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 - October 20, 2020Welcome to Tuesday. Two weeks to go. What is most probable: Donald Trump wins re-election? Or BYU gets in the college football playoff national championship series? TICK TOCK1 day to the Utah Attorney General debate (10/21/2020) 2 days to the third presidential debate (10/22/2020) 14 days to the 2020 election (11/3/2020) 91 days to inauguration day (01/20/2021) 97 days to the start of the 2021 Utah Legislature (1/25/2021) Trivia Quiz Update Because exactly no one was able to answer my easy trivial question: "What Utah politician, who seemingly couldn't resist running for higher office, said, 'Whenever someone whispers in my ear I hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus'?" Here are some hints: This charismatic politician served in Congress and his son also ran for Congress. Besides running for Congress several times, he ran for the U.S. Senate twice and for governor once. Please send your answer by end of day Wednesday to lwebb@utahpolicy.com. Today At Utah PolicyUtah ranks third in 50-state ranking of economic fundamentals key to success in innovation-driven 'new economy'By Press Release WASHINGTON-There is a persistent divide among U.S. states when it comes to fundamental metrics of success in the technology and innovation-driven "new economy," yet Utah is far better positioned than most others. In fact, it ranks third in the 2020 State New Economy Index released by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the world's leading think-tank for science and technology policy. Webb's Wrap: Why can't Trump tone it down? . . . Tied in the 4th District . . . 2nd District debate . . . Is a write-in vote a wasted vote? By LaVarr Webb Well, it all comes down to the next two weeks. The intensity is building in a wild election in one of the most turbulent years I've ever lived through. I can't predict how the presidential election will turn out. By any conventional standard, Trump should lose badly. He makes unforced errors several times a day. He acts like he doesn't care about re-election. But every time he is declared politically dead, he miraculously rises from the grave. Guest opinion: Poor forest maintenance is a crisis; Romney fire plan could be 'game changer' By Michael T. Rains December 3, 2015, was my final National Leadership Council meeting with the US Forest Service in Washington, D.C. Chief Tom Tidwell spoke forcefully and eloquently about the need for immediate change in the way wildland fires are managed, and he concluded by saying, "I do not care what it takes, we will not have another year like we had in 2015." Utah HeadlinesDeseret News
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Policy NewsNFIB PAC endorses Cox for governorThe political action committee of the National Federation of Independent Business has endorsed Spencer Cox for governor. "Small businesses are very fortunate to have a candidate like Spencer Cox running for the state's top job," said Candace Daly, Utah state director for NFIB, speaking for the NFIB UT PAC, which made the endorsement. "He has the type of experience every state would benefit from having in all its candidates: the political know-how to get things done from his experience as a city councilman, mayor, county commissioner, state representative, and lieutenant governor. But what made the endorsement clincher for us was his experience running a business and, commendably, saving hundreds of jobs at his family-owned CentraCom while other businesses were slashing employment during the last recession. That more than says a lot, it says everything." Global impact projects with IsraAID As we encounter the daily health ramifications and anxieties of COVID19, how does this global pandemic affect those already enduring other humanitarian crises, such as conflict, forced migration, or hurricanes? Join World Trade Center Utah, Utah Consular Corps, Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, and Utah Valley University Global Engagement Office for a stimulating conversation on natural disasters and refugee crises worldwide, and COVID19's impact on populations affected by these crises. Nominations open for Eleanor Roosevelt Award Do you know a woman who is making a difference in the Democratic Party and the community? If so, then now is the time to recognize her. Nominations are now open for our 2020 Eleanor Roosevelt Award. Meet the judges: Casting informed votes in judicial retention elections As part of the Salt Lake Chamber's Meet the Candidates Series, we will discuss voting in Judicial Retention Elections on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 4 p.m.. There are 59 individual Judges on Utah ballots this year -- these retention elections are among the least understood issues voters are asked to address. BUSINESS HEADLINES
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY(From History.com) 1803 The U.S. Senate approves a treaty with France ratifying the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United State. 1962 The White House press corps is told Pres. Kennedy has a cold, but in reality he is holding secret meetings on the eve of ordering a blockade of Cuba. 1968 21-year old Oregonian Dick Fosbury wins gold and sets a 7 feet 4 and inches Olympic record in the high jump with his famous Fosbury Flop technique. 1973 Solicitor General Robert Bork dismisses Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox, starting the "Saturday Night Massacre." Wise WordsImpossible: "Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done." Robert A. Heinlein Lighter SideTough Question If con is the opposite of pro, then isn't Congress the opposite of progress? Jon Stewart (Reader's Digest) Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |