Utah Policy: It's been one-year since Moroni dropped his trumpet, Jon Hawkins is going home and did St. Patrick have a thing against snacks?

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Situational Analysis - March 18, 2021

Welcome to Thursday! The weekend is in sight, the daffodils are blooming and the sun will be out today. Today is National Awkward Moments Day, a day I can most definitely relate to. Like yesterday, when I wrote that St. Patrick chased the SNACKS out of Ireland instead of the SNAKES. I've never been to Ireland, so I can't comment on the quality of the snacks there....

Today is also the one-year anniversary of the earthquake that dogpiled on the very early days of a pandemic and made Moroni drop his trumpet.

And, we have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that Representative Jon Hawkins is finally going home today, after a battle with COVID-19 that kept him in the hospital for months. The bad/sad/life-changing news is that Shawn Bradley is paralyzed after being hit by a car while on his bicycle, back in January.

If you only have time for one thing: Read CNN Editor-at-large Chris Cillizza's piece about Governor Spencer Cox and the state of the Republican Party. Cillizza wrote about some things Gov. Cox said on a podcast recently. "There's more to being a conservative than just 'owning the libs...I believe in a Republican Party and a conservatism that is about opportunity for everyone. We don't do that with these fake controversies, these false choices we keep presenting people." If you have more than a minute, listen to the governor's interview with Matt Lewis.

Countdown

27 days until the end of the Cox/Henderson administration's first 100 days (04/14/2021)
43 days until the Biden/Harris administration's first 100 days are up (04/30/2021)
177 days until half-way through the Cox/Henderson's administration's 500-day plan (09/11/2021)

Today At Utah Policy

Tweets of the day: The earthquake of 2020
By Holly Richardson
Moroni lost his trumpet, the SLC airport was closed and the toilet paper was gone. Although that was probably because the pandemic had been declared just 6 days earlier. My daughter and I had caught a late flight out of Colombia to Miami - one of the last for a while. We got up at o'dark-thirty and got on a plane to Denver. When we landed, we found out there had been an earthquake in Salt Lake City and no flights were landing. With so much uncertainty between earthquakes and pandemics, we rented a car and drove home. Change of pace: My 'neighborhood' has an identity crisis
By LaVarr Webb
My wife and I live in a weird and wonderful place, a remote corner of Utah most people aren't aware of. In fact, this is one of those places that would more naturally fit with another state -- in this case Idaho.Dick Hoyt dies, Sister Jean travels, Vanessa Bryant names names and Monica Lewinsky's quick wit
By Holly Richardson
News you might have missed: Dick Hoyt passes away, Sister Jean heads to the NCAA tournament, Vanessa Bryant is naming names and Monica Lewinsky's quick wit.

Utah Headlines

Deseret News

'No one is coming to save you' - March 18, 2020, became a day of that history-defining question: Where were you when the Magna quake happened? Overcoming obstacles - Support for women means support for families and society. Mitt Romney, GOP senators say Biden's freeze on border wall funds violates federal law - The number of encounters at the border has been rising since April 2020. Jon Huntsman Jr. warns 'U.S. has very little leverage' dealing with China - Businesses trading with China should use caution, embody U.S. values, former ambassador says Harmons will keep mask requirement after statewide mandate lifted - for now - Harmons top executives sent an email sent Tuesday to customers titled, "Wearing Is Caring" to let them know Harmons will "see this through." Twitter hackers got me. They could be targeting you, too - It took literally just one minute and my 13 year-old Twitter account was gone. Third interior secretary to tour Bears Ears, Grand Staircase as part of political football - The Biden administration has also extended the 60-day timeline for a review of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments. For me, #StopAsianHate is more than a viral term -0 It feels like heartbreak. Only it's worse than that, because you know that you, too, at any time could be the next number added to that list.

Salt Lake Tribune

Inland port opponents call on governor to veto 'infrastructure bank' that would fund development -The governor has yet to sign SB243, which would fund improvements like roads, water, sewage and power within the port's jurisdictional land. Gov. Cox declares drought emergency for all of Utah - 100% of the state is currently in the 'moderate drought' category, while 90% is experiencing 'extreme drought' conditions. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to visit Utah ahead of decision on Bears Ears, Grand-Staircase monuments - Utah's congressional delegation and top state officials say they want a legislative fix. Utah pushes tax deadline to May 17 - Taxpayers are still urged to file as quickly as possible. Utah's Asian American and Pacific Islander community leaders speak out on Atlanta shootings - The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University in San Bernardino reported a 149% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in large cities across the United States in 2020. Protection against hidden rental fees now written into Utah law - Gives renters recourse if they are ambushed with undisclosed charges. Tanner Ainge resigns from the Utah County Commission - Ainge also was appointed to a board seat of the Governor's Office of Economic Development by Gov. Spencer Cox on Wednesday morning.

Other

2,590 earthquakes; new study on Magna quake reveals more about Wasatch Fault (FOX 13) - The University of Utah also warned that so many small earthquakes does not mean the pressure has been taken off of a significantly larger earthquake. Salt Lake City council rejects rezoning amendment involving historic homes (KSL-TV) - The vote came two weeks after the council heard heavy criticism of the project from residents and one of the state's largest preservation groups. Gov. Cox signs Dixie State University name change bill (St. George News) - After meeting with numerous stakeholders in the coming months, a new name is expected to be presented to lawmakers by November. Mobile health clinic now offering vaccine to vulnerable Utahns in rural communities - "Within 30 minutes, I had 100 people signed up and about 200 on my wait list," Lucia Benitez, a community health worker with Toole County Health Department said. Without the mobile clinic, people would have to make a 3-hour roundtrip excursion to the Wasatch Front.

COVID Corner

Number of new COVID-19 cases in Utah jumps to almost 700 (Salt Lake Tribune) - Since hitting a nine-month low of 221 on Monday, that number more than doubled to 481 on Tuesday - and jumped to 699 on Wednesday. While its AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccinations are suspended, Europe is confronting a third wave (Washington Post) - There are fears that the pause in vaccinations across Europe will allow infections to spiral even more out of control. EU Officials Propose Digital Travel Certificates - Vaccination Not Required (NPR) - The proposed Digital Green Certificate would serve as proof that a person has either been vaccinated against COVID-19, received a negative test result or recovered from COVID-19. Despite what the CDC says, domestic travel is safe for fully vaccinated people, even Biden is doing it (Business Insider) - Many independent leading public health experts have said the CDC is being too harsh and cautious with its guidance for vaccinated people. Covid-19 reinfections are rare, but more common in people 65 and older, study finds (CNN) - Most people who have had Covid-19 seemed to have protection from reinfection that remained stable for more than six months.

National Headlines

Advocates, lawmakers demand end to anti-Asian hate crimes after Atlanta killings (Politico) - "This is the aftermath of a whole year of Donald Trump's using the terms 'China Virus' and 'Wuhan Virus' and creating hatred." House Renews Violence Against Women Act, But Senate Hurdles Remain (NPR) - The most contentious issue in the House-passed bill is a provision that expands the criminal threshold to bar an individual from buying a gun to include misdemeanor convictions of domestic abuse or stalking. 12 Republicans opposed Congressional Gold Medals for police who protected them on Jan. 6 (Washington Post) - They objected to the term "insurrectionists." One called it a "politically charged publicity stunt." Opinion: Biden just fired a warning shot at Mitch McConnell and Republicans (Washington Post) - President Biden has now declared in his most explicit terms yet that Democrats may soon face a stark choice: reform the filibuster or accept that their agenda is a dead letter. Democrats seize on Biden's embrace of changing the filibuster (Washington Post) - Even with his endorsement Tuesday night, rallying all Democrats behind such a move could take time, warned Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.). The Trump-Tucker cold war has begun (Washington Post) - Trump's the guy who has a legacy to defend, and he's the guy who now has a political record that will need to be reframed over time to maintain the same support from his base. The problem is that there is a Trump-like figure out there causing friction - Tucker Carlson. US-China tensions run high ahead of critical meeting (The Hill) - The new administration plans to put pressure on China over actions it views as violations of international rules and norms, despite Beijing's criticisms that Washington is interfering in its domestic affairs. How 535,000 Covid Deaths Spurred Political Awakenings Across America (New York Times) - Through Zoom trainings and virtual lobbying days, people who have lost loved ones or their own health to the coronavirus are trying to influence federal policy. The Young Political Spaces of the Internet (New Yorker) - How a new generation has embraced extreme views online.

Policy News

Hatch Center hosts webinar on "The China Paradox"
Today, the Hatch Center-the policy arm of the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation-joined World Trade Center Utah, Harris Bricken, the US-China Business Council, and the Deseret News in hosting a webinar: "The China Paradox: Geopolitics, Chinese Economic Policy, and What it Means for US Businesses." Utah delegation, state officials welcome Interior Secretary Haaland's decision to visit Utah
Today, U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and Representatives Chris Stewart (R-Utah), John Curtis (R-Utah), Burgess Owens (R-Utah), and Blake Moore (R-Utah), Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Senate President Stuart Adams, House Speaker Brad Wilson and Attorney General Sean Reyes issued the following statement in response to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland's announcement of her upcoming visit to Utah to tour Bears Ears and Grand-Staircase Escalante national monuments.Sen. Romney joins 39 other Senators in saying Biden is escalating border crisis by unlawfully freezing funds
Amid the rapidly escalating crisis along the southern border, U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today was among 40 Republican U.S. senators, led by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, who sent a letter to GAO Comptroller Gene L. Dodaro highlighting President Biden's suspension of border wall funding and construction without lawful justification, as required by the Impoundment Control Act.New GOED Board members appointed
The Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) announces three new Board member nominations by Gov. Spencer J. Cox: Tanner Ainge, Kira Slawson, and Geri Gamber.The new GOED Board members replace departing Board members Mel Lavitt, Peter Mouskondis, and Margaret (Margo) Jacobs.Sen. Romney urges Biden to bring Utah to the table on lands and water issues
U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) joined his Senate and House colleagues from Western states, led by Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), in requesting further clarification regarding President Biden's Executive Order establishing a mandate to put restrictions on 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, and urged the administration to include state and local governments, tribes, and stakeholders in future negotiations and decisions regarding Utah's lands and waters.

Business Headlines

IRS plans to delay this year's tax filing deadline to mid-May (CNN) - An official familiar with the plans earlier told CNN the decision was made in order to allow filers more time to navigate tax situations complicated by the coronavirus pandemic. Fed Chair Powell is a 'maestro,' calming markets when there could have been chaos (CNBC) - "What the Fed has not done is not blink," said James McCann, senior economist at Aberdeen Standard Investments. U.S. investigating suspected Autopilot Tesla crash into police vehicle (Reuters) - No one was injured, but Autopilot has been engaged in at least three Tesla vehicles involved in fatal U.S. crashes since 2016. Justin Long, the 'I'm a Mac' actor, defects from Apple (CNN) - A new commercial with Long as a PC guy is the latest exchange of not-so-friendly fire between Intel and Apple in recent months.

On This Day In History

(From History.com)

1766 - After four months of widespread protest in America, the British Parliament repeals the Stamp Act. 1837 - Grover Cleveland is born. During his tenure as US President, he used his veto power 584 times. 1845 - Johnny Appleseed dies at age 70. 1850 - Henry Wells and William Fargo start their shipping and banking company. 1881 - Barnum & Bailey Circus, travelling as "The Greatest Show on Earth", debuts at (Madison Square Garden, New York City, would last 146 years before closing in 2017. 1933 - Unita Blackwell is born in Lula, Mississippi. She was an American civil rights activist and the first black woman mayor elected in Mississippi. 1942 - US President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs Executive Order 9102, creating the War Relocation Authority, which was charged with overseeing the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. 1964 - Bonnie Blair is born. A speed skater, she was one of the most successful Winter Olympians in U.S. history and a 5 time gold medalist. 1970 - Over 100 women stage a sit-in at Ladies Home Journal to protest the way the magazine depicted female interests and perspectives. 1988 - Stephen Curry is born.

Wise Words

"We should all dare to question. Dare to question political parties, presidents, local and state officials. This country was founded on the right to ask questions."

~Unita Blackwell