News Releases Utah challenges unlawful designation of National Monuments Today, Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah against President Bidenâs unlawful designation of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. âThese public lands and sacred sites are a stewardship that none of us take lightly. The archeological, paleontological, religious, recreational, and geologic values need to be harmonized and protected. Rather than guarding those resources, President Bidenâs unlawful designations place them all at greater risk...A congressional solution would be the more effective path for the conservation and management of Utah lands..." (Read/Watch More) Ben Hart named executive director of the Utah Inland Port Authority The Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) Board of Directors announced Ben Hart as the organizationâs new executive director Wednesday, August 24, 2022. Hart has served as deputy director of the Utah Governorâs Office of Economic Opportunity (Go Utah) since March 2017 and was formerly a member of the UIPA board. He was selected from a list of several qualified candidates by the current board. Hart will begin working to fulfill the Port Authorityâs mission of providing smart, sustainable, and equitable supply chain solutions on September 12, 2022. (Read More) Salt Lake remains second highest metro for home price increases Most Western metros see price decreases from June to July. The Federal Reserve increased interest rates four times in five months (March, May, June and July) in part to slow inflation. That seems to be having an impact in the housing market. Mortgage rates are the highest theyâve been since 2009, and U.S. year-over-year home price appreciation peaked at 17.3% in March, falling to 13.7% by July. While home price appreciation is slowing, the Salt Lake City metro area remains second highest in the nation from June to July. This is unusual for the West, given that eight of the 10 metros with the largest decrease in appreciation are our western neighbors. (Read More) Gov. Cox declares State of Emergency due to southern Utah flooding Gov. Spencer Cox has issued a State of Emergency in response to the recent flooding in Grand, Emery and Wayne counties. The declaration raises awareness of the dangers of flash flooding and allows the state to continue offering state assistance to local governments as needed. (Read More) Poverty Summit on Saturday to focus on major new funding for housing to end homelessness in Salt Lake County This Saturday, August 27, Crossroads Urban Center is hosting a Poverty Summit at Christ United Methodist Church in Millcreek. The first topic to be addressed at the summit will be what it would take to make homelessness brief, rare and nonrecurring in Salt Lake County as we prepare to potentially host another Olympic Games in 2030 or 2034. (Read More) Bipartisan bill introduced to shine light on demands of Hong Kong authorities and protect Hong Kongers This week, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) and Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan Hong Kong Business Integrity and Transparency Act to establish regular reporting on instances where Hong Kong authorities demand data, content takedowns, or assistance with law enforcement from U.S. companies. Hong Kong after the 2020 National Security Law is no longer the global business city it once was. We have already seen authorities increasing demands from U.S. businesses to comply with data disclosure laws that mirror the laws of the mainland, said Curtis. The Hong Kong Business Integrity and Transparency Act will establish transparency on what information the government of Hong Kong is requesting so that we can protect not only businesses but also protect Hong Kongers. (Read More) Lee opposes plan to cancel student debt Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) opposes President Bidenâs plan to cancel a portion of federal student debt. Lee offered the statement below following the planâs announcement. âPresident Bidenâs plan to cancel student debt is yet another reckless spending policy during a period of dangerous inflation. This plan will hurt everyone, including those the policy purports to help. Canceling debt will do little to ease Americaâs economic burden and will instead fuel inflation, increase the cost of education, and further the divide between the rich and poor. This sets a dangerous precedent and misleads future borrowers who presume additional forgiveness is inevitable.â Ally Isom named VP, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at Clyde Companies Clyde Companies has announced the hiring of Ally Isom as its Vice President and Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, effective Sept. 6, 2022. In this newly created position, Isom will utilize her extensive knowledge to oversee all aspects of marketing & communications, government & public affairs, corporate travel, and community impact within Clyde Companies. (Read More) Number of the Day | 