Utah Policy: Utah on track for highest number of wildfires in state history

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Utah Policy Daily Newsletter

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 Analysis - September 16, 2020

Happy Wednesday morning. Attend legislative interim committees today while straining your eyes staring at a computer screen.

TICK TOCK

8 days to the 1st Congressional District debate (9/24/2020)
23 days to the Utah gubernatorial debate (9/28/2020)
21 days to the Vice Presidential debate at the University of Utah (10/07/2020)
26 days to the 4th Congressional District debate (10/12/2020)
27 days to the day mail-in ballots can begin to be sent out (10/13/2020)
29 days to the 3rd Congressional District debate (10/15/2020)
33 days to the 2nd Congressional District debate (10/19/2020)
35 days to the Utah Attorney General debate (10/21/2020)
46 days to the 2020 election (11/3/2020)
126 days to inauguration day (01/20/2021)
132 days to the start of the 2021 Utah Legislature (1/25/2021)

Today At Utah Policy

Utah on track for highest number of wildfires in state history
By Staff
With six weeks left in Utah's official wildfire season, 2020 is estimated to see the worst wildfires in state history, state legislative leaders were told Tuesday afternoon.Certainly, Utah's fires don't compare to what is happening on the West Coast -- whole towns burned and the loss of life -- as Brian Cottam, head of the state's forestry and wildfire division told the Legislature's Executive Appropriations Committee. Webb's Wrap: Does federalism work in a crisis? . . . IPP goes to gas . . . Livermore honored . . . Ever see a utility guy cry?
By LaVarr Webb
In today's pandemic political environment, we're witnessing dramatic confrontations between levels of government. Do these battles demonstrate that the federalism model of government is an outmoded failure, because a united, coordinated response cannot be forged to fight COVID-19? Or, conversely, do these conflicts signal that federalism is alive and well because very diverse, very dissimilar jurisdictions and governments are properly fighting one-size-fits all mandates and centralization that don't take into account local and regional differences? Governor appoints new education policy advisor
By Staff
Gov. Gary R. Herbert has announced the appointment of Karen Peterson as his new Education Policy Advisor. Peterson has been serving as the Deputy Education Policy Advisor for the past five years. She has had extensive experience in both education policy and the legislative process. Peterson is also currently a member of the Clinton City Council.

Utah Headlines

Deseret News

Val Hale: Economic development is paying off for Utah - our defense industry proves it Sen. Mitt Romney suggests capping college athlete pay at $50K While some changes made, state facial recognition use remains unregulated in Utah 'Beautiful' Salt Lake airport awes travelers on first flight from new facility Utah's rolling average of new COVID-19 cases passes 500 for first time since July Utah's fiscal health good amid pandemic but could take a turn Utah lawmakers consider tougher penalties for protesters who break laws 'The vision of Pamela': 100 units of affordable housing open for Salt Lake City's homeless Poll: Only half of Utahns say they'd take FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine

Salt Lake Tribune

'Massive undertaking' underway as Utah's vice presidential debate draws nearer Salt Lake City's new $4.1 billion airport is now open, has a smooth takeoff Utah Gov. Gary Herbert's COVID-19 response approval slips below 50%, new survey shows Utah Legislature to study strengthening the state's riot statute Mike Lee says Google's anti-conservative bias is a sign it's a monopoly Preliminary report on no-bid government contracts finds poor communication between state officials Six months into pandemic, Salt Lake County reflects on past successes and challenges ahead Gov. Herbert's education adviser steps down

Other

Utah wildfire costs projected to reach record-setting $28 million (Daily Herald) Utah sheriffs want tougher criminal penalties against rioters (Standard-Examiner) State cites tighter use of facial recognition, but civil libertarians want more guarantees (Standard-Examiner) Park City will help decide who succeeds Rob Bishop in Congress (Park Record)

National Headlines

Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing (The Hill) Pelosi faces growing Democratic unrest over Covid relief (POLITICO) Bipartisan House group unveils $1.5 trillion coronavirus relief plan (Roll Call) The Democrats' Excessive Bed-Wetting Over Joe Biden's Campaign (The New Republic) Joe Biden's Latino problem goes beyond Florida (Yahoo News) Don't expect our elites to learn from the Los Angeles horror (New York Post) Protesters demand cops let themselves be stabbed or shot (FOX News) Time for Congress to Investigate the Performance of Health Care Executives (RealClearPolitics) Embalmed Woodward and desperate Dems reliving Deep Throat fantasies (Washington Times) A Purple Mountain Travesty in Waves of Tax-Dodging 'Conservation' (RealClearInvestigations) Sorry, solar panels won't stop California's fires (New York Post) Here's Why Joe Rogan Would Be An Excellent Debate Moderator (Federalist) The 7 keys to victory in the presidential race (The Hill) It Votes Biden Or It Gets The Riots Again (Federalist) The Media Learned Nothing From 2016 (Atlantic) A surprising Republican wave election could be looming (The Hill) Why the stability of the 2020 race promises more volatility ahead (CNN) Google faces Congress again, this time with Republicans taking lead (Washington Post)

Policy News

Stewart attends historic peace agreement signing
WASHINGTON -- Congressman Chris Stewart (UT-02) Tuesday attended the historic signing of the Abraham Accords at the White House. This peace agreement, brokered by the United States and signed by Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, will normalize relations and bring peace in the Middle East.Following the event, Rep. Stewart released the following statement:"It was an honor to attend this historic event. Today is a significant day for peace and security in the Middle East. I applaud the President for his leadership and for making this peace agreement a reality." Romney applauds peace agreements between Israel & Gulf Arab nations
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) released the following statement regarding the historic peace agreements between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain which were signed at the White House Tuesday: Utah Economic & Energy Summit is Oct 26
The Utah Economic & Energy Summit's hybrid event is happening in-person and virtually on October 26, 2020. Be a part of Utah's Economic and Energy discussion.The Summit includes morning and lunchtime plenary sessions, keynote speakers, award presentations, and morning and afternoon breakout sessions in three tracks: economic development, energy and global trade. We'll also honor Gov. Herbert's economic accomplishments since 2009. Treasurer Damschen recognized for service to National Association of State Treasurers
The National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) recognized Utah State Treasurer David Damschen during its virtual annual meeting with the Harlan Boyles/Edward T. Alter Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented to "a dedicated and committed public servant whose outstanding career in government has provided a respected voice for NAST at all levels of government." Weston holding policy conversation today on social justice
Congressional Candidate Kael Weston is inviting voters to participate in a series of weekly lunchtime conversations with him about urgent policy issues that require serious leadership and personally impact the people who live and work in Utah's 2nd Congressional District.

BUSINESS HEADLINES

Val Hale: Economic development is paying off for Utah - our defense industry proves it (Deseret News) Park City summer sales offer some comfort as Main Street businesses await the winter (Park Record) New high-tech Amazon facility to boost company's Utah workforce to 5,000 (Deseret News)

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

(From History.com)

1620 - The Mayflower sails from Plymouth, England, bound for Virginia in the New World with 102 passengers, half religious dissenters and half entrepreneurs.
1893 - The largest land run in history begins with a single shot of a pistol as more than 100,000 people pour into the Cherokee Strip of Oklahoma to claim valuable land that once belonged to Native Americans.

1932 - In his cell at Yerwada Jail in Pune, Mohandas Gandhi begins a hunger strike in protest of the British government's decision to separate India's electoral system by caste. Gandhi spent much of his life in passive resistance, campaigning for Indian home rule.
2013 - 34-year-old Aaron Alexis goes on a rampage at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., killing 12 people and wounding several others before he is fatally shot by police.