 The UtahPolicy.com daily newsletter gets you up to speed on the top local and national news about politics and public policy. Send news tips or feedback to bschott@utahpolicy.com, or message us on Twitter. Situational awareness - January 15, 2020Good Wednesday morning from Salt Lake CityThanks for subscribing to Utah's must-read daily political news rundown.If you know of friends or colleagues who would benefit from our daily news roundup, please encourage them to sign up for our emails.Here are the stories you need to pay attention to this morning:
TICK TOCKDays to the first day of the 2020 Utah Legislature: 12 (1/27/2020) Days to the 2020 Iowa Caucuses: 19 (2/3/2020) Days to the New Hampshire primaries: 27 (2/11/2020) Days to the Utah presidential primaries: 48 (3/3/2020) Days to the final day of the 2020 Utah Legislature: 57 (3/12/2020) Days to the 2020 Utah primary elections: 167 (6/30/2020) Days to the 2020 election: 293 (11/3/2020) Today At Utah Policy Gibson steps down as Utah Ag Commissioner to run for CongressBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Kerry Gibson stepped down from that post on Tuesday to launch a bid to replace retiring Rep. Rob Bishop in Congress.  A couple of beefs with Mike Lee and Chris StewartBy LaVarr Webb, Publisher Mike Lee beef: There's an old saying that Congress can really only do two things: Nothing and express outrage. Lee took the outrage thing to a whole new level in the last several days. He did Oscar-winning outrage on every news outlet imaginable. His outrage made him the darling of liberal media and arch-liberal Democrats in Congress. Wow. That was some impressive outrage.  Guest opinion: Utah teachers stand ready to support our studentsBy Utah Education Association President Heidi Matthews The January 9 UtahPolicy.com article "Lawmakers frustrated by efforts to find new way to fund schools" is an excellent reminder that the collective voice of Utah teachers has the attention of our state legislators.  Utah facing 5th greatest workforce shortage in America, U.S. Chamber study findsBy News release There are fewer than three available workers for every four open jobs in Utah, the 5th lowest ratio of job seekers to open positions in the United States, according to new analysis published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The data reveal a historically tight labor market for employers and a mounting threat to the state's long-term growth.  The world's most elaborate game of telephone - Bernick and Schott on politics podcastBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott discuss the top Utah political stories from the past few days. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News
Salt Lake Tribune
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NATIONAL HEADLINESWOW!House Democrats released new impeachment evidence on Tuesday related to indicted former Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas. Among the documents was a letter from Giuliani to Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which Giuliani made it clear he was acting with President Donald Trump's "knowledge and consent" [New York Times]. House Democrats also released text messages showing before former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch was removed from her post, an associate to Lev Parnas suggested he had her under surveillance in Ukraine. A prosecutor in Ukraine also offered information related to Hunter Biden in exchange for Yovanovich's ouster [Washington Post]. ImpeachmentThe House will vote Wednesday to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate, setting the trial phase in motion [Washington Post]. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell met with four Republican senators, including Utah Sen. Mike Lee, to map out a strategy for the upcoming impeachment trial [Politico]. The Washington press corps will face strict security while covering the impeachment trial when it gets underway [Roll Call]. War powersThe Senate has enough support from Republicans to pass a resolution limiting President Trump's power to use military force on Iran, setting up a likely veto from Trump [New York Times]. IranPresident Trump claimed intelligence showed imminent attacks on several U.S. embassies as justification for the drone strike that killed Iran's top military leader. No embassies were warned about the impending threat [Washington Post]. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani rejected the idea that his country would sign on to a new "Trump deal" to restrict their ability to develop a nuclear weapon [Reuters]. Debate timeDemocrats sparred on the debate stage for the final time ahead of the Iowa Caucuses [New York Times]. It's "Big, beautiful monster" dayThe U.S. and China will sign the first phase of a trade deal, which President Trump called a "big, beautiful monster" on Wednesday [New York Times]. 2020President Trump's campaign staffers are focused on two possible rivals ahead of November. They see Sen. Bernie Sanders as Trump's ideal opponent in the 2020 election, but they're also wary of former Mayor Michael Bloomberg [New York Times]. BUSINESS HEADLINES
Policy News Romney: War powers resolution sends wrong message to IranU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chairman of the subcommittee dealing with the Middle East, announced that he will vote against Senator Tim Kaine's (D-VA) war powers resolution.  In light of White Mesa Uranium Mill layoffs, Rep. Curtis commits to creating new economic opportunities in rural UtahRep. John Curtis (R-UT), spoke on the House Floor in support of the residents of San Juan County, Utah in light of a round of layoffs at the White Mesa uranium mill. Changes in the global uranium market have affected mill operations with a result of 30% employees being let go. The mill is the largest private employer in San Juan County. UDOH launches new website, ad campaign to promote HIV awareness The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) will this month unveil a series of advertisements meant to dispel the myths, encourage the truths, and expose the realities of dealing with HIV in the modern age. Gov. Herbert appoints Kelly Pehrson to serve as interim manager of Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Following Commissioner Kerry Gibson's announcement that he will step down from his position at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) to run for Congress, Gov. Herbert has appointed Kelly Pehrson as interim manager of the department, effective immediately.  Register by Friday, January 17 for the Governor-led trade mission to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab EmiratesThe trade mission will take place from April 14 through April 24, 2020. More National Headlines
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1870 - A cartoon by Thomas Nast appeared in Harper's weekly with a donkey symbolizing the Democratic Party for the first time. 1892 - Dr. James Naismith published the rules of basketball. 1943 - The Pentagon is dedicated in Arlington, Virginia. 1967 - The first Super Bowl is played in Los Angeles. The Green Bay Packers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. 1973 - President Richard Nixon called a halt to U.S. military offensives in Vietnam. 2001 - Wikipedia made its debut online. 2009 - US Airways Capt. Chelsey Sullenberger guided a jetliner disabled by a bird strike just after takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport to a safe landing on the Hudson River. All 155 people aboard survived. Wise WordsWork "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work."Aristotle Lighter SideNATO "When asked about the NATO alliance in Europe, Trump floated an exciting idea - spice NATO up with some non-Europe countries."- STEPHEN COLBERT, referring to the president's suggestion that NATO beexpanded to include Middle Eastern countries Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
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