It's Day 18 of 45. Bills today include homelessness services, crime victim services and behavioral licensing changes | | | 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 | Feb. 2, 2024 It's Friday and Groundhog Day - he predicted an early spring. You know what movie you gotta watch ð¿ Former Attorney General Jan Graham has died. She was the state's first â and so far only â woman to serve in that post. Also, a very happy birthday to Sen. Mike Kennedy! ð ð ð Three things to watch today: HB298 Homelessness Services Amendments by Rep. Tyler Clancy, requires the state and local councils to establish goals for making progress towards a functional zero level of homelessness, amends the requirements of a code blue weather event and much more. This bill will be heard in the House Government Operations Committee at 3:40 p.m. HB308 Crime Victim Amendments, also by Rep. Clancy, requires the Utah Office for Victims of Crime to provide a law enforcement agency with educational materials regarding sexual assault victims, creates a victim rights committee in each judicial district and more. This bill will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee at 3:40 p.m. SB26 Behavioral Health Licensing Amendments by Sen. Curt Bramble reduces the number of clinical hours an applicant must have to get some licenses, creates an alternate path to certain licensures and creates new licenses for addiction counselors. This bill will be heard in the Senate Business and Labor Committee at 3:40 p.m. On the Hill Today, Day 18 of 45 8:00 am: Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations; Social Services Appropriations 8:30 am: Public Education Appropriations 11:00-11:50 am: Senate floor time 11:00-11:50 am: House floor time
2:00-3:30 pm: Senate floor time 2:00-3:30 pm: House floor time 3:40 pm: House Government Operations; House Judiciary; House Political Subdivisions; House Revenue and Taxation; Senate Business and Labor; Senate Health and Human Services | | |
| | Construction Underway, Scheduled Operation: 2025 The Intermountain Power Project's transformational âIPP Renewedâ project is under construction and on track for mid-2025 start-up. The project includes new natural gas-fueled electricity generating units that will also utilize "green" hydrogen for long-term, dispatchable storage of renewable energy. There are currently 998 workers on site in Millard County, with 1200 expected during peak construction. Click here to watch construction unfold. For more information, visit www.ipprenewed.com | | |
Utah Headlines Legislative session Is an âoutside the boxâ proposal a solution to Utahâs child care crisis? (Deseret News) Proposal to sell state psychiatric hospital dropped (KUTV) Appropriations University of Utah requests $6.5 million to host presidential debate; vows it will be a âno flyâ zone (Deseret News) Top Utah business, community leaders ask Legislature to address child care crisis (Deseret News) State lawmaker requests funds to bring early earthquake warning system to Utah (KSL Newsradio) Private interests ask for more Utah taxpayer money to âroller fellâ forests, lobby against wolves (Salt Lake Tribune) Education Sponsors of state-funded school voucher program seek $150 million, more than triple last yearâs appropriation (Deseret News) Government Operations Opinion: Will a new Utah bill protect you against hidden tax hikes? (Deseret News) Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Opinion: This bill would make protecting children from obscene material the standard, not an afterthought (Deseret News) Opinion: Keeping kids safe online is important, but this bill is going too far (Deseret News) After her son was killed by his father, Utah mom urges family court reform (KSL TV) Justice Files: Attorney fought child custody bill but worked on deadly custody case (ABC4) Survey results show what Utahns think and know about domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment (KSL TV) Study reveals only 25% of Utahns believe domestic violence is a problem, hereâs what else it found (KSL TV) Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Is water being âsavedâ for the Great Salt Lake really ending up there? (Deseret News) You â Utah taxpayers â could end up buying a coal plant as legislators advance IPP plan (Salt Lake Tribune) As lawmakers chart Utahâs energy future, Dems want a seat at the table (KUER) Transportation Utah law prohibiting new drivers from having friends in car could soon change (KSL TV) Utah may increase DUI costs by up to 10 times or more (KUTV) Other Utah News Political news Gov. Cox to visit southern border in solidarity with Texas governor (Deseret News) Utahâs governor posted about Black History Month days after signing anti-DEI bill. The backlash was swift. (Salt Lake Tribune) PAC aiming to keep Utahâs current state flag issues demand letter to lieutenant gov (Standard-Examiner) Utah news Larry H. & Gail Miller Foundation donates $22M to Ballpark neighborhood project (Deseret News) Business/Technology Fed signals optimism but most Utahns not so positive on the economy (Deseret News) Crime/Courts Lawsuit accuses 'district wide failure' of special needs students in Alpine schools (KUTV) 'It's made our life pure hell': Utah couple sues social media companies over son's death (KUTV) Culture Utah universities, other organizations have many activities planned for Black History Month (KSL) The worldâs most famous YouTuber is teaming up with JustServe (Deseret News) Education Former Utah gymnasts testify in legislative hearing about abuse in sports (Deseret News) Utah universities gauging impact of new diversity, equity, inclusion law and changes it'll require (KSL) Gov. Cox said he didnât see evidence DEI programs work. Hereâs the data Utah colleges say theyâve given him. (Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Tech prepares to work with education board to implement anti-DEI bill after governor signs legislation (St. George News) Hundreds of Utah students actively work to prevent suicide in their schools (ABC4) Environment Curtis wants to help states impacted by neighborsâ wildfire smoke (Deseret News) Invasive phragmites are needlessly sucking water out of Great Salt Lake (Deseret News) Utah Lake Authority appoints new executive director, elects board chair and vice chair (Daily Herald) Health Preterm shift: Over 1 in 12 U.S. births now early as rates rise sharply (Deseret News) | | |
National Headlines General US job growth surges in January; wages rise (Reuters) New poll explores how Americans use social media (Deseret News) How to read the Roman numerals in Super Bowl LVIII (Deseret News) Here's why conspiracy theories about Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl are spreading (NPR) The American city with a message for migrants: We want you! (Wall Street Journal) Political news Doom spiral. The United States is dangerously divided. Is there a way back? (Deseret News) Sen. Lee continues to call for President Biden to get Congressâ permission before retaliating for strike that killed 3 U.S. soldiers (Deseret News) Child tax credit passes House, but road through Senate may be rough (Deseret News) With opioid deaths soaring, Biden administration will widen access to methadone (NPR) Neutralizing hard-liners, House Republicans using special process to pass bills (Washington Post) Election news Haley insists sheâs staying in the GOP race. Hereâs how that could cause problems for Trump (AP) Trump risks backlash as MAGA world zeroes in on Taylor Swift (The Hill) Andy Kim leads Tammy Murphy by double digits in NJ Senate race, poll says (Politico) Ukraine ðºð¦ Ukraine 'hits Russian missile boat Ivanovets in Black Sea' (BBC) Israel ð®ð± Israel says next target is crowded Gaza border city (Wall Street Journal) | | |
| | News Releases Utah House Democratic Leader Angela Romero on the legacy of Jan Graham In the wake of the passing of former Utah Attorney General Jan Graham, Utah House Minority Leader, Representative Angela Romero, reflects on her impactful legacy: âJan Graham, who served as Utahâs Attorney General from 1993 to 2001, holds a significant place in Utahâs political history as the most recent Democrat to occupy a statewide elected position. As a founding member of Women Lawyers of Utah, she tirelessly advocated for the rights of women in the legal profession. (Read More) Utah Senate Democrats on the passing of Jan Graham It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of Former Attorney General and proud Democrat, Jan Graham. As the first and only female Attorney General in Utahâs history, Jan Graham shattered barriers and paved the way for future generations of women in public office. At the time, Jan was Utahâs only and now the last Democrat statewide officeholder. Jan Grahamâs legacy is marked by her unwavering dedication to justice, particularly in the realm of domestic violence advocacy. Her passionate campaign to raise awareness about domestic abuse reached every corner of our state, breaking the silence and stigma surrounding this critical issue. Through innovative programs like Utahâs âSafe at Home,â Jan empowered children with the knowledge that abuse is never normal or their fault, offering hope and support to those in need. Her tireless efforts extended beyond domestic violence advocacy, as she led Utahâs in a landmark case against tobacco companies. (Read More) | | |
Upcoming Feb. 5 â Women in Leadership Executive Speaker Series: Healthcare, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, Register here Feb. 6 â Cache County Safe Child Parent and Community Training, Riverwoods Conference Center, 7:00 pm, Register here Feb. 7 â Women in Leadership Executive Series: Finance, 11:30 am-12:30 pm,Register here Feb. 8 â Women in Leadership Executive Speaker Series: Traditional Industries, 2:00-3:00 pm,Register here Feb. 21 â Women in Leadership Executive Speaker Series: Women Focused Organizations, 11:30 am-12:30 pm,Register here Feb. 22 â Understanding Utahâs Caucus-Convention System, with GOP Chair Rob Axson and Dem. Chair Diane Lewis, sponsored by Utah Women Run, 6:00-7:30 p.m., Register here Mar. 1 â Legislative session ends Mar. 5 â Caucus night Mar. 20 â Utah Foundation Annual Lunch, 11:45 am-1:30 pm; Grand America, Purchase tickets here Apr. 20 â United Utah Partyconvention Apr. 27 â State GOP and Democratic Conventions | | |
On This Day In History 1812 - Russians establish Fort Ross in California. 1847 - The first member of the Donner Party dies. 1848 - The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed, ending the Mexican-American war. 1862 - District of Columbia abolishes slavery. 1887 - Groundhog Day is celebrated for the first time at Gobblerâs Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. 1905 - Ayn Rand is born in St. Petersburg, Russia. She is the author of âAtlas Shrugged.â 1913 - Grand Central Terminal opens in New York City. 1915 - Ernest E. Just receives the Spingarn medal for his pioneering work in cell division and fertilization. Despite having a PhD, he could not find work in the US as a Black scientist so he moved to Europe to continue his research. He was held as a prisoner--of-war by Nazis after their invasion of France. 1935 - Raven Wilkinson is born. At the age of 20, she became the first Black woman to receive a contract to dance full time with a major ballet company. 1943 - The Battle of Stalingrad ends as the last German troops surrender to the Red Army. 2013 - âAmerican Sniperâ Chris Kyle was shot and killed at a gun range in Texas 2021 - Millie Hughes-Fulford died at age 75. She was the first American woman to launch into space that was not an astronaut, but a working scientist. She was a molecular biologist. Quote of the Day âIt's funny --- sometimes the strongest individuals feel the worst when events are out of their control, and they can't really be there for the people they love." âChris Kyle On the Punny Side Does anyone know a good Groundhog Day joke? I keep hearing the same one over and over again. | | |
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