 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 - May 19, 2020Good Tuesday morning from Salt Lake CityTICK TOCK42 days to the 2020 Utah primary elections (6/30/2020)168 Days to the 2020 election (11/3/2020)246 days to inauguration day (01/20/2021)251 days to the start of the 2021 Utah Legislature (1/25/2021)Here are the stories you need to pay attention to this morning:
Thanks for subscribing to Utah's must-read daily political news rundown.If you know of friends or colleagues who would benefit from our daily news roundup, please encourage them to sign up for our newsletter. Today At Utah Policy Utahns say President Trump is doing a poor job handling coronavirus pandemicBy Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor President Donald Trump and the Utah State Legislature don't get good marks in their handling of the coronavirus, a new UtahPolicy.com/KUTV 2News poll shows.  Lawmakers have opened more than 100 bill files ahead of next January's legislative sessionBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor It's only been a week since lawmakers could open bill files ahead of next January's special session, but more than 100 pieces of legislation have already been requested since that time.  Republican Blake Moore launches TV ads in CD1By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Republican congressional candidate Blake Moore is the first out of the gate with television ads ahead of the June 30th primary election. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News
Salt Lake Tribune
Other
NATIONAL HEADLINESUmmm...what?!President Trump said Monday he is taking the drug hydroxychloroquine as protection against the novel coronavirus. There is little evidence that it prevents contracting the illness. Some health experts have warned that the drug could increase the risk of death among some patients with underlying conditions [Washington Post]. Fox News' Neil Cavuto warned viewers after Trump said he was taking hydroxychloroquine that the drug "will kill you" [Mediaite]. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took a shot at Trump's weight, saying the "morbidly obese" president should not be taking hydroxychloroquine [CNN]. Promising vaccine trialBiotech company Moderna said they have seen positive early results from their COVID-19 vaccine [CNN]. Immunity?Researchers are finding evidence that patients who test positive for the coronavirus after recovering are not capable of spreading the infection to others, and could have antibodies that prevent them from getting sick again [Bloomberg]. Trump threatens WHOPresident Trump threatened to permanently end funding for the World Health Organization if it did not "commit to substantive improvements within the next 30 days" [New York Times]. Inspector general-gatePresident Trump said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asked him to fire the state department's inspector general [Bloomberg]. A report says the state department inspector general had nearly completed an investigation into Secretary Pompeo's approval of millions of dollars in arms sales to Saudi Arabia [CNBC]. Secretary Pompeo claimed Monday he was not aware the state department's inspector general was investigating allegations he ordered staffers to do personal errands before he asked President Trump to fire him [Washington Post]. Stocks soarThe Dow jumped more than 900 points in its best day since April [CNBC]. European recovery plansGerman chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a $543 billion fund to drive Europe's recovery from the coronavirus [Yahoo!]. Economy31 percent of small and medium-sized businesses have stopped operating in the last three months as well as 52 percent of personal businesses [Morning Brew]. Uber cut 3,000 jobs and shut down 45 offices [Wall Street Journal]. J.C. Penney says it will close 242 stores as part of its bankruptcy [USA Today]. BUSINESS HEADLINES
Policy News Utah Economic Task Force town hall: What's new in Utah leads together 3.0?The Utah Economic Task Force will host a virtual town hall on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. MST to discuss the soon to be released Utah Leads Together 3.0 and EDCUtah's recent business impact survey, as well as provide an update on the retail industry in Utah. Utah 'AAA' credit rating affirmed, state saves taxpayer dollars on infrastructure during pandemic Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and Treasurer David Damschen announced that S&P Global, Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings have reaffirmed Utah's AAA credit rating the highest rating a state can receive. Salt Lake City takes new action on 'Tech Lake City', hiring Clark Cahoon to oversee technology and innovation strategy Salt Lake City is ripe to develop a pipeline of new tech and life science startup businesses and amplify the culture of tech that already calls the capital city home. And now more than ever, it is time to imagine and build a more sustainable economy to benefit all city residents. Since her first day in office, Mayor Erin Mendenhall and her administration have been working on the 'Tech Lake City' initiative, a plan that calls for attracting more innovation and tech talent to our City. More National Headlines
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1536 - Anne Boleyn, the second wife of England's King Henry VIII, was beheaded after being convicted of adultery. 1588 - The Spanish Armada, assembled to invade England, set sail from Lisbon. 1848 - Mexico ratifies the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the war and ceding California, Nevada, Utah and parts of four other modern-day states to the United States for $15 million. 1962 - Actress Marilyn Monroe performed a sultry rendition of "Happy Birthday" for President John F. Kennedy during a fundraiser at New York's Madison Square Garden. 1992 - The 27th Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits Congress from giving itself midterm pay raises, went into effect. Wise WordsReputation "Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company." George Washington Lighter SideWindow "This was a scary hearing today. Dr. Bright warned us that the window is closing to address the pandemic. And, you know, unless that window is a drive-through window at KFC, there's no way Trump's even going to bother." - JIMMY KIMMEL Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
Unsubscribe | Update your profile | 157 W 200 S, Springville, UT 84663
