Plus, the birds of summer, mac and cheese ice cream and a chance to earn big bucks as the "Director of Taco Relations." | | | The Utah Policy newsletter is your one-stop source for political and policy-minded news. Send news tips or feedback to editor@utahpolicy.com. | | |
Situational Analysis | July 16, 2021 It's Friday. Happy weekend! It's also Ida B. Wells' birthday, a powerhouse of a woman. ð I noted earlier this week that back-to-school supplies are making their appearance in stores. If that's not an indication that summer is almost done, I went to a craft store this week and not only has fall décor taken over, but the Christmas stuff is out. ð³ #toosoon Be in the Know Captain Moroni was arrested - or at least Nathan Entrekin, dressed as Captain Moroni was arrested.. He narrated his Capitol "adventures" on video for his mom, resulting in plenty of evidence for the FBI when they searched his phone. He also gave an interview on Jan. 6 and said he was at the US Capitol to "represent...the Mormon element." Governor Cox gave his monthly news conference and covered a lot of ground, from the drought and its effect on Utah farmers, to wildfires, housing prices and inflation. You can watch the news conference in its entirety here. Remember how Wednesday was National Mac & Cheese Day? Well, Van Leeuwen got together with Kraft and voilà : Mac and Cheese ice cream, in that bright, fake yellow color you've come to know and love on your noodles. Sale price: $12/pint, but if you didn't grab any, it's too late. The flavor has sold out. Maybe next year... Love tacos? Now's your chance to get paid to eat them - $100,000, to be precise, as McCormick's Director of Taco Relations. Applications close Tuesday, July 20 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. | | |
Utah Headlines General âA true son of Southern Utahâ: Dean Cox remembered on U.S. Senate floor (St. George News) Two friends decided to visit every city in Utah. Hereâs how they did it. (Salt Lake Tribune) Utah gun company under fire for kit to make Glock handgun look like a Lego toy (KUTV) Hispanic family in Weber County receives anonymous angry, racist letter. "It's too bad your kind has moved into our neighborhood...." (Fox13) Orem Public Library's Pride displays draw ire of Orem councilmember (Daily Herald) Politics Utah County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner abstains from voting on commission staff proposal, says she doesn't not see justification for two full-time positions and does not appreciate the commission not following the same process other departments must go through. (Daily Herald) How womenâs rights could be undermined in the Equality Act (Deseret News) Drought, housing, gondola, galore: Gov. Cox weighs in on big problems facing Utah (Deseret News) Gov. Cox says he supports more bar licenses in Utah (Fox13) COVID Corner 693 new cases, 4 more deaths in Utah Cox says anti-vax âpropagandaâ from right-wing media is âkilling peopleâ (Salt Lake Tribune) "This is not just a disease of the elderly and frail." Younger adults admitted to hospital with Covid almost as likely to suffer from complications as those over 50 years old, study says (BBC) Homeopathic doctor is first to face federal charges for selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards (The Hill) L.A. County will require masks indoors amid alarming rise in coronavirus cases (LA Times) Surgeon general urges US fight against COVID misinformation (AP) Africa records a million new cases in a month, its fastest increase so far. (New York Times) Drought/Wildfires/Heat Utah has enough water storage to get through this year. If the drought continues into next year? Governor Cox says we could be in trouble at (Fox 13) Utah reservoir storage already below end of 2020 irrigation season levels (KUTV) Fighting wildfires in the West: 'I don't think we can overdo anything...We are having fire years instead of fire seasons,' said Rep. Joe Neguse, 'and we know there is a lot of time left this year for wildfires.' (KSL) Rep. John Curtis leads wildfire discussion with state lawmakers (KUTV) Education Who is Timothy Gadson III and why did he want to be the next superintendent of the Salt Lake City School District? (Deseret News) Want to speak your piece on new Utah school board rule that prohibits teaching critical race theory? Public hearing scheduled for July 22. (Deseret News) SLCC, University of Utah to share new campus in this growing community (KSL) Elections New BYU research shows that lower voter turnout in these years can have major consequences, like electing a local government that's less responsive to the majority of its citizens. (BYU) Campaigning or helping on a campaign? Some good advice here: The seven serious sins of political campaign design. (Utah Politico Hub) Candidates for 2 St. George City Council seats share qualifications, vision for the city (St. George News) Environment Saifee & Shadley: Utahâs National Parks arenât working. "Our national parks must find a balance between the values of environmental protection and equitable access â but any restructuring of national parks would be incomplete without prioritizing Indigenous voices." (Daily Utah Chronicle) Housing Photo essay: Moab's homeless live 'just on the edge of survival' (Salt Lake Tribune) IN FOCUS Discussion: Utahns living in vehicles (ABC4) Immigration Latter-day Saint outreach to immigrants grows, pushing members to examine GOP ties. âImmigration, as an issue, is going to reach a boiling pointâ in the church, says one political scientist. (Salt Lake Tribune) Conservative leaders make a case for bipartisan immigration reform, urging Utah senators to back it (KUER) National Headlines General Cape Cod restaurant closes for 'day of kindness' after customers' rude behavior (The Hill) For the first time, a female sailor has successfully completed the grueling 37-week training course to become a Naval Special Warfare combatant-craft crewman. (ABC News) Simone Biles will not be denied. At 24, the most powerful gymnast in history has defied expectations to become even strongerâafter surviving abuse, enduring a family ordeal and overcoming her own doubts. (Wall Street Journal) So long Fleets - we barely knew you. Twitter is shutting down Fleets, its expiring tweets feature, after just 9 months (The Verge) Politics Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Joyce Beatty was among 9 protesters arrested Thursday afternoon who were calling on the Senate to pass voting rights legislation (Politico) Accused Capitol rioter's bail revoked after he left lewd voicemails for probation officer (The Hill) Courts Trump lawyers who spread false election claims are now defending themselves in court (NPR) Economy US retail sales rose in June (Wall Street Journal) U.S. to warn businesses over rising risks in Hong Kong under China crackdown. An advisory cautions businesses that operating in Hong Kong carries âfinancial, legal and reputational risksâ (Wall Street Journal) International China buys friends with ports and roads. Now the U.S. is trying to compete as it refocuses its foreign-assistance game. (Wall Street Journal) Renowned Dutch journalist Peter R. de Vries â who reported on the violent underworld of the Netherlands and campaigned to breathe life into cold cases â has died after being shot in a brazen attack. (NPR) Europe floods: Death toll over 110 as rescues continue (AP) Pulitzer Prize-winning Reuters photojournalist killed covering clash between Afghan forces, Taliban (Reuters). Here is a look at some of his work. (Reuters) News of the Weird and Cool This Anglo-Saxon cave dwelling from the early 9th century may have been home to an English king who became a saint (CNN) Home renovation leads to the discovery of over 150 bowling balls under a family's porch ð³ (CNN) | | |
Policy News Utah Foundation Breakfast Briefing: Mental health in anxious times Lockdowns. Social isolation. Unrest. Soaring drug overdose deaths. Health worries. Economic anxiety. This decade is off to a challenging start for our nationâs sense of well-being.
On August 26, the Utah Foundation will hold an important Breakfast Briefing focusing on the Beehive Stateâs mental health challenges and what we can do to address them. Panelists include Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Mark Rapaport and Doug Thomas. (Read More) Large jump in executive confidence correlates with mass vaccination rollout effort The Salt Lake Chamberâs CEOutlook released today shows the economy flashing green with the index increasing significantly from 58.9 in 2020-Q4 to 75.3 for 2021-Q1. This is the second-highest jump in confidence that executives have reported, as growing positive expectations related to continued basement level unemployment, rising profits, and favorable overall economic conditions in Utah. âUtahâs economic recovery and growth continue to lead the nation,â said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. âThe indicators show a strong, positive trend that is expected to continue, especially as the incumbent challenges of growth return in full measure.â (Read More) Gov. Spencer J. Cox appoints Jennifer N. Fresques to the Utah State Tax Commission Gov. Spencer J. Cox has appointed Jennifer Fresques to serve as commissioner on the Utah State Tax Commission. The governorâs nominations are subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate. âJennifer brings a wealth of experience to the Utah State Tax Commission,â said Gov. Cox. âI appreciate her willingness to serve the people of Utah in this new capacity.â Fresques currently serves as a commercial appraisal manager in the Salt Lake County Assessorâs Office, where she has held several positions since 2008. (Read More) Utah Bankers Association honors Bank of Utah president and CEO, Douglas L. DeFries, with Distinguished Banker Award Douglas L. DeFries, Bank of Utah president and CEO, was recently honored with one of Utah Bankers Associationâs highest honors, the Distinguished Banker Award. Every few years, the Utah Bankers Association recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to their community, their bank and the banking industry. Since the award was introduced, only 25 individuals have been given this honor. Read More Rep. Stewart passes amendments to ban US govt funding of gain-of-function research in adversarial nations âU.S. taxpayer dollars should never fund gain-of-function research in adversarial nations. Unfortunately, there is circumstantial evidence that American funding was funneled to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. While the world continues to feel the devastating human and economic impacts from COVID-19, we cannot turn a blind eye to this obvious national security threat. âMy amendments ensure that we never arm our foreign adversaries with potentially devastating pandemic pathogens. This isnât about assigning blame. Itâs about preventing another catastrophe, and these amendments are an important step in the right direction.â EDCUtah launches Site Ready Utah real estate program Attracting industrial and other large corporate expansion projects to Utah can hinge on having shovel-ready properties with engineering and other studies in hand. The Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) is pleased to announce the launch of the Site Ready Utah program to address the needs of expansion projects for timely and precise data. The Site Ready Utah program incorporates the existing Mega Sites program, which focuses on properties of 400 acres or more. A new element â Certified Sites â targets properties of 50 to 400 acres in size. Both Mega Sites and Certified Sites include due diligence work that shortens development timelines and reduces client risk. (Read More) Utah cities encouraged to exit struggling nuclear project The Utah Taxpayers Association released the following: Last fall, seven Utah cities from Logan to Lehi wisely withdrew their support for a proposed nuclear power plant due to financial risks that their residents should not be asked to accept. Because these were some of the projectâs largest subscribers, and combined with the federal government decision to change its participation in the project, the commitments to purchase power from the plant were reduced by more than 50%. At that time, eighteen other Utah cities, including a few larger subscribers like Brigham City, Hyrum, Hurricane and Washington City, voted to continue to expose their electricity customers and taxpayers to these financial risks, despite the fact that the projectâs budget had ballooned from $3.1 billion to $6.1 billion. Since then, new information has emerged that makes it clear the project faces even more financial uncertainty. These remaining participants have until July 23rd to decide once again whether to continue their commitment to this ill-conceived attempt to risk public money. (Read More) Sen. Lee speaks against runaway spending In response to recent spending proposals and the historically high federal deficit and debt, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) spoke against uncontrolled federal spending. âFor a long time, I and others have talked about how this will affect our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren down the road. And this will be a real consequence: They will in fact be saddled with debt they have not incurred, and forced to pay for it. The consequences, however, are no longer something we are facing in the distant future â but also what we are facing today. Theyâve caught up to us. ⦠I vote ânoâ when I see how the consequences will affect those I represent in real, everyday life â not just the intended consequences of legislation that might indeed have a good goal, but the unintended consequences also. I vote ânoâ if it will mean saying âyesâ to what really matters, what really counts, for making everyday life better for Utahns and hardworking Americans across the country.â (Read More) | | |
Friday Change of Pace: The birds of summer By LaVarr Webb The baby birds of spring have become the nearly-grown birds of summer as the hot season reaches its halfway point at our little ranch in the northwestern corner of Utah. The babies are now at least teens and they are learning to fly and follow the feeding patterns and behavior of their parents. We still have a few families of wild geese that frequent our yard and pasture and spend time in our pond. The other day I was walking up the lane and I surprised one of the goose families, a dozen or so birds, most of them young, as they waddled into the lane from behind the hay barn. My dogs usually ignore the geese, but because their appearance was so abrupt, the dogs barked a bit and ran toward them. The entire flock, including the young birds, took flight, all except one little guy who flapped frantically, but couldnât quite get off the ground. But he was still very fast as he flapped and ran up the lane, went under the fence and into the pond where he rejoined the flock. Of the many summer bird species in our area, I think my favorite is the swallows. We love to watch them swoop and dart after bugs (hopefully mosquitoes) in the morning and evening air. We know that summer is nigh when the swallows return. Theyâre not perfect little birds. They are a little messy, nesting in our big shop and loafing shed. They can be quite noisy when we invade âtheirâ space in the shop, especially when they have babies in their mud nests. But in the cool evenings, nothing is quite so relaxing as sitting on a comfortable lawn chair just after sunset watching the swallows hunt over the pond, swooping so low their wingtips sometimes ripple the water surface. We actually donât have a problem with mosquitoes, despite ponds, wetlands and a creek, thanks to the bats and swallows. Itâs also fun to watch the hawks, especially kestrels, and the occasional eagle. Hawks nest in the cliffs above the creek. We often see blackbirds chasing hawks. Doves, Eurasian pigeons, robins, flickers, woodpeckers, the ubiquitous magpie, and lots of little songbirds whose names I donât know, frequent the area â along with wild turkeys, Hungarian partridge and pheasants. In winter, I really enjoy the tiny, always-cheerful chickadees. But the chickadees long ago headed to the high country. Theyâll return with cold weather. Iâm by no means an ornithologist, but it seems the bird population is healthy, at least in our little spot at the base of the Raft River Mountains. I hope thatâs good news for the environment, overall, and I hope the summer drought isnât too hard on the birds of summer. | | |
Upcoming Utah Foundation Breakfast Briefing: Mental health in anxious times â Aug 26 @ 9 am. Register here Securing the American Dream: A conversation with Tim Scott presented by the Hatch Foundation â Aug 11 @ noon. Register here Utah Foundation Annual Luncheon with Shaylyn Romney Garrett â Sept 23 @ 12 pm. Register here | | |
On This Day In History From History.com 1769 - First Catholic mission in California dedicated on the site of present day San Diego 1790 - Congress declares Washington, D.C. the new capital 1862 - Ida B. Wells is born into slavery in Holly Springs, Mississippi. She became a journalist, newspaper editor, crusader against lynching, and civil rights leader. 1871 - Tad Lincoln, 18 year-old son of Abraham and Mary Lincoln, dies. 1882 - Mary Todd Lincoln collapses and dies at age 63 1945 - The first atomic bomb is successfully exploded in Alamogordo, New Mexico. 1969 - Apollo 11 launches, carrying the first men to the moon 1995 - Amazon opens for business as an online book retailer 1999 - John F. Kennedy, Jr.; his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy; and her sister, Lauren Bessette, die when the single-engine plane that Kennedy was piloting crashes into the Atlantic Ocean near Marthaâs Vineyard, Massachusetts. Wise Words "The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them"
-Ida B. Wells Lighter Side âWe really need to come up with a better early warning system than tell-all books. âWeâre in danger â quick, get me a typewriter!ââ â SETH MEYERS | | |
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