US Senate tilting D, House tilting R; Biden's debt relief plan ruled unlawful by a federal judge in Texas
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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. 11, 2022

It's Friday and Veterans Day. Saying thank you is important - and, our veterans deserve more than just words of thanks and a free meal one day a year.

Be in the Know

  • Control of the Senate is still undecided but looks like it is going towards the Democrats. In Nevada, the race between incumbent Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Republican challenger Adam Laxalt remains too close to call. Laxalt was leading by less than 1 percentage point as of Friday morning, with about 10 percent of the vote still to count. And in Arizona, the race between incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly and Republican challenger Blake Masters has yet to be called, but Kelly leads by nearly 6 percentage points.
  • Control of the House is also undecided but is trending Republican. In Colorado, Lauren Boebert took the lead for the first time and in Montana, Republican Ryan Zinke won a tight race for a Congressional seat. 
  • A federal judge in Texas ruled yesterday that President Biden's student debt relief plan is unlawful and must be vacated. District Court Judge Mark Pittman, an appointee of former President Donald Trump based in Fort Worth, said the program usurped Congress’ power to make laws.

Rapid Roundup

 

Are you ready for a cultural shift in our politics?

Raise your Dignity Index score, a scale that rates speech on its power to unite or divide. Ease divisions, solve problems, and prevent violence by tipping the scale towards dignity. Take the pledge.

 

Utah Headlines

General

  • A message from one who knows: On this Veterans Day, we see you!
    Jennie Taylor remembers the sacrifices of all who served, including her husband, Major Brent Taylor (Deseret News)
  • New benefits highlighted for Utah veterans that some might be missing out on (KUTV)
  • Veterans Day celebrations, drone show, art walk and more happening this weekend in Utah (Fox13)
  • Andrea Kalvesmaki: Utah should support the ‘Hidden Heroes’ who give care to veterans and others. Caregivers take on heavy emotional burdens while saving taxpayers billions. (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • This is the space. NASA’s next big mission — like big missions past — begins in the arid West (Deseret News)
  • 3 women arrested in Utah are tied to national baby formula theft ring, police say (KSL)
  • Utah veteran injured in Afghanistan hopes his story will inspire others to keep going (KSL TV)

Elections

  • Utah gets a little redder, with pick-ups in the Utah legislature and by flipping the San Juan County commission (Deseret News)

Politics

  • When did we cross the line from celebrating ‘us’ to dehumanizing ‘them’ Politics is playing a dangerous game by dehumanizing those who disagree (Deseret News)
  • Why Mitt Romney says baseless election fraud claims threaten democracy (Deseret News)
  • Utah leaders select new design to challenge current state flag in 2023 (KSL)
  • Utah Senate Democrats elect all-woman leadership team for 65th Legislature (KSL)
  • Adams, Wilson each win a third term leading Utah Legislature (KUTV)
  • There’s one new face in Utah’s GOP legislative leadership for 2023 (KUER)

Culture

  • Love thy Neighbor, America. Cross-class friendships foster economic mobility, and religious communities lead the way (Deseret News)
  • The star-man maneuver. How to win arguments without alienating people. (Deseret News)
  • Fading whispers. Meet one man trying to preserve his native people’s tongue — and with it, their culture (Deseret News)
  • Her writings did the ‘biggest work of all’ — Mormon journal’s first female editor dies. A “believing, family-oriented LDS feminist,” Mary Bradford lived at the center of a budding intellectual community within the Utah-based church. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Education

  • Sydnee Dickson and Darin Nielsen: Acknowledge the resilience of Utah students, teachers and parents. Pandemic generation should be remembered for what they accomplished, not what they lost. (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Bethami Dobkin: Race is part of a holistic approach for the military and higher education. A students’ race or ethnicity is part of their many academic and life experiences. (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Perspective: It’s time for the sun to set on racial preferences in college admissions (Deseret News)
  • Weber State students building bridges between police, people with disabilities (KSL)
  • Granite District: Computer glitch sent negative lunch balance notices (KSL TV)
  • This Salt Lake City industry can support ‘intergenerational cycles of thriving,’ mayor says. City hosts ‘Human Innovation Day,’ launches website to connect residents to health sciences careers. (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Weber State will launch physician assistant program in January 2023 (Fox13)

Environment

  • Flipping the switch. Why do Western states lag behind when it comes to renewable energy? (Deseret News)
  • Judge rejects teens' lawsuit against Utah's fossil fuel policies (Fox13)

Family

  • Age of distraction. It’s not just the kids. Parents can’t focus either. What’s the answer? (Deseret News)
  • Wearing her heart on her sleeve, Jennifer Aniston shares her fertility journey (Deseret News)
  • Unaffordable Utah: Keep the holiday magic alive without breaking the bank (KSL TV)

Health

  • What experts say about growing old in America (Deseret News)
  • Do crosswords help your brain? New study highlights how they may help (Deseret News)
  • Medicate or meditate? For anxiety, study says it’s a toss-up (Deseret News)
  • Legal battle over noncompete contracts may threaten mental health care for autistic kids. Utah Behavior Services has filed lawsuits against a total of 14 former employees in the last seven years. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Housing

  • Utah kids are being turned away from shelter, as groups demand Gov. Cox take action. Single parents are particularly vulnerable to losing their housing as they struggle to keep up with rising rents. (Salt Lake Tribune)

National Headlines

General

  • The great campus paper caper. Will Arizona’s decadeslong college mystery ever be solved? (Deseret News)
  • U.S. inflation drops to 7.7%, lowest rate since January. Inflation dropped significantly more than most economists were expecting in October in a sign the overheated U.S. economy may finally be chilling down. (Deseret News)
  • Noose found at Obama Presidential Center site, pausing construction, builders say (NBC News)

Elections

  • Post Roe, these states affirmed abortion rights at the ballot box (Deseret News)
  • Why is Arizona’s vote count taking so long? In states where the vote count is close, it can take longer to call a race (Deseret News)
  • Democrats pad narrow leads in Arizona Senate, governor races (AP)
  • Notable uncalled House races include Boebert, Katie Porter (AP)

Politics

  • Is Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin an emerging national political figure? (Deseret News)
  • Trump faces blame from GOP as he moves forward with WH bid (AP)

Ukraine 🇺🇦 

  • Ukraine war’s environmental toll to take years to clean up (AP)
  • Russia says it has fully withdrawn from Kherson, in a major blow to Putin (NPR)
 

News Releases

Utah Senate Majority Caucus leadership team and 2023 session priorities

The Utah Senate Majority Caucus elected their leadership team for the 65th Legislature (2023/24) on Thursday, November 10, and announced session priorities.

Utah Senate Majority Leadership Team:

  • Sen. J. Stuart Adams, R was selected to serve as Senate President
  • Sen. Evan Vickers, R, was selected to serve as Majority Leader
  • Sen. Ann Millner, R, was selected to serve as Majority Whip
  • Sen. Kirk Cullimore, R, was selected to serve as Majority Assistant Whip (Read More)

Nominees announced for 3rd District Court vacancy

The Third District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected nominees for a vacancy on the Third District Court. This position results from the retirement of Judge Su J. Chon, Nov. 25, 2022.

The nominees for the vacancy are: Darcy Goddard, chief policy advisor/deputy district attorney, Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office; Kyle Kaiser, assistant attorney, Utah Attorney General’s Office; Amanda Montague, assistant attorney, Utah Attorney General’s Office; Coral Sanchez, division chief, Davis County Attorney’s Office; Charles Stormont, director of right of way and property management, Utah Department of Transportation. 

Written comments can be submitted to the Third District Judicial Nominating Commission at judicialvacancies@utah.gov or Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, P.O. Box 142330, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2330. The deadline for written comments is noon on Nov. 21, 2022.


U.S. Treasury signs agreement expanding funding options for Utah small businesses

The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) recently announced the launch of its Utah Small Business Credit Initiative. This federally funded lending program makes it easier for Utah small businesses and entrepreneurs to qualify for loans.

The program anticipates opening the application process to financial institutions on Nov. 30, 2022. Interested financial institutions should contact Alecia Hart at aleciahart@utah.gov to discuss collaboration on the Utah Small Business Credit Initiative.

Approved lenders will begin running the program for Utah’s small businesses by mid-December. Small businesses are encouraged to contact Hart, participate in the initiative’s virtual meetings every Wednesday at 2 p.m., and sign up for the Utah Small Business Credit Initiative newsletter. (Read More)


New report: Pay gaps key to bolstering police ranks

The Utah Foundation released To Protect and Serve: Meeting Law Enforcement Recruiting Challenges in Utah. The report highlights the scope of the police shortage problem and explores ways that local governments and other stakeholders can address the issue.

Utah Foundation President Peter Reichard said the police recruiting challenges, particularly in Salt Lake County, require a multi-front approach. “Clearly, the negative commentary on police from the national media and politicians takes a toll, so creating a more supportive environment for police is critical,” Reichard said. “But at the end of the day, policymakers need to take a hard look at pay levels to ensure they can attract and retain officers.” (Read More)


WGU recognizes Canyons School District administrator with award

For her outstanding work recruiting and supporting educators in the Canyons School District, Western Governors University presented Sally Sansom with the WGU Elevate Award. Sansom received the award in front of dozens of colleagues, family, and friends during an administrative meeting at the district office in Sandy.

The online, nonprofit university presents the WGU Elevate Award to individuals committed to providing high-quality educational and professional development opportunities for others. Sansom is the first recipient of the award in Utah. (Read More)


Documentary by Utah Business leader featured at ETHOS Film Awards

The first film in a new documentary series that showcases the principles of renowned author Napoleon Hill has been selected as a finalist at the ETHOS Film Awards International Film Festival. The worldwide release of “The Power of Thought – Live Ready” will be Friday’s feature event in Santa Monica.

Melinda Boyer, who produced the award-winning film “Beyond the Secret – The Awakening”, directed “The Power of Thought – Live Ready” which is the first in a planned documentary series. The film is produced by Don Boyer, Dr. John Sachtouras, and David Ibarra, who is the largest seminar licensee of the Think and Grow Rich Principles of Success. Ibarra is an entrepreneur, author, success coach, and philanthropist based in Utah. (Read More)

 

Tweet of the Day 

Screen Shot 2022-11-11 at 7.25.12 AM

 

Upcoming

  • SL Chamber Women and Business Conference — Nov. 14, 8:00 am - 3:30 pm, Grand America, Register here
  • Interim Days, Nov 15-16, le.utah.gov
  • Advancing Religious Freedom in a Divided America with Judge Thomas Griffith, hosted by Sutherland Institute and the Int'l Center for Law and Religion Studies— Nov. 15, 9:30 am - noon, More info here
  • Biases, Barriers, & Barricades for Utah Women: A Solutions-Based Workshop with UWLP and the Policy Project, Nov. 15, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Sandy, Register here
  • Utah Women Run Fall Celebration — Nov 15, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Hinckley Institute of Politics, RSVP here
  • Utah Foundation’s 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 — Jan. 12, 2023, Salt Lake City Marriott, 8 am - noon, Register here
 

On This Day In History

  • 1620 - Mayflower Pilgrims make their first landing in America and Mayflower Compact signed.
  • 1744 - Abigail Adams is born, a politically influential First Lady and early advocate for women’s rights
  • 1885 - George Patton is born. 
  • 1914 - Daisy Lee Bates is born. She mentored and advised the “Little Rock Nine” who integrated the Little Rock, Arkansas
  • 1918 - Armistice Day: World War I ends at 11:00 on the 11th day of the 11th month
  • 1921 - US President Warren G. Harding dedicates Tomb of Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery
  • 1938 - Mary Mallon, Irish-American patient best known as 'Typhoid Mary' and the first person in the United States known to be immune to typhoid, dies at 69
  • 1939 - Kate Smith first sings Irving Berlin's "God Bless America"
  • 1942 - Draft age is lowered to 18
  • 1979 - Bethune Museum and Archives opens in Washington D.C. as a center for African-American women’s history, honoring Mary McLeod Bethune
  • 1993 - The Vietnam Women’s Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C. after being conceived by former army combat nurse Diane Carlson Evans and sculpted by Glenna Goodacre to honor the 265,000 women who voluntarily served during the Vietnam era
  • 2004 - Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, 1st President of the Palestinian National Authority (1994-2004) and 1994 Nobel peace prize winner, dies in Paris at 75

Wise Words

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live them.”  

—J.F.K.


The Punny Side

A man walks into a pet store and asks for a dozen bees. The clerk carefully counts 13 bees out onto the counter.

"That's one too many!" says the customer.

The clerk replies "It's a freebie"

 

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