 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 - September 5, 2019Good Thursday morning from Salt Lake City.Thanks for reading Utah's must-read daily political news rundown. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to sign up for our emails.Here are the stories you need to pay attention to this morning:
TICK TOCKDays to the 2019 Utah municipal elections: 61 (11/5/2019) Days to the first day of the 2020 Utah Legislature: 144 (1/27/2020) Days to the Utah presidential primaries: 184 (3/3/2020) Days to the 2020 Utah primary elections: 293 (6/23/2020) Days to the 2020 election: 425 (11/3/2020) Today At Utah Policy Majority of Utahns oppose overturning Roe v. WadeBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Abortion and reproductive rights is a newly ignited flashpoint during the Trump presidency. President Donald Trump has already appointed two conservative justices to the Supreme Court, and the fate of Roe v. Wade seemingly hinges on the health of 86-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. If Trump gets to pick her replacement, pro-choice groups fear the 1973 landmark decision could be overturned.  Heir apparent? Herbert donates $50,000 to Cox's campaignBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Gov. Gary Herbert put his financial weight behind his political protege on Wednesday, cutting a $50,000 check for Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox's 2020 gubernatorial campaign.  Utah's generational opportunity at Point of the MountainBy Muriel Xochimitl, X-Factor Strategic Communications Utah is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, with the youngest median age and largest family size. The state has doubled in population over the last 30 years and is anticipated to double again by 2065. Guest opinion: Reauthorizing key provisions of STELAR will benefit rural Utahns By Tara Thue There are few things Utahns love more than watching football. From Labor Day weekend to Super Bowl Sunday, we gather with family and friends to watch the big game and cheer on our favorite teams. Understandably, we take for granted the ability to sit down on the couch, turn on the television and find high-definition coverage of our favorite teams. However, the possible expiration later this year of a key piece of legislation could jeopardize all that for hundreds of thousands of Americans across rural parts of the country, including people right here in Utah. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News
Salt Lake Tribune
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NATIONAL HEADLINESGood newsU.S. and Chinese negotiators will return to the bargaining table next month to solve the trade war that is roiling the global economy [NYT]. Global stocks rallied on the news that the U.S. and China will resume trade talks [WSJ]. Hurricane DorianThe storm has strengthened to a Category 3 as it aims at the Carolinas [AP]. 2020Republicans are worried they're not paying enough attention to statehouse elections next year, which will give Democrats a decided advantage in the next round of redistricting [Politico]. Another top Republican in Congress is retiring. Wisconsin Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner is calling it quits in 2020 [Politico]. The number of Republican retirements from the House, 16 so far, is raising doubts that the GOP will regain control of that chamber of Congress next year [WaPo]. GunsSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he will bring gun legislation to the floor, but only if President Trump will sign it [Politico]. Walmart's new stance on guns may pay off for the company's bottom line according to a new poll [Business Insider]. San Francisco passed a resolution calling the NRA a "domestic terrorist organization" [WaPo]. For your radarA federal judge ruled a government database of people who are known to be or suspected to be terrorists violates the rights of American citizens [NYT]. Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.President Donald Trump showed a map of the path of Hurricane Dorian that had been altered with a marker to indicate the storm path heading toward Alabama. It appeared Trump was trying to cover up for his previous false claims that the storm was headed toward that state [ABC News]. President Trump was thoroughly roasted for changing the map to cover up for his debunked claim [WaPo]. Trouble for the PentagonAmerican troops are getting fatter, which is prompting the Navy to eliminate fried food and sugary drinks on its ships [NYT]. BrexitBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson is attempting to call for a snap national election after Parliament blocked his plan to take Britain out of the European Union without a deal at the end of October [Reuters]. EnvironmentThe Trump administration is rolling back energy efficiency standards for light bulbs [NYT]. ImmigrationThe FBI is monitoring groups on the border protesting U.S. immigration policy. The agency is gathering intelligence from people involved in these organizations from their social media profiles and treating the groups as extremist organizations [Yahoo News]. A government watchdog group says the Trump administration failed to provide adequate mental health care to migrant children separated from their families [Axios]. Iowa Republican Steve King claims he drank water from a toilet fountain in a migrant detention center. He said the water was "actually pretty good" and caused him to "smack my lips" [WaPo]. BUSINESS HEADLINES
Policy News Romney and Lee comment on emergency funding diversions impacting UtahU.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Mike Lee (R-UT) today issued the following statements after the Air Force informed both senators that funding appropriated by Congress for military construction projects at Hill Air Force Base would instead be spent to construct a wall on the southern border, as a result of the February 2019 emergency declaration. Romney and Lee previously urged the Department of Defense to protect funding for these Utah projects.  Sens. Lee, Klobuchar announce hearing on digital platform mergersSens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, will hold a subcommittee hearing September 24th examining concerns relating to acquisitions of nascent or potential competitors by digital platforms. Utah submits Family First Act Prevention plan ahead of Oct. 1 start date Outlining the expansion of mental health and substance use treatment and parenting skills services to prevent children from entering foster care, the Utah Department of Human Services (DHS) submitted its plan to implement federal Family First Prevention Services Act provisions with an Oct. 1, 2019 start date.  Curtis' bipartisan telehealth bill gains supportIn July, Representatives John Curtis (R-UT) and Joe Neguse (D-CO) introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Telehealth Innovation and Improvement Act, legislation that would encourage telehealth innovation and promote expanded access to healthcare services in rural and urban areas through telehealth and digital services. Salt Lake County receives federal grant to continue fighting the opioid epidemic Salt Lake County is one of six communities across the nation that has been awarded a two-year, $600,000 grant from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance. The money will support coordinated, cross-sector responses to prevent and reduce overdose deaths associated with opioids, including illicit fentanyl. More National Headlines
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1666 - The Great Fire of London ends. Ten thousand buildings were destroyed, but only six people were known to have died. 1698 - Russia's Peter the Great imposed a tax on beards. 1774 - The First Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia. 1793 - The Reign of Terror began during the French Revolution as the National Convention instituted harsh measures to repress counter-revolutionary activities. 1960 - Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) wins the gold medal in the light heavyweight boxing division at the Olympic Games in Rome. 1972 - A Palestinian terrorist group called "Black September" attacks and takes hostage 11 Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympic Games. Two died in the attack and nine were murdered the following day. 1975 - Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, a follower of Charles Manson, attempts to assassinate President Gerald Ford. 1977 - NASA launches the Voyager 1 spacecraft. 1978 - Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat begin peace discussions at Camp David. Wise WordsShare Happiness "Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." Buddha Lighter SideMore Derangement "Think about that the president's tweets are so insane the news can't even show them now," [Seth] Meyers said. "It's getting to when he talks to reporters, they're going to have to blur out his entire face. They're going to have to treat him like accidental nudity we elected President Nip Slip." Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
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