Even with the rain - and some flooding - the drought is not even close to being over and Zach Wilson has signed a contract | | | 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 30, 2021 We've made it to the weekend. Today is National Cheesecake Day and International Day of Friendship. Sounds like a match made in heaven. Be in the Know Governor Cox has announced 4 focus areas to save water: Installing secondary water meters statewide, integrating land use and water planning, continue investing in agricultural optimization and establishing a statewide turf buyback program. Has Utah's flooding reversed the drought? Not really, unfortunately. Brad Rippey, a meteorologist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the author of U.S. Drought Monitor's report said that plenty of precipitation â possibly years of it â is still needed to get the state out of its long-term drought. Zach Wilson reportedly signs rookie contract and will appear at New York Jetsâ camp. The former BYU quarterback will be paid $35.15 million over four years, with a $22.9 million signing bonus. ð³ | | |
| | FROM OUR SPONSOR Friday at 7:30 PM | On the next Utah Insight, how Utah educators are working to close education's digital divide. Watch Utah Insight on PBS Utah for in-depth comprehensive discussions about issues impacting the state. | | |
Utah Headlines General Utah wonât become truly welcoming until people understand the meanings of these words: diversity, inclusion, belonging, equality and equity (Deseret News) Natalie Gochnour: "The 2002 Games were the most successful ever, and Utah can do it again, sharing its best with the world and inspiring mankind." (Deseret News) Moab floods second time this week, more expected as damage grows near Arches, Canyonlands (The Spectrum) Politics Patriots or paramilitary? Armed groups working with police raising questions. United Citizens Alarm works hand in tactical glove with police, but critics say it undermines law enforcement legitimacy (Deseret News) âDeeply worriedâ about nationâs polarization, Gov. Cox says Utah has the âsecret sauceâ (Deseret News) COVID Corner 1113 new cases ð³, 3 new deaths âWorn out, tired, and frustratedâ: Utah healthcare workers prepare for more COVID hospitalizations (ABC4) Utah leaders have no plans for another statewide mask mandate as COVID cases surge (Fox13) Utah has half the COVID cases seen last spike, but the same number of hospitalized people (KUTV) COVID-19 update: New infections reach triple-digits in Southern Utah as CDC provides new recommendations (St. George News) Disney World and Disneyland will require masks again â for everyone (Deseret News) Biden administration offers $100 incentive to unvaccinated, pushes federal workers to get vaccinated (Fox13) As new school year looms, debates over mask mandates stir anger and confusion (Washington Post) CDC internal memo calls delta variant as contagious as chickenpox: report (The Hill) Drought/Wildfires/Heat How can people save water in drought? Utah governor wants to buy back your lawn (Deseret News) IN FOCUS Discussion: Lake Powell Pipeline (ABC4) Utahns are being paid thousands to design water conserving landscaping (KUTV) Education 536 student dorms are planned to replace a Latter-day Saint chapel at the University of Utah (Salt Lake Tribune) Examples of critical race theory don't check out, but bans still expected (KUTV) These are the 10 best high schools in Utah: report (ABC4) Elections Did you get your ballot? Voting open in Utah cities for Aug. 10 primary for mayoral and council races (Deseret News) Energy Utah communities moving forward with plans for clean energy transition (KUER) Environment Utahâs economy could benefit from focusing on climate issues (Deseret News) Less water leaves us with more air pollution. Drought is making Great Salt Lake into a large toxic dustbin. (Salt Lake Tribune) Family David Brooks: What's ripping American families apart? (New York Times) Housing Utah sees 4 year downward trend in homeless population (Fox13) National Headlines General Former U.S. Senator Carl Levin, leading voice on national security, dead at 87 (Reuters) Congressional aides and visitors to the House side of the Capitol will face arrest if they're not wearing masks. (The Hill) Olympics Medal Count: US: 41, China: 38, ROC: 34, Japan: 28, Britain: 24 Utah native Rhyan White finishes third overall to advance to womenâs 200-meter backstroke finals (Deseret News) Japan expands virus emergency after record spikes amid Games (AP) Sunisa Lee Claims Olympic Gold And Shows U.S. Gymnastics Has More Than 1 Superstar (NPR) Sunisa Lee didnât owe the U.S. gold. Her victory is a gift, especially to her Hmong community. (Washington Post) Simone Biles, struggling with âthe twisties,â says she canât âtell up from down.â (New York Times) Novak Djokovicâs âGolden Slamâ Slips Away With Loss at Tokyo Olympics (Wall Street Journal) Politics First airlift of imperiled Afghan interpreters departs for U.S. Thousands of Afghans face Taliban retribution for aiding the U.S. war effort (Wall Street Journal) MyPillow to Pull Ads From Fox News in Disagreement With Network. Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow, says Fox News refused to run ad promoting an event linked to claims of widespread election fraud (Wall Street Journal) Trump takes two punches from GOP (The Hill) An unexpected antidote to political polarization: Germanyâs robust investment in public media has helped it drive down polarization. (The Atlantic) Economy U.S. economy grew annual 6.5 percent between April and June, marking full recovery from the pandemic (Washington Post) U.S. jobless claims down 24,000 to 400,000 as economy recovers (Politico) Many Black women felt relieved to work from home, free from microaggressions. Now theyâre told to come back. (Washington Post) Elections Trumpâs false election fraud claims fuel Michigan GOP meltdown (Politico) The beltway canât stop talking about him. The voters he needs barely know him. In conversations with Ohio voters, it seems J.D. Vance's national brand hasnât broken through. (Politico) International Myanmar leaders âweaponizingâ COVID-19, residents say (AP) Hong Kong man jailed for 9 years in first national security case (Reuters) âThey thought I was deadâ: Haitian presidentâs widow recounts assassination (New York Times) Draft legislation in Ghana would make identifying as gay or even an ally to the LGBTQ community a 2nd-degree felony punishable by 5 years in prison â with advocating for LGBTQ rights punishable by up to 10 years. (NBC) News of the Weird A French woman stole $5.8 million worth of diamonds and replaced them with pebbles in an elaborate heist (Washington Post) | | |
Policy News Gov. Spencer J. Cox outlines efforts to save water With 100% of the state experiencing drought conditions, Gov. Spencer J. Cox joined water officials from around the state to highlight current conservation efforts and outline measures needed to plan for Utahâs water future. âThis drought has caused all of us to reevaluate how we conserve and motivated us to do more,â Gov. Cox said. âSo many Utahns are doing their part to save water, which is fantastic, but thereâs much more we can do.â Utahâs water agencies are in the process of developing a comprehensive state water plan that builds on the previous version developed by the Division of Water Resources. The governor announced four focus areas the state will fast-track to further advance water conservation and water planning. (Read More) Romney: Security funding bill enhances Capitol security and makes good on commitments U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today voted in favor of the Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, legislation that includes measures to enhance security at the U.S. Capitol, support staffing needs of the U.S. Capitol Police, reimburse the National Guard for service following January 6, and aid Afghans who have assisted U.S. missions. The package passed the Senate by a vote of 98-0.
âThe brave men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police work tirelessly to keep the Capitol and the lives of those inside of it safe. Their heroic actionsâand sacrificeâhave been on full display this year. Itâs important that Congress now fulfills its most basic duty to the Capitol Police by ensuring they have the funding necessary to pay their officers and secure the Capitol complex,â said Senator Romney. âI am especially proud that this security funding bill honors the life of my friend, Officer Howie Liebengood, by designating the wellness program of the Capitol Police as the âHoward C. Liebengood Center for Wellness.â (Read More) Sen. Lee votes in favor of National Guard Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) voted for a measure that would provide funding to the National Guard to satisfy a debt incurred by security services provided post-January 6th. Passage of this legislation is aimed at preventing the cancellation of vital training missions planned by National Guards in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Without this reimbursement, numerous trainings and drill weekends would be cancelled, resulting in guardsman not receiving pay for those previously scheduled activities. (Read More) Curtis, Takano launch bipartisan Congressional Energy Storage Caucus Today, Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) launched the bipartisan Congressional Energy Storage Caucus to unify energy storage efforts and initiatives and advance energy storage through legislation and advocacy. âI am pleased to announce the Bipartisan Congressional Energy Storage Caucus with my co-chair Congressman Takanoâ to encourage the production of American clean energy and better environmental stewardship,â said Curtis. âInvesting in the deployment of American technology and resources around the world will reduce global emissions and improve our national security. Storage can, and should, be a part of this effort.â (Read More) Salt Lake Chamber statement on the passing of Steve Densley Statement of Derek Miller, President and CEO of Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance on Passing of Utah County Business Leader Steve Densley: âI received the news of Steveâs passing with sadness this week as he was a friend and consummate example of serving others. While serving in the Governorâs Office of Economic Development, I had many opportunities to work with Steve as he led the Utah Valley Chamber. (Read More) | | |
Upcoming Securing the American Dream: A conversation with Tim Scott presented by the Hatch Foundation â Aug 11 @ noon. Register here Utah Foundation Breakfast Briefing: Mental health in anxious times â Aug 26 @ 9 am. 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 1619 - Jamestown has the first representative assembly of white people in the Western Hemisphere 1818 - Emily Bronte is born. 1863 - Chief Pocatello of the Shoshone tribe signs the Treaty of Box Elder, promising to stop harassing the emigrant trails in southern Idaho and northern Utah. 1940 - Patricia Schroeder is born. She was the first woman to serve in the U.S. Congress from Colorado (1973-1997), the first woman on the House Armed Services Committee, promoted the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and was president and CEO of the Association of American Publishers (1997-2008). 1942 - FDR signs bill creating women's Navy auxiliary agency (WAVES) 1956 - âIn God We Trustâ replaces âE Pluribus Unumâ as the motto of the United States. 1965 - President Lyndon B. Johnson signs Medicare into law 1984 - WNBA player Lisa Leslie of the Los Angeles Sparks became the first woman to dunk in a professional game. Wise Words "You can't wring your hands and roll up your sleeves at the same time."
-Patricia Schroeder Lighter Side "I was not talented enough to run and smile at the same time" â Emil Zatopek (referring to his unique facial expression), long-distance runner and four-time gold medalist | | |
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