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rep. Mark Strong, R-Bluffdale, receives a rapid test outside of the House chamber for the start of the 2021 legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021.

Utah Legislature convenes for lawmaking while bracing for protests

By Taylor Stevens | Bryan Schott | Bethany Rodgers | January 22, 2021, 12:47 a.m.

(Screenshot via Salt Lake City Police Department/YouTube) Police body camera footage shows an interaction between a suspect and a K-9 on May 17, 2020. The Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill requiring training certification and annual renewal for using K-9 in Utah law enforcement.

Utah Senate approves bill requiring certification for K-9 police dogs

By Taylor Stevens | January 20, 2021, 2:12 a.m.

(Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) In this July 9, 2020, file photo, police push back protesters in Salt Lake City. The summer of discontent about police shootings and use of force and Black Lives Matter has spurred dozens of bills on police reform up for consideration in the upcoming Utah legislative session. Unclear is whether significant action will be taken.

After a summer of protests, Utah lawmakers will consider dozens of police reform bills this session

By Taylor Stevens | Jessica Miller | January 19, 2021, 3:30 p.m.

(Trent Nelson | Tribune file photo) The State Capitol in Salt Lake City, Nov. 12, 2020. There are ample opportunities to follow and participate in the upcoming legislative session, including remotely.

How to participate in the Utah legislative session

By Taylor Stevens | January 19, 2021, 3:27 p.m.