It's Day 42 of 45 and the last day for committee meetings. Also, Pres. Trump stopped all aid to Ukraine and imposed tariffs on 3 countries | | | 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. | | |
| | Wildlife Crossings Save Moneyâand Lives Utah sees around 7,000 deer-vehicle collisions annually, costing taxpayers nearly $138 million in vehicle damage and injury each year.
Luckily, research shows that overpasses and underpasses with associated fencing can reduce those collisions by up to 90%. But first, they have to be funded. While wildlife crossings are sometimes included in larger road projects, Utah needs dedicated fundingâfunding that would accelerate the construction of projects when and where they are needed. Learn More. | | |
Utah Headlines Legislative session Business & Labor Big changes could be coming to cosmetology licensing. (Deseret News) Legalized 'straw tests,' sin tax hike and proximity in Utah alcohol bill (Fox13) Utah lawmakers are considering commercial identity protections against AI (KUER) Criminal Justice Domestic violence advocates worry as Utah lawmakersâ budget doesnât fund strangulation exams (KSL TV) Utah Senate advances bill that would protect government employees accused of misconduct (Fox13) Education House bill calling for free school lunch for Utah kids receiving âreduced priceâ meals passes Senate committee unanimously (Deseret News) A âcleverâ way for universities to pay college athletes for playing sports?Utah lawmaker questions direct compensation legislation (Deseret News) Utah schools choosing panic buttons to comply with new law, one maker says size, reliability and function matters (KSL TV) Economic Development Utah leaders look to offer $3.5M ahead of Sundance's anticipated decision (KSL) âToo much of a power grabâ: New agency to govern Utah development will now need local input (Salt lake Tribune) Education Proposed amendments to homeschool law stirs mixed reactions (KSL TV) Government Operations Lawmakers debate the lieutenant governorâs role in overseeing elections (Deseret News) What will Utahâs election compromise mean for vote by mail? (Deseret News) Who should run Utahâs pre-election debates, an independent commission or elected officials? (Salt Lake Tribune) Here's what the Utah Legislature is doing on government transparency (UPR) Immigration As lawmakers weigh 10 immigration bills, the foe of one fears it'll hit legal immigrants hardest (KSL) Judiciary Senate committee passes bill to alter Utah Supreme Court appointments, but is change necessary? (Deseret News) Revenue and Taxation Gov. Coxâs promise to kill the Social Security tax appears dead in the water (Deseret News) Other Utah News Politics Why Salt Lake City is seeking to drastically change its zoning map (KSL) Kim Shelley nominated to lead Salt Lake City's public lands department (KSL) Voices: Where are the women? A century after Kanabâs all-female council, Utah still lags (Salt Lake Tribune) What could the tariffs on Canada, Mexico mean for Utahns? (ABC4) Utah Lisa R. Halverson: The Ukrainian people exemplify heroism, sacrifice and bravery. Americans should uphold their desire for freedom as our founders and framers upheld it for our forebears (Deseret News) As war rages, Ukrainians living in Utah hold out hope for their country's future (Fox13) Volunteer group makes Utah-to-Africa journey to bring much-needed medical care (Fox13) Biz/Tech Spice Kitchen Incubator helps launch woman-owned Dominican restaurant (KSL) Culture Figure skaters perform emotional tribute to those lost in deadly D.C. plane crash (Deseret News) Environment Meteorological winter is over. These were Utah's snowpack winners and losers (KSL) Utah division seeks Great Salt Lake research proposals (KSL Newsradio) Dozens protest firing of park service employees at Capitol Reef National Park (UPR) Methane mitigation industry battles climate change, creates Utah jobs (St. George News) Family How one mother set out to create a new motherhood narrative (Deseret News) Health Is changing the clock healthy? What science has to say (Deseret News) USU researcher focuses on keeping âforever chemicalsâ out of our water, food (KSL TV) | | |
National Headlines General Carl Dean, Dolly Partonâs husband of nearly 60 years who inspired âJolene,â dies at 82 (AP) Political news Hefty Mexico, Canada, China tariffs began Tuesday, and others are just around the corner (Deseret News) Canada and China retaliate after Trump's tariffs take effect (NPR) Exclusive: Fired US government workers with top security clearances were not given exit briefings, sources say (Reuters) Bill to ban trans athletes from girlsâ and womenâs sports teams fails to advance in Senate (AP) Linda McMahon has been confirmed as Trump's secretary of education (NPR) Ukraine and Russia U.S. pausing all aid to Ukraine, as European leaders promise to help (Deseret News) Hegseth orders suspension of Pentagonâs offensive cyberoperations against Russia (AP) Ukraine can hold out on frontline, Kyiv says after Trump's military aid pause (Reuters) Top Republicans say they want Ukraine deal âback on trackâ (Politico) Israel, Gaza, Syria Israel strikes Syria again as tensions rise (New York Times) World news UN food program closes its southern Africa office in the wake of Trump administration aid cuts (AP) | | |
| | News Releases UVU students to present recommendations on improving the housing crisis in Heber Valley After three years of research and interviewing Heber City residents, four groups of UVU communication students will present proposals of how to address the cityâs affordable housing crisis to the Heber City Council. Part of the proposals includes amending Heberâs Moderate Income Housing Plan and teaching residents how to work with the city council to achieve their housing goals Tuesday, March 4 at 4 p.m. (Read More) Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute launches research series on Utah-Federal government nexus As the federal government reinvents itself through significant policy changes and cost-cutting measures, the economic linkages between Utah and the federal government become more critical to understand. The Kem C. Gardner Policy Instituteâs data summaries on the Utah/federal government nexus help Utah decision-makers better understand these linkages. The first data summary in the series presents the Utah nexus for federal employment. (Read More) Legislature announces agreement with Judiciary on proposed legislation âThrough deliberate debate, thoughtful conversations and in a spirit of collaboration, the Legislature and the Judiciary have found a path forward that will make our government stronger and our state better. S.B. 203 Judicial Standing Amendments, S.B. 204 Right to Appeal Amendments, S.B. 296 Judicial Amendments, and S.J.R. 9 Joint Resolution Amending Rules of Civil Procedure on Injunctions will continue to be considered and debated by the Legislature, with a position of neutrality from the Judicial Council. H.B. 512 Judicial Retention Changes, H.B. 451 Judicial Election Amendments, and unnumbered bill file Judicial Officer Modifications, which would increase the number of justices, will not proceed through the legislative process at this time." (Read More) Statement from the Utah State Bar on HB 512 & SB 296 After a tumultuous legislative session, the judiciary and the legislature have come to an agreement related to HB 512 â Judicial Retention Changes and SB 296 â Judicial Amendments. The Bar is supportive of the Courtâs agreement. The Bar wishes to express its relief and thank the Legislature for withdrawing HB 512. The withdrawal of HB 512 preserves the independence of the judiciary and maintains the Constitutionâs separation of powers between our co-equal branches of government. (Read More) | | |
Upcoming Mar 4 â Pres. Trump to address a Joint Session of Congress, Mar 7 â Utah legislative session ends Mar 15 â Utah Women Run annual training, 8:00 am - 2:30 pm, Hinckley Institute of Politics, Register here Mar 22 â MWEG annual conference with plenary speaker Sharon Eubank, UVU, Register here Apr 24 â Giant in Our City with the Salt Lake Chamber, 6:00-9:00 pm, Register here May 1 â High school writing contest deadline with The Rostra: Applying the wisdom of the past to the problems of today. More info here Aug 7 â Titan of Public Service, Sen. Tom Cotton, with the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation, Grand America Hotel | | |
On This Day In History 1628 - England's King Charles I grants a royal charter to Massachusetts Bay Colony. 1789 - The first session of the US Congress is held. 1791 - Vermont is admitted to the Union as the 14th state. 1917 - Jeannette Rankin (R-MT) took her seat as the first female member of Congress. 1918 - First cases reported in the US in a deadly flu pandemic that eventually killed 675,000 Americans. 1933 - FDR inaugurated and Frances Perkins becomes the United States Secretary of Labor, the first female member of the United States Cabinet. 1936 - The first - and last - flight of the Hindenburg. 1966 - John Lennon says âWe (the Beatles) are more popular than Jesus.â Quote of the Day âWeâre half the people. We should be half the Congress.â âJeannette Rankin On the Punny Side I got thrown out of my local park after arranging the squirrels by height. They didn't like me critter sizing. | | |
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