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Local News Highlights: Daily Briefing
How to Sound Smart About Utah Politics for Wednesday July 20, 2016
Good Wednesday morning from Salt Lake City. Today is the 202nd day of the year. There are 164 days left in 2016.
The GOP nominates Trump. Utah tax collections end the year slightly ahead of projections. Clinton narrows her VP search.
The clock:
- Five days to the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia (7/25/2016)
- 111 days until the 2016 presidential election - (11/8/2016)
- 187 days until the first day of the 2017 Utah Legislature - (1/23/2017)
- 232 days until the final day of the 2017 Utah Legislature - (3/9/2017)
Ten talking points for Wednesday:
- Utah's tax collections "rally" at the end of the fiscal year to finish slightly ahead of projections [Utah Policy].
- Well, it's official. Donald Trump is nominated for president by the Republican National Committee in Cleveland [The Hill, Bloomberg].
- During the official vote, Utah's 40 delegates cast ballots for Ted Cruz, but the rules give all of Utah's votes to Donald Trump [Tribune].
- Here we go again. Donald Trump Jr.'s speech contains a passage lifted from somewhere else, but it's not as controversial as Melania Trump's speech problem because the speechwriter plagiarized himself [Washington Post].
- Of course, he did. Ben Carson goes off script during his primetime speech and links Hillary Clinton to "Lucifer" [Talking Points Memo].
- Two names have reportedly jumped to the top of Hillary Clinton's search for a running mate, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine [Washington Post].
- Wright State University pulls out as the host of the first presidential debate in September, citing safety and security concerns. The event will now move to Hofstra University in New York [The Hill].
- Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings hammers the Department of Justice for not turning over all the evidence in their possession as one of the reasons he decided to dismiss charges against former Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff [Tribune, Deseret News].
- Sen. Jim Dabakis says he may attempt a ballot initiative to privatize liquor sales in Utah [Fox 13].
- Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes is reportedly negotiating his departure from the cable network [New York Times].
On this day in history:
- 1945 - The U.S. flag was raised over Berlin as the first American troops moved in to take part in the post-World War II occupation.
- 1969 - Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first men to set foot on the moon.
- 1976 - The Viking 1 lander became the first spacecraft to successfully land on the surface of Mars.
- 2015 - Cuba and the United States restored full diplomatic relations, with the reopening of embassies in Havana and Washington.
Today At Utah Policy
 | Utah's Budget Picture 'Rallies' at End of Fiscal Year With a “rally” of the state sales and corporate income tax receipts this spring, Utah government’s final tax take for the fiscal year that ended June 30 should be about even – maybe $10 million extra in the road fund and up to $35 million in the black... |
 | 'I Have Questions with Bryan Schott' - Steve Boulay In this episode, Managing Editor Bryan Schott has questions for Steve Boulay, co-owner of Magicspace Entertainment, the group responsible for bringing touring Broadway shows to Utah.... |
| Podcast: 'I Have Questions with Bryan Schott' - Steve Boulay In this episode, Managing Editor Bryan Schott has questions for Steve Boulay, co-owner of Magicspace Entertainment, the group responsible for bringing touring Broadway shows to Utah.... |
 | Weekly Survey: What Will Bears Ears be Declared a New National Monument? Do you think President Obama will declare Bears Ears as a new national monument? Let us know your thoughts in our weekly survey.... |
| Salt Lake City Invites Residents to 'Transforming Together, a Guided Dialogue to Help Strengthen Police-Community Relationships Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski and Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown will participate in a public engagement workshop on Thursday, July 21st to foster constructive dialogue and address steps being taken to strengthen relationships between police and the comm... |
Policy News
| Farm Bureau Asks Court to Block Federal Overreach on Sage Grouse Preservation The Utah Farm Bureau Federation and American Farm Bureau Federation have asked a federal district court in Utah to overturn a host of illegal land-use restrictions hampering ranchers in the western states.... |
| Office of the Utah State Auditor Releases A Limited Performance Audit of Independent State Entity Transparency The Office of the Utah State Auditor today released its report titled: A Limited Performance Audit of Independent State Entity Transparency. ... |
| Sen. Lee Introduces The Voluntary Check-Off Program Participation Act Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Voluntary Check-Off Program Participation Act, a bill that give would give farmers and ranchers the freedom not to participate in Department of Agriculture check-off programs.... |
| Senator Hatch and Speaker Ryan Sign Bill to Combat Opioid Abuse Senate President Pro Tempore Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., signed critical legislation to address the prescription painkiller and heroin abuse epidemic sweeping the country.... |
| Rep. Stewart Secures $300 Million in Grants for Pediatric Residents Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) secured $300 million dollars for the Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program, to ensure that the next generation of pediatric physicians receive vital specialized training. ... |
| Summit County & Park City Bring Back Popular Rain Barrel Program The Utah Rivers Council is proud to announce the highly anticipated return of their popular RainHarvest program with Park City and Summit County. ... |
Local Headlines
Salt Lake Tribune
Op-ed: Not liking top of tickets? Create change from the bottom up
Editorial: Utah's air monitoring network must be made much more active
Utah's 'Never Clap' delegation needs to unify behind Trump, says state House majority whip
Utah GOP chairman: Hillary Clinton will unite the Republicans
Herbert fully backs Bishop lands bill after aide suggested setting it aside
Salt Lake City International Airport ranks No. 1 for easy parking, terminal access
Rolly: No 'traditional' marriage reference? GOP delegates balk at Utahn's platform push
Utah troopers on alert at - so far - peaceful Republican National Convention
Utah's Lee: GOP chairman owes Trump an apology
Shurtleff prosecutor keeping the heat on the feds
Trump's track record with women makes some female Utah delegates uneasy
Utah cast its votes for Ted Cruz, but they went to Donald Trump
Deseret News
Op-ed: Bears Ears: False choice vs. real solution
Op-ed: The future of American conservatism
Hal Boyd: Why Mormons and evangelicals may diverge on Trump and what that means
Richard Davis: Lessons of Pioneer Day are highly relevant today
Editorial: Building unity is a painstaking but worthwhile process
Editorial: Rep. Chaffetz' Mountain Accord legislation represents a positive breakthrough
Jordan board calls for special bond election in November
Site search for new homeless shelters still 'wide open'
Jay Evensen: Just be glad the convention isn't in Salt Lake
Did the Republican Party just adopt the 'most pro-life platform ever'?
Friction over Trump between GOP, Utah Republicans shown at convention's day 2
Other
Editorial: Utah's new drone law can save lives. But it also poses a risk (Standard-Examiner)
PCMR abruptly ends trademark bid, delighting opponents (Park Record)
National Headlines
Donald Trump claims GOP mantle (CNN)
GOP works to unify around Trump (The Hill)
Christie delivers Clinton 'indictment' (The Hill)
Top takeaways from Day 2 of the GOP convention (USA Today)
Wisconsin Residents Can Vote Without a Photo ID in November (New York Times)
Dems urged to retool their guns message (Politico)
Cleveland's peace holds despite protests in the streets (Politico)
Clinton closes in on VP choice: Kaine and Vilsack leading the way (CNN)
Meet the Muslim guy who took the convention stage and prayed for Trump (Washington Post)
Covered California's Two Biggest Insurance Companies Raising Obamacare Rates by 17% and 20% (Forbes)
Roger Ailes Is Negotiating His Departure as Chairman of Fox News (New York Times)
Wise Words
Pay Own Debts
"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world." Thomas Jefferson Brainy Quote
Lighter Side
Dumb Game
"The guy is going to be OK, but in California, a man playing Pokmon Go was stabbed. The man said, "It was terrifying, my lack of a life flashed before my eyes." Conan O'Brien Political Humor
