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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 - September 17, 2019Good Tuesday morning from Salt Lake CityThanks 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:Lawmakers convene for a special session Monday Legislative leaders expect to see several gun-related bills during the 2020 session. President Trump says the U.S. is "locked and loaded" to respond to an attack on a Saudi Arabian oil field.Let's talk!We've started a discussion group on Facebook dedicated to Utah politics. Giveaway!I've got a few pairs of tickets to "Disaster! The Musical!" at the Empress Theater in Magna to give away to some of our lucky readers. The show runs from October 4-19. I'm playing Maury. Send me an email to be entered into a drawing to win. TICK TOCKDays to the 2019 Utah municipal elections: 49 (11/5/2019) Days to the first day of the 2020 Utah Legislature: 132 (1/27/2020) Days to the Utah presidential primaries: 168 (3/3/2020) Days to the 2020 Utah primary elections: 280 (6/23/2020) Days to the 2020 election: 413 (11/3/2020) Today At Utah PolicyMedical marijuana changes include more dispensaries, access for patientsBy Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor With one considerable compromise, the Utah Legislature modified Monday night in a special session the controversial new medical marijuana law passed last December.Legislators okay $1.5 million settlement with former Attorney General John Swallow By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor While not happy about it, Utah legislators gave former GOP Attorney General John Swallow $1.5 million in attorney fees/settlement in a Monday night special session.Lawmakers approve spending $1 million for the 2020 census By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor Utah legislators will budget $1 million for Census work next year, the Executive Appropriations Committee decided Monday evening.Utah GOP will allow candidates to gather signatures in 2020 despite conflicting rule that kicks them out of the party By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor While the State Central Committee of the Utah Republican Party fell just short of the two-thirds vote needed Saturday to repeal the bylaw that has caused so much division in the party over the last few years, don't fear -- the SCC will take up the issue in December again.Talent Ready Utah and partners announce expansion of Utah Aerospace Pathways Program in Tooele By GOED team Talent Ready Utah, in partnership with Tooele County School District, Tooele Technical College and the aerospace industry recently announced the expansion of the Utah Aerospace Pathways (UAP) program in Tooele. The program has been in place since 2016. This fall, 31 students are enrolled in the program. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News Jay Evensen: Experts say this amount is the 'breaking point' of household debt - but what does that mean? Editorial: The American family is not crumbling Would a military response to an attack on a Saudi Arabian oil field be a 'grave mistake'? 'Turn your key, be idle free,' Utah leaders say in kicking off idle-free season Utah Legislature passes changes to medical marijuana bill, allowing for more pharmacies $1.5 million settlement for former AG John Swallow approved by Utah LegislatureSalt Lake Tribune The Great Salt Lake is drying up, and a Utah scientist is trying to figure out the danger of the dust Utah educators say tax reform efforts could target school funding Utah political parties are fighting for access to voters' registration data Veteran Cory Green announces candidacy for Utah's 1st Congressional District Utah Gov. Gary Herbert will lead trade delegation to Japan this week - but he's skipping Hong Kong Ogden parents want settlement with city whose officers shot and killed their son West Jordan man sworn in to complete the term of former Utah lawmaker Ken Ivory A Utah lawmaker objected to letting stores order heavy beers early. He lost the argument. Utah lawmakers vote to take cannabis dispensing out of the state's hands, OK more private pharmacies Utah lawmakers vote to 'cut our losses' and pay $1.5M settlement to ex-A.G. John SwallowOther U.S. Attorney Huber: Ogden's Project Safe Neighborhoods program is working, FBI probe ongoing (Standard-Examiner)NATIONAL HEADLINESMiddle EastPresident Trump says it appears that Iran was behind the attack on a Saudi oil field, but he wants to avoid war [CNN]. U.S. military leaders are urging restraint in any response to the attacks [WaPo]. Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared they would not hold talks with the U.S. "at any level" [AP]. Oil prices had one of the largest single-day spikes following the attacks [NYT]. KavanaughDemocratic Sen. Chris Coons says he alerted the FBI to a new allegation of sexual misconduct against Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation, but the bureau never followed up [NYT]. Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley says she will introduce a resolution calling for an impeachment inquiry of Kavanaugh [Boston Globe]. Sen. Lindsey Graham "promises" Kavanaugh will not be impeached [Huffington Post]. Trump's taxesNew York state prosecutors in Manhattan have subpoenaed 8 years of President Trump's personal and corporate tax returns as part of a criminal investigation into the role Trump and his businesses played in hush-money payments to women claiming illicit affairs in the run-up to the 2016 election [NYT]. This seems significantThe cost of running Guantanamo Bay is estimated to be $13 million per prisoner, making it one of the most expensive prisons in the world [NYT]. Hmmm...Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee are furious acting director of national intelligence Joseph Maguire is refusing to turn over a whistleblower complaint regarding a "serious or flagrant" abuse involving intelligence activity and possibly the White House. The committee plans to order Maguire to testify if he continues his refusal [WaPo]. Another investigationThe House Oversight Committee is investigating "troubling questions" surrounding Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and allegations she is using her office to benefit her family [WaPo]. Trump poised to get budget winsHouse Democrats will hold off on a showdown with President Trump over funding for his border wall until November to avoid a government shutdown this month [Politico]. Democrats are poised to include money to bailout American farmers impacted by President Trump's trade war with China in a stopgap spending bill [WaPo]. Yikes!A new Senate report estimates the last three government shutdowns have cost American taxpayers $4 billion [Politico]. Some good newsThere were no new measles cases reported in the U.S. last week for the first time since January [Axios]. BUSINESS HEADLINESProposed skyscraper would be the tallest building in Utah (Deseret News) Utah Airbnb hosts book $37 million over summer travel season (Deseret News) Ogden-based MarketStar acquires Irish firm, expands European footprint (Standard-Examiner) Local analysts warn U.S.-China trade battle impacting Utah companies (Deseret News)Policy NewsUtah trade delegation travels to Asia to expand trade and investmentGov. Gary R. Herbert is leading a trade mission to Japan later this week. Representatives from 22 of Utah's leading companies and organizations will join him.Romney supports president's decision on capital gains U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) commended President Trump's decision this week not to lower capital gains taxes by indexing gains to inflation.Salt Lake Chamber honors business and community leaders The Salt Lake Chamber has announced the honorees for the 2019 Salt Lake Chamber Annual Meeting. More National HeadlinesTimes' handling of Kavanaugh story draws widespread criticism (Politico) Times faces questions all around for Kavanaugh story (Associated Press) The Real Reason for That Kavanaugh Smear (National Review) The Arizona Supreme Court Strikes a Powerful Blow for Free Speech and Religious Freedom (National Review) U.S. Antitrust Enforcers Signal Discord Over Probes of Big Tech (Wall Street Journal) Vegetarian diets not always the most climate-friendly, researchers say (Reuters) Progressive tax-the-rich push gains momentum (The Hill) After 6 Years in Exile, Edward Snowden Explains Himself (Wired) Saudi attacks underscore evolving drone threat, experts say (AFP) Trump Again Pressures the Federal Reserve in Wake of Saudi Attacks (Wall Street Journal) Oil shock hits a global economy that's already on shaky ground (CNN)ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1787 - The U.S. Constitution was signed by a majority of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. 1862 - Union forces led by Gen. George McClellan attacked Confederate troops led by Gen. Robert E. Lee near Antietam Creek in Maryland. McClelland halted the northward drive of the Confederate army. The battle was the bloodiest day in American military history. 1939 - Soviet troops invaded Poland, 16 days after Nazi Germany moved into the country. 1972 - The TV comedy M*A*S*H debuts on CBS. 1978 - Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the Camp David Accords. 2001 - President George W. Bush said Osama bin Laden, the ringleader in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, was "wanted dead or alive." Wise WordsTrust"Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships."Stephen Covey Lighter SideTough Debate Questions"They hit the candidates with all the tough questions, like, 'If elected, how do we know you won't lie about everything all the time and draw on weather maps with a Sharpie?'"- JIMMY KIMMEL 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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