Utah Policy: $1.9 T budget proposal passes Senate, Ntl Wear Red Day and cougars on the loose

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Utah Policy Daily Newsletter

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 editor@utahpolicy.com

Situational Analysis - February 5, 2021

We made it to Friday! Today is National Wear Red Day, a day to bring attention to women's cardiac health. Did you know that heart attacks in women have different symptoms than heart attacks in men? Heart disease kills one woman approximately ever 80 seconds. If you see a lot of red on Capitol Hill today, you know why.

If you only have time for one thing today: This piece by S.E. Cupp is a must-read. The attacks on AOC after revealing that she had been sexually assualted reveal a deep moral rot. "This kind of unconscionable moral rot has infected America deep in its core. It's in our partisan politics, our self-destructive culture wars, our hysterical media and our addiction to hate. It's in the reactions to Ocasio-Cortez's moving account of her trauma: "move on," "she's lying," "she just wants attention." Is it that impossible to separate her politics from her person? It's becoming clearer with every passing day that amid all the things posing an imminent threat to our way of life - disease, climate change, war - it's truly our inability to see each other as people before politics that's going to destroy us."

Countdown

28 days to the end of the 2021 Utah Legislature (3/5/21)
68 days until the end of the Cox/Henderson administration's first 100 days (04/14/2021)
84 days until the Biden/Harris administration's first 100 days are up (04/30/2021)

Today At Utah Policy

VP Harris breaks tie, the 'weird worship of one dude,' Rep. Greene off all committees and an apology
By Holly Richardson
VP Harris casts her first tie-breaking votes - After 14 hours of debate, going most of the night, the U.S. Senate voted on a budget resolution that is a key step to fast-tracking Biden's "rescue plan," splitting 50-50 along party lines. VP Harris cast the deciding vote. The $1.9 trillion proposal now returns to the House where lawmakers will vote on whether or not to approve the changes made in the Senate. Many proposed Republican amendments were rejected, but Dems did agree to limit payouts to high earners and did not move forward with a minimum wage increase.Tweets of the day: Friday fun
By Holly Richardson
Our non-political Friday fun tweets. BTW - don't forget to follow us @utahpolicy!Commentary: Wild week of the cougar
By LaVarr Webb
It's easy to romanticize living in a remote country location, far from even a small town. It's peaceful, beautiful and it's great to work hard outdoors, be close to nature, and enjoy wildlife and farm animals.But every once in a while, Mother Nature reminds us who's really in charge and makes us feel a bit out-of-place. It happens most often with the weather, and that's to be expected. With big snows, horrendous winds, and single digit temperatures, we have to be prepared for anything, especially because grocery stores, emergency services and law enforcement are 70 miles away.

Utah Headlines

Deseret News

Here's how Biden's stimulus checks would look different than the last two - Under the current plan, people who make under $50,000 would get the full $1,400. Gov. Spencer Cox announces who's up next to receive vaccines in Utah - Utahns 65 and older plus adults with specific medical conditions will be eligible beginning March 1. Flagler, for free - While metro areas in the West can hardly keep up with growth, some rural communities are doing everything they can to create it. Biden's China relationship: The view from Utah - Our best defense is to continuously improve our system at home that speaks to the American Dream, which still remains aspirational for many around the world - even in China. Is the American dream dead? An American scholar's take on reaching the top - The role of government should be more in the model of Abraham Lincoln: "To lift artificial weights from all shoulders, to clear the path of laudable pursuit for all, to provide all an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life." Sen. Mitt Romney proposes to send monthly cash to families - permanently - Sen. Mike Lee proposes expanding child tax credit. Audit says Utah schools should drop COVID-19 'soft closures' policy - Legislative auditors recommend 'Test to Stay' protocols to curb loss of so many in-person learning school days. 'Toxic' social media posts put young lives at risk, Utah Pride Center chairman tells State School Board - Others express concerns about 'vicious attack' against Natalie Cline. House removes Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from committees in historic vote - House Republicans say standing behind Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene will keep their party united as they work to take back the House in 2022 midterms.

Salt Lake Tribune

Two police reform bills dealing with civilian review boards and bodycam footage stall - Utah lawmakers are expected to debate dozens of police bills this session after a summer of protests against police violence. Utah 'troubled-teen' centers have used 'booty juice' to sedate kids, a practice outlawed in other states - New state legislation would curb the use of chemical restraints at Utah youth residential treatment centers. Proposed river authority would assert Utah's claims to the Colorado's dwindling water - A bill would allow the new agency - which environmentalists call "shadowy" - to close its meetings and keep its records confidential. More Utahns have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine than have tested positive for the virus - According to the Utah Department of Health, almost 363,000 doses have been injected into patients - that includes both first and second doses. That's about 11,400 more than the number of coronavirus cases reported in the state. House gives green light to allow bicycles to treat stop signs like yield signs - Critics argue that an exception for cyclists is dangerous. Developer drops his lawsuit over Bridal Veil Falls - Richard Losee had wanted to build a high-end rehab center atop the falls until blocked by the county in a move he believes was illegal. Biden, at prayer breakfast, calls out 'political extremism' - He also appealed for collective strength during such turbulent times in remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast, held virtually this year.

Other

Affordable housing crisis hits home for SLC renters (KSL-TV) - Dozens of renters in Salt Lake City found eviction notices on their doors last weekend, telling them their building had been sold and they had until the end of this month to be out. Eagle Mountain City Council approves Utah's first wildlife corridor overlay zone (ABC 4) - This makes it the first city in Utah to implement this type of zoning, according to city officials. Dozens of educators accidentally hired without full background check (FOX 13) - According to a report compiled by USBE, there were 377 "anomalies" or concerns with the data. Utah State Board of Education meeting dominated by board member controversy (FOX 13) - "Please to all of you, we see you and we hear you, but we have zero legal authority to do either. I repeat, we have zero legal authority to remove or retain a board member," said board member Cindy Davis. SLCC Black Student Union poetry slam shut down due to offensive content posted by hackers (FOX 13) - The content became so disruptive that organizers had to stop the event.

COVID Corner

Utah will start vaccinating people over age 65, and with some health conditions, on March 1 (Salt Lake Tribune) - Transplant recipients, people with some cancers, heart and lung diseases included in the next round. Why are side effects after second COVID vaccine dose worse? (Miami Herald) - Health experts say these side effects are just normal signs your body is building the immune response it needs to protect you from severe disease. Why new coronavirus variants emerge, and what that means for you (PBS) - Three specific variants have raised alarm bells so far: one identified in the United Kingdom, one in South Africa, and one in Brazil, all of which have been detected in the U.S. Experts believe that the UK strain could be as much as "50 to 70 percent more contagious." This year's nonexistent flu season could prove problematic for vaccine developers (Yahoo! News) - A year without exposure to the virus could also prove problematic for the human immune system, and especially for children who have been exposed to few, if any, varieties of the flu.

National Headlines

Spit on for revealing her trauma - bitter, partisan reactions to AOC are proof American politics has lost its way (Deseret News) - National columnist S.E. Cupp writes This kind of unconscionable moral rot has infected America deep in its core. "It's becoming clearer with every passing day that amid all the things posing an imminent threat to our way of life - disease, climate change, war - it's truly our inability to see each other as people before politics that's going to destroy us." Here are the 11 House Republicans who voted to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from her committee assignments (CNN) - House Democrats, who control the chamber, set up the vote after first attempting to pressure Republicans to strip the Georgia Republican of her committee assignments on their own. House Republicans did not taken that action, however. Biden beefs up administration with Asia experts as the U.S. prepares to take on China (CNBC) - That's a move that analysts said signals renewed efforts to raise U.S. standing in a region where China's influence is growing. Republicans worry their big tent will mean big problems in 2022 elections (Washington Post) - House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has pinned his hopes for reclaiming the majority in 2022 on never having to choose between the contradictory factions in his own party, no matter how deep the divisions appear.Bipartisan support emerges for domestic-terror bills as experts warn threat may last '10 to 20 years' (Washington Post) - Elizabeth Neumann, a former assistant secretary of homeland security for counterterrorism during the Trump administration, warned lawmakers that there is a "high likelihood" that another domestic terrorist attack would occur in the coming months and that the problem would persist "for the next 10 to 20 years." Biden seeks to restore 'badly damaged' refugee resettlement program (Washington Post) - "It's going to take time to rebuild what has been so badly damaged," Biden said during a speech at the State Department. Democratic lawmakers join Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in sharing Capitol riot experiences (USA Today) - AOC organized an hour aimed at "creating space for members to talk about their lived experience on January 6 and the need for accountability." Jen Psaki slammed for 'homophobic' tweet about Sen. Lindsey Graham (New York Post) - White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has come under fire for referring to Sen. Lindsey Graham as "Lady G" in an old tweet.

Policy News

Sen. Lee introduces Working Families Flexibility Act
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) today introduced the Working Families Flexibility Act, a bill that would give employees more flexibility on how to use their overtime benefits. Sen. Lee was joined by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), along with eleven of their colleagues.Romney proposes measures to support Utah and national priorities
U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today filed 11 amendments to the Senate budget resolution for fiscal year 2021 aimed at addressing the range of challenges Utah and the nation face, including providing greater financial security for American families, ensuring clean water for Utah's Navajo Nation, supporting energy leasing on federal lands, and bolstering U.S. national security.Rep. John Curtis on the vote to Rep. Greene's committee assignments
Today, Representative John Curtis (R-UT), released the following statement ahead of the floor vote on H. Res. 72 - Removing a certain Member from certain standing committees:Utah Dems want GOP congressmen to share their secret ballot votes on Liz Cheney
Wednesday night by secret ballot, House Republicans voted 145-61 to retain Liz Cheney in her position as chairwoman of the House Republican Caucus. Rep. Cheney came under fire by the Q-Anon wing of the party for her vote to impeach the president for his incitement of a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Now, the Utah Democratic Party calls upon Utah's four Republican congressmen to be forthright with their constituents: How did they vote?Sen. Lee introduces ARTICLE ONE to reclaim Congressional power
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) today introduced the ARTICLE ONE Act, a bill that would reclaim significant legislative powers delegated to the executive branch by the National Emergencies Act of 1976.When Congress passed this act in 1976, it gave the president of the United States the ability to exercise unilateral power like a king. Now, more than 40 years later, there are 37 ongoing national emergencies that have no congressional approval or expiration date. And just last week, the majority leader pointed out that the president "can do many, many things under the emergency powers . . . that he could do without legislation," and suggested that "[i]t might be a good idea for President Biden to call a climate emergency."

Business Headlines

Analysis: Bezos leaves behind a company that's created value but has also triggered a national reckoning (CNN) - With each new innovation, Bezos and Amazon have offered the promise of making life easier, more convenient and enriching for customers. But these services also became testaments to Amazon's ever-expanding power, influence and self-interest, inspiring fierce criticism from the company's opponents GameStop stock-trading star Keith Gill - also known as Roaring Kitty - is reportedly under investigation as regulators look at his previous financial-advisement job (Business Insider) - Keith Gill rose to fame in January for his massive bet on GameStop. Yet regulators in Massachusetts are now looking into whether Gill violated rules related to his previous job at Boston-based insurance firm MassMutual. Amazon's new CEO has his eyes on video games (Deseret News) - "Some businesses take off in the first year, and others take many years," he wrote, per Bloomberg. "Though we haven't consistently succeeded yet in AGS (Amazon Game Studios), I believe we will if we hang in there."

On This Day In History

(From History.com)

146 BC - The Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage come to an end after more than 100 years of fighting. 1884 - Willis Johnson, a Black inventor, patented the egg beater. 1917 - Immigration Act passed after President Wilson had vetoed it the week previously. The law required a literacy test for immigrants and barred Asiatic laborers, except for those from countries with special treaties or agreements with the United States, such as the Philippines. 1919 - Mary Pickford joins Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith to form United Artists (UA). 1934 - Hank Aaron is born. 1941 - Hitler scolds Mussolini, tells him to fight harder. 1950 - Natalie Cole is born. 1958 - Clifton R. Wharton is confirmed as minister to Rumania, the first Black diplomat to head a U.S. Embassy in Europe. 1990 - Barack Obama becomes the first Black student named as president of the Harvard Law Review. 1994 - White supremacist Byron De La Beckwith is convicted of killing Medgar Evers, more than 30 years after the crime. 2012 - Josh Powell kills himself and his two sons by blowing up their house.

Wise Words

"Indeed, we're strongest when the face of America isn't only a soldier carrying a gun but also a diplomat negotiating peace, a Peace Corps volunteer bringing clean water to a village, or a relief worker stepping off a cargo plane as floodwaters rise."

~General Colin Powell