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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 [email protected], or message us on Twitter. Situational awareness - March 13, 2020Good morning from Salt Lake City and TGIF!TICK TOCK43 days to the Utah Republican and Democratic state conventions (4/25/2020)109 days to the 2020 Utah primary elections (6/30/2020)235 Days to the 2020 election (11/3/2020)318 days to the start of the 2021 Utah Legislature (1/25/2021)Here are the stories you need to pay attention to this morning:The Utah Legislature wrapped up their work for 2020 on Thursday. The plan to move back the tax filing deadline for Americans could cause problems for Utah's budget. Shutdowns hit major parts of American life as governments struggle to control the spread of the virus.FRIDAY TRIVIAThis week's question comes from Peggy Burdett. During the 1992 Utah Republican State Convention, what Utah produced comestible did Olene Walker have for delegates adorned with the logo for her congressional candidacy? Send your answers to me at [email protected]. We will select a winner randomly from all the correct replies. 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 PolicyThe 2020 Legislature is in the books. What did lawmakers accomplish over the past 45 days?By Bryan Schott and Bob Bernick The 2020 Utah Legislature will be remembered for, what?Utah Republicans, Democrats move state conventions online, postpone caucuses By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor The Utah Republican Party announced Thursday they would postpone their neighborhood caucus meetings scheduled for March 24th because of the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. Utah Democrats said they were not mandating any changes to the caucus meetings, but they are "strongly advising" that leaders find alternatives to the meetings. Delaying tax filing deadline due to coronavirus could wreak havoc on Utah's budget By Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott As if the coronavirus hasn't screwed up the state's budget bad enough, now this: If the Trump administration goes through with plans to delay the April 15 federal income tax filing deadline, it could push "hundreds of millions of dollars" in state income tax receipts into the next fiscal year, making the current year run badly into the red. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News From the governor: Help Utah officials slow the spread of COVID-19 A. Scott Anderson: Teaching entrepreneurial skills will benefit Utah's future Jay Evensen: Will Americans follow rules in a pandemic? From school breakfast to vaping, bevy of education-related bills pass on final day Utahns stocking up on supplies over fears of coronavirus spread Utah Democrats, GOP cancel in-person state conventions, postpone caucus night Utah governor limits mass gatherings in state to 100 people Utah Legislature passes bill to end straight-ticket voting option Legislature OKs Utah Inland Port bills giving Salt Lake City concessions Utah Legislature passes elective abortion ban but mandatory ultrasound bill stalls in House The 2020 census is officially underway, despite coronavirus fears Utah tech leaders unhappy with some state COVID-19 strategies, but ready to help Utah lawmakers take on tax reform, other tough issues, but now facing financial fallout from pandemic Utah Legislature prioritizes mental health, affordable housing Utah COVID-19 testing ramping up, but medical supplies and worker safety are concerns locally and nationallySalt Lake Tribune Juliette Tennert: Despite public health concerns, Utah's fiscal house is in order Coronavirus fear causing Utah ERs to be overrun, while testing remains limited State lawmakers vote for more control over session schedule Utahns soon may be able to join wine clubs and bring back a case of liquor from out of state Utah Legislature passes two bills to address inland port concerns Sen. Mitt Romney offers bill to help workers affected by coronavirus Utah lawmakers turned to teachers - and now to voters - for a budget fix Mandatory ultrasound bill dies in final hours of Utah legislative sessionOther With funding cut to $10 million, affordable housing bill advances through Utah Legislature (Daily Herald) Weber County cannabis-growing operation taking shape, lawmakers fine-tune pot laws (Standard-Examiner) DoD issues coronavirus travel restrictions, will impact Hill AFB (Standard-Examiner)NATIONAL HEADLINESThe great shutdown of 2020American life is grinding to a halt because of the coronavirus. Schools are shutting down in several states to control the spread of the virus. Every major sporting league and event was at least postponed on Thursday because of the outbreak. Disney announced its theme parks and cruise line will close until the end of the month. It's the first time Disneyland has closed since the Sept. 11 attacks. Broadway will go dark through April 12. Democrats are urging the party to consider an alternative to the national convention, scheduled to take place in Milwaukee in July [Washington Post].Markets plunge againThe Dow fell 10 percent on Thursday for the worst day since the Black Monday crash in 1987 [CNBC]. Washington struggles to respondPresident Donald Trump's shambolic primetime speech on Wednesday night failed to calm fears surrounding the virus, and may have made them worse [Washington Post]. House Democrats and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are closing in on an aid package for Americans affected by the coronavirus [Politico]. Democrats Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders slam the Trump administration's response to the outbreak in a pair of campaign speeches on Thursday [New York Times]. President Trump reportedly is worried about declaring a national emergency because of COVID-19 would stoke panic and undercut his message that the virus is similar to the seasonal flu [Politico]. Officials at the Centers for Disease Control said as many as 200,000 to 1.7 Americans could die under a worst-case scenario for the virus [New York Times]. The Federal Reserve will pump $1.5 trillion into the economy in an attempt to stave off a recession [Wall Street Journal]. Where are the tests?The CDC tested only 77 people this week for the virus as testing across the nation is moving very slowly [Yahoo! News]. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert at the National Institutes of Health, says testing in the U.S. is "failing" [AP]. Sick people across the U.S. say they are being denied a test for the coronavirus [New York Times]. President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will not get tested after interacting with a Brazilian official who has been infected [Washington Post]. An Australian government official tested positive for the virus just days after meeting with Ivanka Trump and Attorney General William Barr [Washington Post]. BUSINESS HEADLINESRural counties to receive $10M boost from Legislature (Salt Lake Tribune) Time to get paid: Utah startup brings Uber-like perks to the workaday world (Deseret News) Natalie Gochnour: Six economic rules to help Utah during a pandemic (Deseret News)Policy NewsCasual Friday: Weekend Events & Outdoors ReportOutdoors Report--KSL.com:Section of popular fishing, hunting spot near Scofield Dam closed to public--KSL.com:Officials warn Utahns about risk of flooding, swift waterways as spring nearsConcerts-- A Highland Bagpipe Experience, Utah Pipe Band, Friday, 6:30 p.m., Gallivan Center, 239 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, free but registration required-- "Classically Inspired," Salt Lake Symphony, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Libby Gardner Hall, University of Utah, 1375 East Presidents Circle, Salt Lake City, $5-$10-- Love Stories and Vivaldi's Gloria Concert, Heber Valley Choir and Orchestra, Saturday, 7 p.m., Midway Town Hall, 100 West Main Street, Midway, $5-$8Lee, Romney offer resources for Utahns affected by travel restrictions due to coronavirus U.S. Senators Mike Lee and Mitt Romney released the following statement regarding travel restrictions to the United States:Romney helps introduce Coronavirus Worker Relief Act U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Todd Young (R-IN), and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) with U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA), John Rutherford (R-FL), and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) introduced the Coronavirus Worker Relief Act.Chamber supports governor's preventative measures for health and economic security Salt Lake Chamber President and CEO Derek Miller issued the following statement regarding recommendations by Governor Gary R. Herbert, Lt. Governor Spencer Cox, and the Utah Department of Health: More National HeadlinesHuman trials for a coronavirus vaccine could begin 'within a few weeks,' top US health official says (CNBC) Buried From Trump Tower Meeting: Translator Telling FBI 'No Collusion' (RealClearInvestigations) Coronavirus: Wuhan doctor says officials muzzled her for sharing report on WeChat (South China Morning Post) Coronavirus burial pits so vast they're visible from space (Washington Post) Elderly Will Be Denied Intensive Care as Coronavirus Overwhelms Italy's National Health System, Experts Warn (PJ Media) Joe Biden Blasts Trump's Coronavirus Response, Then Plagiarizes Trump's Plan (PJ Media) How Government Red Tape Stymied Testing and Made the Coronavirus Epidemic Worse (Reason) No, coronavirus is not a good argument for quitting cash (Technology Review) Greening Our Way to Infection (City-Journal) MSNBC's Joy Reid hits Dems for including abortion in emergency spending bill: 'What does that have to do with COVID-19?' (FOX News) Pentagon Asks to Reconsider Awarding Huge Cloud Contract to Amazon (New York Times)ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1781 - The planet Uranus was discovered by British astronomer William Herschel. 1862 - The U.S. federal government forbids all Union army officers from returning fugitive slaves, thus annulling the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 and setting the stage for the Emancipation Proclamation. 1865 - The Confederate States of America agree to the use of African-American troops. 1868 - The Senate began impeachment proceedings against President Andrew Johnson. Johnson was later acquitted by one vote. 1933 - Banks in the U.S. begin to re-open after President Franklin D. Roosevelt mandates a "bank holiday." 1991 - The Department of Justice announces that Exxon has agreed to pay $1 billion for the clean-up of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. Wise WordsTrust"Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships."Stephen Covey Lighter SideFueling the Fear; O'BrienPresident Trump appeared on Fox News and said he has a 'hunch' the coronavirus isn't as bad as health experts say. And, ladies and gentlemen, I have a hunch we're all gonna die."- CONAN O'BRIEN Listen to us on_Apple Podcasts Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |
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