Promote strong values by passing Respect for Marriage Act, last interim day of the year; Artemis heads to the moon; WWIII averted | | | 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 | Nov. 16, 2022 It's Wednesday and the last interim day on the Hill. It's also International Day for Tolerance - excellent reminder as we look towards the legislative session. Congratulations to the Utah legislature's general counsel, John Fellows, on his retirement. He will be succeeded by Victoria Ashby. Be in the Know A Russian missile landed in Poland (a NATO country) and killed two people. Russia blamed Ukraine for trying to make Russia look bad (it needs no help in that department). Polish president Andrzej Duda noted that Russian forces had launched a barrage of missile strikes on Ukraine and its civilian infrastructure on Tuesday. He said early indications suggested that Ukrainian efforts to counter the hail of about 100 missiles had caused an âunfortunate accidentâ in Poland and was not a direct attack on his country. World War III averted for the moment.
Former president Donald Trump announced he is running to be president (a tacit recognition that he lost in 2020 or he would not be eligible). Neither ABC, NBC or CBS carried the announcement, while Fox News and CNN carried much, but not all, of it. A Trump spokeswoman called it censorship for outlets to not show the hour-plus long speech. A new Politico-Morning Consult poll finds that 65% of voters say he shouldn't run again and Club for Growth released polling that showed Trump losing by double digits to Ron DeSantis in early primary states. Only 450 days until the first 2024 primaries.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement announcing its support for the Respect for Marriage Act, as updated. The latest version includes religious freedom protections while ensuring federal recognition of same-sex marriages. The church's statement reads, in part, "We are grateful for the continuing efforts of those who work to ensure the Respect for Marriage Act includes appropriate religious freedom protections while respecting the law and preserving the rights of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters." The updated bill is likely to be voted on later today. Rapid Roundup Artemis is on its way to the moon; keeping track of your packages this holiday season; Les Madeleines bakery closing after 19 years; the health benefits of a random act of kindness On the Hill today 8:00 am: Transportation 8:30 am: Economic Development and Workforce Services; Judiciary; Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice; Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment; Rev and Tax 1:15 pm: Business and Labor; Education; Government Ops; Health and Human Services; Political Subdivisions; Public Utilities, Energy and Technology 4:00 pm: Senate floor time | | |
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Utah Headlines General Utah ranked fifth in the U.S. for prosperity amid nationwide struggles and also ranked high in societal capital and economic equality, though it fell behind in property crime and governance. (UPR) SUV pulled over for speeding in Emery County, UHP finds $2M worth of drugs inside (KSL) Investigators believe edged blade was used in death of 4 University of Idaho students in "isolated, targeted" act (Deseret News) Salt Lake's road construction season is ending. Here's where city projects stand (KSL) BYU footballâs Micah Harper lost his childhood best friend in the Virginia shooting. He vows: âI just gotta keep going for himâ Devin Chandler was killed on Sunday in a shooting that left three Virginia football players dead. (Salt Lake Tribune) Politics Utah Women Run offers built-in support to get women in office. New name, new location, same mission (Deseret News) Utah Sen. Mike Lee one of 200 Americans hit with latest travel sanctions. (Even if you're not on an official list, probably a good idea to not travel to Russia right now) (Deseret News) Utah Republican lawmakers vote to make rare stand against judgeâs block of Utahâs abortion trigger law (Salt Lake Tribune) Parole and probation staffing woes, outdated tracking system could risk public safety, audit finds. Legislative auditors reviewed Adult Probation and Parole and the Board of Pardons and Parole after high-profile cases in which people under supervision reoffended. (Salt Lake Tribune) Senate poised to vote on same-sex marriage bill as Romney signals support (KUER) Business Elon Musk gave Twitter employees (those still there) a midnight ultimatum: Commit to âextremely hardcoreâ work culture of 80-hr work weeks or lose your jobs by 5 pm today (Washington Post) Incivility on the rise? Study finds that front-line workers face a sharp increase in bad behavior (Deseret News) Culture Brandon Sanderson releases new novel âThe Lost Metalâ (Deseret News) Is Taylor Swift too big for Utah? Swiftâs 2023 tour includes just 17 states. All of the large-capacity venues sheâs performing at are homes to NFL teams (Deseret News) Family Food security council begins work as more Utah families face hunger (KUTV) Health More than half of Americans 50 and older â 54 percent â are considered to be caregivers because of the help they provide to one or more people 65 and older. 94% are unpaid and almost half have been helping for 3 years or more (Washington Post) Ultra-processed food is linked to sleep apnea (Deseret News) Amoxicillin is in short supply. What does that mean as we head into flu season? (Deseret News) National Headlines General Virginia McLaurin, a daughter of Black sharecroppers who became an internet celebrity with her exuberant dance upon meeting Barack and Michelle Obama in 2016, died Nov. 14. She was believed to be 113. (Washington Post) Despicable. Immigrant women detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a for-profit jail for in Georgia were subjected to unnecessary gynecological surgeries, a bipartisan Senate investigation found. (Washington Post) A Fulton County judge has overturned Georgiaâs six-week abortion ban, ruling that two key parts of the law âwere plainly unconstitutional when drafted, voted upon, and enactedâ and writing that the law cannot be enforced. (Washington Post) Gut-wrenching read. A witness reveals new details about the shooting Sunday that left three U-Va. football players dead. The shooter was on a class trip and began shooting on the bus as it returned to campus (Washington Post) Report: At least 32 transgender people killed in US in 2022 (AP) Elections What we learned about religious voters from the 2022 midterms. Here are key takeaways related to abortion, Islam, antisemitism and other issues (Deseret News) Republicans one seat shy of majority in the House (Deseret News) Politics GOP acrimony spills over at heated Senate lunch (The Hill) McCarthy wins GOP vote for Speakership handily over right-wing challenge (The Hill) Ukraine ðºð¦ Families reunited following Russian retreat in Ukraine (AP) âWar not an excuse:â Ukraine rail boss keeps trains running (AP) World News Kuwait puts to death 7 inmates in rare mass execution (AP) | | |
Guest opinion: Promoting strong values in Utah means supporting the right to marriage for all by Mike Ostermiller America was built upon a foundation of individual liberty. Our freedoms were set forth in the Declaration of Independence, enshrined in our Constitution, and expanded upon in the Bill of Rights. Although our freedoms range from speech to religion, they are all based on one simple principle, an ideal at the very heart of our nation â freedom of the individual. Unfortunately, that personal freedom has come into question on one of our most sacred and personal traditions â the right to marriage. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Respect for Marriage Act with bi-partisan support, receiving votes from 47 House Republicans â including all four of Utahâs Representatives in the U.S. House. In a time of rampant partisanship, itâs refreshing to see policy that has strong support on both sides of the aisle, especially from conservative members of our congressional delegation. As a conservative, it is especially important to me that every American be afforded the protections and individual liberties offered by the freedom to marry. The Respect for Marriage Act will reaffirm all marriages and remove any political uncertainty for current and future same-sex marriages. (Read More) News Releases Utah legislature continues to fight to protect life Today, during the Legislative Management Committee meeting, lawmakers approved an amicus brief to be filed by the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel on behalf of the Legislature for the lawsuit against S.B. 174 Abortion Prohibition Amendments.
In 2020, the Utah Legislature proactively passed S.B. 174, which would prohibit all elective abortions in Utah, except in rare circumstances involving rape, incest or medical emergency. S.B. 174 was contingent on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that would permit states the option to ban abortion from conception to birth. (Read More) Number of the Day | | |
Upcoming Interim Days, Nov 15-16, le.utah.gov Utah Foundationâs 2022 Annual Luncheon â Nov. 16, noon, Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek, Register here Utah Economic Outlook and Public Policy Summit with the Salt Lake Chamber â Jan. 12, 2023, Salt Lake City Marriott, 8 am - noon, Register here Legislative session begins, Jan. 17, 2023, le.utah.gov | | |
On This Day In History 1532 - Francisco Pizarro traps Incan emperor Atahualpa and his men, slaughtering 5000 in one hour. Only Atahualpa was saved to be executed later. 1801 - The New York Evening Post published its first issue, after being created by Alexander Hamilton as a way to provide a Federalist viewpoint. It is the oldest continuously running newspaper in the US.
1899 - Mary Margaret McBride is born. A radio commentator and journalist, she conducted over 1200 interviews during her career. 1903 - Barbara McLean is born. A film editor, she helped cut Mary Pickfordâs first talkies and then went on to Twentieth Century Fox. When arguments arose her comment was, âIf youâre going to ask me, then listen to me.â 1941 - Joseph Goebbels publishes his screed of hate, blaming Jews for the war and their own annihilation. 1961 - President Kennedy increases military aid to Saigon without committing additional troops 1973 - US President Richard Nixon authorizes construction of the Alaskan pipeline 1981 - Pam Johnson is named publisher of the Ithaca Journal, becoming the first African American woman to head a daily newspaper. 1985 - President Reagan arrives in Geneva for a summit with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev 1991 - The first FIFA Womenâs World Cup is held 2001 - The first Harry Potter film opens. 2002 - The first case of SARS (SARS-CoV) is recorded in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China 2018 - The CIA concludes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi Wise Words âPiglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.â âA.A. Milne The Punny Side Do you want a brief explanation of what an acorn is? In a nutshell, it's an oak tree. | | |
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