 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 [email protected], or message us on Twitter. Situational awareness - March 31, 2020Good Tuesday morning from Salt Lake CityTICK TOCK25 days to the Utah Republican and Democratic state conventions (4/25/2020)92 days to the 2020 Utah primary elections (6/30/2020)217 Days to the 2020 election (11/3/2020)295 days to inauguration day (01/20/2021)300 days to the start of the 2021 Utah Legislature (1/25/2021)Here are the stories you need to pay attention to this morning:
Thanks for subscribing to Utah's must-read daily political news rundown.If you know of friends or colleagues who would benefit from our daily news roundup, please encourage them to sign up for our emails. Today At Utah Policy Poll gives Huntsman highest approval ratings among Utah political figuresBy Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor So, who is the most popular officeholder/candidate in Utah?Surprise -- it's not GOP Gov. Gary Herbert, who has been in that spot for some time.  SD8 contest features a rematch from the 2018 electionBy Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor Editor's Note: Over the next several weeks UtahPolicy.com will analyze several legislative races this year, the candidates and their political histories.In perhaps the largest legislative rematch race of 2020, freshman Democratic Sen. Kathleen Riebe is being challenged by former GOP Sen. Brian Zehnder in Senate District 8, up on the east side of Salt Lake County.  Coronavirus pandemic has effectively shut down signature gathering for candidatesBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Candidates for governor are finding it difficult to adapt their signature-gathering efforts in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.  Utah unveils small business loan program, free childcare for critical workers as part of coronavirus responseBy Bryan Schott, Managing Editor On Monday, Utah officials announced a new bridge loan program to help small businesses weather the economic downturn from the coronavirus pandemic. They also unveiled a program to provide free childcare for essential healthcare and public safety workers who are unable to stay at home during the outbreak. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News
Salt Lake Tribune
Other NATIONAL HEADLINESBest case scenarioWhite House coronavirus task force coordinator Deborah Brix says the U.S. will see as many as 200,000 deaths from the pandemic, but only "if we do things perfectly" [NBC News]. Grim milestoneThe number of coronavirus deaths in the U.S. topped 3,000 on Monday [AP]. Not paying attentionSeveral rural state lawmakers in a phone call with President Donald Trump pleaded with him about the lack of medical supplies and testing equipment. In response, Trump said he was unaware of the scarcity of testing kits [CBS News]. Congress eyeing more stimulusEven though Congress just spent $2 trillion on a stimulus package, lawmakers are starting to consider another economic stimulus package to keep the economy afloat [New York Times]. The next stimulus package could include more money for states and further direct payments to individuals [Bloomberg]. More economic pain comingGoldman Sachs analysts are forecasting a 34 percent plunge in GDP and unemployment jumping to 15 percent this quarter, but they're also seeing a 19 percent increase in GDP in Q3 of this year [Bloomberg]. Some of the nation's biggest retailers, including Macy's and Gap, are furloughing thousands of workers [Washington Post]. Some well-known companies may not be eligible for federal bailout money [Politico]. Visa says consumer spending has "sharply declined" [Bloomberg]. An agonizing choiceHealthcare workers are facing the prospect of deciding who gets treated first as U.S. hospitals brace for a surge in patients [AP]. Why Trump flip-flopped on coronavirusPresident Trump wanted to re-open the country for business by Easter but reportedly backed off that plan after he saw polling numbers showing Americans wanted to keep containment measures in place instead of sending people back to work [New York Times]. Cover your faceThe CDC is considering recommending Americans wear face coverings while in public to guard against the coronavirus [Washington Post]. The new red/blue divideHow social distancing has morphed from a public-health necessity to a political act signaling which side you're on [Atlantic]. Something to look forward toThe opening ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics will take place on July 23 of next year [ESPN]. BUSINESS HEADLINES
Policy NewsHarmons distributing free digital thermometers through pharmacy drive thrusBeginning April 1, Harmons will give away a free digital thermometer to customers. Division of Securities urges caution as scammers target investors with COVID-19 schemes Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Utah Department of Commerce is alerting investors to be on guard against an anticipated surge of fraudulent investment schemes. More National Headlines
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1492 - King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain issued an edict expelling Jews unwilling to convert to Christianity. 1889 - The Eiffel Tower is officially opened. 1918 - Daylight saving time goes into effect in the United States for the first time. 1968 - President Lyndon B. Johnson made a surprise announcement that he would not run for re-election. 1976 - The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that coma patient Karen Anne Quinlan could be disconnected from her respirator. (Quinlan remained comatose and died in 1985.) Wise WordsThe Law "No man is above the law and no man is below it: nor do we ask any man's permission when we ask him to obey it."Theodore Roosevelt Lighter SideCabin Fever Trump has reportedly demonstrated typical symptoms of cabin fever: crashing meetings, inserting himself into conversations and once-ignored briefs. Which means "the answer to the riddle 'How do you get the president to go to a meeting?'" said [Seth] Meyers, "is a &%!@# pandemic". Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
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