A big congrats to Utah's Lt. Gov on earning her Bachelor's degree in history; Rep. Merrill Nelson is the latest not returning to the House
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The Utah Policy newsletter is your one-stop source for political and policy-minded news. Send news tips or feedback to editor@utahpolicy.com.

 

Situational Analysis | December 15, 2021

It's already Wednesday, with only 10 days left before Christmas and that means it's National Cupcake Day.

It's also the 80th anniversary of FDR declaring it Bill of Rights Day, asking the American people to observe it "by meeting together for such prayers and such ceremonies as may seem to them appropriate.”

Be in the Know

  1. Lots of schools switching to online learning today, with others delaying their start by a couple of hours. Online today: Alpine, Canyons, Jordan, and Granite school districts. Two-hour delay: Salt Lake City, Davis, Murray, Provo and Tooele school districts. One-hour delay: Ogden and Weber school districts. For a complete and up-to-date list, go here. Surge remote eligible state employees will be working from home today. UDOT is urging anyone who can to work from home.
  2. Merrill Nelson is the latest member of the Utah legislature not seeking reelection, joining Mike Winder and Lowry Snow - so far. Four members have stepped down since September - Francis Gibson, Craig Hall, Paul Ray and Steve Christiansen. They have been replaced via special election, except for Paul Ray's seat - that special election will be held on Saturday. 
  3. Finally this snowy morning, a very hearty congratulations to Utah's Lt. Governor, Deidre Henderson, who completed her Bachelor's degree in history at BYU, all while holding down a demanding day job. ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ 
 

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Utah Headlines

General

  • Angel Flight brings gifts and joy to children in Price (Fox13)
  • Afghan refugee to celebrate first Christmas in Utah (Fox13)
  • Pfizer to acquire Park City pharmaceutical company for $6.7 billion (Deseret News)
  • Meet the change-makers: These leaders, artists, adventurers and entrepreneurs will change the West in 2022 (Deseret News)
  • New poll shows most Utahns are back to in-person work, but omicron could reverse the trend (Deseret News)
  • Latter-day Saint women see expanding roles, influence in church leadership (St. George News/AP)

Politics

  • He ran for president. Now he’s running for U.S. Senate. But do voters know him? (Deseret News)
  • Darlene McDonald: Burgess Owens distorts historical facts about Civil Rights Movement (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Weber County commissioners OK 4.5% property tax hike (Standard-Examiner)
  • Cedar City Mayor Wilson-Edwards, Councilman Adams bid farewell as they leave office (St. George News)
  • How redistricting will shape politics in the West for the next decade. There’s a big difference between states with independent commissions that redraw election district maps and states without them. (Deseret News)

COVID Corner

  • 920 new cases, 12 new deaths
  • Salt Lake City extends mask mandate for K-12 schools (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Data indicate omicron is milder, better at evading vaccines (AP
  • Colorado records more than 10,000 COVID-19 deaths (The Hill)
  • 800,000 deaths. The number is so enormous that we risk becoming numb to its implications. (The Atlantic)

Environment

  • Drought, wildfires, pollution: How should Utah tackle its biggest problems? Using ‘evidence,’ Gov. Cox says (Deseret News)
  • Utah State University report dives into the state of Utah’s land, water and air (KUER)
  • Temporary reservation system coming to Arches National Park next year (KUER)

Education

  • U of U Professor makes Forbes ’30 under 30′ list (ABC4)
  • USU police chief told football team to beware of sex with LDS women because they may claim it wasn’t consensual, lawsuit says (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Officials say addressing school threats requires proactive, not reactive, approach (KUTV)
  • American Preparatory Academy sues Utah State School Board (KUTV)
  • Utah Restaurant Association sues state school board (KUTV)
  • Utah library leaders fighting back against book banning push (Fox13)
  • New Woods Cross facility will help students who lack stability at home (KSL)

National Headlines

General

  • The fastest growing US religious affiliation? "None," poll says (The Hill)
  • Mayfield candle factory’s labor practices under scrutiny in wake of deadly tornado (KyCIR)
  • Worker says she risked discipline if she left job amid storm (AP)
  • Millennials are supercharging the housing market (Wall Street Journal)
  • An Arkansas waitress served a party that tipped $4,400. It led to her getting fired. (Washington Post)
  • Keechant Sewell to become first woman to lead N.Y.P.D. (New York Times)
  • Former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is ordered to forfeit earnings from $5.1 million book deal (New York Times)
  • Feds scramble to assess security flaw that threatens 'hundreds of millions' of devices (Politico)
  • Holiday spending expected to be strong, fueled by solid demand, rising inflation (Wall Street Journal)

Politics

  • Senate approves measure that would raise debt ceiling by $2.5 trillion, setting up vote in House (Washington Post)
  • Far too little vote fraud to tip election to Trump, AP finds (AP)
  • Under new Nevada map, a GOP wave could swamp all three Democrats (Roll Call)

Courts

  • Arizona asks U.S. Supreme Court to allow abortion restriction (Reuters)
  • Florida Trump supporters arrested on charges of casting more than one vote in 2020 election (Washington Post)
  • Judge rules House committee can get Trump’s tax returns (Roll Call)
  • Analysis: Texas abortion law opens door to copycat curbs on guns, other rights (Reuters)

International

  • UAE told the U.S. it will suspend talks on F-35 jets -Emirati official (Reuters)
 

News Releases

Mike Winder appointed Millcreek City Manager, won’t seek reelection

In a unanimous vote Monday night, the Millcreek City Council appointed Mike Winder to serve as City  Manager. Previous City Manager John Geilmann retired in 2020, and Mayor Jeff Silvestrini has been acting as city manager during the transition.  

“Since his appointment as Assistant City Manager, Mike has gained the confidence of all of our city  department heads and the members of the city council,” said Mayor Silvestrini. “He has and will continue to serve our business community as Economic Development Director.” 

The city manager appointment takes effect March 7, 2022, following the conclusion of Utah’s legislative  session. Winder is a member of the Utah House of Representatives and announced that with this new  position he will complete his third term, but not seek reelection in 2022. 

“I have enjoyed my fourteen years in elected office, and I will dearly miss the great people I serve within  the legislature,” Winder said. “However, I love local government and as Utah’s newest city there are  tremendous opportunities at Millcreek. I’m excited to continue my work with the amazing team and  community here,” he said. (Read More)


Go Utah announces call for nominations for Governor’s Science Medal

The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity’s Utah Innovation Center announces its annual call for nominations for the Governor’s Science Medal in conjunction with Gov. Cox’s biannual One Utah Summit.

Since 1987, the Governor’s Science Medal has recognized the distinguished service, significant achievement, and positive economic impact of individuals and companies to the state of Utah and beyond in the fields of science and technology. The medal recipients provide meaningful contributions in science, research, STEM education, or deep technology.

Go Utah is accepting public nominations for this prestigious award, which will be presented at the One Utah Summit at The Grand America Hotel on May 10, 2022. Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 24, 2022.

Nominations can be in one of three categories:

  1. Education – K-12
  2. Academic/Research
  3. Industry – Individual or Company (Read More)

Utah delegation introduces bill to protect University of Utah Research Park

U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) joined Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) in introducing the University of Utah Research Park Act, legislation to protect Research Park—a center for research and development serving both the University and the local workforce. Research Park is situated on a parcel of land which was transferred to the University by the Bureau of Land Management in 1965. The legislation would remove an encumbrance from that transfer agreement to ensure Research Park remains productive and thriving. Representatives Chris Stewart (R-UT), John Curtis (R-UT), Burgess Owens (R-UT), and Blake Moore (R-UT) introduced companion legislation in the House.

“With 48 companies, 81 University departments, and a workforce of more than 14,000 people, University of Utah’s Research Park plays a pivotal role in supporting Utah’s strong economy,” Senator Romney said. â€œOur legislation will ensure that Research Park continues to provide opportunities for Utahns, advance research and development, and foster innovation for years to come.”

“This simple fix will protect the good work and learning that takes place at Research Park,” Senator Lee said. “The Park is home to cutting-edge companies in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and manufacturing spaces. The work they do provides for innovation in their fields and offers first-class opportunities for students to work and learn alongside experts. For the good of Utah and the world, this work must continue.” (Read More)


Romney, colleagues introduce bill to empower state innovation within Medicaid program

U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) and his colleagues, Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Todd Young (R-IN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Jim Inhofe (R-OK), introduced the Let States Innovate Under Medicaid Act, legislation to authorize a framework to allow innovation under Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration project waivers. Specifically, it would include “work or community engagement requirements” as an acceptable practice that furthers the objectives of the Medicaid program, thereby prohibiting the CMS administrator from denying a 1115 waiver on the basis that work or community engagement requirements do not further the objectives of the Medicaid program.

“This legislation will give states like Utah more freedom and flexibility to best manage their Medicaid program, help people seek opportunities for community engagement, and continue to provide health coverage to those who depend on it,” Senator Romney said. (Read More)


Point of the Mountain State Land Authority seeks development partner to build Utah’s innovation community

The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (Land Authority) approved the issuance of a request for qualifications today to initiate the solicitation process for selecting master development partner(s) for The Point. Widely recognized as one of the most important economic opportunities in state history, The Point consists of 600 acres of state-owned land that will foster innovation and technological advancement, provide parks and open space, support economic growth and enhance Utahns’ quality of life. Plans for the site include input from over 10,000 Utahns. 

“We are conducting an open and transparent competitive process to select development partners who have demonstrated success in building large-scale, sustainable communities,” said Alan Matheson, The Point executive director. “We are looking for the industry’s best and brightest to partner with us in this important endeavor.” (Read More)

 
 

Upcoming

  • Utah Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit 2022 - SLC Chamber – Jan 13, 2022, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm. Register here
  • Utah legislative session begins – Jan 18, 2022, 10:00 am
  • Utah legislative session ends – Mar 4, 2022, midnight
 

On This Day In History

From History.com

  • 1791 - Bill of Rights ratified with 10 amendments. (12 were proposed.)
  • 1832 - Gustave Eiffel is born.
  • 1836 - The temporary home of the U.S. Patent Office, the Blodget Hotel in Washington, D.C., goes up in flames. The office held approximately 10,000 patent documents from 1790-1836 and the fire destroyed nearly all of them.
  • 1913 - Muriel Rukeyser is born. A poet who won the Yale Younger Poets award in 1935 for her first book, “Theory of Flight,” she also wrote 13 other books of poetry
  • 1944 - US Congress gives General Eisenhower his 5th star
  • 1961 - Architect of the Holocaust, Adolf Eichmann, sentenced to die by an Israeli war crimes tribunal
  • 1966 - Walt Disney dies of lung cancer at age 65
  • 1973 - Kidnapped grandson of Getty billionaire found alive near Naples, Italy, five months after his disappearance
  • 1978 - US announces it will recognize communist China
  • 1988 - U.S. House of Representatives recommends impeaching President Clinton
  • 2011 - US declares an official end to the War in Iraq
  • 2020 - MacKenzie Scott announces she has given away more than $4 billion to 384 nonprofit organizations across the US

Wise Words

“The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.”

-Muriel Rukeyser


Lighter Side

"It came out that Fox News hosts were begging for Trump to do something. And today Fox News hosts lit their tree on fire again just to change the subject.” â€” JIMMY FALLON

 

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