Situational Analysis | June 25, 2021

It's June 25th and you know what that means. We are half-way to Christmas. ðŸŽ„😳

Be in the Know

1. Bipartisan infrastructure framework deal reached. Senator Mitt Romney was deeply involved in efforts to work across the aisle to reach a compromise. Here's a look at the behind-the-scenes work to make it happen. 

2. Rudy Giuliani's law license is suspended for "uncontroverted evidence" that he made false statements to the court that the election had been stolen through fraud.

3. There are still nearly 100 people missing in the Miami condo collapse. Rescue workers are picking through tons of rubble looking for survivors. It took only 30 seconds for two sections to collapse. 
4. Speaker Pelosi creates a special committee to investigate the Jan. 6th attack on the Capitol. It could have been bipartisan....
5. Absolutely gutting news from Canada, where another mass grave has been discovered at an Indigenous Catholic residential school - over 750 bodies.
6. And finally, some happy news. A customer in New Hampshire left a $16,000 tip after a $37 meal. The unidentified man said he wanted to something nice because they all worked really hard. ðŸ˜

FROM OUR SPONSOR

The Politics of Redistricting: As Utah leaders prepare to redraw legislative boundaries, what's changed since last time?

Watch Utah Insight tonight at 7:30 p.m. on PBS Utah for in-depth, comprehensive discussions about issues impacting the state. Utah Insight goes deeper than a sound bite, and leaves viewers more informed and better prepared to confront issues in their communities.

Utah Headlines

General

• ‘Unbreakable’: How Chaz Ah You recovered from mental health issues and injuries to emerge as a leader (Deseret News)
• The Taliban’s next targets. As the U.S. military withdraws from Afghanistan, we need a plan to evacuate our Afghan allies. (Deseret News)
• David Archuleta tells ‘Nightline’ he questioned whether he wanted to keep on living. The Utah native, ’American Idol’ finalist, returned LDS missionary said he tried to pray the gay away. (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Photo of the day: Salt Lake City opens a new permanent-housing complex for homeless (Deseret News)
• 'I'm hoping it inspires others': Park City mother of 7 honored after climbing Mount Everest (KSL)
• RECALL ALERT: Over 25K bottles of Plant Guru essential oils recalled. (ABC4)
• USU Space Dynamics Lab celebrating 25 years working with Department of Defense (Cache Valley Daily)
• Local youth historians to compete in national competition (Draper Journal)

Politics

• ‘We have a deal’ — Biden, with Romney on hand, unveils infrastructure plan. What might Utah get? Plan would include $579 billion in new money for roads, rails, internet and more — with no new taxes. Gov. Spencer Cox says state could put the money to good use. (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Defending the right to say something stupid. (Deseret News)
• Utah County adopts social media policy for officials, employees following records appeal (Daily Herald)

COVID Corner

• 462 new cases, 1 new death
• Months into the pandemic, the U.S. had six times as many cases as reported, an N.I.H. study finds. (New York Times)
• Nearly all COVID deaths in US are now among unvaccinated (AP)
• There's a huge gender gap in COVID-19 vaccination rates - almost 9.5 million more women than men have been vaccinated. Why the difference? (FiveThirtyEight)
• As demand slows, Biden administration will miss its vaccination goal of 70% of American adults by July 4 (NPR)
• The mRNA vaccines are extraordinary, but Novavax is even better (The Atlantic)

Drought/Wildfires

• Parched Dinosaur National Monument imposes new fire restrictions. No campfires, no smoking and no fireworks allowed. (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Gov. Cox joins ABC4 to talk drought, encourages Utahns to do their part (ABC4)
• Vendor tells of harassment, confrontations on first day of fireworks sales (KUTV)
• Fireworks industry threatens lawsuits over cities' bans (Fox13)
• Engineer explains how Utah water rights work during drought (Fox13)

Economic Development

• Triple unicorn status: Lucid triples value to $3 billion in just over a year, brings in $500 million in new investment (Deseret News)
• Orem offers small businesses struggling due to COVID, low or no interest loans (Daily Herald)
• 75 percent of student startups don’t survive post-college. Here are three that did. (Utah Business)

Education

• Iron County school board discusses bonds, budgets and critical race theory (St. George News)

Elections

• Rep. Mike Winder 'cautiously optimistic' about sponsoring a bill to use ranked-choice voting in statewide elections (KUER)

Environment

• New research shows dozens of abandoned oil wells near Utah national parks, possible risks (The Spectrum)

Health

• Why loneliness should be treated as a public health crisis. Infrastructure, stigma, ageism, education and inequality all contribute to the costly burden loneliness creates (Deseret News)

Housing

• ‘Hyper-, hyper-competitive’ — Salt Lake area housing market is white hot, but are Californians to blame? (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Utah County renters are now paying higher average monthly rents than those in Salt Lake County. What's driving it? Turns out it's NIMBYism and Silicon Slopes (Salt Lake Tribune)
• And, the rental housing crunch in Cedar City is driving SUU to ask students to please live with relatives. (Salt Lake Tribune)
• The Road Home opens new 65-unit apartment complex to get the chronically homeless off the streets (Salt Lake Tribune)

National Headlines

General

• George Floyd statue in Brooklyn defaced with white supremacist logo less than a week after unveiling. His killer learns his sentence today. (New York Times)
• In pandemic, drug overdose deaths soar among Black Americans (AP)
• Poll: 58 percent say Fauci should not resign, 42% think he should (The Hill)

Politics

• Biden quietly hit a milestone yesterday: He's confirmed more lifetime federal judges than any president has done in decades by this point in their first six months in office. (HuffPost)
• Critical race theory is the hottest topic on Fox News. And it’s only getting hotter. The concept, which has been around for decades, has been mentioned nearly 2,000 times on the network this year (Washington Post)
• Joe Biden basks in bipartisan glow, if but for a fleeting moment (Politico)
• ‘You don’t have to die in your seat’: Democrats stress over aging members (Politico)

Courts

• White farmer wins temporary halt to program for Black counterparts (NBC)

Elections

• How Donald Trump is already sabotaging one of Senate Republicans' best takeover chances (CNN)
• The Democrats are already losing the next election (The Atlantic)
• An election probe by Michigan Republican Senators found no widespread or systemic fraud in the 2020 presidential election. (AP)
• Pence, diverging from Trump, says he was 'proud' to certify election. (New York Times)

Energy

• Thermal-coal prices hit decade high amid gas shortage (Wall Street Journal)

Security

• Afghan government could fall within six months of U.S. military withdrawal, new intelligence assessment says (Washington Post)

Business Headlines

• How Amazon took a made-up shopping 'holiday' from zero to $11 billion in 6 years - more than Black Friday 2020 or Cyber Monday 2020. (Deseret News)
• Buddhist monk who built his Tokyo startup into Japan's top crowdfunding site seeks IPO in 2021 (Bloomberg)
• S&P, Nasdaq futures at peaks ahead of crucial inflation report (Reuters)
• Dow Jones futures rise as Nike surges; 5 new buys as Biden infrastructure deal fuels stock market rally (Investors)
• Microsoft wants Steam to be part of its new Windows 11 app store (The Verge)

Policy News

Katharine and Robert Garff honored as 42nd Giant in our City

Utah’s business and community leaders gathered Thursday evening at the Grand America Hotel to recognize Katharine and the late Robert Garff as the 42^nd Giant in our City for their ‘exceptional and distinguished public service, as well as extraordinary professional achievement.’ The award is presented by the Salt Lake Chamber, Utah’s largest and longest-standing business association, and is recognized as the most prestigious business award given in Utah. Read More

Senators’ joint statement and framework on bipartisan infrastructure deal

“Today, we’re proud to advance this bipartisan proposal to make a historic investment in America’s critical infrastructure needs, advance cleaner technologies, create jobs, and strengthen American competitiveness, without raising taxes. This agreement shows that the two parties can still come together, find common ground, and get things done that matter to everyday Americans. We are happy to have President Biden’s support, and will now get to work enlisting the support of colleagues on both sides of the aisle.” Read More

Reps. Curtis, O’Halleran introduce bipartisan wildfire mitigation bill in the House

Today, Representatives John Curtis (R-UT) and Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), members of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus, introduced the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Act of 2021, bipartisan and bicameral legislation to establish a commission of federal and non-federal stakeholders—including city and county level representation—to study and recommend fire prevention, mitigation, management, and rehabilitation policies for forests and grasslands. Read More

Sen. Lee expresses concerns about possible revocation of FTC 2015 Statement of Section 5 Enforcement Principles

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) today issued the following statement in response to an announcement that the Federal Trade Commission will meet to consider rescinding its 2015 Statement of Enforcement Principles Regarding Unfair Methods of Competition Under Section 5 of the FTC Act:

“I am disappointed to see Chairwoman Khan already moving to undo an important, bipartisan antitrust policy agreement. The FTC’s 2015 statement regarding unfair methods of competition received support from all three Democratic commissioners at the time, and marked a long-overdue step forward to clarify the scope of the Commission’s authority and the priority of consumer welfare in the application of the antitrust laws." Read More

Rep. Owens ACCESS Act passes the House Judiciary Committee

Today, the bipartisan Augmenting Compatibility and Competition by Enabling Service Switching (ACCESS) Act, led by Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04), Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), and Rep. Ken Buck (CO-04), passed the House Judiciary Committee. The ACCESS Act, introduced earlier this month, promotes competition online by lowering barriers to entry and switching costs for businesses and consumers through interoperability and data portability requirements. Read More 

Utah Taxpayers Association launches new report: How much does the typical Utah family pay in taxes?

The Utah Taxpayers Association has released a new annual report, titled â€œThe Beehive Family – The Tax Burden of the Bob and Brooke Beehive Family”. The report examines the annual tax burden that the typical Utah family pays based on current tax policy and tax rates.
The report, using the five-member Beehive family as an example, examines the state and federal tax burden across income, property, sales, and other taxes to help illustrate the annual tax burden of a “typical” Utah family. The report has been created using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and several publications by the Utah State Tax Commission. Income and spending patterns have been taken from both locally and nationally collected data. The Utah Taxpayers Association made the calculations using the most recent data available. Read More

Number of the Day

Deep Dive: Winning the political game - 10 tips for survival

By LaVarr Webb

It’s kind of embarrassing, actually, but I’ve been hanging around politics in one way or another for some 45 years. That’s probably longer than most Utahns have been alive. I really should retire. I’ve been either observing the political scene as a news reporter or editor or participating as a campaign manager, governor’s staffer or hired gun.

When I first covered state government as a young reporter, filling in for a veteran reporter on vacation, Cal Rampton was governor. He was a Democrat and the state somehow survived (and even thrived)! But he would be a conservative Democrat in today’s political environment.

Over the years, I hope I’ve learned a thing or two about politics. One thing I’ve developed is a healthy respect for those willing to put their names on a ballot to be accepted or rejected by their peers. Politics can be a very tough business. Politicians experience the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, as someone used to say about sports. It’s not all headlines and glory. There’s a lot of hard slogging and disappointment.

A number of years ago I shared my top 10 tips for political survival. With even a lot more wear on my sneakers, here’s an update to help politicians keep things in perspective:

1. Stay humble and teachable. Don’t ever get the idea that you’re invincible or indispensable. Over and over again, locally and nationally, I’ve seen examples of politicians so bloated with self-importance that they feel they can do no wrong. That’s when they’re vulnerable. If you ever start feeling you can get away with most anything, remember this: You’re one tiny act away from destroying your political career and perhaps your family and life.
2. Don’t take negative press personally. A few nasty news media hits make you feel like everyone is staring at you, everyone is against you. They’re not. Your world really isn’t falling apart. You’d be amazed at the number of people who haven’t seen the press reports, don’t believe them or don’t care. Your family, friends and neighbors still love you. Negative press comes with the territory. Put it behind you and go on.
3. Remember: Politics is a game. Actually, it’s not really a game. It’s serious stuff — taxes, health care, the death penalty and war. It’s momentous decisions that affect millions of people. But if you don’t maintain a certain gamelike mentality, it will drive you crazy and eat you alive. You can’t obsess and worry and fret. You win some and lose some. You do your best and go on.
4. Pick a few priorities and focus on them. Don’t spread yourself too thin. Civic-minded people often want to right every wrong and fight every evil. You can’t do it all, and you won’t be effective if you try. Be generally knowledgeable, but choose your targets. Specialize in a few areas.
5. Once you’ve made a decision, don’t look back. By the time most decisions reach your level, they are very close and very difficult, with strong arguments on both sides. But you have to make a decision and then be firm, be resolute. Fight for your position and make a strong case. Acknowledge differing opinions, but don’t waver.
6. Readily admit mistakes. When you goof up, and you will, admit it freely. We are a forgiving people. We don’t expect perfection. We know you’re human. But we don’t like hypocrisy. Never, never, never compound your error by attempting a cover-up. The cover-up becomes a much bigger story and will be much more damaging than the original infraction.
7. Spend your political capital. Take on some tough issues that will benefit your constituents in the long run. Success in politics is 50 percent of the vote, plus 1. You don’t need 70 or 80 or 90. Doing some hard things, even against public opinion, will win you long-term respect and support.
8. Communicate, communicate, communicate. Most political failures are failures of communications. Most political wins are triumphs of communications. I’m surprised at the number of politicians at all levels who are lousy at communicating. Getting your name in the paper once in a while isn’t enough. Except for a few top positions, here’s the reality: Most of your constituents don’t know who you are and couldn’t name you if asked. So you must constantly communicate, not just in election years. Be active on social media. Hold town meetings. Send a newsletter. Direct citizens to your Web site or blog. Give speeches to service clubs, chambers of commerce, etc.
9. Interact especially with three constituent groups. (A) Opinion leaders (business leaders, ecclesiastical leaders, mayors, city council members, planning commission members, etc.). Make a list and communicate/meet one-on-one and in small groups as often as possible. Take them to lunch, stop by their office, let them know what you’re doing and ask for their suggestions and advice. (B) Political activists. Party caucus attendees, precinct officers, state and county delegates, and neighborhood activists. Make a list and communicate with or meet with them regularly. Call them. Listen to them. (C) Active voters. It’s easy to obtain a list of active voters. Send them regular newsletters. Invite them to town meetings and events. Get their e-mail addresses and send them legislative updates. Let them know you’re listening and you care.
10. Be willing to walk away. Keep politics in perspective. Never let politics become so central, so dominant in your life, that you can’t leave it behind, either voluntarily or involuntarily. Other things are just as important or more so. Have a life outside of politics.
11. (bonus) Have fun! Political involvement is a great opportunity, a great experience. Enjoy every minute.

Upcoming

• Utah Democratic Party Organizing Convention  – June 26
• Securing the American Dream: A conversation with Tim Scott presented by the Hatch Foundation – Aug 11 @ noon. Register here
• Utah Foundation Annual Luncheon with Shaylyn Romney Garrett – Sept 23 @ 12 pm. Register here

On This Day In History

From History.com

• 1678 - Venetian Elena Cornaro Piscopia is awarded a doctorate of philosophy from the University of Padua, becoming 1st woman to receive a university doctoral degree or PhD.
• 1876 - Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer’s Last Stand
• 1903 - Marie Curie defends her doctoral thesis on radioactive substances at Université de la Sorbonne in Paris, becoming the first woman in France to receive a doctoral degree.
• 1950 - Start of the Korean War
• 1950 - “Miracle on Green,” one of the greatest soccer upsets of all time, occurs when a mostly amateur team from the US defeats the professional English team at the World Cup.
• 1954 - Sonia Maria Sotomayor, a US Supreme Court Justice, was born today in 1954. She has the distinction of being the third female Justice and first justice of Hispanic descent and the first Latina.
• 1976 - Missouri governor officially rescinds Mormon extermination order
• 1993 - Kim Campbell becomes Canada’s first female prime minister
• 1993 - Tansu Ciller becomes Turkey’s first female prime minister
• 1996 - Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia kills 19 US airmen and wounds nearly 500 others.
• 2009 - Michael Jackson dies at age 50.
• 2020 - The Dixie Chicks change their name to “The Chicks” to remove connotations of Confederate history.

Wise Words

"I do know one thing about me: I don't measure myself by others' expectations or let others define my worth."
-Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Lighter Side

“Speaking of New York, the state just suspended Rudy Giuliani from practicing law because of his repeated false and misleading statements about the election...You know you’ve crossed the line when other lawyers are, like, ‘This guy lies way too much.’”

— JIMMY FALLON

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