|  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 - March 12, 2020Good Thursday morning from Salt Lake CityTICK TOCKToday is the final day of the 2020 Utah Legislature (3/12/2020)12 days to the statewide neighborhood caucus meetings (3/24/2020)44 days to the Utah Republican and Democratic state conventions (4/25/2020)110 days to the 2020 Utah primary elections (6/30/2020)236 Days to the 2020 election (11/3/2020)319 days to the start of the 2021 Utah Legislature (1/25/2021)Here are the stories you need to pay attention to this morning:
MARCH POLITICAL MADNESSNext week we begin our third annual March "Political Madness" contest. Let us know who you think should be in our field of 64 Utah political figures (politicians, lobbyists, community activists, etc.). Send your nominations to mailbag@utahpolicy.com. Thanks 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. Today At Utah Policy Leavitt: Now is the time to prepare, not panic, because of coronavirusBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Former Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt says now that the COVID-19 virus has reached pandemic status, it's time for Americans to remain calm but prepare for the worst.  'A strong step forward for schools.' Lawmakers, teachers hail landmark education funding agreementBy Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor With the agreement announced Wednesday afternoon between pro-education groups -- especially Utah's main teacher union -- and GOP state bosses, 2020 could be the best year for public school funding ever.  House gives final approval to independent redistricting commission changesBy Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor Utah will have a new independent redistricting commission next year.  Legislators, Teachers reach agreement on massive education funding compromise, but tax cuts are probably dead this yearBy Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott Legislative leaders and representatives from the Utah Education Association have reached an agreement on a huge proposal to change funding for public schools in Utah. The agreement will be unveiled in a news conference later this afternoon UtahPolicy.com has learned. However, a proposed cut to taxes on Social Security income is probably not going to happen this year. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News
Salt Lake Tribune
Other
NATIONAL HEADLINESWashington takes on COVID-19President Donald Trump said Wednesday night that he was suspending most travel to the U.S. from Europe, except for the UK, for 30 days to combat the spread of the coronavirus [Politico]. President Trump reportedly urged Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to put pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to do more to stimulate the economy in the face of the coronavirus outbreak [Washington Post]. House Democrats are expected to vote Thursday on a multi-billion coronavirus response package [Politico]. The White House ordered federal health officials to treat meetings about the coronavirus as classified [Reuters]. A staffer in the office of Sen. Maria Cantwell has tested positive for the virus [Politico]. Coronavirus shockThe World Health Organization officially labeled the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic [NBC News]. The NBA suspended their season after a player for the Utah Jazz tested positive for the virus prior to a game Wednesday evening [Fox News]. Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, both tested positive for the coronavirus in Australia [Deadline]. The NCAA announced fans would be banned from their upcoming basketball tournaments [New York Times]. It's becoming increasingly likely that the Tokyo Olympics will hold competitions without spectators in the stands [Bloomberg]. Hospitals are bracing for an onslaught of patients as the coronavirus spreads in the U.S. [The Hill]. More colleges and universities are telling students to leave campus and take classes online [New York Times]. Coronavirus hits the economyThe Dow tipped into a bear market for the first time in 11 years because of the worsening coronavirus outbreak [New York Times]. It's no longer "if" the economy enters a recession, but how long it will take to recover [Reuters]. Economic forecasters are lowering estimates for GDP growth in the U.S. next quarter [Bloomberg]. The coronavirus has disrupted supply chains for nearly 75% of U.S. companies [Axios]. Amtrak says the rail carrier is set to lose several hundred million dollars after bookings plunge [Reuters]. We're starting to see the first wave of coronavirus-related layoffs in the U.S. [Washington Post]. Sanders staysBernie Sanders says he will not drop out of the presidential race despite a string of losses in the Democratic primary [New York Times]. War powersDespite a veto threat, Congress approved a bipartisan measure to limit President Trump's authority to launch military operations against Iran [AP]. ImmigrationThe Supreme Court gave a victory to the Trump administration, allowing the "remain in Mexico" policy for immigrants to stay in place [Axios]. BUSINESS HEADLINES
Policy NewsMayor Erin Mendenhall declares state of local emergencySalt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall declared a State of Local Emergency Tuesday evening to prepare for the potential spread of COVID-19. Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs shares COVID-19 protective measures Effective immediately, the Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs (UDVMA) will follow novel coronavirus screening protocols for the department's facilities, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Avalon Healthcare. Utah COVID-19 Community Task Force recommends establishment of satellite COVID-19 testing sites The Utah COVID-19 Community Task Force met and recommended that Utah's hospital and healthcare systems immediately work to establish designated sites to screen for novel coronavirus infections, including screening options for rural Utah. Utah seeks USDA school lunch waivers to assist schools in emergency planning The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) is seeking four waivers from the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist local schools and participating child care centers in serving school lunch in the event of school closures should the novel coronavirus spread widely in the state. More National Headlines
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1894 - Coca-Cola is bottled and sold for the first time in Vicksburg, Mississippi, by local soda fountain operator Joseph A. Biedenham. 1912 - The Girl Guides (later renamed the Girl Scouts of the USA) are founded. 1933 - Franklin Roosevelt addresses the nation for the first time as President of the United States. This is also the first of his "fireside chats." 1938 - Nazi Germany invaded and occupied Austria. 1947 - In a speech to Congress, President Harry Truman outlined what became known as the Truman Doctrine, calling for U.S. aid to countries threatened by communist revolution. 2003 - Elizabeth Smart, who had been kidnapped from her Salt Lake City home in June of 2002, was found alive in Sandy, Utah. 2008 - New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned after being caught in a high-priced prostitution scandal. 2009 - Financier Bernie Madoff pleads guilty in New York to scamming $18 billion, the largest in Wall Street's history. Wise WordsPatriotism "America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand."Harry S Truman Lighter SideWarren Remorse "Warren is gone. That's it. She's out of the race. Further proof that America cannot have nice things."- 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
