Utah Policy: The 'State of the State," unity and Bernie memes

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Situational Analysis - January 22, 2021

Here we are, at Friday already. It is the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade as well as National Sanctity of Life Day.

In the last two days, we heard two very good speeches (and one amazing poem). Those speeches had some notable similarities: aspirational, forward-looking, not shying away from difficult issues we face and - they both spoke on unity. One was given by a Democrat, President Joe Biden and the other by a Republican, Governor Spencer Cox. What is interesting to me (in a sad sort of way) is the pushback against unity from members of the other party. Some Republicans immediately decried the President's speech, including Senator Rand Paul who said it was "thinly-veiled innuendo, calling us White supremacists, calling us racists..." (Note: He must have listened to a different speech than I did.) Democrats had strong words against the "unity" being asked for by Republicans after the events of Jan. 6. I don't believe that "unity" means acting in lockstep, or that we must have identical ideology and approaches. Rather, we can be unified in eradicating contempt, in committing to civil dialogue, in broadening opportunity and in love of country. Can't we?

If you only have time for one thing today, please watch or read Governor Cox's State of the State address. If you have time for two things, re-watch or read President Biden's inaugural address.

TICK TOCK

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

Today At Utah Policy

Us v Them, working together and a new license plate!
By Holly Richardson
Us vs. Them - Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright wrote last week that the "two most dangerous words in the human vocabulary are: 'us' and 'them.'" Choosing sides is a common impulse, a way to stay safe by fitting in. But now, we are far from tapping into our better angels. "Political rallies have devolved into exhibitions of hate. Public figures are threatened and harassed, their homes vandalized. Debates have been supplanted by shouting matches...Commentary: We're hearing lots about unity but little about compromise
By LaVarr Webb
I'm all for unity and healing. I like to get along with people. Pres. Joe Biden spent most of his inaugural speech Wednesday calling for unity. He repeated it over and over again. He said he will be president for all Americans, not just those who voted for him.But I honestly don't know what politicians mean when they call for unity. Personally, I don't talk much about political unity because it's generally unrealistic. I fear most politicians define unity as the other side giving in and agreeing with them.Tweets of the day: Friday fun
By Holly Richardson
Fun Friday - gotta go with Bernie. He stole the meme show, for sure.

Utah Headlines

Deseret News

Trump's gone. What's next for his religious supporters? - No one is sure, but several interviewees agreed that the Republican Party needs to do some self-reflecting and recalibrating. A word to the president: You don't get to good governance by executive order - Incoming presidents have used executive orders as a way to act swiftly on their agenda or to reverse the policies of the previous administration. But what is wrought by executive order is usually erased by the same. Poll finds more Utahns willing to get COVID-19 vaccine, but is it enough? - 67% of Utahns want the shots, 21% don't plan to get vaccinated and 12% aren't sure. What Utah's poet laureate thought of Amanda Gorman's poem - Paisley Rekdal, professor of English at the University of Utah, was named the Utah poet laureate by the Utah Division of Arts & Museums in 2017. She thinks Amanda Gorman won poetry fans over. Utah governor warns of 'foundational cracks' state faces, pushes for focus on education - Gov. Spencer Cox gave his first State of the State address on Thursday in front of Utah legislators - a speech that Cox called the "shortest State of the State speech in state history" at approximately 15 minutes long. Cox says more vaccines will soon be available as doses sit on shelves; 30 more deaths reported - Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said, "Our highest priority is to protect those most vulnerable." He wants vaccines to get in the arms of people who need it most and are at highest risk of dying from a COVID-19 infection. Toll roads? Mileage-driven taxes? It's all coming your way, Utah - The gas tax is no longer keeping up with needs, and the state will need new ideas to generate revenue. Poll: What Utahns think about new President Joe Biden - A slight majority of Utahns don't think much of President Joe Biden. Utahn among those President Trump pardons on way out the door Lynn W. Barney was sentenced to 35 months in federal prison for possessing a gun after previously being convicted of a felony. This pardon is supported by Sen. Mike Lee, as well as numerous notable members of the Utah business community.

Salt Lake Tribune

Did the pandemic kill Salt Lake City's gold-coated steak? What this restaurant is doing to survive. - Transformed inside and out, La Trattoria di Francesco serves simplified food that's still luxurious but won't break the bank. Gov. Spencer Cox tells Utahns to be 'fearless in examining our flaws' - In his first State of the State address, the new governor also alerts lawmakers that he's ready to use his veto pen. Senate committee recommends bill to 'raise the bar' on use of gang enhancement penalties - The proposal would ensure the law applies primarily to violent offenses against people - not in cases like when protesters spread paint on a street in July. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman to lead the state's business-promoting World Trade Center - Officials say the former ambassador is "uniquely qualified" to promote the Beehive State on a world stage. Special report: Lawmaker's firm squeezes thousands from renters months after evictions - The Utah Investigative Journalism Project reviewed more than 1,000 eviction cases, among them 390 cases in which the Cullimore firm later sought to add damages to old evictions. Sen. Mike Lee pushes against gas tax hike with transportation nominee Pete Buttigieg - Lee says the gas tax hits poor families hardest.

Other

Pres. Biden extends student loan payment deferral; Financial counselor suggests people plan for future (FOX 13) - "Start preparing now, it's not often that we get extensions on due dates," Utah Pride conference teaches schools how to be LGTBQIA friendly (FOX 13) - This weekend's "Pride, Not Prejudice" conference will explore how to create an inclusive environment for students. Future of the Utah GOP 'without Trump' (FOX 13) - As many Utah delegates in Washington D.C. call for unification, Utah County Commissioner Tanner Ainge said Republicans need to forget about former President Donald Trump and the past four years.

COVID Corner

Dr. Anthony Fauci says he feels liberated to speak freely about science, risk of Covid under Biden (NBC News) - In his first news briefing since President Joe Biden was sworn in, Fauci said that the new administration was committed to being "completely transparent, open and honest. Biden fires back at AP reporter over question about vaccine rollout goal: 'C'mon, gimme a break, man' (FOX News) - "When I announced it, you all said it was not possible," Biden told Miller, who asked is the bar should be even higher. New CDC director says Covid vaccine won't be in every pharmacy by late February (NBC News) - The new administration is determined to meet the goal of 100 million Covid-19 vaccine doses in 100 days, Dr. Rochelle Walensky said. However, the shots won't be available for just anyone in pharmacies, like the flu vaccine is, by late February Texas doctor charged with stealing a vial of Covid-19 vaccine (CNN) - Dr. Hasan Gokal is accused of theft by a public servant, a misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. COVID-19 claims longtime Utah County Sheriff David Bateman (Deseret News) - Bateman, who served the citizens of Utah County from 1973 until his retirement in 2003, passed away Wednesday at the age of 80 Coronavirus a 'national security priority' in orders signed by President Biden (Deseret News) - President Joe Biden is going to war with the coronavirus.

National Headlines

President Biden Quickly Rejoined Paris Climate Accord. Meeting the Emissions Goals Will Be Harder. (Wall Street Journal) - Some of world's largest economies are still behind on greenhouse-gas reduction targets, five years after signing the agreement 'We feel incredibly betrayed': Thousands of Guardsmen forced to vacate Capitol (Politico) - U.S. Capitol Police officials ordered them to vacate the facilities, sending them outdoors or to nearby parking garages after two weeks pulling security duty after the deadly riot on Jan. 6. Biden unveils Covid-19 plan based on 'science not politics' as he signs new initiatives (CNN) - It's based on truth, not denial, and it's detailed - the 198-pager is on the White House website. Editorial: Congress has to seize the moment Biden has given it to fix immigration (Los Angeles Times) - . A Democratic president proposing an immigration overhaul to a Congress in which not even the Democrats are unified means this will be a long slog. But Congress must seize the moment. Biden's covid-19 strategy should be applauded. Here's where it can go further. (Washington Post) - It needs to be bolder. McConnell seeks two-week delay for impeachment trial so Trump can form legal team (New York Post) - "Senate Republicans are strongly united behind the principle that the institution of the Senate, the office of the presidency, and former President Trump himself all deserve a full and fair process that respects his rights and the serious factual, legal, and constitutional questions at stake." Former president picks Butch Bowers, a South Carolina attorney, to represent him. - Bowers previously served in the Justice Department. Bernie Sanders' mittens inspire memes and a bobblehead (Chicago Sun Times) - Sanders' look went viral on social media, and from Twitter to Instagram, there was no shortage of hilarious reactions and memes spawned from his moment in the spotlight. Do Republican voters buy President Biden's message of unity? (BBC News) - They asked Republicans on their voter panel how they feel Biden's initial actions fit with the president's call for unity. Biden signs order to require masks on planes and public transportation (The Hill) - The order will mandate mask wearing on public transportation including in airports, on airplanes and on trains.

Policy News

State Auditor John Dougall releases updated "Transparent Utah" website
The Office of the State Auditor (Office) today announces the upgrade of the new Transparent Utah website. This new financial transparency site makes state and local government financial data readily available and is extremely responsive with easy access to powerful searches, charts, graphs, and detailed transaction browsing.Cox, Henderson, Congressional delegation and state officials criticize Biden's halt to energy leases
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Utah Sens. Mike Lee and Mitt Romney, Reps. John Curtis, Blake Moore, Chris Stewart and Burgess Owens, Senate President Stuart Adams, House Speaker Brad Wilson and Attorney General Sean Reyes issued the following joint statement in response to the Biden administration's action to suspend oil and gas leases on public lands:Business community releases new economic dashboard to track recovery as vaccine rollout begins
The Salt Lake Chamber's Roadmap to Recovery Coalition, in partnership with the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, has updated the Economic Dashboard for January to help business leaders know where Utah sits in the overall recovery. This tool tracks the state's path to a full and complete economic recovery from the pandemic recession and provides context to decision makers. Curtis, colleagues introduce bill to help Americans purchase face masks and more
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the first case of COVID-19 in the United States. Representatives John Curtis (R-UT), Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), and Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) have reintroduced the bipartisan Protecting Individuals and Families Act, which permits millions of Americans to use their health savings accounts or flexible spending accounts to purchase face masks to protect against COVID-19. The legislation would also permit individuals to purchase hand sanitizers to stop the spread of the virus using these tax-advantaged savings accounts.Jon M. Huntsman Jr. elected chair of World Trade Center Utah
Jon M. Huntsman Jr. is the new chair of World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah). With members and partners across the state, including the Governor's Office of Economic Development, WTC Utah accelerates growth for Utah companies and elevates Utah's global status to promote prosperity and build economic resilience.

Business Headlines

Johnson & Johnson plans to have 100 million vaccines for Americans by spring, board member says (CNBC) - "It's going to be challenging, but I think the supply will be there over the next couple of months to vaccinate even more than 100 million Americans." 'No Time to Die,' 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife,' 'Uncharted' among latest Hollywood film delays (CNBC) - As the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage in the United States, Hollywood is once again shuffling its movie releases. Amazon will open pop-up Covid vaccine clinic in Seattle (CNBC) - The one-day clinic, which opens on Sunday, has a goal of administering 2,000 vaccines to eligible members of the public. Bitcoin heads for worst weekly loss in months (FOX Business) - It has lost 11% so far this week, the biggest drop since a 12% fall in September. U.S. Unemployment Claims Remained Elevated Last Week (Wall Street Journal) - About 900,000 workers filed for jobless benefits as a Covid-19 surge slows economic recovery.

On This Day In History

(From History.com)

1871 - Justina Laurena Carter Ford is born. Shortly after earning her medical degree from Hering Medical School in Chicago, Ford became the first African American woman to obtain a medical license in Colorado. However, since all the hospitals in Denver denied her privileges, she opened her own practice. 1877 - Rosa Ponselle is born. She was a soprano who debuted with Enrico Caruso in 1918, sang with Baltimore Civic Opera after 1950 and mentored Beverly Sill. 1901 Queen Victoria dies after a 63-year reign. 1905 - Bloody Sunday Massacre in St. Petersburg, Russia, as a group of workers marched to the tsar's winter palace and imperial forces gunned them down. 1906 - Willa Brown is born. She became the first African American woman to earn a pilot's license in the United States (1938) - 17 years after Bessie Coleman earned hers in France. 1938 - Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" premieres 1946 - President Harry Truman signs a directive creating the Central Intelligence Group, the predecessor to today's CIA. 1953 - Arthur Miller's play "Crucible" premieres 1970 - First commercial Boeing 747 flight goes from New York City to London in 6 hours. 1973 - Former U.S. President Lyndon Johnson dies at age 64. 1973 - The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Roe v. Wade. 1984 - Apple's iconic "1984" commercial airs during Super Bowl XVIII. 1987 - Pennsylvania politician R. Budd Dwyer calls a press conference, then shoots and kills himself on live TV. That's messed up. 1997 - The United States Senate confirmed Madeleine Albright as the first female Secretary of State. 1998 - Ted Kaczynski pleads guilty to a 17-year stretch of package bombings. 2005 - Donald Trump marries Melania Knauss. 2008 - Heath Ledger dies of an accidental overdose. 2016 - Winter storm strands 500 motorists for 24 hours on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Wise Words

"The last foundational crack I want to address is that of contempt, tribalism and discord that has rocked our nation over the past few weeks. I have spoken of it often, but tonight only offer up a reminder of the oaths which those of us in this room have taken - to uphold the Constitution of the United States.

The Preamble of that sacred document announces that the purpose of the Constitution is "to form a more perfect Union." Judge Thomas Griffith has wisely stated that, 'When politicians and judges like us take an oath to uphold the Constitution, we commit to work for unity; we make a solemn pledge that we will not be agents of division. This vow to work for unity," he concluded, "is more than gauzy sentimentality or merely a call for civility in our public discourse. Instead, it is a studied and determined choice to work at union.'"

~Governor Spencer Cox, State of the State, 2021