Former Rep. Brian King is running to be Chair of the Utah Democrats; Mayor Mendenhall has a plan to improve public safety in SLC | | | The Utah Policy newsletter is your one-stop source for political and policy-minded news. We scour the news so you don't have to! Send news tips or feedback to Holly Richardson at editor@utahpolicy.com. | | |
Situational Analysis | Jan. 17, 2025 It's Friday and Kid Inventorsâ Day. What you need to know Today is the 10th anniversary of former Speaker Becky Lockhart's untimely death from Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). Family and friends remember her as a strong leader, with a big heart and strong backbone. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson said she was brilliant, which also made her a bit intimidating, and Attorney General Derek Brown remembers her telling members of her caucus to "put on your big boy pants." Her husband, Stan Lockhart, remembers that Becky was actually an introvert who loved to quilt and watch English period dramas. Her influence still continues today. Rapid Relevance Former Rep. Brian King is running to be Chair of the Utah Democrats; Mayor Mendenhall has a plan to improve public safety in SLC; and Utah prisons have a new mail system aimed at preventing contraband On the Hill 12:00 pm: School Security Task Force 1:30 pm: Senate Education Confirmation Committee | | |
Utah Headlines Utah legislature Utah lawmakers hope to team with Trump in scaling back the federal bureaucracy (KSL) Utah lawmaker wants to add PDCD test to newborn screening program (KSL Newsradio) Other political news Sen. John Curtis questions EPA nominee on his approach to job, emissions (Deseret News) Utah prepares for Trump executive orders, and Coxâs plans for Trumpâs inauguration (Deseret News) Burgum says heâll work with Sen. Lee, Utah officials on federal lands issues (Deseret News) Should Utah state employees be able to work from home? Governor says isolation is ânot healthy,â confirms changes coming (Deseret News) Maloy seeks Antiquities Act changes as Utah monuments land in the spotlight again (KSL) As Gov. Cox sees it, Sundance should stay and not repeat Outdoor Retailerâs âmistakeâ (KUER) Utah 'A lot of people depending on this place for food.' Large fire claims beloved market in Kearns (KSL) âHazmat situationâ causes evacuation of Utah State University student housing (KSL TV) Biz/Tech/Economy Park City Mountain apologizes for strike disruption, offers discounts (Deseret News) Mass deportations could leave a hole in the Westâs service and agriculture economies (KUER) Crime/Courts 'A deep, deep tragedy': San Juan County man gets life in prison for beating, drowning girlfriend (KSL) Action Plumbing accused of deceptive sales practices targeting 'vulnerable' customers (KUTV) Culture David Lynch, renowned director of 'Twin Peaks' and 'Blue Velvet,' dies at 78 (Deseret News) If you love cheese, youâll want to try these three Utah-made brands (Salt Lake Tribune) Education Higher ed leaders seek opportunities, growth amid possible Legislature-driven disruptions (Deseret News) Utah school districts have more than $2 billion in investment funds (KUTV) 23% of Utah kids are missing almost 4 weeks of school yearly, officials say (Fox13) Tooele School District holds student safety records behind $6,651.05 paywall (Fox13) Energy Utah sues the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for obstructing development of small modular reactors (Wall Street Journal) Scott Sandall: Investing in energy innovation for a stronger tomorrow (Deseret News) Energy Dept. offers utilities like Pacificorp $22 billion to reshape U.S. power grids (Salt Lake Tribune) Cox wants cleaner energy. Why does this Utah agency want to fund a coal mine? (Salt Lake Tribune Family U.S. men, women and social networks: Study connects the dots (Deseret News) Amid inflation and mental health declines, Utah government studies how to best serve seniors (Daily Herald) Health COVID-19 increases the risk of chronic fatigue syndrome, U. Health study says (KSL) New report shows drug overdoses remains a major health threat in Utah (KSL TV) Cancer deaths are declining, but diagnoses are rising especially among younger women (NPR) Feeling cynical? Why science says 'hopeful skepticism' is a better option (NPR) Housing âBad newsâ for homebuyers: Mortgage rates hit 8-month high (Deseret News) How Salt Lake City plans to tackle crime and homelessness (Deseret News) More volunteers needed for Utah homeless count at end of the month (KSL) Local leaders, business owners take wait-and-see approach to new Salt Lake City plan (Fox13) | | |
National news General Is America ready for millennials to be in charge? (Deseret News) US citizens will need UK Electronic Travel Authorization starting January 2025 (Deseret News) Bezos' Blue Origin reaches orbit in first New Glenn launch, misses booster landing (Reuters) âMr. Baseballâ Bob Uecker, Brewers announcer, dies at 90 (AP) A woman invented the rape kit. So why was a man given credit for it? (NPR) Politics Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump and the hope of a hostage release (Deseret News) 3 Hollywood stars will now be Trumpâs âeyes and earsâ in Hollywood (Deseret News) Biden sets record by commuting sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted on nonviolent drug charges (AP) In a first, China will send vice president to Trumpâs inauguration (Washington Post) Senate GOP rejects House conservative pitch on corporate tax rates (The Hill) Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will replace Rubio in the Senate (The Hill) Johnson gives House Intel a MAGA makeover (Politico) Ukraine/Russia Three Navalny lawyers sentenced to years in Russian penal colony for 'extremist activity' (Reuters) Trump the saviour? Anxious Ukrainians question president's power to end war (Reuters) Israel/Gaza Israeli security cabinet recommends Gaza ceasefire deal (Reuters) After 15 Months of War, Gazans Dream of Returning Home (New York Times) World news China's population falls for a third consecutive year (Reuters) Women-centered Celtic society unearthed in 2,000-year-old cemetery (Washington Post) | | |
| | News Releases Sutherland releases survey data on 2025 election reforms Sutherland Institute released new survey data highlighting Utah votersâ perspectives on possible election reforms. Highlights from the Sutherland/Y2 Analytics survey data: 74% of Utah voters prefer to have the person overseeing elections be elected by voters, rather than appointed by elected officials and 87% of Utah voters are confident that ballots in Utah are counted accurately (Read More) Statewide need prompts Weber State to launch doctoral emphasis in psychiatric mental health Weber State University launched a new program this month to respond to a growing need for mental health professionals in Utah. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner emphasis is the newest offering in the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program at WSU. The new program focuses on training students to prepare for the PMHNP certification exam so they can be licensed as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, equipped to focus on mental and behavioral health. (Read More) Economic impact of Utahâs financial technology industry Since the Great Recession of 2007-2009, the financial technology (fintech) industry has transformed the traditional financial services sector and introduced innovative business models globally. A new report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute shows that in 2023, Utahâs 67 fintech companies created nearly 8,000 jobs and produced more than $1 billion in total annual wages. (Read More) Curtis and Zeldin discuss tailored solution for Utahâs environmental challenges During a Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearing on the nomination of Lee M. Zeldin to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) urged the EPA to develop fairer methodologies for measuring emissions in regions with geographies that naturally trap emissions, like the Uinta Basin in Utah. The Senator also engaged Mr. Zeldin on their shared history of bipartisan efforts in the House, where Zeldin was a member of Curtisâ Conservative Climate Caucus, a group of over 85 Republicans working to address climate issues through commonsense, market-driven environmental policies. (Read More) Utah Department of Commerce brings legal proceedings against âAction Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electric,â alleging gross misconduct and exploitation of seniors Utah Department of Commerceâs Divisions of Professional Licensing and Consumer Protection warn consumers after uncovering deceptive sales tactics and unlicensed work. The Utah Divisions of Professional Licensing (DOPL) and Consumer Protection (DCP), represented by the Utah Attorney Generalâs Office, have initiated two legal proceedings demanding substantial fines, consumer redress, and the revocation of the professional licenses of Connectionz Acquisition, LLC, doing business as Action Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electric (Action), and twelve of its associated electricians and plumbers for systemic lack of supervision and deceptive business practices. The agenciesâ actions stem from repeated allegations of misleading homeowners and exploiting vulnerable adults. (Read More) Maloy tackles monument overreach Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (UT-02) alongside Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02) introduced legislation to reform the Antiquities Act of 1906. The Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act would strip presidential authority to unilaterally designate national monuments and give that authority to Congress by striking Section 2 from the Antiquities Act. (Read More) Gov. Cox, President Adams and Speaker Schultz respond to Mayor Mendenhallâs public safety plan Gov. Cox, President Adams and Speaker Schultz release the following statement: âThe safety and well-being of all Utahns is and will continue to be our common goal. We are eager to see decisive steps taken to achieve that goal. We look forward to collaborating with Mayor Mendenhall, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County and all stakeholders to take meaningful action, implement the plan and restore public safety and confidence in our capital city.â | | |
Upcoming Jan. 21 â Utah legislative session begins Jan 21 â Prioritizing Life to Achieve Success at Work with UWLP, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Jan 23 - Designing Corporate Womenâs Networks, Initiatives, and Leadership Programs with UWLP, 12:00-3:00 pm,Register here Jan 27 â The Impact of Womenâs Health on Work and Life with UWLP, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Jan 29 â A Conversation with Pat Jones on Women's Leadership with UWLP, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Feb 3 â Building Bridges: Leading as Women in Local Government with the Utah Women and Leadership Project, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Feb 5 â Women and Policy, Strategy, Politics, and Change with UWLP, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Feb 10 â Gail Miller: Making a Difference with UWLP, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Feb 12 â Navigating the 2025 Tax Reconciliation Bill webinar with the Hatch Center, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, MST, Register here Feb 12 â Crossing the Divide: Making an Impact in Career and Community with UWLP, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Register here Feb 20 â BioHive Live, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Hale Centre Theater, Sandy, Register here Mar. 7 â Utah legislative session ends | | |
On This Day In History 1706 - Benjamin Franklin is born. 1893 - Americans led by Sanford Dole overthrow Queen Liliuokalani and establish a new provincial government with - surprise - Dole as president. 1910 - Edith Green is born. She became the 2nd woman from Oregon to be elected to the U.S. House when she won in 1954. She served 10 terms and was instrumental in passing numerous bills, including the Higher Education Facilities Act, the National Defense Education Act and the 1972 Equal Opportunity in Education Act, aka Title IX. 1950 - 11 men steal more than $2 million from the Brinkâs Armored Car depot in Boston. Only a small part of the money was ever recovered. 1961 - President Dwight D. Eisenhower warns of the increasing power of the military-industrial complex in his farewell address. 1964 - Michelle Obama is born 1977 - Gary Gilmore is executed by firing squad in Utah. 1994 - The Northridge quake rocks Los Angeles. 1997 - Ireland grants a divorce for the first time in the countryâs history. 2004 - âNapoleon Dynamiteâ is shown for the first time at the Sundance Film Festival. 2015 - Rebecca D. Lockhart, first female Speaker of the Utah House, dies. Quote of the Day âUsing your real voice might make you uncomfortable. It might make people around you feel uncomfortable, but until we make it normal for women to be heard, until we are heard for our ideas and not viewed as tokens, thatâs the price weâll pay. I, for one, have been willing to pay that price.â âSpeaker Rebecca Lockhart On the Punny Side You know Bruce Lee was fast, but he had an even faster brother⦠Sudden Lee. | | |
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