Plus, mental health takes center stage, the CDC is once again recommending masks indoors and how Utah can thrive in the new climate economy | | | 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 | July 28, 2021 Welcome to Wednesday. It's National Milk Chocolate Day. My favorite use for milk chocolate is probably S'Mores. Did you know you can make them quite successfully in an air fryer? No need for campfires. Be in the Know Mental health takes center stage at the Tokyo Olympics. It's OK to not be OK. "For decades, they were told to shake it off or toughen up â to set aside the doubt, or the demons, and focus on the task at hand: winning. Dominating. Getting it done." Now, athletes are beginning to talk openly about the intense demands on their mental health, a much-needed conversation. Utah Utes' Coach Kyle Whittingham also talked about the importance of athlete's mental health during the Pac-12 media day. "We try to make it a point of emphasis to our players that it's not a sign of weakness to seek mental health assistance. That's part of life. It's the same as being physically ill. If you need to get help, see somebody, there's no shame or no stigma attached to that." The CDC has gone back to recommending masking indoors, even for people who have been vaccinated. Good luck with that. Utah Diné Bikéyahâs entire 11-member board of directors attended boarding schools around the Four Corners as children. Now, they want to help the Interior Department review the federal policies that required hundreds of thousands of Native American children to attend similar schools. | | |
| | FROM OUR SPONSOR Friday at 7:30 PM | On the next Utah Insight, how Utah educators are working to close education's digital divide. Watch Utah Insight on PBS Utah for in-depth comprehensive discussions about issues impacting the state. | | |
Utah Headlines General Cedar City still assessing flood damage that displaced at least 200 SUU students (The Spectrum) Utah Lt. Gov. assesses flood damage with Cedar City, Iron County officials (KUTV) Salt Lake City companies offer incentives to attract new employees (Fox13) Derek Miller: Money is losing both value and meaning (Salt Lake Tribune) Politics Thousands of politicians, lobbyists head to Utah for three-day ALEC conference (KUTV) Why Sen. Mike Lee says the Supreme Court should overturn Roe v. Wade (Deseret News) COVID Corner 613 new cases, 7 new deaths, the most in one day since Feb. 23 Why Utah Sen. Mike Lee got the COVID-19 vaccine (Deseret News) As COVID-19 cases rise, CDC urges masks indoors, including schools (Roll Call) "We have people in their 20s, 30s, even 40s who are so desperately sick, and we're seeing all patients who are unvaccinated," Intermountain
ICU nurse Janine Roberts says about Utah's sharp rise of COVID cases & hospitalizations. (Reuters) This Houston hospital is reporting 500% increase in COVID admissions as fear of surge increases (ABC13) âMy hair is on fireâ: A Florida county's top health official warns of surge, quadrupling COVID-19 cases (WFLA) 'We are now in crisis mode': Mayor of Florida county home to Disney World sounds alarm on surging Covid cases (CNN) San Francisco bars saw a âsurgeâ of breakthrough covid cases. Now theyâre requiring vaccine cards to enter. (Washington Post) Evangelical pastor demands churchgoers ditch their masks: âDonât believe this delta variant nonsenseâ (Washington Post) Drought/Wildfires/Heat State fire officials pleased to see record low number of wildfires near Pioneer Day (KUTV) Economic Development âNot just high density housingâ: Pacificorp teases details on development of massive Rocky Mountain Power property on North Temple (Building Salt Lake) Deer Valley says âbeing good neighborsâ is a guiding principle for Snow Park development (Park Record) Education Fewer masks, but still some online learning. What will Utah college campuses look like this fall? (Deseret News) Housing Habitat for Humanity planned to build 20 homes in Kearns. Six years later, there are four amid complaints of slow, âshoddyâ work. One homeowner moved out, the remaining occupant family is disappointed, and the âentire community is very frustratedâ by what the mayor calls a âmess. (Salt Lake Tribune) Legal Turkish businessman arrested in connection with Box Elder-based scheme run by polygamous Kingstons (Herald-Journal) Mental health crisis worker charged with harboring runaway former patient, raping her. Edward Cann, a former West Valley City police officer, has been held without bail since his arrest earlier in July. (Salt Lake Tribune) Local Communities Extra Utah: Surviving (And Thriving) In Utahâs Hottest Town (KUER) National Headlines General Former senator Barbara Boxer was attacked and robbed in California: âHow can you do this to a grandmother?â (Washington Post) In excruciating detail, four police officers who defended the Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot testified to the January 6th Commission about the violence, racism and hostility they suffered. (New York Times) GOP Rep. Clyde defends comparing Jan. 6 to ânormal tourist visitâ during explosive exchange (Forbes) Biden plans to require federal workers to be vaccinated or undergo repeated tests (Washington Post) Olympics Medal count: US: 30, China: 25, Japan: 21, ROC: 20, Australia: 16 Simone Biles withdraws from the Olympic all-around gymnastics competition, citing mental health. (New York Times) The Tokyo games could end up being the hottest summer Olympics ever (NPR) American great Katie Ledecky crushed the first-ever women's 1500m freestyle final to win her first gold medal of Tokyo 2020. (New York Times) Politics Shunned by G.O.P., Cheney and Kinzinger seek answers on Jan. 6 riot. They have been isolated and ostracized by their party for accepting Speaker Nancy Pelosiâs offer to sit on the special committee investigating the Capitol assault. (New York Times) Limits on money for critical race theory curricula? House Dems just say no to Rep. Burgess Owens' bill proposal (Deseret News) Courts Analysis: U.S. Supreme Court's 'shadow docket' favored religion and Trump (Reuters) Economy Apple, Tesla to take hit from chip shortage, a sign of the problems's intensity (Wall Street Journal) US stock futures wobble ahead of fed policy update (Wall Street Journal) Elections Jake Ellzey defeats Trump-backed candidate Susan Wright in Texas House runoff (The Hill) Cheney faces political storm in Wyoming (The Hill) âAmerica is not racistâ becomes a GOP 2024 mantra (Politico) International Vatican's Cardinal Becciu on trial in $412m fraud case (BBC) âThey have my sisterâ: As Uyghurs speak out, China targets their families (New York Times) âChina is hurtling to a demographic disaster decades in the making. The countryâs one-child policy, put in place more than four decades ago, has led to a rapid decline in [its] fertility rate.â Could Confucianism revive Chinaâs prospects? (Deseret News) | | |
Policy News New report: How Utah can thrive in the new climate economy Today, the Utah Foundation released Going for the Green: How Utah Can Thrive in the New Clean Economy. Innovations and other measures from corporations, along with new policies and investments from the federal government, provide states with a range of opportunities to capitalize on the transition to an economy that prioritizes climate-focused strategies. Going for the Green analyzes job-creating opportunities by economic sector, explores opportunities from the public and private sectors, and looks at ways Utah is seeking to bolster economic activity in rural parts of the state. It also sets forth paths through which Utah can emerge as a leader in the new clean economy. (Read More) Legislative redistricting committee public hearing scheduled updated The Legislative Redistricting Committee updated two public hearing dates. The Legislative Redistricting Committee will hold public hearings across the state to gather input, listen to constituents and receive feedback once the 2020 U.S. Census data is released. While in-person attendance is encouraged, public hearings will have a virtual option. Utahns are encouraged to draw their own map to recommend to the committee using a state-of-the-art map drawing tool that will be available on the committeeâs website in the fall. (Read More) Sen. Romney, colleagues introduce bill to hold e-cigarette companies accountable for the youth vaping crisis U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to protect children from the dangers of e-cigarettes. The Resources to Prevent Youth Vaping Act would require that e-cigarette manufacturers pay user fees to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help to fund more activity at the FDA to conduct stronger oversight of the e-cigarette industry and increase awareness for the danger of e-cigarettes. Companion legislation will be introduced in the House by Representatives Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). (Read More) Sen. Romney: The border crisis threatens our national security & economic vitality During a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) pressed Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on the Biden Administrationâs lack of action concerning the crisis at the United Statesâ southern border. Romney also asked Secretary Mayorkas about the potential risks of the Administrationâs spending plans amid historic levels of inflation. (Read More) Sen. Lee urges FTC to change course Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) today sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairwoman Lina Khan expressing concerns regarding several recent developments at the agency. Sen. Lee said in part, âThe unifying theme of these developments is a progressive putsch to consolidate power and burden American businesses. For the sake of our antitrust enforcement regime, competitive markets, and the American economy, I hope you will change course.â (Read More) Rep. Owens introduces the Say No to Indoctrination Act Today, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) introduced the Say No to Indoctrination Act, which prevents the use of federal funds to advance discriminatory concepts informed by Critical Race Theory. âFrom the Tulsa Race Massacre to Jim Crow and Juneteenth, young Americans deserve to learn about all significant events in our countryâs history,â said Owens. âCritical Race Theory, however, teaches students that America is irredeemably racist and intrinsic characteristics like race, color, and national origin define you. As we strive to address injustice, Iâm proud to introduce the Say No to Indoctrination Act to keep taxpayer dollars from funding discriminatory practices and divisive worldviews.â (Read More) Harmonâs to accept mobile driverâs licenses as part of Utah pilot program Members of the public and media are invited to Harmonsâ City Creek and Traverse Mountain locations between 10am-2pm on August 3rd and 4th to get an mDL; a valid driver license must be presented. GET Group North America and The Utah Driver License Division (DLD) jointly announced today that Harmons Grocery has signed on as the first grocer in Utah to participate in the stateâs mobile driverâs license (mDL) pilot program. As a pioneer of Utahâs mDL, Harmons will accept mobile credentials to verify identity for pharmacy purchases, as well as for age-based purchases, at select locations. It will initially accept mDLs at its City Creek and Traverse Mountain locations, with plans to expand to additional stores. (Read More) | | |
Lt. Gov. Henderson announces Return Utah job opportunities Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson is excited to announce the official launch of the âReturn Utahâ program. This pioneering initiative aims to expand workforce opportunities in Utah for those re-entering the workforce after an extended absence. The first cohort of the new program is now live, with jobs posted on the site www.governmentjobs.com/careers/utah/returnutah. Applications are being accepted through Aug. 1, 2021, with an expected start date of Sept. 7, 2021. These positions are designed for those who are looking to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence of two or more years. The cohort is structured to provide applicants with the experience, training, skills, and mentoring needed to return to the workforce. I invite those who are ready to return to work to join the âReturn Utahâ program,â said Lt. Gov. Henderson. âWe need their experience, creativity, and excitement in our workforce today.â The Lt. Governorâs âReturn Utahâ program features two tracks, return-to-work opportunities in state government and short-term training at Utah colleges and universities through the Learn & Work program. Through Learn & Work in Utah, unemployed or under-employed individuals receive tuition assistance to enroll in short-term training programs at Utah colleges and universities. The training prepares them for higher-paying and more stable high-impact careers in industries including computer science, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and business. Learn more at ltgovernor.utah.gov. | | |
Upcoming Securing the American Dream: A conversation with Tim Scott presented by the Hatch Foundation â Aug 11 @ noon. Register here Utah Foundation Breakfast Briefing: Mental health in anxious times â Aug 26 @ 9 am. 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 1866 - Beatrix Potter is born in London, England. 1868 - The 14th Amendment granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United Statesâincluding formerly enslaved people - is officially adopted. 1879 - Lucy Burns is born. An active suffragist, she formed the National Womanâs Party with Alice Paul, picketed the White House for women suffrage and was arrested 6 times. 1914 - WWI begins 1917 - The Silent Parade, organized by James Weldon Johnson, had10,000 African-Americans marching on 5th Ave in NYC to protest lynching. 1929 - Future first lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy is born 1943 - Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini resigns Wise Words "I hold that a strongly marked personality can influence descendants for generations."
-Beatrix Potter Lighter Side Every Olympic event should include one average person competing for reference. The Internet | | |
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