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 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 bschott@utahpolicy.com, or message us on Twitter. Situational awareness - August 6, 2020Good Thursday morning from Salt Lake City. I hope your Zoom background is working for you. Keep your unmade bed out of it.TICK TOCK89 Days to the 2020 election (11/3/2020) Here are the stories you need to pay attention to this morning:
Today At Utah Policy Call to delay return to classrooms led to tense meeting between governor, legislative leaders and education stakeholdersBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor One day after the state's largest teachers union called for a delay to the push for Utah students to return to the classroom this fall, education stakeholders were summoned to a meeting with Gov. Gary Herbert and legislative leadership to discuss the situation. Sources with knowledge of that meeting say the ensuing talks were tense, but it was made clear that Utah schools would re-open for in-person learning this fall.  Weber County's lone Democratic legislator faces an uphill battle to hang on to her seat in NovemberBy Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott Editor's Note: UtahPolicy.com is reviewing several Utah legislative races this general election, with an eye toward those which have been close in the past in final vote counts.Democratic Utah House Rep. Lou Shurtliff, D-Ogden, is hoping for another "blue wave" vote this year as the veteran lawmaker tries to hold on to her old Ogden City seat she won back in 2018.  McAdams' campaign hits the airwaves in crucial 4th Congressional DistrictBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Democrat Ben McAdams is the first out of the gate with television advertising in what is expected to be a hotly contested race in Utah's 4th Congressional District.  Rep. Craig Hall facing another tough contest in HD33By Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott Editor's Note: UtahPolicy.com is reviewing several Utah legislative races this general election, with an eye toward those which have been close in the past in final vote counts.Utah State House Rep. Craig Hall is a moderate GOP lawmaker -- he may not like that title -- who often works across the aisle to achieve his goals.But while he may have Democratic friends in the House, the Utah Democratic Party wants him gone -- replaced by a Democrat who may just fit in better with his West Valley City-centered District 33.  Survey and report show health care as Utah voters' top concernBy Press Release Tax and Spending, K-12 Education, the Economy and the Pandemic Round out Top IssuesThe Utah Foundation has released What's on Utah's Mind: Voter Issues and Concerns in 2020. This report - the first release in the 2020 Utah Priorities Project series - outlines voters' top concerns. The project uses surveys to inform candidates for elected office, elected officials, civic leaders and others on voters' priorities. It draws from a survey taken before the coronavirus pandemic hit Utah and from a second one taken this summer.  The thankless job of a police officer . . . Utah 7th best at minority civic engagement . . . keep a journalBy LaVarr Webb, Publisher Rough time to be a police officer. As clashes between protestors and police officers continue in Utah, it's worth considering the difficult split-second choices officers have to make. I recently heard a news media interview with a black police chief in a midwestern city. He noted that most accusations of police brutality and improper police shootings come after an individual either resists arrest or runs away with a lethal weapon in hand. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News
Salt Lake Tribune
NATIONAL HEADLINESRepublicans press Democrats on pandemic stimulus talksIf Democrats won't compromise in relief negotiations, Republicans could walk away and rely on executive actions by Trump to provide aid (Wall Street Journal) (Washington Post). McConnell defends strategy as he faces GOP grumbling (Politico). Pelosi takes hard line (Politico). Cornavirus UpdateFauci says U.S. can survive COVID-19 without another shutdown (Politico). Early vaccine supplies likely won't be enough for everyone at high risk, meaning policymakers must decide who should be first (Wall Street Journal). Roundup: Experts call for rethinking of U.S. testing strategy; France & Germany record highest daily totals in months (New York Times). Education amid pandemic: America is about to start online learning, Round 2. For millions of students, it won't be any better (Washington Post) Beirut explosionAs smoke clears, shock turns to anger; 135 killed, 5,000 hurt, and hundred of thousands are homeless (New York Times). 2020 election updateTrump outraises Biden in July after falling behind for two months (Politico) OpinionThe atomic bomb saved millions, including Japanese lives (John C. Hopkins in the Wall Street Journal). 'I'm a nurse in New York. Teachers should do their jobs, just like I did' (RouteFifty). BUSINESS HEADLINES
Policy NewsPres. Adams and Speaker Wilson statement on COVID-19 auditSenate Pres. J. Stuart Adams and Speaker Brad Wilson issued the following statement regarding the Office of Legislative Auditor General's, a non-partisan office, audit and recommendations for COVID-19 test turnaround times in Utah: "Shortening the COVID-19 testing turnaround time is one of the most important tasks our state can accomplish in our fight against the virus. Improving COVID-19 test results distribution is paramount in controlling the virus.  Romney, Collins, McSally introduce measure to extend unemployment benefitsWASHINGTON-As negotiations continue this week on COVID-19 relief, U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Martha McSally (R-AZ) today introduced a measure to extend currently expired unemployment insurance benefits to ensure that unemployed workers receive them through the end of the year. The legislation allows states flexibility to transition toward wage replacement and would phase in lower payments over the course of the next five months. Last week, they introduced similar legislation that would ensure unemployed workers receiving federal benefits would continue to receive them for the next three months.  Sutherland Congressional Series features McAdamsThe Sutherland Institute continues its Congressional Series Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. with a discussion featuring Congressman Ben McAdams, a Democrat representing the 4th District, titled, "Fiscal Responsibility, Transparency and Accountability During COVID-19." Attendees are required to register online before the event to receive a Zoom invitation. REGISTER.  Love named Georgetown fellowFormer Utah Congresswoman Mia Love has been named a fellow of the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service. The fellows program allows Georgetown students to build relationships with professionals working in government, the media, and other political organizations. Each fellow is assigned a student strategy team to guide in research and political outreach over the course of the semester. The program begins in September and will be conducted virtually. More information HERE.  Stewart holds his annual Security SummitCongressman Chris Stewart will hold his Stewart Security Summit live on Facebook and YouTube on August 7. Today's challenging times both domestically and globally, will provide plenty of discussion material.This year's keynote speaker will be President Trump's National Security Advisor, Robert O'Brien. Among others, we will also be joined by House Budget Committee Ranking Member, Steve Womack."I hope you will join me virtually on August 7th, starting at 9 a.m.," said Stewart. "For event updates, follow me on Facebook and Twitter." More National Headlines
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1787 - Delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia begin debating the first complete draft of the proposed Constitution of the United States. Wise WordsSound Familiar "The civil rights of none, shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretext infringed." James Madison: proposed amendment to the Constitution, given in a speech in the House of Representatives, 1789 Lighter SideOld "No, he can't reschedule the election. For starters, both candidates are like 200 years old - I mean, we gotta keep things moving." - TREVOR NOAH Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
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