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 - April 22, 2020Good Wednesday morning from Salt Lake CityTICK TOCK3 days to the Utah Republican and Democratic state conventions (4/25/2020)69 days to the 2020 Utah primary elections (6/30/2020)195 Days to the 2020 election (11/3/2020)273 days to inauguration day (01/20/2021)278 days to the start of the 2021 Utah Legislature (1/25/2021)Here are the stories you need to pay attention to this morning:
Thanks 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 newsletter.Today At Utah PolicyRep. John Curtis has a sizable lead in 3rd District raceBy Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor U.S. Rep. John Curtis is well on his way to re-election this year, a new UtahPolicy.com and KUTV 2News poll shows. Right-wing social media freakout could kill a bill putting restrictions on local emergency orders By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor A misreading of one line in a bill to put restrictions on local governments during public emergencies led to a public freakout among some right-wing elements in Utah, and now the bill is in jeopardy. Herbert calls for second special session beginning Thursday By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor Wanting to get in on all this special legislative session stuff, Gov. Gary Herbert Tuesday afternoon called a special session for Thursday on his own. Bernick and Schott on politics podcast - 'The scoop of the year that wasn't' By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Bryan Schott and Bob Bernick break down the top Utah political news stories. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News
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NATIONAL HEADLINESMore small business fundsThe Senate passed a $484 billion coronavirus relief plan that includes aid for small businesses and hospitals along with money to expand testing [CNBC]. No miracle drugA new study concludes the anti-malarial drug aggressively promoted by President Donald Trump to treat the coronavirus has no benefit and was linked to higher rates of death for patients hospitalized with the virus [Washington Post]. Another waveThe head of the Centers for Disease Control is warning a second coronavirus outbreak could emerge this winter in conjunction with flu season, which could lead to an even more dire health crisis [CNN]. Economic turmoilStocks are starting to succumb to the economic reality of the recession now gripping the economy [Bloomberg]. Black and Hispanic families in the U.S. are taking the biggest income hit due to job losses from the coronavirus pandemic and those families are less prepared to withstand the blow [Reuters]. The United Nations is warning the world is at risk of widespread famines "of biblical proportions" caused by the coronavirus pandemic [BBC]. The Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. is seeking to change the terms of its lease with the federal government as the Trump Organization is seeking to cut costs amid the coronavirus pandemic [New York Times]. Immigration banPresident Trump's plan to halt immigration during the coronavirus pandemic is not as expansive as originally thought. On Tuesday Trump said he would order a 60-day halt in issuing green cards, but he will not suspend guest worker programs [New York Times]. Whoa!A long-awaited report from the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee concludes Russia interfered in the 2016 election in order to help President Trump defeat Hillary Clinton [New York Times]. 2020The United Auto Workers endorsed Joe Biden in the presidential race [AP]. Biden will name his advisory panel to help him select a running mate by May 1 [Washington Post]. BUSINESS HEADLINES
Policy NewsWebinar: Creating a safe and healthy work environment planJoin the Salt Lake Chamber, University of Utah Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational & Environmental Health and WCF Insurance for a webinar to help you create a safe and healthy work environment plan on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Over $500,000 in bridge loans awarded to Washington County small businesses The Greater Together Small Business Resilience Fund, a partnership between county and city officials, the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce and private industry, announced that 36 Washington County based small businesses have been awarded zero percent interest bridge loans totaling $517,500. More National Headlines
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1500 - Portuguese navigator Pedro Alvares Cabral lands in Brazil. 1519 - Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes establishes a settlement at Veracruz, Mexico. 1864 - Congress passes the Coinage Act of 1864 that mandates the inscription In God We Trust be placed on all coins minted as U.S. currency. 1889 - At noon, thousands rush to claim land in the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889. Within hours the cities of Oklahoma City and Guthrie are formed with populations of at least 10,000. 1970 - The first Earth Day is celebrated. 1983 - The German magazine Stern claims the "Hitler Diaries" had been found in East Germany. the diaries are subsequently revealed to be forgeries. 2000 - In a pre-dawn raid, federal agents seize six-year-old Elian Gonzalez from his relatives' home in Miami. Wise WordsGratitude "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."John F. Kennedy Lighter SideGridlock "Angry Trump supporters were also at Michigan's State Capitol, where they blocked traffic and honked their horns in a protest called 'Operation Gridlock.' Who are you gridlocking? There's nobody else out there. Blocking empty streets is like streaking in your shower - it doesn't count!"- STEPHEN COLBERT Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |