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 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 lwebb@utahpolicy.com,. Situational Awareness - August 31, 2020Good Monday morning from Salt Lake City. Enjoy some cool temperatures. The political scene - and the weather -- will warm up as we approach Labor Day. Monday Trivia QuestionA relatively unknown Utah Republican congressional challenger won a congressional seat on a fluke when his Democratic incumbent opponent was arrested for sex solicitation. In his re-election two years later, the new congressman was still relatively unknown and faced a formidable opponent. But the Republican incumbent was rather easily re-elected. Who was the Republican congressman? That's easy. But who was his campaign manager for his first re-election? You have until Wednesday afternoon to respond to lwebb@utahpolicy.com. Answer and winner will be revealed on Thursday. TICK TOCK24 days to the 1st Congressional District debate (9/24/2020) Today At Utah Policy Can GOP nationalize McAdams vs. Burgess race?By LaVarr Webb Utah Republicans always try to nationalize tough congressional races, given that Utah voters tend to support the Republican agenda in Congress over Democratic priorities. If they can do it this year, Republican Burgess Owens will have a better chance of defeating incumbent Democrat Ben McAdams. But if Utahns vote for the person, ignoring the context of the arch-liberal national Democratic agenda, then the likeable, moderate McAdams will likely win.  Webb's Wrap: Huntsman says no . . . Harding won't stay . . . moderate Republicans get money . . . time for bonding? . . . and Thomas Wright is hobblingBy LaVarr Webb Hello, Utah Policy readers. Each day I'm going to post a roundup of things happening in the political world, my observations on current issues, and perhaps an offbeat item or two.If you have a comment, an item you think should be publicized, or just want to tell me I'm an idiot, shoot me a message at lwebb@utahpolicy.com.Here goes: The classy Jon Huntsman. Huntsman would have made an excellent governor. He has remarkable global experience, relationships and vision. But he made the right decision to decline the call for him to run a write-in campaign.  Change of pace: The wild life in downtown SLCBy LaVarr Webb My wife and I love wildlife. We've been spending most of our time amid the wildlife at our small ranch in a pretty valley at the base of the Raft River Mountains in far northwestern Box Elder County. It's one of the most remote and isolated places in Utah. We see deer, moose, coyotes, big horn sheep, rattlesnakes, rabbits, skunks, racoons, all sorts of birds -- hawks, owls, hummingbirds, robins, blackbirds, wild geese, ducks, bluebirds, ravens -- and so forth. Our nephew saw a cougar on a hike on a trail above our place. But, absurdly, the most serious encounter with wildlife we've had came on a street in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.  Bob Bernick's notebook: Parting is such sweet sorrowBy Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor I write this column thousands of miles from Salt Lake City, on travels, and a bit sad.  Utah Foundation finds state taxes and spending a top concern of Utah votersBy Utah Foundation Utah Foundation releases the second in a series of Utah Priorities Project briefs looking at Utah voters' top concerns. State Taxes and Government Spending ranked second in July. Concern is driven in part by the economic crisis and a recent attempt at major tax reform. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News
Salt Lake Tribune
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Policy NewsGovernor appoints Phil Dean as Interim Executive Director for the Governor's Office of Management and BudgetGov. Gary Herbert has appointed Phil Dean to serve as interim Executive Director for the Governor's Office of Management and Budget upon the leave of former director, Kristen Cox."I am confident in Phil and in his ability to lead my office of management and budget," said Gov. Herbert. "His depth of knowledge and his experience will serve him well in this capacity. We are grateful for his willingness to serve."Prior to this apportionment, Phil served as the budget director and chief economist for the Governor's Office of Management and Budget. Casual Friday: Weekend Events & Outdoors Report 8-27-20 Outdoors Report-- Salt Lake Tribune: Great Salt Lake can be saved, but only with some big changes, report says-- Salt Lake Tribune: Can chemical treatments reduce toxic algal blooms on Utah Lake?  Project Pam: Home Reserve finds a home in OgdenThe Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) and the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) are pleased to announce that Home Reserve will open an office in Utah, creating up to 15 new manufacturing jobs in the next year.The company is leasing property in Ogden and projects $2.5 million in capital expenditures associated with the project. Registration renewal reminder postcards ending The Utah Division of Motor Vehicles announced in July that the usual postcard registration reminder was being discontinued. BUSINESS HEADLINES
National Headlines
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY(From History.com) 1980 - The communist Polish government signs accord with Gdansk shipyard workers, led by former electrician Lech Walesa. He later won the 1983 Nobel Peace Prize and in 1989 was elected Poland's president. Wise WordsBalanced Budget: "We might come closer to balancing the Budget if all of us lived closer to the Commandments and the Golden Rule." Ronald Reagan Lighter SideYou Know You're From Utah When.... "Your tulips get snowed on three times after they come up and twice more after they bloom". Joke Index Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
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