Some 43 million Americans are traveling this weekend, Utah's new Teacher of the Year and August's employment gains much weaker than expected | | | The Utah Policy newsletter is your one-stop source for political and policy-minded news. Send news tips or feedback to editor@utahpolicy.com. | | |
Situational Analysis | September 3, 2021 Happy Labor Day weekend! When I was practicing as a midwife, I consistently delivered a baby on Labor Day. I always thought that was funny. Speaking of babies being born this weekend, a very happy birthday tomorrow to Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson! ðð Be in the Know An estimated 43 million people will be traveling this weekend. We won't be among them, but if you are, be safe out there. My husband and I will be busy painting walls and rehanging kitchen cabinet doors. Utah Policy will be back in your inboxes Tuesday morning. Congrats to Mark Berrett Daniels for being named the 2022 Utah Teacher of Year! He is a theater teacher at Weber High School in Pleasant View. He received a check for $10,000 and will compete with his state fellow teachers of the year in a national competition. The US economy added 235K jobs in August, significantly below the 750K economists predicted. COVID's delta variant is seen as the most likely reason for the steep decline from July's 943K new jobs | | |
Utah Headlines General Fat Daddy's pizza is New York pizza in a nostalgic 80âs setting (ABC4) Meet Taylor Randall, the first alum to ascend to University of Utah presidency in 50 years (Deseret News) Important information here: The FTC is investigating McDonald's and why ice cream machines are 'always broken' (KUTV) Utah County Commission passes resolution on 9/11 anniversary (Daily Herald) âWe see a lot of people heading southâ: Caution advised as vacationers descend on Southern Utahâs roads (St. George News) Politics Governors, the pandemicâs early heroes, are getting torched for their handling of COVID-19 (Deseret News) David Cole and Daniel Mach: We work for the ACLU. Hereâs what we think of vaccine mandates: There are no civil liberties problems with requiring COVID-19 vaccines. (Salt Lake Tribune) COVID Corner 1687 new cases, with 413 in kids, 12 new deaths, including a Salt Lake county teen girl. After 223 excruciating days in the hospital, this COVID-19 survivor returns home. He has one message: get vaccinated (Deseret News) Students in Utahâs Tooele County will now have to mask up if thereâs a school outbreak of COVID-19. The new policy sets thresholds for what will trigger a 30-day mask mandate. (Salt Lake Tribune) Utahâs 2nd youth COVID-19 death is unvaccinated Salt Lake County teen (Deseret News) Utahns report frustrations and long waits trying to get tested for COVID-19 (Salt Lake Tribune) Vaccination numbers stall in Washington, Iron counties despite rise in COVID-19 cases (The Spectrum) A large-scale study by researchers at Stanford Medicine and Yale University has found that wearing a surgical face mask over the mouth and nose is an effective way to reduce the occurrence of COVID-19 in community settings. (Stanford News) Jeannie Gaffigan hosts panel urging Catholics to get COVID-19 vaccines (Deseret News) Economy IN FOCUS Discussion: Apprenticeship programs in Utah (ABC4) Study shines light on effects of COVID-19 on working womenâs health (Daily Herald) Ogden pie maker seeking jump from farmers markets to big time. (Standard-Examiner) Utah's defense industry has doubled in recent years, new report says (KSL) Education Statewide guidance on preferred names and pronouns in school up for discussion (Fox13) Environment Rocky Mountain Powerâs parent company wants to reduce carbon by 98% by 2050, but environmentalists say itâs not enough (Salt Lake Tribune) Jackie Biskupski: Utah leaders misspend public funds, abandon Utahâs youth for fossil fuels (Salt Lake Tribune) Health Caregivers gather for support while sharing tales of grief during pandemic (Standard-Examiner) Local Communities Residents, business owners left devastated after Wayne County flooding (Fox13) Service St. George area charities to coordinate 'Day of Service' for September 11 (The Spectrum) National Headlines General Idaho hospitals nearly buckling in relentless COVID surge (AP) At least 45 dead after Ida remnants pummel northeast (Wall Street Journal) Cleanup and mourning continue after Ida soaks Northeast US (AP) Hunted by the men they jailed, Afghanistan's women judges seek escape (Reuters) The NRA cancels its annual meeting again, underscoring the group's uncertain future (NPR) Politics Seeing danger, some in GOP leery of Texas abortion law (AP) DeSantis says he will 'look more significantly' at abortion ban after Texas law takes effect (The Hill) Texas Republicans got what they wanted. They might regret it. (The Atlantic) Voting data from a Colorado county was leaked online. Now, the clerk is in hiding (NPR) House panel votes to make it harder for retired generals to run the Pentagon. Lawmakers from both parties say they want stronger civilian control of the military. (Politico) China's new ambassador to the U.S. goes full wolf in first major speech. Qin Gang warns of âdisastrous consequencesâ if the U.S. seeks to suppress China using a âCold War playbook.â (Politico) Courts ISIS militant admits involvement in torture, killings of American hostages (Washington Post) Former prosecutor indicted over Ahmaud Arbery case, accused of helping shield suspects in fatal shooting (Washington Post) Elections Nicholas Kristof starts reaching out to staff for Oregon run (Politico) | | |
Policy News Public redistricting map drawing tool available The redistricting software is now available for Utahns to draw maps to submit to the Legislative Redistricting Committee. Utahns may submit map suggestions for Utahâs Congressional, legislative and school board districts. The Legislative Redistricting Committee is currently holding a public hearing to review how to use the map drawing software. A representative from Esri, the company that produced the software, is at the meeting to answer questions and give a tutorial. The committee also produced an FAQ guide on how to use the software. (Read More) Utah congressional delegation honors Orrin Hatch at United States courthouse naming ceremony Today, Utahâs federal courthouse in Salt Lake City was officially named the Orrin G. Hatch United States Courthouse as a tribute to Senator Hatchâs outsized influence in shaping and strengthening the judiciary. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) first introduced legislation to name the courthouse after Senator Hatch in December 2018. The bill ultimately passed both the House and the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law on December 21, 2020. The Utah congressional delegation took part in a virtual naming ceremony today to honor the Senator. (Read More) Major foundations announce support for the EDCUtah Center for Economic Opportunity and Belonging The Walton Family Foundation, the Jacquelyn and Gregory Zehner Foundation, and the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation have announced their support for the EDCUtah Center for Economic Opportunity and Belonging (CEOB). âEDCUtahâs Center for Economic Opportunity and Belonging provides a unique opportunity to partner with public, private and philanthropic institutions in support of Utahâs students, families and communities,â said Johannah Chase, Senior Program Officer at the Walton Family Foundation. âThe more people working together to ensure social and economic mobility for all of Americaâs youth, the greater the impact.â (Read More) Congressman Blake Mooreâs provisions included in Defense Authorization Bill Early this morning, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022, and many of Congressman Blake Mooreâs sponsored provisions were successfully included in the passed legislation. (Read More) Sen. Lee, colleagues demand answers from Biden on Afghanistan withdrawal Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and 25 of his Senate colleagues sent a letter to President Biden demanding information regarding the humanitarian crisis left by the withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan. Specifically, the letter requests information on the number and status of Americans, green-card holders, and allies who were left behind. (Read More) Rocky Mountain Power releases its Integrated Resource Plan to meet the power needs of its Utah customers through 2040 Today, Rocky Mountain Power released its Integrated Resource Plan (energy plan) outlining how it plans to meet the power needs of its Utah customers through 2040. The primary takeaway is a promising one: a 74% reduction in emissions by 2030 from their 2005 baseline. This is without question an important step in the right direction, but is it enough? Utahâs ongoing mega-drought and smoke-filled air from wildfires caused by climate change are taking an excruciating toll on our lives, and without bold and rapid action to reduce emissions, it will only get worse. (Read More) Romney, Klobuchar urge Biden administration to support the work of journalists fleeing Afghanistan U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) sent a letter urging the Biden Administration to help Afghan journalists resettle and continue working. Writing to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, the senators said, âas the Taliban takes over, there are concerns that given their long history of attacks on journalists, the Taliban will eliminate a free and open media and continue to suppress, imprison, and violently target the press.â (Read More) Owens joins letter questioning Education Departmentâs investigation of statesâ masking policies Yesterday, Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) and Education and Labor Committee Republican Leader Virginia Foxx (R-NC) sent a letter to Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona seeking additional information about the Office for Civil Rightsâ (OCR) decision to investigate five states that respect parentsâ choices on in-school masking. In the letter, the Members write: âUsing threats to infringe on statesâ authorities to protect students and ensure access to education is a gross overreach of federal power, so we are writing to gain a better understanding of the Departmentâs position on this topic.â (Read More) | | |
A tale of two senators: Lee & Romney are very different, but both need to shore up support By LaVarr Webb Mike Lee and Mitt Romney are both Republican U.S. senators representing Utah. But they hold very different views on key issues, and itâs worth considering both of their re-election prospects. Lee is up for re-election next year for a third term, and polling shows he has work to do to win majority support of Utah voters. Romneyâs first re-election (or retirement) comes two years later, in 2024, and he badly needs to work on his support among Republicans if he wants to win the GOP nomination. Lee was swept into office in the 2010 Tea Party uprising when voters were disgusted with big government and Pres. Barack Obamaâs agenda. Romney won election to the Senate in 2018 on the strength of his 2012 presidential run when he was the GOP nominee. As an adopted favorite son, he won big in Utah, though lost to Obama nationally. Lee and Romney make for an interesting pair. They do agree on some things. By outward appearances, they seem to get along personally. They are careful not to criticize each other. They sometimes issue joint press releases on Utah-related issues. They both deplore deficit spending and are both critical of the Biden administrationâs botched departure from Afghanistan. But Romney detested former Pres. Donald Trump (and still does) and voted to convict him in a Senate trial, while Lee was a strong defender of the president. Romney is a key champion of the $1.2 trillion bi-partisan infrastructure bill, while Lee has been an outspoken opponent. Romney is viewed as one of a handful Senate moderates who will sometimes vote with the Democrats on major legislation, while Lee is a strong, solid conservative who is usually a safe GOP vote on partisan legislation. Romney is greatly disliked by arch-conservatives, especially commentators on Fox News, while strong conservatives love Lee and he is frequently sought for comment on Fox News. Politically, each has strengths and weaknesses. Recent polling done by OH Predictive Insights shows Romney with a 49% favorability rating among Utah voters; Lee trails a bit with a 47% favorability rating. However, among Republican voters, Lee enjoys a healthy 65% rating, while Romney has support of only 49% of Republican voters. To win a general election, Lee and Romney will first need to win the GOP nomination (unless Romney should choose to seek re-election as an independent). Lee faces some legitimate challengers for the GOP nomination, although GOP candidates like Becky Edwards and Ally Isom are not well-known enough in this early part of the race to show much strength in the polls. Romney, if he seeks re-election, is also expected to attract some serious opponents for the GOP nomination. I wouldnât bet against either Lee or Romney in their re-election contests. If they win the GOP nomination, thereâs no Democrat who can defeat them. Certainly, they shouldnât take anything for granted, and they will need to campaign hard. A recent OH Predictive Insights poll showed Lee with 45 percent support among GOP voters, far ahead of his challengers. However, 48% of GOP voters were undecided, which isnât great news for Lee. Romney has time to boost his support among Republican voters. However, if Trump returns to the political scene and Romney remains a vocal antagonist, his re-election chances could be hurt. But incumbents have real advantages over little-known challengers. And itâs entirely possible Utah voters kind of like having both a strong conservative and a moderate in the Senate â even if they sometimes cancel out each otherâs vote. | | |
Upcoming "Celebrating Women" virtual conference by USU Extension â Sept 18, 9 am - 1:15 pm. Register here Utah Foundation Annual Luncheon with Shaylyn Romney Garrett â Sept 23 @ 12 pm. Register here | | |
On This Day In History From History.com 1783 - Treaty of Paris signed, officially ending the American revolution 1838 - Frederick Douglass escapes from slavery disguised as a sailor 1914 - Dixy Lee Ray is born. A marine biologist whose scientific papers and research on marine invertebrates led to public television programs, she was appointed to the Atomic Energy Commission and in 1976 was elected Governor of Washington. 1919 - President Woodrow Wilson embarks on a tour across the United States to promote American membership in the League of Nations. 1939 - Britain and France declare war on Germany 1944 - Anne Frank and her family are sent to Auschwitz concentration camp 1964 - President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Wilderness Act into law. The law paved the way for the conservation and preservation of wilderness areas across the country through the National Wilderness Preservation System. 1970 - Vince Lombardi dies at age 57 2015 - Chris the sheep breaks the world record for biggest shorn fleece (88lb) near Canberra, Australia Wise Words âWe didn't lose the game; we just ran out of time.â -Vince Lombardi Lighter Side The flight attendant on our trip was handing out plastic pilot wings to some kids. As I stepped forward, she jokingly offered me one, but I passed. Pointing to the Airborne wings on my Army uniform, I â¨explained, âThe last time someone â¨gave me wings, I had to jump â¨out of the airplane.â Col. David Jessop (Ret.), â¨Rineyville, Kentucky | | |
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