Loading...
| 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 - April 21, 2020Good Tuesday morning from Salt Lake CityTICK TOCK4 days to the Utah Republican and Democratic state conventions (4/25/2020)70 days to the 2020 Utah primary elections (6/30/2020)196 Days to the 2020 election (11/3/2020)274 days to inauguration day (01/20/2021)279 days to the start of the 2021 Utah Legislature (1/25/2021)Here are the stories you need to pay attention to this morning:Oil prices go negative. Congress tries to reach a deal on more small business funding. Utah lawmakers may provide legal protections for businesses that reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic. Rep. Chris Stewart has a huge lead over his GOP rivals.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 ourToday At Utah PolicyPoll: Rep. Chris Stewart has a big lead over his GOP challengersBy Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor U.S. GOP Rep. Chris Stewart seems a shoo-in to win re-nomination to his 2nd Congressional District, a new UtahPolicy.com/KUTV 2News poll shows.McAdams joins bi-partisan plan to restart American economy By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor The bi-partisan "Problem Solvers Caucus" in Congress unveiled a comprehensive plan on Monday to reopen the economy.Lawmakers reach deal with Gov. Herbert on vetoed special needs scholarship bill By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor When Utah legislators meet, again, in special session Thursday, the special needs private school program vetoed by GOP Gary Herbert will be amended and passed, it's sponsor, House Majority Whip Mike Schultz, tells UtahPolicy.com.Bill offers legal protections for businesses that re-open during coronavirus pandemic By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Utah lawmakers and Gov. Gary Herbert are pushing to get some parts of Utah's economy back to work starting May 1. A bill set for debate when Utah lawmakers re-convene in their special session later this week offers some protection to businesses that reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News Boyd Matheson: COVID-19: We have a new American pastime, but it's only the fifth inning Editorial: More earthquakes in Utah beg the question: Are you ready? Man threatened Salt Lake City mayor over COVID-19 restrictions, police say Utah Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Peterson chooses health care advocate as running mate Salt Lake County mayor angered by rally's 'egregious' violations amid coronavirus Delivering lifelines: Unique mobile lab brings tests, answers to hard-hit Navajo NationSalt Lake Tribune Utah officials target sellers for price gouging masks, water, Nintendos and more Convicted fraudster Rick Koerber wanted out of prison because of the coronavirus. Here is why a judge said no. Utah is 'starting to see a flattening of the curve' with COVID-19 cases but will watch the coming week, state epidemiologist says Democratic governor candidate Chris Peterson announces running mate Utah's Summit County poised to begin easing COVID-19 restrictions, but some fear it's too soonOther Utah County GOP Convention: Ivie, challenger both headed to primary (Daily Herald) Reps. John Curtis, Ben McAdams call for $250 billion small businesses bill (Daily Herald) Jim Harvey wins GOP nod for Weber County Commission post at convention (Standard-Examiner) Local activist Karina Brown picked as gubernatorial running mate (Logan Herald Journal) County GOP virtual convention leads to some competition in primaries (Logan Herald Journal)NATIONAL HEADLINESOil wipeoutOil futures dropped below zero on Monday, settling at minus $37.63 a barrel as producers are running out of space to store crude that is set to be delivered in May [Bloomberg]. Policymakers in Washington are paralyzed over how to handle oil prices plunging into negative territory [Politico]. Small business loansThe Senate is set to vote on a $450 billion package to provide more money for small business emergency loans. The original $349 billion allocated by Congress was snapped up in a matter of days [AP]. Banks are warning a new round of funding for small businesses could evaporate in two days [Politico]. Publicly traded firms claimed $300 million from the first round of funding meant for small businesses [AP]. The White House and Republicans in Congress are taking some heat after hotel and restaurant chains helped run the small business loan program dry [Washington Post]. U.S. restaurants are on track to lose $240 billion in total by the end of June [Reuters]. Immigration banPresident Donald Trump said Monday he would "suspend immigration" into the U.S. in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and economic collapse [Politico]. Trump could sign an executive order banning the issue of new green cards and work visas in the next few days [New York Times]. No confidenceA new poll finds most Americans rate President Trump's response to the coronavirus negatively, and belive it could be June or later before it will be safe for large gatherings [Washington Post]. Coronavirus in the statesNew York has canceled all public events in June [ABC7]. Georgia will allow some businesses, including gyms, bowling alleys and hair salons, to reopen on Friday as long as they can comply with social distancing standards and other safety guidelines [AJC]. Tennessee will not extend its stay at home order past April 30. Businesses in Ohio will be allowed to reopen at the end of the month [New York Times]. North KoreaKim Jong Un is reportedly in critical condition following a surgical procedure. Kim has not been seen in public since April 11. He missed the celebration of his grandfather's birthday on April 15 [CNN]. 2020Joe Biden's campaign begins the November election cycle $187 million behind the Trump campaign [New York Times]. BUSINESS HEADLINESUtah leaders name commission members to guide reopening of state's economy (Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Legislature eyes May 1 for reopening economy as the coronavirus wears on (Salt Lake Tribune) Can idled employees come back from time off stronger? Utah startup Learn In says it can make sure they do (Deseret News) Lucid reveals a $1 billion horn and $52 million in new funding (Deseret News) Payroll innovation startup Everee rings up $10 million funding round (Deseret News) Business could begin reopening by early May, Utah governor says (Deseret News) Utah's March jobless numbers are in, but they don't yet show the impact of COVID-19 (Deseret News) SLCC seeks regents' OK to lease land to Boyer Co. for commercial development at Meadowbrook campus (Deseret News) State leaders call on feds to get it together as 21K Utah businesses get help, but 18K stuck in line (Deseret News) Mattress fight: Utah firm says 'corporate warfare' threatens to blunt filling critical coronavirus needs (Deseret News) Utah agriculture reels as its markets evaporate in the coronavirus pandemic (Standard-Examiner) Weber County jobless claims still high, but officials find bright spots (Standard-Examiner)Policy NewsSave Small Business Initiative applications open nowOn April 15, 2020, the U.S. Chamber its Save Small Business Initiative to address the immediate needs of the small business community, mitigate closures and job losses, and mobilize support for long-term recovery in the wake of the economic destruction of the COVID-19 pandemic.CYBER24 episode 78: Driving forces behind ransomware growth Ransomware is a growing problem for American businesses - particularly small and medium-sized businesses. In just the first nine months of 2019, there were nearly 152 million ransomware attacks. More National HeadlinesNewly Declassified Evidence: Russia Didn't Try to Help Elect Trump in 2016 (PJ Media) Miami Herald Columnist Says Crowded Beaches Will 'Thin The Ranks' Of Trump And DeSantis Supporters (Daily Caller) Condoleezza Rice: China Wants To Shift The Narrative On COVID-19, Don't Let Them (RealClearPolitics) How China Sees the World (The Atlantic) Why Has the Voice of America Become a Voice of Confusion? (National Review) Cities and Pandemics Have a Long History (City-Journal) Harvard Magazine Calls for a 'Presumptive Ban' on Homeschooling: Here Are 5 Things It Got Wrong (FEE) The culture of corona (New Criterion) Inmates committing crimes after coronavirus release 'unconscionable': de Blasio (New York Post) The end of oil? Don't bet on it. (Powerline) Is Bernie Sanders the Barry Goldwater of the left? (Spectator)ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1649 - The Maryland Toleration Act, which provided for freedom of worship for all Christians, was passed by the Maryland assembly. 1836 - With the battle cry "Remember the Alamo!" Texas forces under Sam Houston defeated the army of Mexican Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna at San Jacinto, Texas, opening the path to Texas independence. 1918 - Baron Manfred von Richthofen, the German ace known as the "Red Baron," was killed in action during World War I. 1977 - Annie opens on Broadway. Wise WordsSelf Motivation"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."Ralph Waldo Emerson Lighter SideListening to Protesters"I'm sure that convinced the legislators.[imitating legislator]You know, the medical data doesn't back up an early reopen, but I heard some sound policy ideas from Lady Flag Screamer and Guy in a 'Purge' Mask."- STEPHEN COLBERT 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. |
Loading...
Loading...
