| Sen. Curtis gives floor speech today at 1:30 pm, MDT; nearly half of UT's population growth last year happened in UT County; Jazz get 5th pick .png?width=1200&upscale=true&name=Utah_Policy_Logo_Email_Full%20(1).png) | 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 | May 13, 2025 It's Tuesday and National Apple Pie Day! What you need to know -
House Republicans have unveiled their tax policy proposals for the âOne, Big, Beautiful Bill.â Some of the most significant tax cuts in the bill include the elimination of taxes on tips, taxes on overtime and taxes on auto loan insurance. Child tax credits and adoption tax credits would be expanded, while taxes on endowments for universities will see a big jump. Religious universities are exempted. The bill would also set aside up to $5 billion for private school vouchers. The tax cuts are forecast to cost $3.7 trillion.
Rapid Relevance - Sen. John Curtis gives his maiden floor speech today at 1:30 pm, MDT; nearly half of Utah's population growth last year happened in Utah County; and stunned silence in the lottery room as the Mavericks win the No. 1 pick, Jazz fall to 5th
On the Hill | | |
Utah Headlines Political news - Holly Richardson: An open letter to Sen. John Curtis - the lessons of the Holocaust Museum are crucial today (Deseret News)
- Sen. Lee: More should be done to cut waste, fraud and abuse from Medicaid (Deseret News)
Municipal news - 'A lot of interest': Moves to pick leaders for Utah's newest city edging forward (KSL)
- Provo Towne Centre ownership proposing massive mall redevelopment project (Daily Herald)
Utah - A rangerâs untamed adventures in Utahâs wilderness (Deseret News)
- Utahâs Olympic organizers want to raise more money for the 2034 Winter Games. Hereâs why (Deseret News)
- Puka Nacua is going to be a dad. Watch the gender reveal (Deseret News)
- Ridgeline High assistant coach killed in Wyoming crash (KSL)
- Troopers share safety message with teen drivers in rural communities ahead of Utahâs â100 Deadliest Daysâ (KSL TV)
Biz/Tech - As foreign tourists stay away, U.S. could lose $12.5 billion this year, tourism group says (New York Times)
- Why aren't Americans filling the manufacturing jobs we already have? (NPR)
Community/Culture - Dallas Jenkins aimed to portray Jesus in an âauthenticâ way. He says itâs key to his showâs success (Deseret News)
Crime/Courts - âArchitect of Gavinâs destructionâ: Judge hopes abused boyâs stepmom never gets out of prison (KSL)
- Man killed by police during Orem search was not subject of warrant, investigators say (KSL TV)
Economy - Stocks surge in response to U.S.-China tariff news (Deseret News)
Education - K-12 - Judge rules on outstanding matters in Utah school choice legal battle â clearing way for appeals (Deseret News)
- KSL Investigates: The surprisingly common reasons schools list for secluding students (KSL TV)
Education - Higher - Utah man earns college degree after expulsion from FLDS community with 3rd grade education (KUTV)
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: Nix affirmative action at U.S. service academies (Deseret News)
- âI am doing really greatâ: What prison education meant for one Utahn after her release (KUER)
- Southern Utah University athletic teams score record-high academic performances (St. George News)
- 'Attack on higher education' or 'rescue mission'? New law quietly changes USU curriculum (Cache Valley Daily)
- Trump DEI policies threaten millions in scholarships raised by Black doctors (Washington Post)
Energy - Celeste Maloy: Utah is ready for a geothermal boom, but bureaucratic red tape is in the way (Deseret News)
- Conservation groups protest Maloy's public lands 'sell-off' ahead of geothermal hearing (KSL)
- The nationâs geothermal potential stalls in federal bureaucracy (Deseret News)
Environment - Zion National Park braces for summer crowds ahead of Memorial Day weekend (KSL Newsradio)
Family - Utahns are having fewer kids. One BYU prof says that could spell problems later (KUER)
- Advocates slam Utah law rolling back homeschool oversight after abuse death case (KUTV)
Health - Experts warn Congress cuts to addiction funding will mean more overdose deaths (NPR)
- A quarter of children have a parent with substance use disorder, a study finds (NPR)
- What works for low back pain? Not much, a new study says (New York Times)
Housing - New statewide coalition bridging gap between Utah tenants, landlords (Fox13)
| | |
National Headlines General - âSchindlerâs Listâ factory reopens as Museum of Survivors (Deseret News)
- Transportation secretary responds to air traffic control issues at Newark, other airports (Deseret News)
- It's not just a feeling: Data shows boys and young men are falling behind (New York Times)
Political news - Perspective: Media âchew toyâ or ethical debacle? Either way, the optics of the Qatar jet are terrible (Deseret News)
- Trump feels the heat from MAGA over âgreat gestureâ of a luxury jet from Qatar (Politico)
- Gov. Gavin Newsom has a new plan to address homelessness, end sidewalk camping (Deseret News)
- Perspective: Out of work and on the dole â is Uncle Sam contributing to young menâs malaise? (Deseret News)
- Republicans unveil long-awaited tax portion of Trumpâs âbig, beautiful billâ (Deseret News)
- House Republicans target clean energy tax credits and pollution rules in budget proposal (AP)
- Another major church is splitting with the Trump administration over refugees (Deseret News)
- Trump starts Gulf visit in Saudi Arabia, focus on mega economic deals (Reuters)
- The President has named a new Acting Librarian of Congress. It's his former defense lawyer. (NPR)
Immigration/Deportation - I came to study aging. Now Iâm trapped in ICE detention. (New York Times)
- Trump administration to end deportation protections for Afghans (CBS News)
Tariffs - US slashes 'de minimis' tariff on small China parcels to 54% (Reuters)
- Tariffs may have pushed up inflation a bit in April, government report to show (AP)
- Tariff truce with China demonstrates the limits of Trump's aggression (New York Times)
- How tariffs might affect wedding costs (New York Times)
DOGE/Musk Ukraine/Russia - Zelensky says heâs ready to meet Putin; Europe prepares sanctions (Washington Post)
Middle East - Hamas has released U.S.-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, held in Gaza since 2023 (NPR)
World news - Prime Minister Keir Starmer proposes plan to restrict migration to the U.K. (Deseret News)
| | |
Number of the Day .png?width=1200&height=1000&upscale=true&name=Number%20of%20the%20Day%2c%20May%2013%2c%202025%20%20(1200%20x%201000%20px).png)
| | |
 | News Releases UVU expands Credit for Prior Learning program
Utah Valley University (UVU) is expanding opportunities for adult learners to earn college credit through its credit for prior learning (CPL) program, helping students turn real-world experience into academic progress. UVU has made CPL a strategic priority to support adult learners â especially those who started a degree but did not finish. The initiative is designed to encourage both new and returning students to complete their degrees through a flexible, affordable pathway that saves time and money. By expanding CPL, UVU aims to increase graduation rates and provide a faster route to career advancement. (Read More)
Curtis, Klobuchar introduce bipartisan Gate Safety bill U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Alex Gate Safety Act, bipartisan legislation to create and enforce a consumer product safety standard for large and potentially hazardous gates often installed in residential, commercial, and recreational settings. By establishing uniform safety standards and launching a national education campaign, the bill aims to prevent further harm and raise awareness among manufacturers, installers, consumers, and local authorities. (Read More)
Robert Cummings appointed as new Director of the Utah Division of Securities The Utah Department of Commerce has appointed Robert Cummings as the new Director of the Utah Division of Securities (Division). Cummings brings over 15 years of experience in civil and criminal litigation, along with a strong passion for public service, to his new role. He has tried several cases in the securities industry, including criminal securities fraud and a multi-week civil securities fraud arbitration, along with health care fraud, corporate fiduciary duties, and corporate share valuations trials. Cummings began his career in Los Angeles with the international law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Upon returning to Utah, he established his own law firm before joining Snow Christensen & Martineau, which merged with the national law firm Spencer Fane in March of 2024. (Read More)
AFP-Utah releases 2025 legislative scorecard Americans for Prosperity-Utah (AFP-UT) released its 2025 legislative scorecard today to keep Utah lawmakers accountable for their decisions on the most important policy issues in this yearâs legislative session. After outlining its ambitious âProsperity Elevatedâ 2025 policy agenda, AFP-UT staff and activists maintained a constant presence in members districts and in the state capitol to advocate for freedom-oriented policies that will improve hardworking Utahnsâ lives and increase prosperity. (Read More) | | |
Tweet of the Day  | | |
Upcoming - May 17 â Utah GOP Organizing Convention, at UVUâs UCCU Center.
- May 20-22 â Interim Days
- May 31 â Utah Democratic Party Organizing Convention, Ogden High School
- Aug 7 â Titan of Public Service gala with Sen. Tom Cotton hosted by the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation at the Grand America Hotel. More Information Here
| | |
On This Day In History - 1607 - Jamestown settlers arrive.
- 1846 - U.S. Congress declares war on Mexico.
- 1895 - Susan B. Anthony visits Utah in support of womenâs suffrage
- 1925 - Carolyn Robertson Payton is born. She was appointed Director of the United States Peace Corps in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter -- becoming the first female and the first African American to be Peace Corps Director. She was also a pioneer in black womenâs leadership within the American Psychological Association and psychology.
- 1940 - In his first speech to the House of Commons as British prime minister, Winston Churchill said, âI have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.â
- 2016 - US general Lori Robinson becomes the first woman to lead combatant command.
Quote of the Day "When we say ânever again,â we must start at the beginning of the process and not the end." âHolly Richardson
On the Punny Side I just called the paranoia hotline.
A guy answered: "How the heck did you get this number?" | | |
â Advertise With Us â Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
|
