 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 - September 27, 2019Good morning from Salt Lake City and TGIF!Thanks for reading Utah's must-read daily political news rundown. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to sign up for our emails.Here are the stories you need to pay attention to this morning:
Friday triviaUtah has never elected a woman to the U.S. Senate. How many times has a major party in Utah nominated a woman for U.S. Senate? Bonus: Name those female nominees. The first person to submit the correct answer will get to ask next week's trivia question. Send your guesses to me via email at bschott@utahpolicy.com. Let's talk!We've started a discussion group on Facebook dedicated to Utah politics. TICK TOCKDays to the 2019 Utah municipal elections: 39 (11/5/2019) Days to the first day of the 2020 Utah Legislature: 122 (1/27/2020) Days to the Utah presidential primaries: 158 (3/3/2020) Days to the 2020 Utah primary elections: 277 (6/23/2020) Days to the 2020 election: 403 (11/3/2020) Today At Utah Policy Bob Bernick's notebook: Lawmakers tackle the tricky politics of tax reformBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor I've sat through several really interesting meetings of the special Tax Reform Task Force over the last month or so.  Utah voters say stricter gun laws, better mental health screening are the best ways to stop mass shootingsBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Just over a third of Utah voters say stricter gun control laws would be the most effective way to prevent mass shootings in the U.S. according to a new Utah Political Trends survey. Just over one out of every 10 said more guns in society is the best prevention.  Stewart: Trump's interactions with Ukraine had nothing to do with 2020 electionBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Rep. Chris Stewart said Thursday he does not believe President Trump urged Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 election by digging up dirt on former vice president Joe Biden, a potential rival next year.  Trade mission to Asia creates international trade opportunitiesBy World Trade Center Utah Last week, Gov. Gary R. Herbert led a delegation of 22 Utah businesses and organizations on a trade mission to Japan. Throughout the trade mission, in partnership with World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah), the delegation members participated in more than 60 meetings with business and government leaders.  Report: Water rates offer stronger cost transparency than property taxesBy Utah Foundation Utah Foundation releases Getting Clear on Water: Practical Considerations in the Tax Versus Fee Debate.  Stewart on whistleblower report: 'Where's the crime?'By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Rep. Chris Stewart said Wednesday night that he had read the whistleblower report that touched off the current impeachment firestorm in Washington, and doesn't see what the big deal is. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News
Salt Lake Tribune
NATIONAL HEADLINESAnother crazy day on the impeachment frontThe report from the unnamed government whistleblower alleges the White House tried to cover up President Trump's abuse of power by locking down access to the records of his call with the Ukranian president where he urged them to investigate Joe Biden [NYT]. Support among Americans for impeachment jumped 7 points from last week according to a new poll [Morning Consult]. President Trump said whoever provided information to the whistleblower is "close to a spy" and suggested punishment for leaking [NYT]. The acting director of national intelligence defended his decision to withhold the whistleblower complaint from Congress during a tense Intelligence Committee hearing on Thursday [Politico]. Democrats are eyeing a quick impeachment inquiry with an eye toward wrapping the process up before the holiday season begins [WaPo]. Vulnerable Democrats in the House are seeking advice from Speaker Nancy Pelosi as they try to keep up with the party's messaging on the impeachment effort [Politico]. That was fast! The whistleblower report is available as a 30-minute audiobook [Soundcloud]. Rudy Giuliani ragesThe president's personal lawyer gives an unhinged interview to the Atlantic's Elaina Plott where he says his dealings in Ukraine will make him the hero when the whole affair is over. "You should be happy for your country that I uncovered this," he said [The Atlantic]. Giuliani also claimed he was the "real whistleblower" because of his efforts to investigate Joe Biden and Ukraine [Politico]. White House secrecyThe effort to shield President Trump's communications with the president of Ukraine was part of a larger secrecy effort by the White House to limit access to Trump's dealings with other foreign leaders [WaPo]. Who is the whistleblower?The White House is said to have learned of the allegations made by the whistleblower shortly after Trump's phone call with the Ukranian leader [AP]. No government shutdown...for nowThe Senate passed a stopgap spending bill to keep the government open through November 21, setting up a potential ugly showdown over funding for President Trump's border wall right before Thanksgiving [WaPo]. For your radarU.S. economic growth slowed to 2% during the last quarter, which is sharply lower than the 3% growth rate from the last year [AP]. ClimateAn oil and gas industry lawyer says energy companies must accept the reality that fossil fuels are helping to drive climate change [WaPo]. Social mediaFacebook and YouTube say they will continue to allow politicians to say what they want as long as it's newsworthy [Recode]. TragicA new report says the suicide rate among military troops increased to its highest level in five years [USA Today]. BUSINESS HEADLINES
Policy NewsCasual Friday: Weekend Events & Outdoors ReportOutdoors Report--Salt Lake Tribune:BLM boss Pendley recused from Grand Staircase planning, but he remains listed as Utah counties' attorney in suit--KSL.com:Experience Naomi Peak, Bear River mountain range's highest point--KSL.com:How Utah's natural resource agency could make more $--KSL.com: Outdoor recreation created $5.5B in Utah. Here's how that stacks up with other states Ski industry leaders partner with Mountain Towns 2030 North America's four largest ski resort groups, including Alterra Mountain Company, Boyne Resorts, POWDR, and Vail Resorts, as well as other ski industry leaders such as U.S. Ski and Snowboard, Snowsports Industries of America (SIA), and Ski Utah, have partnered with Mountain Towns 2030 (MT2030) to help leading mountain towns develop net zero carbon goals by 2030. More National Headlines
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1777 - Lancaster, Pennsylvania becomes the capital of the United States for one day during the Revolutionary War after the Second Continental Congress evacuates Philadelphia to avoid invading British forces. 1908 - The first production of the Ford Model T automobile was completed in Detroit. 1954 - The Tonight Show made its television debut with host Steve Allen. 1964 - The Warren Commission report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy was released. The report concluded there was no conspiracy and that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. 1979 - The United States Department of Education receives approval from Congress to become the 13th Cabinet agency. Wise WordsPerspective "When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it."Henry Ford Lighter SideSnowflakes "He didn't need the brown face to make the costume work - he's in a full Aladdin outfit at an Arabian Nights-themed party. Nobody was gonna see him and be like 'Huh, white skin - are you the snowman from 'Frozen?'"- 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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