Situational Analysis | July 29, 2021

Hi there, Thursday. It's National Intern Day - a big shout-out to all of you out there who help keep the trains running in so many way. (And who get to answer all the angry phone calls coming in to your offices...😳) 

Be in the Know

1. The bipartisan infrastructure deal is on the move in DC. Utah's Senators are mixed in their support, with Senator Romney one of its key architects and Senator Lee in opposition. The bill is just beginning the process of becoming law, but the 67-32 vote was a big breakthrough, with both sides compromising to forge a consensus.

2. The first American woman to win gold in fencing, Lee Kiefer, is also a third-year medical student. She spent most of last year waking up at 5 a.m. and going to work during the worst days of the pandemic. She practices fencing with her husband, Gerek Meinhardt, also a medical student and also an Olympic fencer. 

3.  Senator Lee and Representative Curtis have introduced legislation to rename the Provo Vet Center in Orem, Utah after Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen, the “Candy Bomber.” The rest of the Utah delegation has signed on as co-sponsors

FROM OUR SPONSOR

Friday at 7:30 PM | On the next Utah Insight, how Utah educators are working to close education's digital divide.  Watch Utah Insight on PBS Utah for in-depth comprehensive discussions about issues impacting the state.

Utah Headlines

General

• Lessons of compassion and patience: 97-year old Macy Burgin continues her mission for history (Sanpete Messenger)
• Terry Marasco: Critical race theory is not the issue. Ignorance of U.S. history is. (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Attorney under scrutiny for alleged #DezNat Twitter account is no longer employed by Alaska’s Department of Law (Deseret News)
• Is this state ready to host another Olympics? Sen. Mitt Romney says ‘the sooner, the better’ (Deseret News)
• Dust storm that killed 8 on I-15 is the second deadliest storm in Utah since 1950 (Fox13)
• Zion shuttle drivers quit over verbal abuse over masks, Bryce Canyon shuttles de-escalated (The Spectrum)

Politics

• Romney, bipartisan infrastructure group reach agreement on $1 trillion bill. The largest investment in infrastructure in nearly a century passed a procedural vote Wednesday night in the U.S. Senate (Deseret News)
• In Utah speech, Florida’s Ron DeSantis mocks new CDC recommendation on masks (Salt Lake Tribune)
• State lawmakers prepare to order audit of Utah's parole agency (KUTV)
• Government 101: the budget process (Valley Journals)

COVID Corner

• 843 new cases, 6 new deaths, 3 million vaccines given
• Masks required again in Salt Lake City government buildings, mayor says (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Vaccine hesitancy declines among faith groups, spurred partly by religious appeals (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Romney: Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is pro-life. (The Hill)
• As Utah COVID-19 cases increase, Weber County Jail has a new outbreak (Standard-Examiner)
• Biden plans to require Covid-19 vaccine or regular tests for federal workers. The move, which could affect millions of workers, would represent the latest effort to address Delta variant (Wall Street Journal)

Drought/Wildfires/Heat

• Another heat wave is going to make us sweat our eyes off (Deseret News)
• All of Utah now under worst drought categories (Fox13)
• Drought threatens Antelope Island's herds as Great Salt Lake shrinks to record low (Standard-Examiner)
• Megadroughts, Pt. 2: The Present (Radio West)

Economic Development

• Avelo will begin flying in, out of Provo in September (Daily Herald)

Economy

• Southern Utah adding jobs even as jobless claims rise across US (St. George News)

Education

• Remote learning continues with new virtual elementary school in Salt Lake City School District (KUER)
• How Utah County's first medical school wants to 'flip education on its head' (KSL)
• SUU fires head volleyball coach 1 month before season begins (The Spectrum)

Elections

• Races narrow, primaries canceled as candidates drop out in Box Elder County (Box Elder News)

Family

• 'Caregiver compensation' for Utahns with disabilities, but the money could run out (Fox13)

Housing

• People have been staying longer in Utah’s homeless shelters during COVID-19 (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Murray City’s new ordinance regulates high-density projects (Murray Journal)

Local Communities

• Brighton Girls Camp: 100 years of love, unity and faith (Deseret News)
• ‘Real shock’: Iron County residents seek help preparing for future flash floods (ABC4)
• Upcoming Utah County Fair needs volunteer help (Daily Herald)
• Cache Valley Veterans Association cuts ribbon for new veterans resource center (Herald Journal)
• Guinness World Record broken in Murray for “Farthest Marshmallow Propelled and Caught in the Mouth.” (Valley Journals)
• Brenda Bartholomew proud to be named Gunnison Hospital CEO (Sanpete Messenger)

Service

• Know an outstanding volunteer? Nominate them for recognition at this year's Utah Philanthropy Day celebration. Nominations open through Aug 13. (Utah Philanthropy Day)

National Headlines

General

• Big Tech starts requiring vaccines; Twitter closes re-opened U.S. offices (Reuters)
• Survivors of California’s deadliest wildfire haunted as new blaze nears: ‘I can’t do it again’ (Washington Post)
• Pandemic aid programs set off a record drop in U.S. poverty, framing a larger debate over the role of government. (New York Times)
• What Simone Biles understands about greatness. In walking away from an Olympic event, the world’s best gymnast rejected the false dichotomy between personal well-being and professional excellence. (The Atlantic)

Olympics

• Medal count: US: 37, China: 29, ROC: 26, Japan: 25, Australia: 20
• An Olympic swimmer who battled COVID-19 twice is now a gold medalist (NPR)
• US trio puts NBA Finals behind, turns focus to Olympic gold (AP)
• Brody Malone was under the radar. Now he’s the future of U.S. men’s gymnastics. (Washington Post)
• Officials in Tokyo alarmed as virus cases hit record highs (AP)
• The doctor will stab you now. Lee Kiefer became the first American ever to win the gold medal in women’s foil fencing. She’s also in medical school, so she was waking up at 5 a.m. and going to work during the worst days of the pandemic. (Wall Street Journal)

Politics

• Bipartisan infrastructure deal advances in Senate. Roughly $1 trillion deal clears first procedural hurdle in 67-32 vote, above the 60 required (Wall Street Journal)
• GOP Sen. Thom Tillis writes that the Senate infrastructure deal is a win for bipartisanship, thanks to Sen. Sinema (NBC)
• Trump slams Romney, Senate GOP over infrastructure deal (The Hill)
• House Republicans refuse to follow new mask mandate, leading Pelosi to call McCarthy a ‘moron’ for his comments (Washington Post)
• GOP Rep. Clyde stands by comparison of Jan. 6 mob to ‘tourists’ when pressed by Democratic Rep. Raskin (Washington Post)
• Jared Kushner to leave politics, launch investment firm (Reuters)

Elections

• Poll: Most California voters want to revamp state's recall process (Politico)
• U.S. Justice Dept. warns states to tread carefully in auditing elections (Reuters)
• As Trump pushed for probes of 2020 election, he called acting AG Rosen almost daily (Washington Post)
• 'Blue wave' Democrats eye comebacks after losing reelection (The Hill) 

Environment

• Washington's oil lobby pivoted on climate change - and made no one happy (Wall Street Journal)

Infrastructure

• What will it take to defend public water from cyber attacks? (Governing)

International

• Leftist political novice sworn in as Peru’s president (AP)
• A Saudi official’s harrowing account of torture reveals the regime’s brutality (Washington Post)
• An Ethiopian road Is a lifeline for millions. Now it’s blocked. Aid workers say the Ethiopian government has effectively cut off the lone route into the conflict-torn region of Tigray, leading to a risk of mass starvation. (New York Times)

Policy News

Sen. Romney: Bipartisan infrastructure bill will deliver for Utah

The Senate today voted to proceed to debate on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, bipartisan infrastructure legislation negotiated by U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) and his colleagues, which would help Utah rebuild its roads, mitigate drought conditions, fulfill critical water needs, and prepare for and respond to wildfires. This historic investment is fully paid for and will not increase taxes.

“Several months ago, a group of five Republicans and five Democrats came together to see if we could find a way to find common ground on a true infrastructure bill,” Senator Romney said. “Today’s vote is the culmination of those many months of work, and it represents the way that Washington should work and the way America expects us to work. (Read More)

Utah delegation introduces legislation to rename Provo Vet Center after “Candy Bomber” Gail Halvorsen

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) today introduced legislation to rename the Provo Vet Center in Orem, Utah after Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen, the “Candy Bomber.” Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT), Burgess Owens (R-UT), and Chris Stewart (R-UT) joined as cosponsors of the legislation. The delegation also wrote a letter to the Chairman John Tester and Ranking Member Jerry Moran of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee in support of the name change. (Read More)

UAPCS says federal funding is for all students, should not ignore charter students

The Utah Association of Public Charter Schools (UAPCS) called on Utah’s congressional delegation, Governor Cox, legislative leaders, the State Board of Education and the State Charter School Board to support federal education funding for all public schools. That stance should be obvious, but this week House Democrats are scheduled to approve the FY 22 appropriations bill for “the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.” It currently contains language that would prevent any federal money from going to â€œa charter school that contracts with a for-profit entity to operate, oversee or manage the activities of the school” (see section 314 on page 165).

Likely every public school (district and charter) in America has at least one contract (most have MANY contracts with private companies) to “operate, oversee or manage” some part of the school. Public schools contract with for-profit companies for necessary, but ancillary services – banking, architecture, lawn mowing, legal, janitorial, bussing, etc. – so the school itself can focus on its core mission: teaching students. (Read More)

Congressional Olympic and Paralympic caucus co-chairs introduce resolution supporting Team USA and celebrating the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Today, Olympic and Paralympic Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. John Curtis (R-UT), Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI), Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) introduced a resolution celebrating the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Team USA.

On behalf of the caucus, the co-chairs lent their support to the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games for proceeding in a safe and secure manner, commended the Japanese government for hosting the Games, recognized the participating American athletes, coaches, and families, and affirmed their support for the goals and ideals of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. (Read More)

Sen. Lee rejects new irresponsible infrastructure spending

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) voted against the motion to proceed to the $1.2-trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act today. The full text of the large bill and its Congressional Budget Office Score are yet to be released.

Of new spending amidst growing inflationary pressures and mounting federal debt, Sen. Lee said, â€œWe are already seeing skyrocketing costs for things we need every day. Housing, food, gasoline, and electricity are all becoming more expensive in large part because the federal government keeps spending more money than it has. This inflation is making it harder to make ends meet and provide for our families. This spending risks our children’s future, but we are also feeling the costs now.

“What our state needs is for the federal government to get out of the way and let Utahns do what we do best – work hard and care for our families.” (See More)

Number of the Day

July is Disability Pride Month

By Holly Richardson

On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, ensuring that people with disabilities do not face discrimination in their public lives, including the ability to get an education, get and hold a job, have access to transportation and to all public and private buildings that are open to the general public.

Because of the ADA, July is Disability Pride Month.

Color me naive, but I did not realize it was “only” 31 years ago that the ADA became law. By the time this law was signed, I had been the mother to a child with severe disabilities for almost two years.

In the 20 or so years that followed, my husband and I became parents to a number of children with disabilities, both through birth and adoption. Some of our children’s disabilities are readily apparent, like my son in a wheelchair, while others are not visible but just as serious.

Earlier this month, our son Josh, who uses a wheelchair, had some complications with surgery. As a result, he needed his mouth wired shut and a tracheotomy performed, leaving him unable to speak. I stayed with him during the nine days he was hospitalized and was, frankly, dismayed at how many health care providers treated him as if he could not understand anything but the simplest of words — and only if they were said at high volume. He has no intellectual disabilities and no hearing loss.

I was truly gobsmacked when a hospital social worker asked me two weeks ago why I had chosen to “take him home” when Josh was born almost 27 years ago. After all, we had places for “kids like that.”

Excuse me?? What in the actual Hades? And, this happened the day after a different social worker told us our son would be going to a long-term care facility. Lack of sleep and a lot of mama bear probably made my response stronger than it could have been, because I said “Yeah, that’s not going to work for us.” She looked shocked. I was shocked that she was shocked.

I had some additional thoughts, especially on how we can all do better at supporting people with disabilities and those who support them. Head on over to the Deseret News to read them. Oh, and I have a diagnosed "disability" myself: attention deficit disorder, which I consider neither a deficit, nor a disorder. Just to be be clear.

Upcoming

• Securing the American Dream: A conversation with Tim Scott presented by the Hatch Foundation – Aug 11 @ noon. Register here
• Utah Foundation Breakfast Briefing: Mental health in anxious times – Aug 26 @ 9 am. Register here
• Utah Foundation Annual Luncheon with Shaylyn Romney Garrett – Sept 23 @ 12 pm. Register here

On This Day In History

From History.com

• 1833 - William Wilberforce, English abolitionist, dies at 73
• 1885 - The first National Convention of Black Women is held in Boston, MA.
• 1905 - Mary Roebling is born. She became the first woman president of a major bank (1937), first woman governor of the American Stock Exchange (1958-1962), and helped establish the first nationally-chartered bank founded by women (1978).
• 1907 - Sir Robert Baden-Powell forms the Boy Scouts in England
• 1921 - Adolf Hitler becomes the leader of the National Socialist German Workers (Nazi) Party.
• 1932 - Nancy Kassebaum Baker is born. She became the first female US Senator from Kansas, serving from 1978-1997.
• 1936 - Elizabeth H. Dole is born. A US Senator from North Carolina (2003-2009), she was the first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of Transportation (1983-1987), and also served as U.S. Secretary of Labor (1989-1990), becoming the first woman to hold two different cabinet positions under two different presidents. She was also president of the American Red Cross (1991-1999).
• 1954 - “Fellowship of the Ring” first published.
• 1958 - NASA is founded.
• 1974 - The Philadelphia Eleven are ordained as the first female priests in the Episcopal Church.
• 1987 - Ben & Jerry's and Jerry Garcia agree on a new flavor: Cherry Garcia. It's good.

Wise Words

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

-J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Lighter Side

I took part in the sun tanning Olympics.....but I only got bronze.

– Advertise With Us –

Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers.