Gov's press conference at 10, Jan 6 panel at 11, an elephant is not a human (says the court), and COVID vaccines for the under-5 crowd | | | 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 | June 16, 2022 It's Thursday and National Fudge Day. Have you ever had fudge from Mackinac Island in Michigan? Wow, that stuff is good. Be in the Know Utah breaks ground on a $165M North Capitol Project as the old state office building comes down. As current chair of the Capitol Preservation Board, Lt. Gov. Henderson said that yesterday was a culmination of a grand vision that is more than a century in the making. âI want to thank everyone â past and present â who realized the importance of this campus and fought for a space that will inspire Utahns for another century,â Lt. Gov. Henderson said. âThis is a practical and much-needed investment in our future that will invite the public to learn more about our great state while celebrating the meaning and magnificence of The Peopleâs House.â Today's hearing by the Jan. 6 panel will be focused on former VP Mike Pence. Committee aides said the hearing would discuss emergence of a plan advocated by Trump associates including attorney John Eastman that the vice president could unilaterally reject certified electors from disputed states. Pence refused to accept that theory. The hearing begins at 11 am MDT. Rapid Roundup Rent the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine for $20/night, Happy the elephant is not a human, Zac Efron is now the "brand officer" for Utah-based Kodiak Cakes, curiously, election deniers are quiet on fraud claims after primary wins, the Abbot baby formula plant has been forced to stop production after heavy storms, and the Governor's monthly press conference will be held today at 10 am. | | |
| | | FROM OUR SPONSOR, CHRIS STEWART FOR CONGRESS Chris Stewart is Fighting the Tough Fights Utah's values are rooted in honor, duty, and service to God and country. With all its exceptional values, Utah needs exceptional leadership. Chris Stewart considers it his honor and duty to serve the exceptional people of Utah. Learn more about Chris Stewart's personal creed at stewartforutah.com. | | |
Utah Headlines General This VC firm has a perfect record in funding Utah tech âunicornsâ (Deseret News) The economic threat of China â a look at the most important questions of the 21st century (Deseret News) Fed levies biggest rate hike in 30 years in battle to quell inflation (Deseret News) 105 residents from 40 countries become U.S. citizens at ceremony held at Utah State Capitol (KUTV) Afghan refugees find permanent housing in Utah, but hurdles remain (Fox13) Politics Davis County hosts 'secure elections' town hall tour for citizens to see ballot count (KUTV) A former Republican congressman was convicted of lying to the FBI. Rep. Chris Stewart asked judge to go easy on him. (Salt Lake Tribune) Sen. Mike Lee says COVID lockdowns, violent entertainment factors in mass shootings (Deseret News) What state agencies told lawmakers about how to improve Utahâs water infrastructure. The Division of Water Quality says it would cost roughly $3.4 billion to complete 127 water infrastructure projects. (Salt Lake Tribune) Senator files bill requiring bleeding control kits, training for public schools K-12 (ABC4) Lawmakers to study current landscape of use on school resource officers (KUTV) Elections With Rep. Burgess Owens a no-show, 4th Congressional District candidate forum stays civil. Jake Hunsaker, who is facing Owens in the primary, joined United Utah Party candidate January Walker and Democrat Darlene McDonald at the event at UVU. (Salt Lake Tribune) Kael Weston: Donât ignore the Democrats running for office in Utah. Their campaigns for the Legislature and local offices are about hope and the future, not fear and the past. (Salt Lake Tribune) Danielle Davidson: Utahns deserve to have Jen Plumb in the Legislature
Plumbâs tireless efforts on behalf of opioid victims has saved many lives. (Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Senate candidate Brandon Beckham accused of violating protective order (KSL TV) Case against Utah Senate candidate continues, judge sets third waiver hearing date (Daily Herald) Environment What a dying lake says about the future (New York Times) Salt Lake County to convert sports fields to artificial turf. Hereâs how much water it will save. (Salt Lake Tribune) See which 18 Utah communities are taking the lead on clean electricity. Arrangement lets them accelerate to 100% renewable for all residents by 2030. (Salt Lake Tribune) FEMA flood program could violate civil rights law An investigation by POLITICO's E&E News reveals discrimination against people of color and low-income households. But alleged civil rights violations would be difficult to prove in court. (Politico) Family Sen. Mitt Romney announces plan to provide cash to working families. The Utah senator says the proposed initiative would be fully funded by reworking and consolidating âoutmodedâ federal programs. (Salt Lake Tribune) Whatâs in Mitt Romneyâs revised child allowance bill â and whoâs co-sponsoring it? (Deseret News) âWho else could it be happening to?â: Utah family discovers caseworkerâs report riddled with inaccuracies (KSL TV) Health COVID-19 vaccines may be available for Utah children under 5 as soon as next week (Salt Lake Tribune) You shouldnât always trust a negative COVID test, doctors say (Deseret News) Tsivya Devereaux: A medical studentâs perspective on the primary care shortage (Salt Lake Tribune) Housing National rent is over $2,000 per month for the first time in U.S. history (Deseret News) What higher interest rates could mean for Utah's housing market (KUTV) Helping older Utahns who are homeless will take a cultural shift, expert says (KUER) National Headlines General Three money mistakes to avoid in a bear market (Wall Street Journal) Ginni Thomas, wife to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, corresponded with John Eastman, sources in Jan. 6 House investigation say (Washington Post) Trump lawyer Eastman cited âheated fightâ among Supreme Court justices over election (The Hill) A school made girls wear skirts. A court ruled it unconstitutional. (Washington Post) Dolly Parton gives $1M to infectious disease research, again (AP) A fisherman has confessed that he helped kill a British journalist and a Brazilian expert on Indigenous peoples and then went with the authorities to look for their bodies, according to Brazilian federal police. The men have been missing since June 5. (New York Times) Former Trump advisers warn Big Tech breakups could make the US vulnerable to China (Fox Business) Politics The agony of Liz Cheney. How a changed GOP â and a changed Wyoming â has left one of the most conservative members of Congress out in the cold (Deseret News) Editorial Board: What do we gain in the proposed Senate gun compromise? Protecting gun rights while providing tools to help prevent more shootings. (Deseret News) Palin, Begich, Gross advance to general election in Alaska House race (Washington Post) Confederate flag-toting man, son convicted in Capitol riot (AP) Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is joining the Biden administration (NPR) Democrats face congressional rout amid historically terrible headwinds (The Hill) Ukraine ðºð¦ French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi met with President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Ukrainian capital today (Wall Street Journal) EU leaders decry Russian brutality in visit to Ukraine (AP) U.S. defends weapons aid to Ukraine as ânumbers clearly favor the Russiansâ (Washington Post) UK sanctions Russian Orthodox head; decries forced adoption (AP) | | |
Guest opinion: Recall David Leavitt by Curtis Larson, former Deputy Utah County Attorney On June 7, 2022, the citizens of San Francisco, CA, voted overwhelmingly to recall their progressive District Attorney, Chesa Boudin. Progressive Los Angeles County District Attorney, George Gascón is now facing a second recall petition which needs to collect approximately 50,000 more signatures to be placed on a ballot. And just yesterday, members of the Pennsylvania House initiated an effort to impeach progressive Philadelphia District Attorney, Larry Krasner for âpersistent dereliction of duty in willfully refusing to enforce current criminal laws already on the books . . . which are designed to keep communities safe.â Iâve heard that there are about 75 progressive prosecuting attorneys scattered throughout the United States. Residents of Utah County donât have to look far to find one of those 75 progressives, one of them is the current Utah County Attorney, David Leavitt. And, just like Chesa Boudin and George Gascón, he puts the interests of criminals in our county above the right law-abiding citizens possess to not be victims of criminal misconduct. And he has openly admitted that his policies on criminal prosecution do not coincide with those of the Republican Party. We, as a county, this month have the grand opportunity to, in essence, ârecallâ progressive David Leavitt, and replace him with another who will enforce Utahâs laws, restore cooperative efforts with law enforcement, and hold criminals responsible for their actions. (Read More) News Releases Gov. Cox and Lt. Gov. Henderson join a groundbreaking ceremony for a new building north of the State Capitol Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson joined Senate President J. Stuart Adams, House Speaker Brad Wilson, members of the Legislature and members and staff of the Capitol Preservation Board to break ground for a new building north of the State Capitol. The old state office building lacked the facilities state agencies needed to serve the public. It also lacked the stately architecture of the other buildings on the State Capitol plaza. State lawmakers approved funding for a new state office building that will house a new Museum of Utah, conference space, offices and underground parking. (Read More) Romney, Burr, Daines announce Family Security Act 2.0 U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Richard Burr (R-NC), and Steve Daines (R-MT) today announced the Family Security Act 2.0, an updated version of Romneyâs Family Security Act to create a new national commitment to American families. The pro-family, pro-life, and pro-marriage plan would modernize antiquated federal policies into a fully paid-for, cash benefit for working families starting during pregnancy, amounting to $350 a month for each young child, and $250 a month for each school-aged child. (Read More) Owens, Donalds introduce resolution commemorating the essential role of fatherhood In celebration of Fatherâs Day, Reps. Burgess Owens (UT-04) and Byron Donalds (FL-19) today introduced a resolution commemorating the vital role of fatherhood in the development of Americaâs children. Research shows that increased involvement of fatherhood in the home leads to education excellence, economic prosperity, and improved social mobility for children. (Read More) Utah Business Diversity Summit: Call for presentation proposals The Salt Lake Chamber and State of Utah are seeking presentation proposals for Utahâs Business Diversity Summit, part of the One Utah Summit Series. The Summit will engage business and community leaders in efforts to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces. Breakout sessions proposals should be targeted toward businesses with well-developed diversity and inclusion programs, and/or those businesses without current efforts but want to engage. Criteria is outlined below. Proposals must be submitted by July 8, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. (Read More) Rep. Stewart joins school security bill Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) co-sponsored Rep. Burgess Owensâs (R-UT) Securing Our Students Act. This legislation would redirect unused American Rescue Plan funding to help identify and implement evidence-based school safety measures. Of the $122 billion appropriated to Americaâs K-12 schools in last yearâs $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, 93% remains unspent. (Read More) Number of the Day | | |
Upcoming Primary election day â June 28 ULCT Annual Convention - Oct 5-7, Salt Palace Convention Center, Register here General election â Nov 8 | | |
On This Day In History 1723 - Adam Smith is born. A Scottish economist and moral philosopher, he is well-known for his work âWealth of Nations.â 1829 - Geronimo, Apache leader and resistance fighter, born in No-doyohn Canon, Mexico 1884 - The first roller coaster in the US opens at Coney Island. 1858 - Senate candidate Abe Lincoln warns that America is becoming a âhouse divided.â 1944 - 14 year-old George Stinney (a small Black boy) is executed for the murder of 2 white girls. His trial by an all-white jury lasted one day and deliberations lasted 10 minutes. From his arrest to execution was 83 days. 1945 - First atomic test 1963 - Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman to travel into space. 1996 - Natalie Coleâs Unforgettable is released Wise Words "What improves the circumstances of the greater part can never be regarded as an inconveniency to the whole. No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable." â Adam Smith Lighter Side âAccording to a new poll, President Bidenâs approval rating is at 40 percent. Meaning that his approval rating is the only thing inflation hasnât touched.â â SETH MEYERS | | |
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