Utah Policy: Presidential address, Senate candidate and "springing ahead" this weekend

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Utah Policy Daily Newsletter

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]

Situational Analysis - March 12, 2021

Happy Friday. Today marks the 18th anniversary of Elizabeth Smart being found in Salt Lake City. Through this traumatic experience, Elizabeth has become an advocate for change related to child abduction, recovery programs, and National legislation. Elizabeth triumphantly testified before her captor and the world about the very private nightmare she suffered during her abduction, which led to conviction. The Founder of the "Elizabeth Smart Foundation", Elizabeth has also helped promote The National AMBER Alert, The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act and other safety legislation to help prevent abductions.

Happy 74th birthday to Senator Mitt Romney today. Maybe he can find time to get a birthday hotdog.

And, we move to Daylight Savings Time this weekend. Don't forget to "spring ahead" on Sunday.

If you only have time for one thing: Take a minute to check out this timeline of the pandemic - every point of light on the animated map is a life lost to COVID-19 over the last year, some 525,000 nationally, 2000 in Utah. There is also a written summary of how this disease - and our response - unfolded. Sobering.

Countdown

33 days until the end of the Cox/Henderson administration's first 100 days (04/14/2021)
49 days until the Biden/Harris administration's first 100 days are up (04/30/2021)

Today At Utah Policy

Presidential address, US death rate spikes and the sad tale of our nation's 15th First Lady
By Holly Richardson
Presidential address - Last night, President Joe Biden addressed the nation, on his 50th day in office and the day he signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan bill. He called on Americans to join him in this ongoing fight against a virus that has upended our lives, saying "I will not relent until we beat this virus. But I need you, the American people. I need you. I need every American to do their part." He gave July 4 as a date where we have a chance to "not only mark our independence as a nation, but we begin to mark our independence from this virus." (Washington Post, The Hill, Politico)Opinion briefs: Senate race attracts a crowd . . . National monuments battle . . . federalism & minimum wage
By LaVarr Webb
Senate field keeps growing. The number of Republicans considering a run against Sen. Mike Lee for the GOP nomination in 2022 continues to increase. It's very early in the cycle, and the number of Lee's possible GOP opponents has already grown to five.Tweets of the day: Friday fun
By Holly Richardson
Friday's non-political tweets: some social media, good neighbors, Plowy McPlowface, crossing the ocean, finding a chariot and a new kind of library.

Utah Headlines

Deseret News

The road out of Matamoros - New president. New border approach. Inside the dismantling of one of Mexico's most high-profile migrant camps. The future of poverty in Joe Biden's America - "Multiple studies," The Washington Post reports, agree that the bill will "substantially lower poverty" - but only in 2021. The underreported church response to the deceptions recounted in 'Murder Among the Mormons' - In his talk at BYU in 1987, then-Elder Dallin H. Oaks issued a scathing reprimand to a major news organization that spent a year insisting the church was covering up a document - until it was proved that the document never existed. In fact, and this is mind-boggling, it was Hofmann himself that had deceived the newspaper into believing the document was real and in possession of the church. Lifting Utah's mask mandate 'deeply problematic' for schools, State School Board member says - HB294 lifts statewide mask mandate April 10 but schools, groups 50 and larger must continue to wear them. 'Don't be a fool' when mask mandate ends, governor warns as Utah marks grim COVID-19 milestone - "If you go to a business and they are requiring you to wear masks, don't yell at the clerk. Don't yell at the store manager," Cox said. "Don't make a fool of yourself because you don't want to wear a mask. Is clock ticking on time changes? Congress could trigger Utah law for year-round daylight saving time - Stewart is sponsoring the Daylight Act, would allow states to stay on daylight saving time permanently if they choose. Facebook calls antitrust actions 'empty' and a government attempt at a 'do over' on Instagram, WhatsApp acquisitions - Social media behemoth Facebook announced Wednesday it has filed motions to dismiss two antitrust cases targeting the company, including one led by a group of state plaintiffs that includes Utah.

Salt Lake Tribune

Something is missing in new reports about how hiker Holly Courtier got lost and found in Zion: Answers. - Park service documents are so heavily redacted that they reveal little new about the 12-day search aside from the $60K price tag. Here are two prime Utah spots for watching mountain goats this spring - Utah mountain goats have shaggy white coats and derpy faces, unlike the type of goats that live on farms. The Utah Division of Wildlife Services says two spots are particularly popular with the animals: Rock Creek and Little Cottonwood Canyon. Parents sue Park City School District over COVID-19 tests required to go to school in person - The schools required testing every 14 days, the suit says - a standard usually used for sports and extracurriculars. Climate lawsuits, Mark Hofmann and the year in COVID on this week's 'Behind the Headlines' - At 9 a.m. on Friday, Salt Lake Tribune reporters Andy Larsen, Peggy Fletcher Stack and Bryan Schott, and news columnist Robert Gehrke join KCPW's Roger McDonough to talk about the week's top stories. Utah is closing in on delivering its 1 millionth dose of vaccine, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson announces - Of Utahns age 70 and older, 79% have been vaccinated, Henderson said.

Other

Reflecting on what happened in Utah, one year since W.H.O. declares global pandemic (FOX 13) - Governor Spencer Cox said in his weekly press conference that looking back brings perspective. Utah Co. moves to moderate COVID-19 transmission level (FOX 13) - Tooele, Iron and Sevier counties also moved to moderate. Utah congressman proposes new national monument for Medal of Honor recipients (KSL) - Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, and Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, introduced the National Medal of Honor Monument Act in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday. It would create a new monument in the District of Columbia for all of the people who have received the Medal of Honor. Personal information of over 50,000 customers leaked after data breach in Lehi-based company (FOX 13) - Lehi based company Premier Diagnostics was storing sensitive customer information on a publicly accessible server, leading to a potential data breach for over 50,000 customers.

COVID Corner

The Lessons of One of the Worst Years in American Life (New York Times) - President Donald J. Trump lost his job in large part for mishandling a crisis he at first denied. President Biden knows his legacy depends on bringing the catastrophe to a swift conclusion. Biden will direct states to make all adults eligible for Covid vaccine by May 1 (CNBC) - He also said that Americans should hopefully be able to gather in small groups to celebrate the Fourth of July. Vaccine chaos leads to 'leftover dose' and 'real-time alert' sites (Yahoo! Finance) - The chaotic rollout, paired with vaccine hesitancy, has created an unequal supply-and-demand equation around the country. Fauci: CDC will release new guidance for vaccinated Americans 'very soon' (The Hill) - "They will address travel, they will address workplaces, they will address houses of worship," Fauci said of the upcoming recommendations. "You're gonna see that coming out pretty quickly." 'Finishing the deal': Biden vaccine victories build on Trump team's work (Washington Post) - At Day 50, supply and shots are picking up thanks to White House efforts, as well as adjustments set in motion by the Trump administration. Sorrow and stamina, defiance and despair. It's been a year. (Washington Post) - Don't miss this sobering graphic. 5 emergency warning signs for COVID-19 (Deseret News) - When searching for "COVID symptoms" on Google, you will find a page that lists a number of symptoms for the novel coronavirus. But the page also lists five emergency warning signs for COVID-19 that require immediate medical attention. AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine may cause blood clots (Deseret News) - Denmark has suspended the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine due to blood clots Dr. Fauci reveals what went wrong during the pandemic (Deseret News) - "We had such divisiveness in our country that even simple commonsense public health measures took on a political connotation (with) people."

National Headlines

'We all lost something': Biden honors Covid victims, accelerates vaccine timeline (Politico) - As part of an address to the nation, the president announced the directive with the goal of getting the U.S. closer to normal by July 4. 7 takeaways from Joe Biden's prime-time Covid-19 speech (CNN) - In the most remarkable moment of the night, the President of the United States stared into the camera lens and told the American people, "I need you." Then he said it again: "I need you." New York state assembly taking 'first step' to impeaching Cuomo (Fox News) - The news comes as the state filed a police report on an alleged incident involving potential criminal conduct. Trump, estranged from Presidents Club, excluded from predecessors' PSA (CNN) - Trump expressed little interest in joining his predecessors to promote the vaccine, and the team that organized the PSA did not view it as likely that the 45th president would participate. Biden denounces hate, violence against Asian Americans: 'It must stop' (The Hill) - "It's wrong. It's un-American. And it must stop," Biden said. DOJ seeks to build large conspiracy case against Oath Keepers for Jan. 6 riot (Washington Post) - In the wake of the short-lived insurrection, the Oath Keepers is the most high-profile self-styled militia group in the country. 'The mess we inherited': Biden leans heavily on Trump's 'Warp Speed' but won't give credit (ABC News) - "I don't think anyone deserves credit when half a million people in the country have died of this pandemic," said White House press secretary Jen Psaki. House Passes Gun Control Bills to Strengthen Background Checks (New York Times) - The legislation has broad support among voters, but is expected to join a growing list of progressive priorities languishing in the Senate amid Republican opposition. Can Democrats Still Count on the Grass-Roots? (New York Times) - An internal study by Democratic consultants found that some small-dollar donors plan to cut back on giving.

Policy News

SL Chamber president's message to the business community on the one-year anniversary of the pandemic
When Utah leads together, Utah prevails togetherAs we mark the one year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, on behalf of the Salt Lake Chamber and its members throughout the state, I express gratitude to each of you, as well as your employees and families who have pulled together to help us weather this challenge. There is still much to be done to overcome the harsh impact of the coronavirus, to ensure that the vaccination effort is successful, and to return to a full and promising economic condition that will sustain jobs, opportunity, and growth well into the future.Utah delegation meets with Interior officials on Bears Ears, Grand Staircase
U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Representatives Chris Stewart (R-UT), John Curtis (R-UT), Burgess Owens (R-UT), and Blake Moore (R-UT), today met with senior officials at the Department of Interior to encourage the Biden administration to work with Congress toward a permanent legislative solution that resolves the boundaries for the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments. Following their meeting, they released the following joint statement:Utah's resilience a model for the nation
The Salt Lake Chamber's Roadmap to Recovery Coalition, in partnership with the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, released its Economic Dashboard update for March, providing a compelling picture of Utah's business resilience. The Dashboard provides leaders with actionable intelligence related to current indicators important for guiding their organizations, as it tracks the State's path to a full and complete economic recovery from the pandemic recession and provides context for decision makers. Sen. Lee reintroduces Global Trade Accountability Act
Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) reintroduced the Global Trade Accountability Act Wednesday, a bill that would subject unilateral actions by the president to increase trade barriers to congressional approval. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) joined as cosponsors of the bill.Reps Curtis and Welch reintroduce bipartisan bill to boost funding for recreational trails
Today, Representative John Curtis (R-UT) and Representative Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced legislation that will more than double funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Since 1991, RTP has provided funding to states to develop and maintain outdoor recreational trails, allowing millions of Americans and their families to enjoy activities such as off-roading, snowmobiling, hiking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing.

Business Headlines

After Coupang, Another South Korean Delivery Company Catches U.S. IPO Fever (Wall Street Journal) - Online grocer Market Kurly makes overnight deliveries of freshly caught fish commonplace in one of the world's biggest e-commerce markets Stimulus checks could start hitting bank accounts this weekend, White House says (CNBC) - "This is, of course, just the first wave," Psaki noted, adding that "payments to eligible Americans will continue throughout the course of the next several weeks." Beeple is 'a rich man' after NFT he created sells for almost $70 million, says Christie's art specialist (CNBC) - The buyer of Winkelmann's creation gets "essentially a long string of numbers and letters. Ulta CEO Mary Dillon, who oversaw massive growth at the Bolingbrook-based beauty retailer, is stepping down in June (Chicago Tribune) - Current leader Mary Dillon will move into an executive chairwoman role starting in June. Confessions of an honest tax filer (and why the system is absurd) (Deseret News) - I just wanted to do the right thing. Now I'm pulling my hair out.

On This Day In History

(From History.com)

1776 - A public notice appears in local papers recognizing the sacrifice of women to the cause of the revolution. The notice urged others to recognize women's contributions to the war. 1806 - Jane Means Pierce is born. She became the 15th First Lady of the United States. 1871 - Katherine Fenton Nutter is born. She came west as a telegraph operator and became "Utah's Cattle Queen." 1907 - Dorrit Hoffleit is born. She became a senior research astronomer at Yale University, known for her work in variable stars, astrometry, spectroscopy, meteors and mentoring. 1912 - Juliette Gordon Low leads first Girl Scouts meeting in the United States. 1933 - FDR broadcasts first 'fireside chat' during the Great Depression, 8 days after his inauguration. 1947 - Mitt Romney is born. 1964 - Malcolm X resigns from the Nation of Islam. 1993 - Janet Reno is sworn in as the first woman US Attorney General, after unanimous confirmation by the US Senate. 2003 - Elizabeth Smart is found.