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 4, 2019Good Tuesday morning from Salt Lake CityThanks for subscribing to 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:
TICK TOCKDays to the first day of the 2020 Utah Legislature: 54 (1/27/2020) Days to the 2020 Iowa Caucuses: 61 (2/3/2020) Days to the Utah presidential primaries: 90 (3/3/2020) Days to the final day of the 2020 Utah Legislature: 99 (3/12/2020) Days to the 2020 Utah primary elections: 209 (6/23/2020) Days to the 2020 election: 335 (11/3/2020) Today At Utah PolicyWhy the Utah Taxpayers Association gave its blessing to a Utah County tax hikeBy Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor Well, here is more evidence that our political world is upside down these days.The Utah Taxpayers Association -- which has a solid history of opposing property tax hikes by state and local governments and school districts -- is actually in favor of a "tax adjustment" down in Utah County. Nobody likes us - Bernick and Schott on politics By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott break down the latest Utah political headlines. Romney says he's seen no evidence to support claim Ukraine interfered in the 2016 election By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Sen. Mitt Romney broke with some of his Republican colleagues on Tuesday, saying he's seen "no evidence" that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 election. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News
Salt Lake Tribune
NATIONAL HEADLINESAbuse of powerThe House Intelligence Committee released a report accusing President Donald Trump of abusing the powers of his office by pressuring Ukraine to launch politically motivated investigations into his domestic rivals [Washington Post]. Who was Rudy calling?Phone call records from the House Intelligence Committee's impeachment inquiry report show extensive contact between President Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and the White House during key moments during the Ukraine scandal [New York Times]. Next round of impeachment hearingsHouse Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler told Democrats during a closed-door meeting he's "not going to take any sh**" from Republicans as they begin the next round of impeachment hearings on Wednesday [Politico]. Defending TrumpRepublicans in Congress have latched on to a debunked conspiracy theory about Ukraine to defend President Trump from impeachment [Washington Post]. She's not running anymoreCalifornia Sen. Kamala Harris ended her presidential bid on Tuesday, citing the inability to keep up financially with other candidates [Politico]. Another court setback for TrumpA federal appeals court ordered Deutsche Bank to turn over documents detailing President Trump's financial records to two congressional committees [New York Times]. Social mediaThe Democratic National Committee sent a letter to Facebook raising concerns about the company's ability to catch online trolls [CNN]. G-7President Trump announced Tuesday he would host next year's G-7 summit at Camp David after trying to use his own Doral resort in Miami [Bloomberg]. Hmmm...Former Deputy Director of Intelligence Susan Gordon said Monday that President Trump often refused to believe information presented to him in intelligence briefings [CNN]. Nunes vs. CNNRep. Devin Nunes is suing CNN for $435 million as he claims the network published a "demonstrably false hit piece" about claims he met with a Ukrainian official to dig up dirt on Joe Biden [Fox News]. BUSINESS HEADLINES
Policy NewsRomney: FDA nominee must put public health above political interestU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), today voted in support of advancing Dr. Stephen Hahn's nomination to serve as FDA Commissioner but stressed that if confirmed, Dr. Hahn must put public health above political considerations in addressing the youth vaping epidemic. The Committee advanced the nomination by a vote of 18-5. Stewart urges President Trump to finalize e-cigarette flavor ban Congressman Chris Stewart (R-UT) joined colleagues Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Rep. Peter King (R-NY) in sending a bipartisan letter urging President Trump to ban kid-friendly e-cigarette flavors. Davis and Weber Counties named 2020 'Great American Defense Community' Together, Davis and Weber counties, Utah, are one of five communities across the country named to the 2020 Class of Great American Defense Communities, the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) announced in conjunction with USAA, the program's official sponsor. More National Headlines
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1783 - Gen. George Washington said farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York. 1942 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the liquidation of the Works Progress Administration, created during the Great Depression to provide work for the unemployed. 1945 - The Senate approved U.S. participation in the United Nations. 1947 - Tennessee William's play A Streetcar Named Desire premieres on Broadway. 1978 - Dianne Feinstein became San Francisco's first woman mayor when she was named to replace George Moscone, who had been assassinated. 1992 - President George H.W. Bush ordered U.S. troops into Somalia. Wise WordsLife "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."Robert Frost Lighter SideThanksgiving Triggers "Now, if you're packing, there's good news: according to the T.S.A., you can bring your Thanksgiving turkey on an airplane - just tell them it's your emotional support meat."- STEPHEN COLBERT Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |