| China to increase tariffs on US goods to 125% while Trump raises tariffs on China to 145%; Empanada Fest; and peak cherry blossoms .png?width=1200&upscale=true&name=Utah_Policy_Logo_Email_Full%20(1).png) | 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 | Apr. 11, 2025 It's Friday and National Cheese Fondue Day. ð§ What you need to know - Gov. Spencer Cox led a delegation of Utah business leaders and policymakers to one of the premier artificial intelligence research labs in the world this week: the Mila Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute.
Utahâs own version of Mila is already in the works. During the stateâs 2025 legislative session, lawmakers approved $36.5 million in 2025, and recommended $63.5 million in 2026, for the construction of âConvergence Hall,â a new state-owned complex at The Point development in Draper, where the old state prison once stood.
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Utah Headlines Political news - Sen. John Curtis joins calls to preserve clean energy credits in upcoming tax package (Deseret News)
- After Utah ban on collective bargaining, Mike Lee proposes similar federal restrictions (Salt Lake Tribune)
- Utah labor leaders in final push to repeal controversial collective bargaining ban (ABC4)
- 'Don't cut SNAP' Utahns gather to rally against Congress draft that could cut food aid programs (Fox13)
Municipal news - Sundance used politics as âconvenient excuseâ to leave Utah, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson says (KSL)
- Provo, Salt Lake City consider switching to tiered water rate systems amid new law (KSL)
Utah - Editorial Board: The seemingly random deportation of international students must be explained. Or ended. (Salt Lake Tribune)
- Elder Matthew S. Holland, Sister Paige Holland, Nathan Ricks honored with Pillar of the Valley Award (Deseret News)
- Report: Utahâs price-adjusted $98k median income leads the nation (Deseret News)
Biz/Tech - Tariffs force some Utah business owners to rethink supply, manufacturing sources (KSL)
Culture/Community - Pacific Island festival aims to help students reconnect with traditional culture (KSL)
- Is easy access to cheap foreign stuff part of the American dream? (Deseret News)
Economy - Stocks, dollar sink, bonds pummelled again as trade war roils markets (Reuters)
- The US and China are going to economic war - and everyone will suffer (Wall Street Journal)
Education - K-12 - Annual Spanish spelling bee puts a spotlight on Utahâs bilingual education (KUER)
Environment - Utahâs reservoirs in great shape; no threat of flooding (Deseret News)
- Interest in geothermal energy breaks a Utah BLM leasing record (Salt Lake Tribune)
Family - What happens if I get hit by a bus? Planning for lifeâs inevitable end (Deseret News)
Health - What to know when deciding whether to have surgery to change your eye color (Deseret News)
- A new autism clinic for kids opened in this Salt Lake County suburb, meant to meet a ârapidly growing needâ (Salt Lake Tribune)
- RFK Jr. says HHS will determine the cause of autism by September (AP)
Housing - âEverythingâs expensive,â but hereâs how Hurricane helped boost housing affordability (Salt Lake Tribune)
Transportation - UTA to implement 'significant' service changes. Here's what to know (KSL)
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National Headlines General - NYC sightseeing helicopter plunges into river, killing 6, including family of Spanish tourists (AP)
- Michelle Obama clears the air about divorce rumors and her desire to take control of her life (Deseret News)
- Katy Perry and Gayle King are going to space with historic all-female crew (Deseret News)
- Whatâs the point of church? The New York Times wants to know (Deseret News)
- Black Americans are not surprised (New York Times)
Political news - US Supreme Court tells Trump administration to facilitate return of Salvadoran man deported in error (Reuters)
- Pressed for evidence against Mahmoud Khalil, government cites its power to deport people for beliefs (AP)
- Scrap the Education Department: Republican senators sponsor bill to abolish embattled federal agency (Deseret News)
- Trumpâs latest retribution targets: Two first-term staffers and Big Law ... again (Deseret News)
- Sgamma withdraws nomination to lead BLM (Deseret News)
- Republicans in U.S. House pass bill to ban noncitizens from voting (Deseret News)
- US budget deficit grows to $1.3 trillion, the second highest six-month level on record (AP)
- Trump says heâs erasing âshame.â Critics say heâs hiding historic truths. (Washington Post)
- Pressuring Migrants to âSelf-Deport,â White House Moves to Cancel Social Security Numbers (New York Times)
- Trump is trying to quietly wrest control of a top federal civil rights board (Politico)
Tariffs - Could tariffs impact this yearâs Fourth of July fireworks shows? (Deseret News)
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene bought stocks hit hard by Trump tariffs during the market meltdown (AP)
- Trump's tariff confusion could leave aircraft deliveries in limbo (Reuters)
DOGE/Musk - How DOGE may have improperly used Social Security data to push voter fraud narratives (NPR)
- Hereâs another sign Muskâs power is waning (Politico)
Ukraine/Russia - As Trump's envoy meets Putin, Prince Harryâs visit echoes Europe's embrace of Ukraine (NBC News)
- Ukraine to receive $580 million of UK-led military support (Reuters)
Israel, Gaza, Syria - Israelâs army says it will fire air force reservists who condemned the war (AP)
- Turkey and Israel hold talks to avoid accidental conflict in Syria (AP)
World news - Is Ethiopia at war again? A look at the rebellion in one of its most powerful regions (AP)
- Scientists are âX-rayingâ the Amazon, unlocking a lost human history (Washington Post)
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Number of the Day 
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 | News Releases Nominees announced for Second District Court vacancy The Second District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected nominees for a vacancy on the Second District Court. The position is the result of the retirement of Judge Noel Hyde, effective July 1, 2025.The nominees for the vacancy are: Michael Gadd; Tony Graf; Matthew Hansen; Nicholas Mills; and Randall Morris.. Written comments can be submitted to the Second District Judicial Nominating Commission at judicialvacancies@utah.gov or Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, P.O. Box 142330, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2330. The deadline for written comments is noon Apr. 19, 2025. (Read More)
Nominees announced for Fourth District Court vacancy The Fourth District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected nominees for a vacancy on the Fourth District Court. This position results from the retirement of Judge Robert Lunnen, August 1, 2025.The nominees for the vacancy are: Von Christiansen; Joshua Esplin; Tony Graf; Samuel Pead; and Ryan Stack. Written comments can be submitted to the Fourth District Judicial Nominating Commission at judicialvacancies@utah.gov or Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, P.O. Box 142330, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2330. The deadline for written comments is noon on Apr. 21, 2025. (Read More)
Lee, Tuberville introduce legislation to repurpose USAID funding to improve veteranâs homes Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced the Veterans First Act of 2025, which will redirect wasteful taxpayer funding previously allocated for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to instead pay for outstanding repairs in state veteransâ homes. Rep. Dave Taylor (R-OH) leads the effort in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Read More)
Lee introduces bill to stop secret meetings of DC Council Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a bill to repeal a recent action by the city council of the District of Columbia which established secret planning meetings away from the oversight of Congress and the American people. The DC Council took this action with the expressed purpose of working around President Trumpâs recent executive order to stop crime in Washington and clean up the city. (Read More) | | |
Tweet of the Day 
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Upcoming - Apr 24 â Giant in Our City with the Salt Lake Chamber, 6:00-9:00 pm, Register here
- May 1 â Utah Foundation's annual luncheon and 80th birthday celebration, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, Grand America Hotel, 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
- May 6 â "State AG Offices and the New Administration" webinar hosted by the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation, 10:00 am MDT, Register here
- May 12 â Utah Taxes Now Conference with the Utah Taxpayers Association, Grand America Hotel, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Register here
- 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
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On This Day In History - 1865 - Mary White Ovington is born. She co-founded the NAACP.
- 1899 - Percy Lavon Julian is born. This African American chemist received 130 patents and was a pioneer in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs from plants.
- 1910 - Annie Dodge Wauneka is born into the Tse niÌjikiÌniÌ (Cliff Dwelling People) Clan of the Navajo Tribe. She viewed education and leadership as the best ways to make improvements and earned a degree in public health from the University of Arizona. She ran for office on the Navajo Tribal Council, becoming the second woman elected. She went on to serve seven terms. She was awarded the National Medal of Freedom in 1963.
- 1945 - The US Army liberates Buchenwald concentration camp. Among those saved by the Americans was Elie Wiesel, who would go on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986.
- 1948 - Jackie Robinson signs a professional baseball contract and becomes the first Black player in the major leagues.
- 1968 - LBJ signs the 1968 Civil Rights Act which outlaws discrimination in the sale, rental or leasing of housing. This bill also made it a crime to interfere with civil rights workers and to cross state lines to incite a riot.
- 1970 - Apollo 13 launches to the moon.
- 2005 - Maurice R. Hilleman, American microbiologist who developed over 36 vaccines including measles, mumps, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, chickenpox, meningitis, pneumonia, dies at 85
Quote of the Day âI swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides.â âElie Wiesel
On the Punny Side What's faster than an escalator? An esca-sooner | | |
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