Walker highlighted a significant narrative emerging from the Legislature, emphasizing that the housing crisis is often portrayed as a problem primarily associated with local governments.
He noted that despite evidence suggesting that over 190,000 entitled housing units exist—land ready for building permits but not constructed—lawmakers continue to pass bills aimed at diminishing local authority over zoning and land use.
“I’m tired of it,” Walker stated, expressing frustration as a local leader facing this narrative.
Notably, Walker pointed out that developers have recognized the cost-effectiveness of changing laws through lobbying instead of battling cities on zoning regulations.
As a result, many developers opt to hire lobbyists, and Walker remarked that many current legislators, many of whom belong to the development industry and lack experience in city government, find it challenging to comprehend local issues.
Walker, serving as the president of the Utah League of Cities and Towns (ULCT), effectively positions himself in lobbying discussions on behalf of 255 member cities, opting to negotiate rather than hire external lobbyists.
His hands-on approach involved daily presence at the legislature throughout the session.
“Our phrase is partnership, not pre-emption. We will negotiate on bills that are coming at us in ways that make it better to come to a compromise,” Walker explained, indicating that collaboration is key to advocating effectively for local governance.
Reflecting on the legislative session, Walker expressed satisfaction with outcomes that favored cities.
For example, ULCT worked on a compromise regarding gravel operators’ expansion, addressing concerns about the Beehive Development bill, which he felt would have granted excessive power to the agency in approving state projects.
That bill was tabled, though Walker anticipates it will resurface in the future.
Additionally, he highlighted a victory in maintaining local control over Salt Lake City’s police department governance amid legislative attempts to centralize public safety.
Another successful negotiation ensured that the board overseeing The Point—a development within Draper—would retain local governance, with both Walker and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson keeping their votes.
This negotiation was vital to ensure Draper’s interests were represented, Walker noted.
Walker also expressed appreciation for newly elected Rep. Cal Roberts, recognizing his previous experience on the Draper City Council as beneficial to the legislature.
“We need more people in the legislature that have served in local government, in my opinion,” he added, highlighting the importance of local perspectives in state governance.
On a lighter note, Walker expressed his discontent regarding legislative attempts to abolish vote by mail.
While he wished for the process to remain unchanged, he found some solace in the ultimately revised approach.
He chose not to devote energy to discussions around the collective bargaining bill due to its lack of relevance to city operations, noting that Draper’s firefighters are not unionized.
As a practicing attorney for nearly three decades, Walker also shared his opinion on legislative efforts aimed at modifying the judicial branch, declaring, “I was 100% opposed to the concept of the legislature having a judicial performance review.”
He emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary in maintaining democracy, praising Utah’s judicial system.
Despite perceiving this year’s legislative session as favorable for local land use control, Walker raised concerns about overall legislative overreach.
He pointed out that the state legislature passed an unprecedented 589 bills this year, marking the second-highest number in state history, all within a mere 45-day session.
“This is ridiculous in my opinion, and a lot of the controversial ones get passed in the last days,” he stated, advocating for a more tempered legislative approach.
With his term as ULCT president concluding in September and a year as Immediate Past President following, Walker anticipates continuing in the role as long as he remains an elected official.
The upcoming November ballot will determine the position of Draper mayor, and Walker confirmed, “I really enjoy doing the job, and I feel like I’m still being effective.”
He also expressed eagerness to see The Point development reach its first phase, affirming his intention to run for a fourth term.
“I feel like I’ve got more to give and some good institutional knowledge,” he concluded.
image source from：https://www.draperjournal.com/2025/04/22/529766/mayor-had-a-large-legislative-lobbying-role-as-president-of-utah-league-of-cities-and-towns
