Utah Policy: Amelia Powers Gardner to join the Utah County Commission, Armenian genocide officially recognized

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Situational Analysis - April 26, 2021

Hello Monday. Enjoy the rain as you begin the last week of April. Today is National Dissertation Day, an annual reminder that the best dissertation is a done dissertation.

News you need to know

Amelia Powers Gardner won the special election to replace Tanner Ainge as Utah County Commissioner. She is the first woman to do so. Her win sets up another special election for clerk/auditor. President Joe Biden officially recognized the mass killings of 1.5 million Armenians as a genocide. Turkey was not happy, but then again, virtually no countries raise their hands and say "Hey! We wiped out an entire population! Feel free to call it the genocide it is!" The declaration is a big deal and 100+ years in the making. Former Salt Lake County GOP chair Scott Miller says he's being "Kavanaughed" and has rescinded his resignation (note: that's not actually a thing). Since he cannot, in fact, rescind his resignation, he has rescinded his apology. A "high-ranking elected official" had persuaded him to "apologize and move on. "I didn't want to do it," Miller said. "I acquiesced to the experience of that elected official. And I shouldn't have. I shouldn't have listened to him." U.S. health officials lifted an 11-day pause on COVID-19 vaccinations using Johnson & Johnson's single-dose shot on Friday, after scientific advisers decided its benefits outweigh a rare risk of blood clot. The government uncovered 15 vaccine recipients who developed a highly unusual kind of blood clot out of nearly 8 million people given the J&J shot. All were women, most under age 50. The vaccine will now come with a warning. A cheerleader's Snapchat rant leads to 'momentous' Supreme Court case on student speech. The dispute could determine how First Amendment protections apply to the off-campus activities of 50 million public school students. Stay tuned.

Countdown

4 days until the Biden/Harris administration's first 100 days are up (04/30/2021)
5 days until the in-person Utah GOP Organizing Convention (05/01/2021)
61 days until theUtah Democrat party organizing convention (06/26/21)
138 days until half-way through the Cox/Henderson's administration's 500-day plan (09/11/2021)

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Today At Utah Policy

Cross the ocean, cross the street or cross the room: We all can serve
By Holly Richardson
Originally published in the Deseret News Photo Credit: Steven Wood "A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal."- Steve MaraboliKatharine and Robert Garff to be honored as 42nd "Giant in Our City"
By SL Chamber
The Salt Lake Chamber today announced that Katharine and Robert Garff will be honored with the 42nd Giant in our City award. The award recognizes those with exceptional and distinguished service, as well as extraordinary professional achievement, and is widely known as the most prestigious business award given in Utah.

Utah Headlines

Deseret News

Politicians, the new social media influencers - Today's political rising stars are harnessing the power of posting to drive their own news cycles and build fan bases for themselves online. Who deserves the credit for Utah's booming economy? - Mel S. Lavitt, former chair of the board for the Governor's Office of Economic Development, deserves as much praise as anyone. How U2's The Edge and Utah's quest for nuclear power are related - Ireland's famous guitarist says nuclear energy is a must New Salt Lake investigations chief hopes to be 'role model for everyone' - Joe Tarver becomes one of few African Americans at the upper ranks of law enforcement in the Beehive State What does Gen Z want when they grow up? Similarity to their parents may surprise you How an infrastructure bill can help rural communities in the West - Communities across the rural West have a long list of infrastructure needs. Will the Biden administration's or a GOP counterproposal, make the difference? Meet the 7 members of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind Yacht Club preparing to do the 'seemingly impossible' - paddle 70 miles in 48 hours in a self-built boat in race on Puget Sound in June

Salt Lake Tribune

LDS Church embraces the U.N., but some members see the global group as 'satanic' If a Bears Ears monument, larger or smaller, won't guarantee cultural sites aren't trashed, what will? Islamophobia on the rise around the world, including the United States, according to United Nations report Elizabeth Smart launches a new self-defense training course in SLC Advocates concerned about southern Utah road extension through a corner of the Warner Ridge Fort Pearce Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). LDS Church makes a push for all its missionaries to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Missionaries who choose not to be vaccinated will serve in their home countries. Women may soon be the majority on the Utah alcohol commission if the Senate approves the Governor's latest nominees.

Other Utah News Sources

Thieves Steal More Than $4,000 Worth Of Donations From SLC Nonprofit Oulessebougou Alliance (KSL) Armenians In Utah Gather To Honor Genocide Anniversary (KSL) Utah survivor of military sexual assault, Paul Lloyd, says more needs to be done to stop sexual trauma (KUTV) 'Even if it's your own': No more parking near driveways, WVC issues new ordinance (ABC4) The hidden crime of human trafficking in Utah (Fox13) Attempted child abduction rattles South Ogden neighborhood (Fox13) Degree for Life: UVU grad Djiba Soumaoro advances from poverty to paying it forward (Daily Herald) Utah County Clerk/Auditor Amelia Powers Gardner has been elected to fill a vacancy on the Utah County Commission, becoming the first woman to be elected to the county governing body. (Daily Herald) Continuum of Care: What is Housing First and is it important? (Daily Herald) Weber County law enforcement leaders: Defusing tense situations not always feasible (Standard Examiner) Shadow Valley Elementary in Ogden recognized as top environmental education school (Standard Examiner)

COVID Corner

Indian hospitals swamped by coronavirus as countries promise aid (Reuters) CEO of vaccine maker sold $10 million in stock before company ruined Johnson & Johnson doses (Washington Post) Alaska lawmaker blasted airline for 'mask tyranny.' Now she's banned from the only flights to the capital. (Washington Post) As India breaks another global Covid-19 record and hospitals run out of oxygen, countries pledge assistance and aid (CNN) What you need to know about the coronavirus right now (Yahoo News) India sets Covid-19 infection record for fourth straight day with hospitals desperate for oxygen (CNN) U.S. to give India raw materials for vaccines, medical supplies to help fight Covid surge (CNBC) Millions Are Skipping Their Second Doses of Covid Vaccines (New York Times) European Union will let vaccinated Americans visit this summer (Fox News) Fauci on Johnson & Johnson vaccine temporary pause: 'We take safety very seriously' (Yahoo News) One dose of Pfizer, AstraZenenca vaccines protect for at least 10 weeks, study says (Deseret News) US Covid-19 vaccination efforts may start to slow now, official says. Here's why. (CNN) Covid-19 Live Updates: A Billion Shots, but Global Cases Keep Rising (New York Times) A Man In Spain Was Arrested After Allegedly Infecting 22 People With The Coronavirus (Buzzfeed)

National Headlines

GOP worries fiscal conservatism losing its rallying cry (The Hill) McCarthy defends Trump response to deadly Jan. 6 riot (The Hill) Biden's first 100 days: Where he stands on key promises (AP) This week: Biden to pitch Congress ahead of 100-day mark (The Hill) Biden expanding summer food program for 34M schoolchildren (AP) For many U.S. college Republicans, time to 'move on' from Trump (Reuters) Gross. Study finds Lyme-carrying ticks next to beaches and 'pretty much wherever we looked' (Washington Post) Head-kicking attack in New York leaves Asian man, 61, in coma, sparks hate-crime investigation (Washington Post) Breaking Point: How Mark Zuckerberg and Tim Cook Became Foes (New York Times) The Biology of Grief - Scientists know that the intense stress of grieving can affect the body in various ways, but much remains a mystery. (New York Times) Anti-Trump conservative group to grade GOP lawmakers on whether they uphold (or undermine) democracy (CNN) McCarthy slams Biden's first 100 days as 'bait and switch' after promises of bipartisanship (Fox News) Democrat Manchin praises GOP infrastructure proposal, backs targeted approach (CNBC) Supreme Court Eyes Rich Activists, Their Anonymous Donations And Tax Breaks (NPR) Civil Rights Group Calls On Justice Dept. To Suspend Local Police Grants (NPR) 'We compromise, we die': Rep. Cori Bush says she won't support qualified immunity compromise in policing bill talks (CNN) Black Democrats, Conflicted on a Voting Rights Push, Fear It's Too Late (New York Times) Michigan GOP congressman: 'I would say my goal is to not be a hypocrite' - Peter Meijer remains a target for voting to impeach Donald Trump. (Politico) 'Look after my babies': In Ethiopia, a Tigray family's quest (AP)

Policy News

GREENbike offers $1 annual pass for essential workers in 2021
GREENbike, Salt Lake City's nonprofit bike-share program, is now offering a discounted $1 annual pass (reduced from $75) to all essential workers in 2021. For its 2021 discount, the bike-share program has expanded the categories of workers eligible for the pass to include those who lost their job in 2020 due to COVID-19.Sen. Lee, Rep. Smith Lead Letter to CDC on Face Mask Guidance for Kids
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) led30of their colleagues in sending a bicameral letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requesting information on how the agency determined its guidance for children aged two years and older to wear face masks to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The Members of Congress wrote in part:Sen. Romney Joins Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Advance U.S. Strategic Competitiveness with China
U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Todd Young (R-IN) in introducing the Endless Frontier Act, legislation to advance and solidify the United States' leadership in scientific and technological innovation through increased investments in the discovery, creation, and manufacturing of technology critical to U.S. national security and economic competitiveness.Center for Methane Emissions Solutions Launches Ad Campaign Urging Senator Romney to Vote to Restore Rules that Cut Methane Waste
Today, the Center for Methane Emissions Solutions (CMES) launched a digital ad campaign in the Salt Lake Tribune. The ads are aimed at Senator Mitt Romney, urging him to restore rules to cut methane pollution and support Senate Joint Resolution 14. Romney, Colleagues Propose Bill to Support Role Agricultural Community Plays in Confronting Climate Change
U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) joined Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in introducing the bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act, legislation to break down barriers to farmers and foresters interested in participating in carbon markets so they can be rewarded for climate-smart practices. The bill has garnered broad, bipartisan support from over 60 leading agricultural and environmental organizations.

Business Headlines

Utah dominates list of best small cities to start a business. WalletHub.com says St. George is the best small city in the nation to start a business. (Salt Lake Tribune) As U.S. capital gains tax hike looms, wealthy look for ways to soften the blow (Reuters) U.S. auto dealers are winners as chip shortage lifts vehicle profits (Reuters) Asia Pacific Hong Kong, Singapore to start long-delayed travel bubble next month (Reuters) Menstrual leave: South Korea airline ex-CEO fined for refusing time off (BBC) Finding Your Way To A (High-Paying) Trade Job - Without College (NPR) Federal Aid to Renters Moves Slowly, Leaving Many at Risk (New York Times) A New Benefit Raises an Old Question: Which Mothers Should Work? (New York Times) New home sales surge as lumber prices skyrocket (Axios) Investors are struggling to time 2021's magic stock market (Axios) Facebook v Apple: The ad tracking row heats up (BBC) To Be Tracked or Not? Apple Is Now Giving Us the Choice. (New York Times A Viral Tweet Promised A Battle Between People Named Josh And It Actually Happened (Buzzfeed)

On This Day In History

(From History.com)

1777 - Sybil Ludington rides 40 miles on horseback through the night to alert American militia of British attack. 1927 - Anne McLaren is born. She became a leading figure in developmental biology and became a pioneer in human IVF (in vitro fertilization). 1933 - Carol Burnett is born. 1954 - Polio vaccine trials begin, involving 1.8 million children. 1984 - President Reagan visits China. 1986 - A test gone wrong triggers the world's worst nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. 1989 - Lucille Ball dies at age 78.