 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 - January 21, 2020Good Tuesday morning from Salt Lake CityThanks 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:
TRIVIA ANSWERWe gotta brush up on our civics. Not many readers could identify the seven Utah interlocal entities established in the early 1970s to provide a common forum to identify, discuss, study and resolve area-wide problems. Collectively, they're known as Utah's Association of Government (AOG). Congratulations to our trivia winner Andrew Gruber who gets the honor of asking this Friday's question. TICK TOCKDays to the first day of the 2020 Utah Legislature: 6 (1/27/2020) Days to the 2020 Iowa Caucuses: 13 (2/3/2020) Days to the New Hampshire primaries: 21 (2/11/2020) Days to the Utah presidential primaries: 42 (3/3/2020) Days to the final day of the 2020 Utah Legislature: 51 (3/12/2020) Days to the 2020 Utah primary elections: 161 (6/30/2020) Days to the 2020 election: 287 (11/3/2020) Today At Utah Policy Romney pledges 'open mind' on impeachmentBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Sen. Mitt Romney said Monday he would have an "open mind" ahead of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate, which begins on Tuesday. He also said any decision on whether to call witnesses should wait until after opening arguments.  Podcast: Q&A with Democratic presidential candidate Michael BloombergBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Democrat Michael Bloomberg campaigned in Utah this past weekend, making his pitch to Utah Democrats ahead of the March Super Tuesday primary election.  'I am running to defeat Donald Trump in 2020.' Democrat Mike Bloomberg campaigns in Salt Lake CityBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Democratic presidential hopeful Mike Bloomberg brought his Super Tuesday-centric campaign to Salt Lake City on Saturday, speaking to a small, but standing-room-only, crowd in downtown Salt Lake City.  Legislative Drano! - Bernick and Schott on politics podcastBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott give you an update on the top Utah political news stories from the past few days. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News
Salt Lake Tribune
Other
NATIONAL HEADLINESImpeachment trialThe impeachment trial of President Donald Trump begins today as Senators debate the rules for the proceedings. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unveiled proposed rules that would speed up the trial and would not admit evidence from the House without a separate vote [New York Times]. Trump's lawyers and his allies in the Senate are working to ensure former national security adviser John Bolton does not testify in public [Washington Post]. The White House is calling for a quick acquittal in the trial, calling the process "rigged" against President Trump [Washington Post]. Just over half of Americans say the Senate should vote to remove Trump from office [CNN]. Vice President Joe Biden's presidential campaign is warning the media against spreading "malicious and conclusively debunked" theories about the Bidens by Trump's allies [NBC News]. DavosPresident Trump took credit for the stock market and a booming economy during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday morning [Washington Post]. The International Monetary Fund predicts sluggish global growth for 2020 and 2021 [Reuters]. Environmental dangers dominated the World Economic Forum's survey of the biggest global risks in 2020. The top five threats all dealt with climate change or the effects of climate change in some form [Bloomberg]. Mystery virusA new coronavirus that emerged in China has affected more than 200 people according to Chinese authorities. Experts estimate the number could be closer to 1,700 [BBC]. Supreme CourtOn Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments about whether states can exclude religious schools from government funding available to other public schools [Washington Post]. Hmmm...The top Russia expert on President Trump's National Security Council was escorted off the White House grounds late last week. Earlier, he was placed on administrative leave pending a security-related investigation [Bloomberg]. What?!!The National Archives is apologizing for blurring out signs critical of President Trump in photos of the 2017 Women's March [New York Times]. BUSINESS HEADLINES
Policy News Salt Lake Chamber 2020 legislative priorities announced at Utah Economic Outlook & Public Policy SummitThe Salt Lake Chamber introduced its priorities for the 2020 Legislative Session at the Utah Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit, held in partnership with the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek.  World Trade Center Utah facilitates global expansion through STEP Grant fundingWorld Trade Center Utah is seeking companies in the state of Utah ready to begin exporting or increase their sales outside of the United States. By applying for funding offered through the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant, businesses can network with industry giants both domestic and abroad, use research databases and experts to focus their international development and present their company as a viable source of investment and partnership. Applications for the STEP Grant are due by January 24, 2020, and can be accessed at wtcutah.com/growwithgrants.  CYBER24 Episode 66: Iran cyberattack threat and the year of ransomwareThe U.S. takes military action against Iran and suddenly cybersecurity advocates don't seem like they're crying wolf. More National Headlines
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1861 - Five Southerners resigned from the U.S. Senate, including Jefferson Davis of Mississippi. He would later become the president of the Confederacy. 1977 - President Jimmy Carter pardoned almost all Vietnam War draft evaders. 1997 - Speaker Newt Gingrich was reprimanded and fined as the House voted for the first time in history to discipline its leader for ethical misconduct. 2010 - The Supreme Court ruled on the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case which increased the power of big business and labor unions to influence government decisions by allowing them to spend money directly to sway elections for president and Congress. Wise WordsEquality "Democracy arises out of the notion that those who are equal in any respect are equal in all respects; because men are equally free, they claim to be absolutely equal."Aristotle Lighter SideLev Parnas "The only way this could be more damning for Trump is if there was some kind of phone transcript of him demanding an investigation of - oh."- STEPHEN COLBERT Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
Unsubscribe | Update your profile | 157 W 200 S, Springville, UT 84663
