 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 24, 2020Good Friday morning from Salt Lake CityTICK TOCKThe Utah Republican and Democratic state conventions are tomorrow (4/25/2020)67 days to the 2020 Utah primary elections (6/30/2020)193 Days to the 2020 election (11/3/2020)271 days to inauguration day (01/20/2021)276 days to the start of the 2021 Utah Legislature (1/25/2021)Here are the stories you need to pay attention to this morning:
FRIDAY TRIVIAToday's bit of paronomasia comes from Kari Malkovitch. "What makes Utah's state capital uniquely different from any other state capital in the United States?" If you think you know the answer (I've already given you a hint), send your guesses to me at mailbag@utahpolicy.com. The winner will be randomly selected from the correct answers. Good luck! 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 newsletter. Today At Utah Policy Lawmakers allocate more than $4 billion in coronavirus relief funds during special sessionBy Bryan Schott and Bob Bernick Utah lawmakers allocated billions of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief funds during Thursday afternoon's special session, most of it going toward the state's unemployment insurance fund. But, they're preparing for the economic pain that's sure to come.  Lawmakers seek to shield businesses from some COVID-19-related lawsuitsBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Lawmakers want businesses to re-open amid the coronavirus pandemic without fear of being sued if their customers or workers catch the virus.  Lawmakers reach compromise with the governor on bill requiring notification of emergency actionsBy Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor A Utah governor would have to tell lawmakers about any emergency order he or she issues during a pandemic 24 hours before it takes effect, under an agreement reached between GOP Gov. Gary Herbert and Republican legislative leaders. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News
Salt Lake Tribune
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NATIONAL HEADLINESBad medicinePresident Donald Trump stunned many when he asked his medical experts to study if sunlight or injecting disinfectants could kill viruses [BBC]. The company that makes Lysol and other disinfecting products issued a statement on Thursday pleading with Americans not to inject their products into the human body [Bloomberg]. Unemployment could already be 20 percentMore than 4 million people applied for jobless benefits last week, pushing the five-week total to more than 26 million. Experts say U.S. unemployment is already around 20 percent and could go higher [Bloomberg]. Financial falloutState and local governments are being walloped by the economic downturn from the coronavirus, and many are cutting budgets and staff [CNN]. New home sales plunge 15.4 percent in March [AP]. The Gap is running out of money and stopped paying rent for their stores in April [CNN]. Nursing homes are asking states for immunity from COVID-19-related civil suits after more than 10,000 residents have died from the virus nationwide [NPR]. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin is considering the creation of a government lending program for struggling U.S. oil companies [Bloomberg]. Food supply breakingFarmers in America are starting to destroy their pigs after several processing plants have closed amid the coronavirus pandemic [Bloomberg]. Trump stewingPresident Donald Trump is reportedly bingeing on cable news and junk food while growing increasingly upset with how he is being portrayed in news coverage during the pandemic [New York Times]. Flood the zoneSeveral of President Trump's political employees pressured U.S. health officials to "flood" New York and New Jersey with millions of doses of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for coronavirus [Vanity Fair]. Hmmm...Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden predicted Thursday that President Trump will try to push back the presidential election in November. "Mark my words, I think he is gonna...come up with some rationale why it can't be held," he said [Daily Beast]. Pressuring the Postal ServiceThe Treasury Department is considering taking control over some key operations of the U.S. Postal Service as part of a $10 billion bailout loan for the financially strapped agency [Washington Post]. BUSINESS HEADLINES
Policy News News release: Volunteers help Utah businesses navigate federal resources to mitigate COVID-19The flood of new programs and resources from D.C. are critical for small business owners to understand, but with the volume and number of changes, that is easier said than done. One volunteer organization in Utah is making a difference for those who need financial assistance to keep their businesses and pay their employees. Utahns Against Hunger surveys food pantries, identifies critical needs In response to increased demand for emergency food because of the economic downturn and stay-at-home order, Utahns Against Hunger surveyed pantries across the state of Utah. During the month of April, UAH heard from 77 organizations of the more than 120 organizations with a food pantry, representing approximately 95 pantry sites. More National Headlines
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1704 - The first regular newspaper in British Colonial America, The Boston News-Letter, is published. 1800 - The U.S. Library of Congress is established when President John Adams signed legislation to appropriate $5,000 to purchase "such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress." 1967 - Vietnam War: American General William Westmoreland says in a news conference that the enemy had "gained support in the United States that gives him hope that he can win politically that which he cannot win militarily." 1980 - Operation Eagle Claw, the attempt to rescue 52 U.S. embassy staff held captive in Tehran, ends with the death of eight servicemen when a helicopter crashed into a transport aircraft. 1990 - The Hubble Space Telescope is launched from the Space Shuttle Discovery. 2005 - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is inaugurated as the 265th Pope of the Catholic Church taking the name Pope Benedict XVI. Wise WordsMiracles "Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see."C. S. Lewis Lighter SideMasks "Big news in New York, where yesterday the governor announced an executive order that requires everyone in the state to wear a mask in public when not social distancing. It's a big change for all New Yorkers, except Jets fans."- STEPHEN COLBERT, alongside a photo of Jets fans covering their faces Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
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