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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 31, 2019

Good Tuesday morning from Salt Lake City.

Can you believe it's the last day of 2019 and the decade (depending on how you look at it)?


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:

  • Protesters surround the American embassy in Baghdad
  • The challenges facing America in the next decade.
  • Biden says he'd be open to a Republican vice president.

PROGRAMMING NOTE

This is the last UtahPolicy.com morning newsletter of the decade.

We're taking Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off for the New Year's holiday. We will return to your inboxes, computers and mobile devices on Monday, January 6.

Have a happy New Year celebration. See you in 2020.


TICK TOCK

Days to the first day of the 2020 Utah Legislature: 27 (1/27/2020)

Days to the 2020 Iowa Caucuses: 34 (2/3/2020)

Days to the Utah presidential primaries: 63 (3/3/2020)

Days to the final day of the 2020 Utah Legislature: 72 (3/12/2020)

Days to the 2020 Utah primary elections: 182 (6/30/2020)

Days to the 2020 election: 308 (11/3/2020)



Today At Utah Policy

images/mugs/LaVarr_Webb.jpgWhat's the nation's biggest challenge in the next decade?
By LaVarr Webb, Publisher
Believe it or not, on Wednesday we begin the decade of the 2020s. So, after a tumultuous and unpredictable last decade, what is the biggest challenge or issue facing the nation in the 2020s?
images/1000px_Mugs/Rusty_Cannon_01.jpgGuest opinion: Tax reform -- Myths, misunderstandings and falsehoods
By Rusty Cannon, Vice President, Utah Taxpayers Association
The volume of hysteria and incorrect information based on myths and falsehoods surrounding the tax reform bill is becoming almost deafening. When gubernatorial candidates jump at the chance to be photographed with smiles on their faces as they proudly sign a petition that would HIKE taxes on Utah citizens to the tune of almost $200 million annually- we have to speak up.
images/1000px_Article_Photos/Television_01.jpgPodcast: The top political TV shows of 2019
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
2019 was a year chock full of amazing political theater, and that was just the Donald Trump show in Washington, D.C.

OTHER UTAH HEADLINES

Deseret News

Salt Lake Tribune

Other



NATIONAL HEADLINES

Iraq

Hundreds of demonstrators chanting "Death to America" attempted to storm the U.S. embassy in Baghdad to protest American airstrikes that killed members of an Iranian-backed militia over the weekend. President Donald Trump blamed Iran for the attack, vowing to hold the Iranian regime "fully responsible" [New York Times].


Impeachment

Senate Democrats are renewing their demands that the trial of President Trump include witnesses and documents relating to new details about the role top White House aides played in blocking the release of military assistance to Ukraine [New York Times].


Hmmm...

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden says he would be open to a Republican running mate [Huffington Post].


Sad trombone

A Federal Reserve study found President Trump's tariffs backfired and led to job losses and higher prices [Market Watch].


Vaping ban

A possible ban on flavored e-cigarettes may be back as the White House is reviewing new guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration [The Hill].


Most admired

A Gallup survey finds President Trump and former President Barack Obama tied for the top spot as America's most admired man in 2019. Former first lady Michelle Obama topped the list of most admired women [ABC News].



BUSINESS HEADLINES




More National Headlines


ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

1600 - The British East India Company is chartered.

1796 - Baltimore is incorporated as a city.

1862 - President Abraham Lincoln signed an act admitting West Virginia to the Union, dividing Virginia in two.

1879 - Thomas Edison first publicly demonstrated his electric incandescent light.

1946 - President Harry S. Truman officially proclaims the end of hostilities in World War II.

1951 - The Marshall Plan expired after distributing more than $12 billion in foreign aid.

1974 - Private U.S. citizens were allowed to buy and own gold for the first time in more than 40 years.

1983 - The AT&T Bell System is broken up by the U.S. government.

1999 - The U.S. hands over control of the Panama Canal to Panama.


Wise Words

New Year


"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man."Benjamin Franklin

Lighter Side

What They All Expected


"What were you expecting? Did you think Mueller was going to smash through the wall in a monster truck called the DeTrumpulator?" - SETH MEYERS

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