It's Day 35 of 45. Also in committee today: naming state holy days; and establishing a Utah Lake research center at UVU | | | The Utah Policy newsletter is your one-stop source for political and policy-minded news. We scour the news so you don't have to! Send news tips or feedback to Holly Richardson at editor@utahpolicy.com. | | |
Situational Analysis | Feb. 25, 2025 It's Tuesday and World Spay Day. There are 925 bills now available Three things today: SB296 by Sen. Chris Wilson would change how the Chief Justice for the Utah Supreme Court is selected, moving from the Justice being selected by his or her peers on the court, to being appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate every 4 years. SB259 would name state holy days, including Good Friday, Eid al-Fitr, Passover and Diwali, and would allow a state employee to use a "personal preference day" to observe the holy day, but would not create a state holiday. SB319 by Sen. Brady Brammer would establish a Utah Lake nature and research center at UVU, restructures the lake authority board and creates requirements for when and how project area plans must be prepared. On the Hill Today - Day 35 of 45 8:00 am: House Government Operations; House Political Subdivisions; House Public Utilities & Energy; House Rev & Tax; Senate Business & Labor; Senate Education 8:45 am: Senate Health and Human Services 10:00 - 11:50 am: Senate Floor Time 10:00 - 12:00 pm: House Floor Time 1:00 pm: Senate Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Confirmation Committee 2:00 - 3:50 pm: Senate and House Floor Time 4:00 pm: House Business & Labor; House Economic Development & Workforce Services; House Education; House Health & Human Services; Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice; Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment; Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy & Technology | | |
| | Wildlife Crossings Save Money - and Lives Utah sees around 7,000 deer-vehicle collisions annually, costing taxpayers nearly $138 million in vehicle damage and injury each year. Luckily, research shows that overpasses and underpasses with associated fencing can reduce those collisions by up to 90%. But first, they have to be funded. While wildlife crossings are sometimes included in larger road projects, Utah needs dedicated fundingâfunding that would accelerate the construction of projects when and where they are needed. Learn More. | | |
Utah Headlines Legislative session Utah lawmaker marks third anniversary of Russia invading Ukraine (KSL TV) Shining light on Utahâs changes to its sunshine laws (State Street podcast) Business and Labor Opinion: Why Utahâs âsimpleâ social media reform could set a dangerous privacy precedent (Deseret News) Criminal Justice Utah senator says former AG Reyesâ office used lawmakers as âpawnsâ in push for increased penalties (St. George News) Education Lawmakers aim to clarify definitions for the public sector collective bargaining ban in a new clean-up bill (Deseret News) The Legislature is enlisting two UVU organizations to help with federalism education (Deseret News) Government Operations Will Utahns keep voting by mail? Election reforms are on their way (Deseret News) Utah wants to review a key challenge in downtown Salt Lake City plans, but will bill do more than that? (KSL) Health and Human Services Bill would allow Utah doctors to refuse care based on âmoral, ethical, religiousâ objections (ABC4) Housing State bill would impact housing solutions for Ogden's homeless (Fox13) Judiciary âItâs obviously retributionâ: Supreme Court justices warn of Legislatureâs judicial clampdown (Salt Lake Tribune) Revenue and Taxation Bill to help fund Salt Palace redevelopment passes committee (ABC4) Other Utah News Politics Sen. Curtis wants Elon Musk to have more âcompassionâ in DOGE efforts (Deseret News) Former Utah Gov. Herbert urges methodical approach to federal spending cuts in Utah (KUTV) HR memo claims Iron County commissioner 'asserted his authority' to pressure son's jailers (Fox13) Utah Utah has parted ways with menâs basketball coach Craig Smith (Deseret News) North Ogden police chief placed on leave due to ongoing investigation (ABC4) Biz/Tech New BYU research aiming to do what FAA canât â track low-flying drones (Deseret News) Utah real estate investment group acquired by New York firm in $1.5B deal (KSL) Fabric and craft retailer Joann to go out of business and close all of its stores (AP) Crime/Courts After a police chase and shootout ended at their home, this Riverton family wonders: Who is liable for all the damage? (Salt Lake Tribune) This Utah couple is being harassed over old Satanic abuse claims. They want the state to clear their names. (Salt Lake Tribune) Culture Storytelling Festival at Weber State gives chance to hear tales from all walks of life (Fox13) Education Interest, support surge for BYU medical school: âItâs as if we have 40 first-round draft picksâ (Deseret News) Congress pushes for alternatives to 4-year college degrees amid skilled labor shortage (Deseret News) Utah school district using fees to discourage truancy (KSL Newsradio) Environment A reason to celebrate: Emery County land transfer complete (Deseret News) âI feel for themâ: After Zion firings, Springdale is anxious about tourism season (KUTV) Trump funding freeze includes payments to keep the Colorado River flowing (NPR) Housing How stable is Utahâs housing market? Hereâs what new study says (Deseret News) The road to SLCâs tiny-house village for homeless Utahns will go through a former LDS chapel (Salt Lake Tribune) | | |
National Headlines General USPS unveils forever stamp honoring the late Betty White (KUTV) Political news Can Trump limit access to The Associated Press in the White House? Hereâs what a judge said (Deseret News) Senators, world leaders speak out on 3rd anniversary of Ukraine War (Deseret News) Immigration raids in some churches paused by federal judge (Deseret News) Judge blocks Musk's DOGE team from accessing Education Department, personnel office data (Reuters) Second US judge who ruled against Trump faces Republican impeachment bid (Reuters) Nearly 40% of contracts canceled by Muskâs DOGE are expected to produce no savings (AP) Hegseth: Fired military lawyers were potential âroadblocksâ to Trump orders (The Hill) âEmbarrassing,â âcruel,â âabsurd,â âextortionâ: GOP moderates find voices on Trump (Washington Post) Itâs crunch time for Mike Johnson and the GOPâs âbig, beautiful billâ (Washington Post) Ukraine and Russia Trump, Macron display stark differences on Ukraine despite friendly veneer (Reuters) US refuses to blame Russia for Ukraine war, splitting with European allies in UN votes (AP) Editorial Board: A sad day for the US at the UN (Wall Street Journal) In Nome, Alaska, a cadre of tinkerers and partisans keeps aiding Ukraine (Washington Post) Israel and Gaza West Bank Palestinians fear Gaza-style clearance as Israel squeezes Jenin camp (Reuters) World news An unknown illness kills over 50 people in part of Congo with hours between symptoms and death (AP) | | |
| | News Releases Hatch Foundation to honor Sen. Tom Cotton Today, the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation announced that it will recognize Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) with the âTitan of Public Serviceâ award during a special gala event at Salt Lake Cityâs Grand America Hotel on August 7, 2025.(Read More) Sen. Curtis joins bipartisan resolution supporting Ukraine on third anniversary of Russiaâs full-scale invasion U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), today joined Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), SFRC Ranking Member, Thom Tillis (R-NC), and a bipartisan group of colleagues in introducing a resolution acknowledging the third anniversary of Russiaâs full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The resolution expresses the U.S. Senateâs unwavering support for Ukraineâs sovereignty and territorial integrity while condemning Russiaâs illegal aggression and attempts to seize Ukrainian territory. It also commends NATO, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, and the international community for their continued efforts to support Ukraineâs defense and the protection of human rights on its territory, recognizes Ukraineâs democratic progress during wartime, and emphasizes Ukraineâs right to be included in any discussions with Russia about its future. (Read More) | | |
Upcoming Mar 7 â Utah legislative session ends Apr 24 â Giant in Our City with the Salt Lake Chamber, 6:00-9:00 pm, Register here May 1 â High school writing contest deadline with The Rostra: Applying the wisdom of the past to the problems of today. More info here Aug 7 â Titan of Public Service, Sen. Tom Cotton, with the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation, Grand America Hotel | | |
On This Day In History 1793 - First US cabinet meeting is held at George Washingtonâs home. 1828 - John Quincy Adamâs son, John Adams, marries his first cousin, Mary Catherine Hellen in a private ceremony at the White House. 1836 - Samuel Colt patents first multi-shot revolving-cylinder revolver, enabling the firearm to be fired multiple times without reloading. 1836 - Showman P. T. Barnum exhibits African American slave Joice Heth, claiming she was the 161 year-old nursemaid to George Washington. (She wasnât.) 1862 - Legal Tender Act passed to help finance the Civil War. 1870 - First Black Congressman, Hiram Rhodes Revels, sworn in to the U.S. Senate. 1928 - Bryce Canyon National Park is established. 1932 - Austrian immigrant Adolf Hitler gets German citizenship 1948 - Martin Luther King, Jr. ordained as a Baptist minister. 1971 - President Nixon met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus. 1991 - Adrienne Mitchell is killed in her military barracks in Saudi Arabia, becoming the first Black woman to die in combat in the Persian Gulf War. Quote of the Day "Itâs retribution. Itâs obviously retribution and Iâm not sure why weâre not saying that.â âPaige Petersen, Utah Supreme Court Justice On the Punny Side When I was a kid, we got a dog from a blacksmith. As soon as we got home, he made a bolt for the door. | | |
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