 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 - May 18, 2020Good Monday morning from Salt Lake CityTICK TOCK43 days to the 2020 Utah primary elections (6/30/2020)169 Days to the 2020 election (11/3/2020)247 days to inauguration day (01/20/2021)252 days to the start of the 2021 Utah Legislature (1/25/2021)Here are the stories you need to pay attention to this morning:
TRIVIA WINNERSeveral of our subscribers correctly identified Kansas and Florida as two other states that are currently working on honoring famous women with statues in National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. Kansas is adding Amelia Earhart and Florida is sending a statue of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune to the collection. Congratulations to Zachary Zundel, who also pointed out Arkansas is adding a statue of Daisy Bates and Nebraska plans to celebrate Willa Cather with statues of their own. He gets the honor of asking this Friday's question. Thanks to everyone for playing. 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 Policy Poll: Cox leads Huntsman by 7 points in GOP primary raceBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor With three weeks to go before county clerks start mailing ballots to primary voters, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox has a seven-point lead over former Gov. Jon Huntsman according to a new UtahPolicy.com/KUTV 2 News survey.  Analysis: Unaffiliated voters registering as Republicans could give Jon Huntsman a big advantage in the GOP primary for governorBy Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor While former Gov. Jon Huntsman falls behind Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox among Republican Party voters likely to cast a ballot in the June 30 closed party primary, Huntsman leads Cox among political independents who might jump into the party so they can vote for their favorite gubernatorial candidate.  Guest opinion: Why I'm backing Blake Moore in CD1By Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden As a Utah State Senator, I am frequently asked if I am endorsing a candidate for a given political office. That is a serious responsibility, and I have been very selective in whom I support. With that in mind, I am thrilled to give my wholehearted endorsement to a remarkable candidate for Utah's First Congressional District, Blake D. Moore.  Romney condemns Trump's firing of government watchdogs, calling it a 'threat to democracy'By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Sen. Mitt Romney rebuked President Donald Trump's firing of government watchdogs, calling it a "threat to accountable democracy."  Bernick and Schott on politics podcast: 'Desperately in need of a civics lesson'By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Managing Editor Bryan Schott and Contributing Editor Bob Bernick bring you their take on the top political news. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News
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NATIONAL HEADLINESSlow recoveryFederal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said in an interview with 60 minutes unemployment could hit 25 percent before it begins to fall. He also warned the U.S. economy could contract by 20 percent [Politico]. Powell also said the economic recovery from the pandemic could stretch into 2021 [Bloomberg]. Personal servant?The State Department inspector general that President Trump abruptly fired Friday night was probing whether Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a staffer performing domestic errands and chores including walking his dog, picking up dry cleaning and making restaurant reservations [Washington Post]. This is not the first time Pompeo's use of government resources has come under scrutiny [New York Times]. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Trump's firing of the watchdog could be unlawful [Reuters]. Coronavirus responseOfficials say a coronavirus vaccine likely won't be available for widespread distribution until 2021 [The Hill]. President Trump appears ready to let others take the lead in the next phase of the government response to the pandemic [Washington Post]. Investigating ChinaAbout 100 countries are backing a resolution at the World Health Assembly calling for an independent investigation into the coronavirus pandemic [CNN]. EconomyMillions of American workers are still waiting for unemployment benefits [Bloomberg]. J.C. Penney filed for bankruptcy protection on Friday night [Retail Dive]. Location data shows Americans in some cities are returning to pre-pandemic movement patterns [NBC News]. 2020President Trump and his allies are dusting off the playbook they used in 2016 to take on Joe Biden [AP]. Many delegates August's 2020 Democratic Convention in Milwaukee don't want to risk their health or the health of others by attending in person [New York Times]. President Trump seems like he's spoiling for a fight with former President Obama ahead of November [NPR]. Bailout neededA U.S. immigration agency could run out of money this summer without a $1.2 billion bailout [Vox]. Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.Eric Trump claimed the coronavirus would "magically" vanish after the November election, suggesting the pandemic is a hoax being used by Democrats to undermine his father's re-election chances [Washington Post]. BUSINESS HEADLINES
Policy News CYBER24 episode 82: Tackle IT, security projects while the office is quietAfter a remarkable scramble, generally speaking, by businesses across the country to transition to a remote workforce, smart businesses are looking at what they can accomplish while workers are out of the office. More National Headlines
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1756 - The Seven Years' War begins when Great Britain declares war on France. 1860 - Abraham Lincoln wins the Republican Party presidential nomination over William H. Seward, who later becomes the U.S. Secretary of State. 1896 - The Supreme Court rules in Plessy v. Ferguson that the "separate but equal" doctrine is constitutional. 1933 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs an act creating the Tennessee Valley Authority. 1953 - Jackie Cochran becomes the first woman to break the sound barrier. 1969 - Apollo 10 is launched. 1980 - Mount St. Helens erupts in Washington, killing 57 people and causing $3 billion in damage. Wise WordsProportion "A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone." Henry David Thoreau Lighter SideExpert Testimony "Bright said if we don't get our act together, the United States could be headed for 'the darkest winter in modern history.' The good news is, it sounds like he's saying we might make it to winter." - JIMMY KIMMEL Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
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