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| 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 - December 20, 2019Good morning from Salt Lake City and TGIF!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 emails.Here are the stories you need to pay attention to this morning:The House and Senate are facing off over President Trump's impeachment trial. Herbert pushes back against tax reform critics. Former White House officials say Vladimir Putin is why President Trump believes Ukraine interfered in the 2016 election.FRIDAY TRIVIALast week's winner, Mike Mower, sends along today's question: Which Utah County was named for a Republican Utah Territory Governor who liked the Mormons? If you know the answer, send your response to me at bschott@utahpolicy.com. The THIRD correct answer will get to ask the next trivia question. PROGRAMMING NOTEThis newsletter is taking Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week off for the Christmas holiday. We'll return on Monday, December 30. TICK TOCKDays to the first day of the 2020 Utah Legislature: 38 (1/27/2020) Days to the 2020 Iowa Caucuses: 45 (2/3/2020) Days to the Utah presidential primaries: 74 (3/3/2020) Days to the final day of the 2020 Utah Legislature: 83 (3/12/2020) Days to the 2020 Utah primary elections: 193 (6/30/2020) Days to the 2020 election: 319 (11/3/2020) Today At Utah PolicyLee rips Pelosi's delay tactics on impeachment. 'She knows it will end badly for her'By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Sen. Mike Lee said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's gambit to possibly delay a Senate impeachment trial will eventually have little to zero impact on the eventual outcome.Herbert defends tax reform against growing criticism By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Governor Gary Herbert pushed back against critics of the recently passed tax reform bill on Thursday, brushing back assertions that the process was rushed or that it hurts lower-income Utahns.Cities Work podcast: Our shared national interests -- What we want in a president By Utah League of Cities and Towns Whether it's infrastructure or workforce, there are certain issues that are community priorities across the nation. ULCT's Executive Director Cameron Diehl and other members of the National League of Cities' Presidential Platform Task Force discuss an evaluation process for each of the candidates. This is a non-partisan effort. After all, there's no Democratic or Republican way to fill a pothole. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News Jay Evensen: Duplicate efforts to overturn Utah's tax reform law are doomed Sen. Mike Lee calls decision to withhold impeachment charges 'weird.' Here's why Lee votes no on 'stinking' spending bill; Romney votes yes Salt Lake police showed 'great restraint' against inland port protesters, report says Poll shows what Utahns want from tax reformSalt Lake Tribune Emery is Utah's only county to suffer a significant income decline this decade Gov. Gary Herbert signs Utah tax reform bill Utah County approves first property tax hike in 23 years Salt Lake City police internal review finds no excessive force by officers confronting inland port protestersOther Howard Wallack, retired Park City businessman, to run for U.S. House seat (Standard-Examiner)NATIONAL HEADLINESStall taleThe House and Senate are in a standoff over President Donald Trump's impeachment trial. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is delaying transmitting the articles of impeachment to the Senate until Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sets rules for the trial that are acceptable to Senate Democrats [Washington Post]. Mayor Pete's turn in the barrelPete Buttigieg took fire from the six other Democrats on the stage during Thursday night's Democratic debate [Politico]. Trade dealThe House approved a new North American trade deal on Thursday, delivering an end of year victory for both President Trump and House Democrats [Washington Post]. Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.Former White House officials say they believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is the genesis of President Trump's belief in the discredited conspiracy theory that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 election. "Putin told me," is what Trump told one former senior White House official [Washington Post]. Wow!An influential evangelical magazine says President Trump should be removed from office [Christianity Today]. WatchingThe U.S. is keeping a close eye on North Korea for signs of a possible missile launch or nuclear test in the coming days [AP]. BUSINESS HEADLINESOp-ed: Lee's immigration bill will give Silicon Slopes the high-tech workers it needs (Salt Lake Tribune) Dominion Energy and partner look to transform Utah hog waste into energy (Deseret News) Fast-rising personal debt driving Lending Club's success (Deseret News)Policy NewsBishop statement on passage of new trade deal with Canada and MexicoThe House of Representatives voted on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Following the vote, Congressman Bishop stated:"It is about time!Utah priorities included in end of year funding bills U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today voted in favor of two Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bills, which include legislation he fought for to reduce youth vaping, support Hill Air Force Base, repeal Obamacare taxes, and protect rural Utah communities.McAdams votes for trade agreement to strengthen Utah economy; support Utah jobs Congressman Ben McAdams joined in the bipartisan vote to approve the U.S. Mexico Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). McAdams has been a strong advocate for passage, urging all sides to reach an agreement and for Democratic leadership to bring it to the House floor for a vote before the end of 2019.Stewart proposes budget process reform Congressman Chris Stewart (R-UT) introduced legislation requiring that the annual Presidential budget provide an estimate of the per taxpayer cost of the deficit and of the public debt.Governor Gary R. Herbert to be honored as 41st Giant in our City The Salt Lake Chamber has announced that Governor Gary R. Herbert will be honored as the 41st Giant in our City. The award honors those with exceptional and distinguished service and extraordinary professional achievement and is widely recognized as the most prestigious business award given in Utah. Casual Friday: Weekend Events & Outdoors Report Outdoors Report--Salt Lake Tribune: Feds shift gears, now may let major highway cut across southern Utah tortoise preserve... More National HeadlinesTrump Isn't Impeached Until the House Tells the Senate (Bloomberg) What If They Held an Impeachment and Nobody Came? (PJ Media) The real impeachment scandal (Spectator) McConnell Rips Apart Democrats' 'Partisan Crusade' on the Floor of the Senate (PJ Media) Tulsi Gabbard Votes 'Present' on Trump Impeachment, Slams 'Purely Partisan Process' (Reason) Prison footage from Epstein's first suicide attempt has gone missing (AOL) James Comey is a Pathological Liar (American Thinker) Despite Viewership Woes, CNN Retains Stranglehold On 58 Airports (Daily Caller) JK Rowling in Trouble for Believing in Human Biology (PJ Media) We've just had the best decade in human history. Seriously (Spectator) Dow Jones and S&P 500 Hit Record Highs Day After Trump's Impeachment (Forbes)ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1606 - The Virginia Company loads three ships with settlers and sets sail to establish Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. 1803 - The United States formally took over territory acquired from France in the Louisiana Purchase. 1860 - South Carolina becomes the first state to attempt to secede from the United States. 1946 - The film It's a Wonderful Life is first released in New York City. 1971 - Doctors without Borders is founded in Paris, France. 1989 - The United States invaded Panama to oust Manuel Noriega and install the duly elected civilian government. Wise WordsGreatest Happiness"Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits."Thomas Jefferson Lighter SideCarnival"Greta famously sailed across the Atlantic Ocean on a boat with no kitchen, no showers and no toilets. And anyone who's ever been on a carnival cruise was, like 'Hey, I did that. Where is my award?'"- JIMMY FALLON Listen to us on_Apple Podcasts Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
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