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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 | June 20, 2025

It's Friday and World Refugee Day!

Happy birthday today to Sen. Jerry Stevenson, tomorrow to Rep. Neil Walter and Sunday to Rep. Blake Moore! 🎁🎂🎈 

What you need to know

  • Gov. Cox's approval rating is up to 56%, 4 percentage points higher than in April of this year. “What I see in these numbers right here is that Gov. Cox has found his steady pace,” said Jason Perry, director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute.

Rapid Relevance

 

Everyone Plays

Two in three Americans — over 205 million people — play video games, and more than half are 35+. Everyone plays. Learn more and game on.

 

Utah Headlines

Political news

  • Head of Utah Department of Public Safety announces retirement (KSL)
  • Millions of acres of public lands in Utah eligible for sale under Senate tax bill (KSL)
  • Sen. Lee defends public lands sale provision in budget bill (ABC4)
  • Supreme Court sides with Utah in case over clean air regulations (KSL)

Municipal news

  • They fight and prevent wildfires in Utah's blazing summer heat. How one county thanked them (KSL)
  • 2nd sinkhole in days raises concerns in Holladay neighborhood (KSL)
  • Draper preserves additional 255 acres of open space in conservation easement (KSL)
  • State audit reveals Vineyard failed to report ‘substantial’ payments to developers (Salt Lake Tribune)

Utah

  • Windy conditions fuel rapidly-growing wildfire near Pine Valley, which is under mandatory evacuation orders (KUTV)
  • Salt Lake’s high of 103 breaks record set in 1940, fire warnings and heat advisories continue (KSL TV)
  • Man survives black bear attack in Utah; bear killed (KSL)
  • How one woman fell for a toll scam, and why Utahns need to be wary (Deseret News)

Crime/Courts

  • DA requests more time to review deadly ‘No Kings’ Salt Lake City rally (KSL)
  • Arturo Gamboa to remain in jail after SLCo District Attorney granted 3-day extension (Fox13)
  • Woman, 48, killed in Ogden stabbing; man in custody (KSL)
  • Utah judge now faces bipartisan calls to resign (KSL TV)

Culture/Community

  • Continuing Afa Ah Loo’s legacy, fellow fashion designers finish last design for upcoming wedding (ABC4)

Education

  • New state superintendent lays out education goals (KSL Newsradio)

Faith

  • Despite a decline in churchgoing, more young adults are reaching for the Bible (Deseret News)
  • Peacemakers wanted: Quotes from leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ and scriptures about being peacemakers (Deseret News)

Health

  • Maternity care deserts pushing Wyoming women to Utah for labor and delivery (KSL)
  • Teens with ‘addictive’ phone use more likely to be suicidal: Study (The Hill)
 

National Headlines

General

  • Karen Read's second murder trial ends with an acquittal (AP)
  • The great egg heist. 280,000 eggs disappeared from America’s top producer. Then came a ransom note. (Washington Post)
  • Juneteenth celebrations across the US commemorate the end of slavery (AP)

Political news - Trump

  • On Juneteenth, Trump complains about ‘too many’ holidays (AP)
  • How Trump, a self-proclaimed "peacemaker," embraced Israel's campaign against Iran (Reuters)
  • US court lets Trump keep control of California National Guard for now (Reuters)
  • Trump administration removing 988 hotline service tailored to LGBTQ+ youth in July (AP)
  • Trump is losing political ground on immigration (Wall Street Journal)

Other political news

  • Voices: Birthright citizenship is deeply rooted in Black American history, and it should remain in place (Salt Lake Tribune)
  • Trump’s megabill hits more trouble as Senate conservatives demand changes (The Hill)

Immigration/deportation

  • LA Dodgers say they denied immigration agents access to Dodger Stadium parking lot (Reuters)

Ukraine/Russia

  • Russia’s economy minister says the country is on ‘the brink of recession’ (AP)

Middle East

  • Trump says he’ll decide whether US will directly attack Iran within 2 weeks (AP)
  • Israel tests theory that war can't be won with air power alone (Wall Street Journal)

World news

  • What is the world’s most livable city? ‘Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen’ (Deseret News)
  • UK farm swaps milk for cow cuddles as floods and food prices take their toll (Reuters)
 

Number of the Day 

Number of the Day, June 20, 2025 (1200 x 1000 px)

 

Guest opinion: Reverse Biden-era tax penalty on America’s energy producers

by Sen. Derrin Owens

I have proudly served in the Utah State Legislature for ten years, and one of my greatest priorities has always been encouraging job creation in our state through common sense policies. The energy sector generates abundant opportunity in Utah, which is why we have worked hard to incentivize energy production, reform permitting, and unleash investment in the Beehive State. Unfortunately, a Biden-era tax policy is hampering progress on this critical front. The Promoting Domestic Energy Production Act would change that, helping bring good paying jobs to our state while decreasing America’s reliance on foreign energy.

While there are lots of ways federal tax policy could be improved to better incentivize energy investment, one area stands out. America’s independent oil and gas producers are currently subject to punitive tax treatment. Despite producing the majority of America’s oil and gas output, our current tax code is making it harder for these producers to invest in jobs and unlock energy production...

Right now, our Senate delegation in Washington has an opportunity to bring good-paying jobs to our state while decreasing our nation’s reliance on foreign energy. The Promoting Domestic Energy Production Act (S. 224) is an essential part of the solution, and I’m proud that our own Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) is co-sponsoring this bill. I urge our senators to fix this punitive tax policy against Utah and America’s energy producers in the Senate’s reconciliation package. By doing so, they can form a united front fighting for jobs, domestic oil and gas creation, and American energy security. (Read More)


News Releases

Victoria Petro named Executive Director of the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (UHCC) is proud to announce the appointment of Victoria Petro as its new Executive Director. A seasoned leader in nonprofit development, public policy, and community engagement, Petro brings more than a decade of experience advocating for equity, inclusion, and economic opportunity across Utah. (Read More)


USBE seeks public feedback on math standards

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) is seeking public feedback on the revision of the Draft P-12 Utah Core Mathematics Standards. These standards have been released for a 90-day public review period as of June 19, 2025. (Read More)


Gov. Cox names Beau Mason Commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety

Gov. Cox today announced the appointment of Beau Mason as Commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS), effective July 17, 2025. Mason will assume the role the day after Commissioner Jess Anderson retires on July 16 following nearly three decades of distinguished service to the state. (Read More)


Utah paves the way in AI governance – A national blueprint?

Utah is taking a groundbreaking, proactive approach to artificial intelligence (AI) policy, demonstrating that innovation and safety in this rapidly evolving field are not mutually exclusive. With the establishment of the nation’s first Office of AI Policy (OAIP) and the passage of landmark legislation, Utah is setting a national benchmark for responsible AI development and deployment. This model offers crucial lessons for federal agencies and other states navigating the complexities of AI. (Read More)

 

Tweet of the Day

Screenshot 2025-06-20 at 4.45.30 AM

 

Upcoming

  • Aug 7 â€”  Titan of Public Service gala with Sen. Tom Cotton hosted by the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation at the Grand America Hotel. More Information Here
  • Aug 12 â€” Municipal primary
  • Aug 19-21 â€” Interim Days
  • Nov 4 â€” General election
 

On This Day In History

  • 1782 - Congress adopts the Great Seal of the United States after six years of discussion.
  • 1867 - US President Andrew Johnson announces the Alaska Purchase that had been agreed upon in March for about 2 cents per acre.
  • 1893 - A jury of 12 acquits Lizzie Borden of murdering her father and step-mother in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
  • 1911 - The NAACP is incorporated in New York.
  • 1921 - Alice Robertson (R-Oklahoma) becomes the first woman to chair the House of Representatives.
  • 1924 - Minnie Spotted Wolf is born. In 1942, she became the first full Native American woman to join the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve.
  • 1975 - Jaws is released in theaters
  • 2003 - Jimmy Wales establishes the Wikipedia Foundation.

Quote of the Day

"People take issue with individual aspects of Wikipedia all the time. But it's kind of hard to hate the general idea of a free encyclopedia. It's like hating kittens."

– Jimmy Wales


On the Punny Side

Can February March?

No, but April May!

 

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