The Olympics conclude, Utah had a deadly weekend and some ideas on how Utah can solve its worker shortage and keep a strong economy. | | | The Utah Policy newsletter is your one-stop source for political and policy-minded news. Send news tips or feedback to [email protected]. | | |
Situational Analysis | August 9, 2021 Welcome to Monday. Today marks the anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing and the Nixon resignation. On a happier note, it's also Eliza Schuyler's birthday. (She's Schuyler sister that married Alexander.) Be in the Know Governor Cox was asked to to he must change his name by a "concerned citizen" who said it was a "social justice issue" and that they and "thousands of others" would recall him from office if he did not. At least they signed their letter with love..... The Utah Highway Patrol said UHP troopers saw "tragic" and "horrible circumstances" this weekend, with 6 road fatalities, critical injuries and accidental deaths of children. Victims included a 2 year-old, a dad who drowned trying to save his kids and a bride who died in her wedding dress. Dave Woolstenhulme, the commissioner of the Utah System of Higher Education and Derek Miller, the president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber, have a few ideas on how Utah can solve its worker shortage and keep a strong economy. They include thinking unconventionally, investing in labor and more. Check out their piece in the DNews. The Tokyo Olympics have come to an end. One of the records broken was by runner Allyson Felix, age 35. She has won 11 medals, the most of any track athlete in US history. Previous record holder was Carl Lewis with 10. | | |
Utah Headlines General Former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt named president of Tabernacle Choir (Deseret News) Utah Black Lives Matter president Lex Scott steps down after moving to another state following a "flood" of death threats. (Salt Lake Tribune) A cave in Utah is one of Airbnbâs most unique places to sleep (Deseret News) Politics Utahâs House members arenât buying Mitt Romneyâs argument on the infrastructure bill (Salt Lake Tribune) Inside Utah Politics Panel: Back to school recommendations and the eviction moratorium (ABC4) Shopping for legislation? Utahâs part-time Legislature may be vulnerable.
As a part-time, minimally staffed body, Utahâs lawmakers may be especially susceptible to outside influence. (Salt Lake Tribune) COVID Corner The political battle over COVID has come to the classroom (Deseret News) âThis Is Really Scaryâ: Kids Struggle With Long Covid (New York Times) Utah Doctors Concerned About Increased Risk Of COVID-19 Spread Due To Smoky Air (KSL) U.S. judge says Florida can't ban cruise ship's 'vaccine passport' program (Reuters) âGoldilocks virusâ: Delta vanquishes all variant rivals as scientists race to understand its tricks. It accounted for 93.4% of new infections by the end of July. (Washington Post) Education Opinion: When universities have the courage not to cancel. Itâs easy to overlook the many colleges that are not giving in to cancel culture (Deseret News) âLetâs not wait until we have children in the hospitalâ: A group of Utah parents rally for a mask mandate in schools (Salt Lake Tribune) Expect more students to choose online school as fall semester begins (St. George News) Elections What you need to know about the Municipal Primary Election (ABC4) Environment Utah had the worst air in the world on Friday (KUER) U.N. sounds 'deafening' warning on climate change (Reuters) Housing Self-Help Homes program seeks âhigh priorityâ families to help build their own homes (St. George News) Legal Rethinking criminal justice reform: A family-centered approach (Washington Examiner) National Headlines General New York Governor Cuomo's top aide resigns amid sexual harassment scandal (Reuters) Olympics Medal Count: US: 113, China: 88, ROC: 71, Great Britain: 65, Japan: 58 Women send powerful message in Olympic track and field (AP) US women beat Brazil to win 1st Olympic volleyball gold (AP) USA volleyballâs first Olympic gold medal has a distinctly Utah flavor. Coach Karch Kiraly of Heber City and assistant Luka Slabe, a former BYU player and coach, paved the path to the podium. (Salt Lake Tribune) Politics Sen. Mitt Romney: "It's a win for Republicans and it's a win for Biden, it's a win for Democrats, it's a win for the Senate to say we can work together, that we've been able to overcome partisan differences to do something that's right for America." (The Hill) Melania Trump fires back at historian over Rose Garden criticism (The Hill) International Massive forest fire in Greece still burning for 7th day (AP) Nagasaki marks 76th anniversary of atomic bombing (AP) | | |
Policy News Romney counters misinformation about bipartisan infrastructure bill In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) countered misinformation about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, bipartisan infrastructure legislation negotiated by Senator Romney and his colleagues. He highlighted how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was the work of bipartisan collaboration which will address decades of neglecting our nationâs hard, physical infrastructure. The bill represents $550 billion in new spendingânot $1.2 trillionâand it includes the fiscally responsible pay-fors, such as unused COVID-19 relief funds. (Read More) Salt Lake Chamber congratulates new University of Utah President Taylor Randall Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber, issued the following statement on the appointment of Taylor Randall as the new President of the University of Utah:
âOn behalf of the Salt Lake Chamber, I extend our hearty congratulations to President Randall on his appointment to serve as the next University of Utah President.
His contribution to our community and the university could fill volumes. At the David Eccles School of Business, Taylor worked diligently to elevate the program and prepare our future business and community leaders." (Read More) Reps. Moore, colleagues to introduce the bipartisan better cybercrime metrics act to improve federal tracking of cybercrime Congressman Blake Moore announced he is co-leading the introduction of a bipartisan, bicameral bill to improve the federal governmentâs understanding, measurement, and tracking of cybercrime. âThis Better Cybercrime Metrics Act is a critical first step in helping both government and private industry better understand and address the growing challenge of cybercrime and attacks to our cybersecurity. Aggression we see from cyber criminals and adversaries requires a new era of reporting and collaboration between private and public industry,â said Congressman Moore. âI am proud to join my friends, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), and Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), in pursuing commonsense cybersecurity policy that equips our law enforcement and cyber warriors to better understand the scope of the cybercrime challenge. Americaâs public safety and cyber superiority is on the line, and now is the time to act.â (Read More) Sen. Lee, colleagues introduce âDonât Draft Our Daughtersâ resolution Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), James Lankford (R-OK), Steve Daines (R-MT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) yesterday introduced a resolution expressing that the Senate should not pass legislation mandating the registration of women for the Selective Service System.
âForcing our daughters into the draft creates a burdensome and disproportionately increased risk of injury and fatalities for our nationâs women, as readiness data shows,â said Sen. Lee. âThis policy change is rushed and unnecessary in our current time of peace, and unduly harms women more than advancing any notion of equality. While American women should be empowered to serve in our Armed Forces, they should not be forced to fight.â ...Additionally, the physical fitness required for combat roles are only achievable for a small percentage of women. Data from Armyâs gender-neutral Combat Fitness Test show a fail rate ranging between 65% to 85% for women, compared to 10% to 30% for men. (Read More) | | |
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 1757 - Elizabeth Schuyler is born. She later marries Alexander Hamilton. Following the death of her husband, she co-founded the Orphan Asylum Society, the first private orphanage in New York City. She lived to age 97. 1842 - The Webster-Ashburton Treaty is signed. United States Secretary of State Daniel Webster and Britainâs Alexander Baring, Lord Ashburton, come to an agreement regarding the Canadian and U.S. border east of the Rocky Mountains. The border had been in dispute since the end of the Revolutionary War. 1844 - Brigham Young chosen to lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following the June death of founder Joseph Smith 1945 - The US drops its second atomic bomb, this time on Nagasaki. 1969 - Charles Manson cult kills five, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate. 1974 - Gerald Ford is sworn in as US president after Richard Nixonâs resignation becomes effective at noon. 1919 - Leona Woods Marshall Libby is born. She became a physicist and the only woman on the team that built the worldâs first nuclear reactor. 1995 - The Grateful Deadâs Jerry Garcia dies at age 53. 2014 - Unarmed teenager Michael Brown is killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. Wise Words "A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have."
-Gerald R. Ford | | |
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