It's Day 30 of 45. Is rodeo competing a valid excuse to skip school? Sen. McKell thinks so.
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The Utah Policy newsletter is your one-stop source for political and policy-minded news. We scour the news so you don't have to! Send news tips or feedback to Holly Richardson at editor@utahpolicy.com.

 

Situational Analysis | Feb. 20, 2025

It's Thursday and National Cherry Pie Day. 🍒

A very happy (belated) birthday to Rep. Kay Christofferson and Rep. Tyler Clancy yesterday and to Sen. Keven Stratton today. 🎂 🎈🎉

There are 874 bills now available 

Three things today:

  • HB412 by Rep. Jeff Burton would eliminate the requirement to have political diversity on certain boards, commissions, committees and councils. This bill will be heard in the House Government Operations Committee
  • HB464 by Rep. Joseph Elison would establish a State Sovereignty Fund and would appropriate $139,984,700 in restricted fund and account transfers for fiscal year 2025. The bill would become effective immediately upon the governor’s signature. It will be heard in House Rev & Tax.
  • SB279 by Sen. Mike McKell would include rodeo competitions as a valid excuse for a student to be absent from school. This bill will be heard in the Senate Education Committee this afternoon.

On the Hill Today - Day 30 of 45

 

Utah Headlines

Legislative session

  • Senators pump the brakes on bill to eliminate daylight saving time in Utah (KSL)
  • 'Hard decisions': Lawmakers still weighing tax cuts after revenue lower than early projections (KSL)

Business and Labor

  • Kevin Franke regrets letting his kids go online, supports bill to protect child influencers’ earnings (Salt Lake Tribune)

Criminal Justice

  • Reforming Utah’s human trafficking laws (Deseret News)
  • Opinion: Accountability and rehabilitation — understanding SB155 (Deseret News)
  • Utah doesn’t know how many of its inmates have a substance use disorder. A bill would change that — and could bring help. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Education

  • Higher ed’s reallocation bill well-positioned to becoming law (Deseret News)
  • Utah lawmakers work to expand education around federalism in the state (Deseret News)
  • A move to provide more free meals in Utah schools has some GOP lawmakers warning about government ‘dependency’ (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Utah students can use 100% of their school vouchers on extracurriculars, like swim lessons. A new bill would limit that. (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Bill requiring public schools to teach firearm safety passes Utah House, heads to Senate (St. George News)

Government Operations

  • Utah lawmaker would replace state Columbus Day with an Election Day holiday (KSL Newsradio)

Health and Human Services

  • Utah lawmakers turn focus on products put in food (Deseret News)
  • Utah’s Safe Haven Law could be expanded to accept newborns up to 90 days old (KSL Newsradio)
  • Utah’s flavored vape ban — and lawsuit — could be out the door with new bill (KUER)

Housing

  • Does your home really need a garage? Making them optional may lower housing costs (Salt Lake Tribune)

Transportation

  • Utah bill would change where your money goes if you pick a black license plate (KSL)

Other Utah News

Politics

  • A lonely holdout where Republicans still resist Trump: Utah (New York Times)
  • There’s got to be a better way on immigration — An appeal from an original signer of the Utah Compact (Deseret News)
  • Utah Sen. John Curtis on how to streamline federal regulations on American energy (Deseret News)
  • Editorial Board: Keep legal gambling out of Utah (Deseret News)
  • 'A day for celebration': Utah, Navajo Nation finalize landmark water rights deal (KSL)
  • Utah, 16 other states tell judge: We never meant to say Section 504 is unconstitutional (KSL TV)
  • Utah senators support federal workforce reduction efforts amid layoffs (KSL TV)
  • It’s over: Century-old trees to be chopped down for Logan waterline project (UPR)
  • What do Trump’s comments mean for Utah’s unique support for Ukraine? (Deseret News)

Crime/Courts

  •  Riverton man faces 2 dozen criminal charges in child abuse investigation (KSL)

Culture

Economy

  • Trump unveils new round of 25% tariffs on cars, microchips and meds (Deseret News)
  • 'Depressed and heartbroken': Up to 1,000 IRS workers in Ogden expected to be fired (KSL)
  • Salt Lake VA worker fired for 'performance' after receiving outstanding review (KUTV)
  • Utah lawmakers choose words carefully, or not at all, over Ogden federal layoffs (KUTV)
  • Lost your job? Here's what Utahns need to do immediately (Fox13)

Education

  • UVU President Astrid Tuminez taking brief sabbatical following husband’s unexpected death (Deseret News)
  • The next president of embattled Utah Tech University will be an outsider. Meet the 3 finalists. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Energy

  • How will nuclear energy get to Utah? Experts discuss paths and pitfalls (Deseret News)

Environment

  • Former rangers worry what Trump’s cuts will mean for Utah’s national parks (KUER)
  • Parts of Utah in 'extreme' drought conditions after two great water years (Fox13)

Health

  • Genes vs. lifestyle: What drives aging well, premature death risk? (Deseret News)
  • How the University of Utah is using sci-fi technology to help veterans (Fox13)
  • Utah counties received millions to battle the opioid epidemic. Many haven’t spent a dime (KUER)
 

National Headlines

Political news

  • Opinion: Why everyone should care about the Constitution’s separation of powers (Deseret News)
  • Sen. John Curtis, other Republicans distance themselves after Trump calls Zelenskyy a ‘dictator’ (Deseret News)
  • Utah Sen. John Curtis on how to streamline federal regulations on American energy (Deseret News)
  • Trump issues IVF executive order, sparking debate among conservatives (Deseret News)
  • The battle between Catholic bishops and the Trump administration just entered a new phase (Deseret News)
  • Exclusive: FDA staffers told that 'woman,' 'disabled' among banned words; White House says it’s an error (Reuters)
  • Trump's attack on Zelenskyy signals new world order taking shape (Wall Street Journal)

Ukraine and Russia

  • Russia targets infrastructure in Ukraine's east and south in extensive overnight air attack (Reuters)

Israel and Gaza

  • Hamas hands over bodies of youngest Gaza hostages taken from Israel (Reuters)
 

Number of the Day 

Number of the Day, Feb. 20, 2025

 

News Releases

Legislature and Governor’s Office release updated budget estimates

The Utah State Legislature and Governor’s Office revised revenue numbers for fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 show Utah’s economy remains strong, with revenue continuing to grow by 3.5%. Overall economic growth remains positive, despite revenue being down from October estimates.  Wages are rising, and retail sales remain on an upward trajectory. The state’s economy continues to show strong and steady growth, maintaining momentum with impressive historical standards. (Read More)


Gov. Cox names Tim Davis as Interim Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality

Gov. Spencer J. Cox has appointed Tim Davis as the executive director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), pending approval by the Utah State Senate. Davis currently serves as the Deputy Great Salt Lake Commissioner, where he plays a key role in coordinating the efforts of state and federal agencies, local governments and stakeholders to protect and restore the Great Salt Lake. With more than 25 years of experience in water and land policy, Davis has led four different state water agencies in Utah and Montana, overseeing critical programs in water quality, water rights and drinking water. (Read More)


Gov. Cox appoints Thaddeus May to the Third District Court

Gov. Cox has appointed Thaddeus (Tad) May to the Third District Court, filling a vacancy created by Judge Holmberg’s retirement. Judicial appointments are subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate. (Read More)


Utah Senate requests public comment on 3rd District appointee

The Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee is seeking public comment on Thaddeus (Tad) May. He was appointed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox to serve as a judge in the 3rd District.

Those who desire to comment should contact the Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee electronically or by mail at the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Electronic comments can be emailed to senatejudicialnominees@le.utah.gov. Written comments can be mailed to the Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee at the Utah State Capitol, Suite W210, PO Box 145210, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5210. All statements should include the individual’s name, telephone number and mailing address. (Read More)


Tribal nonprofit co-host first advocacy day

Restoring Ancestral Winds (RAWI), a dual tribal coalition on domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault (SA), will celebrate its first Advocacy Day on February 20, 2025 at 2:30pm-5:00pm at the Utah Capitol, 350 North State Street, Board Room, 2nd floor, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84114. Admission is free. This event is co-hosted by RAWI and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Utah nonprofit. (Read More)

 

Tweet of the Day

Screenshot 2025-02-20 at 6.55.21 AM
 

Upcoming

  • Feb 20 â€” BioHive Live, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Hale Centre Theater, Sandy, Register here
  • Mar 7 â€” Utah legislative session ends
  • Apr 24 — Giant in Our City with the Salt Lake Chamber, 6:00-9:00 pm, Register here
 

On This Day In History 

  • 1895 - Abolitionist Frederick Douglass dies.
  • 1902 - Katharine Way is born. With a PhD in nuclear theory, she developed the Way-Wigner formula for fission produced decay.
  • 1939 - Americans hold a pro-Nazi rally in Madison Square Garden with more than 20,000 attendees.
  • 1962 - John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the earth.
  • 1985 - Ireland allows sale of contraceptives for the first time.
  • 1998 - Tara Lipinski becomes youngest Olympic figure skating gold medalist at age 15.
  • 2021 - US President Joe Biden declares a major disaster in Texas as state struggles to cope with aftermath of a crippling winter storm
  • 2023 - US President Joe Biden makes a surprise visit to Kyiv, Ukraine

Quote of the Day

"The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress."

—Frederick Douglass 


On the Punny Side

I'm taking care of my procrastination issues...

Just you wait and see.

 

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