A simple bill doing the impossible: it's making the porn industry retreat; Utah Supreme Court begins hearing arguments on abortion law today | | | 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 [email protected]. | | |
Situational Analysis | August 8, 2023 It's Tuesday and National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day! What You Need to Know President Joe Biden is scheduled to arrive in Utah on Wednesday, after visiting Arizona and New Mexico. While in Arizona, the president will create a new national monument near the Grand Canyon, on land sacred to Indigenous peoples. On Thursday in Utah, the president will speak about the PACT Act, a bill that expands coverage to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. After the speech, Biden will head to a campaign fundraiser in Park City. Previous presidential visits to Utah include Donald Trump in 2017 and Barack Obama in 2015.
A "simple law" first passed in Louisiana and repeated in six other states (and counting) is doing the seemingly impossible: it's making the online porn industry retreat. Requiring porn websites to verify users' age is wreaking havoc on an industry many thought impossible to regulate. In three states, including Utah, Pornhub simply stopped operating. The "Free Speech Coalition," the porn industry's trade association, has sued Louisiana and Utah. Last week, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit against Utah. Sen. Todd Weiler was the chief sponsor of Utah's bill, which passed unanimously earlier this year. Rapid Relevance Here's info on the first day of school for each district in Utah - many begin next week; the Utah Supreme Court begins hearing arguments on abortion today; a powerful storm kills 2 people and leaves 1.1 million without power in the eastern US; and Bryan Randall, Sandra Bullock's partner, passes away at age 57, after a 3-yr battle with ALS. Today on the Hill 8:00 am: Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee, held at the Utah Refugee Center 8:30: Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee 9:00: Veterans and Military Affairs Commission 1:00 pm: Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee 1:15 pm: Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee; Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee; Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee 4:00 pm: Legislative Management Committee | | |
| | Honoring Healthcare Heroes Utah Business and Roseman University of Health Sciences are proud to honor those who have made it their mission to improve the state of health in our state.
Do you know a Healthcare Hero who deserves to be recognized for their contributions to the community? Nominate them here before nominations close on August 14. | | |
Utah Headlines Political news Who do voters say is a moral leader among the 2024 presidential candidates? Donald Trump leads the pack. (Deseret News) Perspective: From Clinton to Trump, James Dobson was right about our moral tailspin (Deseret News) Goud Maragani wants to censure Aimee Winder Newton for associating with Equality Utah. Emails show he also wanted their endorsement. (Salt Lake Tribune) Danya Rumore: To disagree better, we need to increase our conflict competence (Salt Lake Tribune) Election news Candidate Bruce Hough leaves âDancing with the Starsâ to his children â but heâll tackle the deficit for his grandchildrenâs future, he says (Deseret News) General Utah news Details emerge on the series of events that led to the Pac-12â²s fatal Friday (Salt Lake Tribune) Herriman is one of the fastest growing cities in Utah. Now, it will have its own college campus. (Salt Lake Tribune) Business If a crockpot and Dutch oven had a baby: Utah invention is changing outdoor cooking (St. George News) Utah businesses are offered tax breaks worth millions to create jobs. What if they lay off workers instead? (Salt Lake Tribune) Two Utah women entrepreneurs talk about how machines are boosting their food businesses (Salt Lake Tribune) Even Zoom is making people return to the office (New York Times) Culture Itâs been almost 40 years since the Brat Pack earned their name â where are the iconic â80s stars now? (Deseret News) Education University of Utahâs president, athletic director address move to Big 12 Conference (Deseret News) USU names Diana Sabau new athletic director (ABC4) Why do Salt Lake City school board members partially blame the city for potential school closures? Board members criticized the city on issues like gentrification, affordable housing and safe walkways to schools. (Salt Lake Tribune) Utah-based Instructure partnering with Khan Academy to rollout AI education tool (KSL) Teachers â going, going, gone. But where are the replacements? (KSL Newsradio) Utah school districts don't automatically benefit from skyrocketing property values (KUTV) State Task Force meets to discuss school safety protocols in rehabbed, new buildings (KUTV) Cameras in place to catch driving violations around Utah school buses (Fox13) Utah school board member Natalie Cline cleared of wrongdoing in 3 investigations (Salt Lake Tribune) Environment A plan to protect Utah from US Magnesiumâs toxic waste relies on something that is disappearing: salt water (Salt Lake Tribune) Big fee changes proposed for multiple Bryce Canyon, Zion campgrounds (KSL) Family Single moms are âonâ 24/7. New report highlights need for more supportive programs, policies (Deseret News) | | |
National Headlines General U.S. scientists able to repeat breakthrough fusion experiment that could unlock key to boundless, clean energy (Deseret News) Navajo Nation may legalize same-sex marriage (KSL) Carcinogens found at Montana nuclear missile sites as reports of hundreds of cancers surface (AP) Is it cheaper to refuel your EV battery or gas tank? We did the math in all 50 states. (Washington Post) â12 years of hellâ: Indian boarding school survivors share their stories (Washington Post) Politics Biden arrives in Arizona for first stop on Western trip (Deseret News) Breaking down Donald Trump's 78 felony charges (Deseret News) Georgia set to take over the Trump indictment spotlight (The Hill) Judge tosses Trump's defamation suit against writer who won sexual abuse lawsuit against him (NPR) Former President Trump taunted the U.S. womenâs soccer team after its defeat at the World Cup. (New York Times) Republican candidates are mimicking former President Trumpâs attacks on the justice system, schools and the military. (New York Times) Pence qualifies for GOP presidential debate after hitting donor threshold (Washington Post) Trump ratchets up attacks on Pence after Jan. 6 indictment (The Hill) The impeachment effort losing steam in the House GOP. The Homeland Security secretary was supposed to be an easier impeachment target for Republicans. But after months of work, they still donât have the votes. (Politico)
Ukraine ðºð¦ U.S.-made cluster munitions fuel Ukrainian counteroffensive (Wall Street Journal) Two missile strikes 37 minutes apart killed at least seven people in a small city in eastern Ukraine. (New York Times) Russians tied to Putin or military sidestep sanctions, drawing protests (Washington Post) World South Korea evacuates tens of thousands of Scouts from coastal campsite as tropical storm nears (AP) The World Food Program slowly resumes food aid to Ethiopia after months of suspension and criticism (AP) | | |
Upcoming Interim Days â Aug 7-10, le.utah.gov Municipal election filing period for cities using ranked choice voting â Aug. 8-15 Sutherland Institute Congressional Series with Sen. Mitt Romney â Aug 21, 10:00-11:30 am, Hinckley Institute, U of U Sutherland Institute Congressional Series with Rep. John Curtis â Aug 22, 9:00-10:30 am, Center for Constitutional Studies, UVU Sutherland Institute Congressional Series with Sen. Mike Lee â Aug 22, 3:00-4:30 pm, Hinckley Institute, U of U 'Titan of Public Service' gala recognizing Senator Mitch McConnell and former Transportation and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, hosted by the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation â Aug. 22, 7 p.m., Register here Legislative Education and Mental Health Coordinating Council â Aug 23, le.utah.gov Sutherland Institute Congressional Series with Rep. Blake Moore â Aug 29, 10:00-11:30 am, Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service, Lindquist Hall, Weber State Sutherland Institute Congressional Series with Rep. Burgess Owens â Aug 30, 12:00-1:30 pm, Hinckley Institute, U of U Municipal/Special election primary â Sept. 5 Interim Day â Sept. 18, Utah Tech University, le.utah.gov Interim Day â Oct 10-11, le.utah.gov Interim Day â Nov 14-15, le.utah.gov General election â Nov. 21 | | |
On This Day In History 1844 - Brigham Young chosen as head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1914 - Ernest Shackleton's ship "Endurance" leaves Plymouth, England 1945 - President Harry S. Truman signs the United Nations Charter, making the US the first nation to complete the ratification process and join the new international organization. 1942 - German saboteurs executed in Washington 1969 - Executive order 11478 issued by President Nixon requires each federal department and agency to establish and maintain an affirmative action program of equal employment opportunity for civilian employees and applicants. 1974 - Nixon resigns 1975 - The term âglobal warmingâ appears for the first time 1992 - The original US 'Dream Team' wins the basketball gold at the Barcelona Olympics 2009 - Sonia Sotomayor is sworn in as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court 2017 - The Walt Disney Company announces plans to create its own streaming service, canceling ties with Netflix. (Hello Disney+!) Quote of the Day "In every position that I've been in, there have been naysayers who don't believe I'm qualified or who don't believe I can do the work. And I feel a special responsibility to prove them wrong." âSonia Sotomayor On the Punny Side Why are there pop tarts but no mom tarts? Because of the pastryarchy....... | | |
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