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| The UtahPolicy.com daily newsletter gets you up to speed on the top local and national news about politics and public policy. Send news tips or feedback to editor@utahpolicy.com. Situational Analysis - April 6, 2021Welcome to a chilly Tuesday. Today is Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action. TheUtah Department of Health explains that one in three women in Utah will experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime and 1 in 6 men. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), only 230 out of every 1,000 cases of sexual assault get reported. This means 75% of victims never speak up. A recent in-depth story in USA Today details what can happen when women DO report sexual assault: they are punished for it. "Teresa James faced a colossal mission: evacuate 1,500 military workers while moving thousands of trucks and tents off an American air base in central Iraq. Working under occasional enemy fire, James orchestrated the move in 45 days - a task commanders called "Herculean," awarding her the Bronze Star in 2010. It was just one of many accolades James had received as an officer in the National Guard. Her performance reviews year after year had been stellar. One in 2001 called her "exceptionally exemplary." Another said: "Promote now!" But that all changed in 2012, when James reported being raped by a superior officer. Suddenly her performance reviews went from glowing to subpar. One supervisor wrote that James had "communication difficulties" and "made some decisions which caused me to question her judgment." She was denied a promotion to colonel and reluctantly took an early medical retirement, ending her military career with the West Virginia National Guard. We must do better. 5 things you need to know A new research brief is out from USU's Utah Women and Leadership Project on the impact of COVID-19 and Utah women that tracks with national data showing women have been hard hit by the pandemic. In rare testimony, Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo condemned the actions of Derek Chauvin from the witness stand, saying "To continue to apply that level of force to a person proned out, handcuffed behind their back - that in no way, shape or form is anything that is by policy. It is not part of our training. And it is certainly not part of our ethics or our values." Russia's Putin signed a new law that could keep him in power until 2036. The law would limit any future president to two terms in office, but "resets" the count for Putin, who has already served four terms. The Gonzaga Bulldogs' basketball team only lost one game the entire season. It was last night's championship. Baylor won 86-70. Amanda Dickson calls KSL's Boyd Matheson this generation's Walter Cronkite. Matheson's show, "Inside Sources," has expanded to 2 hours every weekday afternoon.Countdown 8 days until the end of the Cox/Henderson administration's first 100 days (04/14/2021) Today At Utah PolicyBystander intervention: become a 'stone catcher'By Holly Richardson Since Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death outside her apartment in 1964, with multiple witnesses, but little intervention, there has been a plethora of research on the "bystander effect." According to decades of experiments, the more people who are observing someone in trouble, the less likely each person is to help. One factor in "assuming" that someone else will jump in and help may simply be not knowing what to do to intervene.Commentary: States should run elections; bad laws can be taken to court By LaVarr Webb Many years ago, it was common thinking that voting was a privilege. If a bit of effort was required to exercise that privilege, that was actually a good thing.I remember writing a column back in the 70s or 80s stating that I preferred people to vote who thought voting was important enough to jump through a few hoops to register and vote. I remember writing that requiring expenditure of a little effort meant people who voted would be more likely to have studied the candidates and issues and would make thoughtful and informed choices. That would result in better people being elected and better governance. Utah HeadlinesDeseret News BYU study: In-class beats online learning, but extra sleep benefits mental health - Policy suggestions for those figuring out right balance to help kids learn, boost mental health Acclaimed photographer Chris Burkard on risk, sacrifice and a rewarding career - Chris Burkard began his career with a simple goal: become a photographer and use his job to see the world he couldn't afford to see otherwise. I'm not so bullish on 'Murder Among the Mormons' anymore - It's quirky. It's enthralling. It's fun. At times it's funny. But should it be? Should Utah allow recall elections? Democrats, Republicans think alike on this issue - A new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll shows 75% of Utahns favor a law allowing voters to recall elected officials. Why are wrong-way crashes up 30% in Utah and even higher across the country? - An estimated 90%-plus of wrong-way crashes in Utah were caused by an impaired driver. What can be done to close the Black homeownership gap? - With a homeownership rate of 44.1% for the fourth quarter of 2020, African Americans remain far behind the 74.5% rate of non-Hispanic white households who own homes, according to U.S. census data.Salt Lake Tribune Utah's Ben McAdams joins group promising to combat Republican 'lies' - Shield PAC, supported by former House Democrats, will seek to protect moderates in 2022. Utah pharmacist gets probation for illegally importing drug that officials wanted to use for COVID-19 - The Draper executive shipped chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine falsely labeled as herbal extract for his no-bid contract with the state. Prisoner advocates warned against allowing rival gangs to mingle. Now an inmate who was injured is suing. - Yeager Gleave's lawsuit says prison officials "anticipated, orchestrated and encouraged a gladiator encounter." Oh my heck! This beer pokes fun at how Utah swears. - Budweiser ads for "The Beer Utah Swears By" will include phrases like "Holy Shizz," "Oh My Heck" and "Frick Yeah." Service workers worry about confrontations, lack of vaccinations as the end of Utah's statewide mask mandate approaches - For businesses that maintain mask mandates, enforcement will fall to young service workers, many of whom are already fatigued by upholding the requirements and who are not yet fully vaccinated. A way too early look at the 2022 U.S. Senate race in Utah and Sen. Mike Lee's possible challengers - However, big donors are backing Lee. Club for Growth, for example, is "prepared to spend whatever it takes to make sure Senator Lee is renominated and re-elected." Robert Gehrke: Utah needs a workable, certain path for homeless residents, even if that means another shelter - With clearer, streamlined leadership and a big influx of resources and without the burden of the pandemic, it's possible we could see progress toward a lofty vision. In the meantime, however, we can't ignore the immediate need for a more cohesive, sustainable shelter strategy.Other Officials, advocates debate over how to solve Salt Lake's homelessness issues (Fox 13) - After Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall suggested the need for a fourth homeless shelter in the area, advocates argue that's not a long-term solution for the growing crisis. Westwater gets boost from legislature (Navajo Times) - Even before COVID-19 struck, the Westwater subdivision was garnering media attention for not having electricity or water, even though it's within sight of Blanding, which does have water and electricity. The legislature just appropriated $500,000 as infrastructure seed money. Iron County's metallic monolith now missing after being visited by weekend crowds (St. George News) - Cedar City News confirmed the object was there just before sunset Sunday evening and was gone by Monday morning. Park City Olympian ski jumper Sarah Hendrickson retires (TownLift) - Hendrickson, 26, was born and raised in Park City, and was among the first athletes, male or female, to jump at what was then the Utah Winter Sports Park (now called Utah Olympic Park).COVID Corner In Michigan's latest coronavirus surge, there's a new kind of patient (CNN) - Their hospitals are again on the front line, but this time they have a new type of patient: younger and healthier. How Dr. Scott Gottlieb protects his young kids on playdates before they can get Covid shots (CNBC) - "For example, a lot of their playdates have been with kids who are in their class," Gottlieb said. "Why? Because that's their social pod. They're already exposed to that social pod, and so we try to keep the interactions within that defined pod." 'Love Your Neighbor' And Get The Shot: White Evangelical Leaders Push COVID Vaccines (NPR) - "The more we can move the discourse from a discourse about politics and political affiliation to one of mission, of love for neighbor, of following Jesus - who would honor the image of God in others - then I think we're tapping into something profoundly motivating for evangelicals." Your post-vaccination travel questions, answered (Vox) - Can Americans travel right now? Kind of. Should Americans travel right now? That's more complicated. Vaccinating adults appears to protect children around them; bar opening event linked to 46 COVID-19 cases (Reuters) - In analyzing outcomes in 223 communities, researchers found that as the number of vaccinated adults went up, infection rates among unvaccinated MHS members in the same community went down - particularly among children. New Double Mutant Coronavirus Variant From India Found In California For First Time (Deadline) - This Indian variant contains two mutations in the same virus for the first time. The Rise of the Pandemic Shed (Washington Post) - In an unrelenting year, some families are building their own places of retreat: a pandemic shed. One of Utah's first COVID-19 patients just got vaccinated (Fox 13) - Antonio Cruz Martinez remembers getting very sick. "The body aches were so bad, I could barely walk," he said. Now, he is vaccinated. Here's how to register for a COVID-19 vaccination in Utah (Fox 13) - Here is a list of health department links and phone numbers. 'Double mutant' of COVID-19 has been found in California (Deseret News) - Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert, said the double mutant variant is "less forgiving" than others. 2 things that can stop a new COVID-19 surge, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci (Deseret News) - "A, you keep pushing down and doubling down on public health measures and B, you do whatever you can to get as many people vaccinated as quickly and as expeditiously as possible."National HeadlinesDems can use unprecedented move for an extra filibuster-proof bill, Schumer aide says (Politico) - The interpretation of a new ruling could give Democrats significantly more opportunities to push their priorities past GOP opposition. Manchin warns Biden's infrastructure bill is in trouble over corporate tax hikes (CNN) - Manchin said he is against raising the current 21% corporate tax rate -- which was put in place by the 2017 tax overhaul under the Trump administration -- to 28% as called for in the bill and instead supports a middle ground 25% rate, which he called "fair." Republicans ramp up attacks on corporations over Georgia voting law, threaten 'consequences' (Washington Post) - Mitch McConnell on Monday accused corporations of siding with Democrats' portrayal of the law as the new Jim Crow, which he called an attempt to "mislead and bully the American people." Why the GOP and corporate America are breaking up (CNN) - The ever-moving tectonic shift underneath American politics is prime for another quake as civil rights starts to outweigh corporate tax rates in the calculating minds of big American businesses. Gaetz's Accused Extorter Confirms, Denies $25 Million Shakedown (The Daily Beast) - Dubious consultant Bob Kent admits he sought cash for questionable "rescue" mission in Iran. Senate Democrats can now officially pass more bills with 51 votes (Vox) - "The Parliamentarian has advised that a revised budget resolution may contain budget reconciliation instructions.' Parliamentarian gives Democrats potential new tool for reconciliation in early ruling (CNN) - The Senate parliamentarian has ruled that Democrats may amend the budget resolution they used for their Covid-19 relief bill and attach another set of reconciliation instructions to it. Arkansas governor vetoes bill banning medical treatments for transgender youths (Washington Post) - He called the legislation a "vast government overreach" and a "product of the cultural war in America." Biden and Democrats Detail Plans to Raise Taxes on Multinational Firms (New York Times) - Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the U.S. would support a global minimum tax, while top Democrats unveiled their own plan to raise taxes on multinational firms. Georgia's businesses make it 'crystal clear' they're unhappy about state's new voting law (Deseret News) - Delta and Coca-Cola, both headquartered in Atlanta, have said they will work with federal lawmakers to ensure Americans' voting rights are protected.Policy NewsMatt Anderson joins OED as its new Deputy DirectorThe Governor's Office of Energy Development is excited to announce the hiring of its new deputy director, Matt Anderson. His first day with the office is today, April 6, 2021. Peak State Fit announces pop up event In St. George, Utah Peak State Fit, a nationally recognized sports performance company specializing in professional bike fitting and metabolic testing announces a special event for Southern Utah athletes looking to optimize their training. Peak State Fit is offering Bike Fitting and metabolic testing services in St. George, Utah between April 5 and April 12, 2021. Coaches Pat and Heather Casey are professionally trained and certified by Retul Technology, IOG, Ivan O'Gorman andPrecision Fit education by Trek Bikes in Madison Wisconsin. Thanksgiving Point's annual Tulip Festival returns Thanksgiving Point is proud to announce the return of our annual Tulip Festival at the Ashton Gardens from April 9-May 8, closed Sundays. Due to the COVID-19 shutdown, last year's festival was closed to in-person viewing and was highlighted in the first 'Virtual Tulip Festival'.Guests will return this year and see nearly 300,000 tulips, in over a hundred unique varieties, spread across the 50-acre Ashton Gardens for the Tulip Festival. Golf carts, wheelchairs, and electric scooters are also available to rent, if available. Guests are required to reserve tickets online at ThanksgivingPoint.org as admissions are still limited inside the Ashton Gardens.Salt Lake Chamber: 6 ways Utah employers can build workforce resilience, prevent suicide and foster mental fitness Originally published on KSL.comFor large and small businesses alike, happy employees are just good business. Unfortunately, mental health in the United States has been steadily worsening for many years-even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Mental Health America, 19% of adults experienced a mental illness in 2017-2018, with suicide ideation among adults ever increasing.While the mental health crisis is troubling on many levels, it's also costly for employers. The World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety cost the global economy $1 trillion per year in lost productivity. What's more, for every $1 invested in employee mental health, there's a $4 return in improved health and productivity.Emerging Leaders Initiative of Utah hosts virtual Summit Series The Emerging Leaders Initiative of Utah (ELI) kicked off its Emerging Leaders Summit Series on Thursday, April 1. The session was the first of a three-part series, adapting to the virtual climate to continue ELI's annual Emerging Leaders Summit. The upcoming sessions include, "Building Inclusive Leadership through Board Service," on April 15, and, "Emerging Leaders Success Stories," on April 29. Business HeadlinesYellen calls for minimum global corporate income tax (Associated Press) - "It is important to work with other countries to end the pressures of tax competition and corporate tax base erosion," Yellen said. Customers unable to book online flights with American, Delta and United airlines (The Hill) - Other major U.S. airlines such as JetBlue and Southwest Airlines did not appear to be impacted. Amazon illegally fired two employees, labor board finds (CNN) - The employees, Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa, organized workers around climate action and warehouse conditions during the pandemic before their firings in April 2020. Google Stock Rises As Supreme Court Rules Against Oracle In Android Software Dispute (Investors.com) - The Supreme Court ruled 6 to 2 in Google's favor in the long-running case. Apple CEO Tim Cook hopes Parler returns to App Store (Fox Business) - Tech chief says app needs 'moderation that's required to be on the store'On This Day In History(From History.com) 1830 - Joseph Smith and five others officially start The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fayette, NY. 1846 - Dred Scott and his wife Harriet file suit against Irene Emerson for their freedom, the beginning of a decade-long legal fight for their freedom. Ultimately, the US Supreme Court ruled that all people of African descent were not citizens and had no right to sue in federal court and that the Fifth Amendment protected slave owner rights because slaves were property. 1880 - Maria Beasley receives a patent for the life raft. 1917 - The United States officially enters WWI. 1994 - Juvnal Habyarimana, Rwandan General, Dictator and President of Rwanda (1973-94), is assassinated by missile strike on his plane over Kigali, Rwanda at 57, setting off a genocide where almost a million people will die in 100 days.Wise Words“See something that inspires. Say something that uplifts. Do something that makes a difference.” ~Boyd Matheson Lighter SideLighter SideYou know it's bad when the organization that includes the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Indians says you're too racist. That's like Matt Gaetz telling you to date your own age." - STEPHEN COLBERT Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
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