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Situational Analysis - April 13, 2021

It's Tuesday, the cherry trees on Utah's Capitol Hill are in full bloom and so is allergy season. Also, Ramadan Mubarak to all who are observing this holy month.

Have you had a chance to fill out this survey? We'd certainly appreciate your input!

News you need to know

1. The big news in Utah politics is that Treasurer Dave Damschen is resigning at the end of the month to become the head of the Utah Housing Corporation.
2. The big news in Utah sports is that Kyle Beckerman is the new head coach of the UVU men's soccer program. The former Major League Soccer veteran, Real Salt Lake star, and U.S. Men's National Team member is kind of a big deal.
3. The big news in police shootings is that the officer who shot and killed Daunte WrightDaunte Wright had intended to deploy her Taser but shot her service pistol instead. His death has resulted in angry protests, which have resulted in the use of tear gas and stun guns.
4. The big news in religious observances is that Ramadan began last night. Mya Jaradat writes about the "rhythms of Ramadan." Worth the read.
5. And, the very big news in COVID-19 vaccines is that the FDA and CDC just called for an immediate pause to using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine while they investigate safety issues related to blood clotting.

Countdown

1 days until the end of the Cox/Henderson administration's first 100 days (04/14/2021)
11 days until the United Utah Party Organizing Convention (04/24/2021)
17 days until the Biden/Harris administration's first 100 days are up (04/30/2021)
18 days until the in-person Utah GOP Organizing Convention (05/01/2021)
151 days until half-way through the Cox/Henderson's administration's 500-day plan (09/11/2021)

Today At Utah Policy

Utah Headlines

Deseret News

• The secret to a lasting marriage? Maybe start with a big, cheap church wedding
• Unlike his family-focused agenda, Biden's handling of immigration is at odds with public opinion
• Why is the debate over climate change so contentious?
• Utah Rep. Burgess Owens says caring for migrant children will cost taxpayers $3 trillion, but will it?
• What you need to know about mask mandates in Utah
• 'Dixie's Law': Animal welfare advocates call for harsher abuse penalties after dog set on fire
• Does your state have a mask mandate still?

Salt Lake Tribune

• Washington County scolds Romney over his votes to impeach Trump in 'unconstitutional' trial
• White House gives Utah best grade in its infrastructure report, but it's far below an 'A'
• Shootings of Utah cows, horses skyrocketed during the pandemic. And no one really knows why.
• Robert Gehrke: Utah's first independent redistricting commission kicks off this week, but will its work matter?
• Here's how millions in federal funds will benefit Utah's rural counties after the pandemic ends.

Other

• Experts say drug treatment works better than jail, SLCo shooter doesn't reflect programs (KUTV)
• Vaccinations in west Salt Lake City neighborhoods lag behind other parts of town (KSL)
• Larry H. Miller Real Estate buys 1.3K acres of undeveloped land in Daybreak (KSL)
• U of U's Post-COVID Clinic making progress (FOX 13)
• SLC Police unveil 'less-lethal' shotguns (FOX 13)

COVID Corner

• No new COVID-19 deaths in Utah for the second straight day, health officials say (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Michigan governor continues to rely on vaccines, personal choice to handle COVID surge (Click on Detroit)
• CDC chief says Michigan should 'shut things down,' vaccinating alone won't stop Covid surge (CNBC)
• Michigan's Plea for More Vaccines Is Rejected by Biden Team (Bloomberg)
• UK hits key vaccine target just as pubs, shops and salons reopen (MSN)
• The Country That Vaccinated 93% Of Adults In Under 2 Weeks (NPR)
• Tweaked COVID vaccines in testing aim to fend off variants (Star Advertiser)
• The U.K. variant is 'stickier' than the original coronavirus (Deseret News)
• Dr. Fauci reveals when we may need a booster shot for the COVID-19 vaccine (Deseret News)
• COVID-19 variant from South Africa can 'break through' the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (Deseret News)

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National Headlines

• Yang tweets about street vendors - and ignites fury on the left (Politico)
• Judge releases Trump appointee charged in Capitol riot (Politico)
• Va. NAACP calls for end to 'qualified immunity' following viral video of traffic-stop (NBC 12)
• Standoff emerges between White House and Michigan governor as state's Covid situation deteriorates (CNN)
• Senate Democrats push bill to combat surge of Asian American hate crimes amid GOP resistance (CNN)
• Why the G.O.P. Can't Quit Trump (New York Times)
• Here's the biggest myth in the Republican Party today (CNN)
• Biden insists he's willing to negotiate with Republicans on infrastructure (Washington Post)
• Hot-button issues from voting rights to tax hikes redraw the lines in corporate America (Washington Post)
• The rise of domestic extremism in America (Washington Post)
• Against mounting odds, Biden seeks GOP support for infrastructure plan (The Hill)

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Policy News

Organization to support the political service of women members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched
Project Elect: Women in Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization launching today with the primary goal of supporting women members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as they seek public office. Recognizing that the experiences and perspectives of women of faith are not being adequately represented in local, state, and national politics, Project Elect will recruit and encourage women Latter-day Saints as they campaign for and participate in public service.

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Utah GOP statement on Treasurer Damschen's resignation
The Utah Republican Party is grateful for State Treasurer David Damschen's service to the state of Utah, and we wish him well in his new role with the Utah Housing Corporation. He has truly raised the bar through his exceptional service to the state of Utah and our country. He recently served as the President of the National Association of State Treasurers and was later awarded the Harlan Boyles/Edward T. Alter Distinguished Service Award for his exemplary service.

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Gov. Cox thanks Treasurer Dave Damschen for his service
Gov. Spencer Cox issued the following statement about the resignation of State Treasurer David Damschen at the end of April:"As State Treasurer for the past five years, David Damschen has safeguarded individual property rights and greatly contributed to Utah's tremendous economic success. We're grateful for his commitment to public service and wish him every success as CEO of the Utah Housing Corporation."

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Utah Treasurer David Damschen resigns from office to succeed Utah Housing Corporation President and CEO Grant Whitaker
Utah State Treasurer David Damschen today announced his resignation as state treasurer effective April 30. The Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) Board of Trustees has selected him to succeed Grant Whitaker as president and CEO of UHC, where he will begin his service on May 3. Whitaker is retiring after 42 years with the organization, including 12 years at its helm.

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After urging from Lee and Klobuchar, Apple agrees to send witness to hearing on app stores and mobile app competition
U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member and Chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, yesterday announced that both Apple and Google have agreed to send witnesses to a subcommittee hearing on app stores and mobile app competition scheduled for Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 2:30 PM. In a letter sent on Friday, April 9th, 2021, Lee and Klobuchar criticized Apple's initial decision to withhold witnesses from testifying and asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to reverse course.

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Business Headlines

• Alibaba shares rise 2% after Beijing orders Ant Group to revamp business (CNBC)
• Microsoft acquires Nuance-makers of Dragon speech rec-for $16 billion (Ars Technica)
• What the union defeat at Amazon means for the labor movement (Yahoo News)
• Google is killing the Google Shopping app (Ars Technica)

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On This Day In History

(From History.com)

• 1743 - Thomas Jefferson is born.
• 1866 - Butch Cassidy is born in Beaver, Utah.
• 1870 - Metropolitan Museum of Art opens in New York City.
• 1909 - Eudora Welty is born. She became a writer and photographer, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1973 and was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
• 1919 - Madalyn Murray O'Hair is born. She was an outspoken atheist behind the 1962 Supreme Court's 8-1 ruling that organized Bible reading in public schools was unconstitutional. In 1995, she was kidnapped and later murdered by a former employee.
• 1933 - Ruth Bryan Owen becomes the first woman to represent the US as a foreign minister when she is appointed as an envoy to Denmark and Iceland.
• 1970 - Apollo 13 oxygen tank explodes. "Houston, we've had a problem."

Wise Words

"I cannot live without books."

~Thomas Jefferson

Lighter Side

"Congress returned after a two-week recess. 'Not much, just hung out,' said Matt Gaetz before anyone could talk."

- SETH MEYERS

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