Utah Policy: Suez canal, Tolkien Reading Day and the speech a president could deliver

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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 25, 2021

It's Thursday, March 25 and snow is in the forecast, Just another spring day in Utah. It's also National Tolkien Reading Day, a day to spend some time with the Lord of the Rings (or any of his 30-some books). This particular date was chosen because March 25 is the day that Sauron fell after the One Ring was destroyed in the fires of Mt. Doom.

5 things you need to know

The state GOP Organizing convention is just over a month away. So far, there are two people who have filed to run for chair: Scott Miller, current SL County GOP chair and Stewart Peay, current Utah County GOP Chair. Two have also filed for vice-chair: Jordan Hess and Austin Cox, who is running with Peay. The filing deadline is next Thursday, April 1 at 5 pm. Utah Rep. Jon Hawkins had to relearn how to swallow, walk, talk, eat and breathe after COVID-19 almost killed him. Watch his story here. The Boulder, Colorado shooting suspect appears in court for the first time today. You can watch it if you want to. Brazil is in rough shape with COVID-19 raging. And, it's young people who are now gettng severely ill and dying. There's a giant ship blocking the Suez Canal, snarling global shipping and spawning all manner of memes. Here's just one example. There are so, so many more.

Countdown

20 days until the end of the Cox/Henderson administration's first 100 days (04/14/2021)
30 days until the United Utah Party Organizing Convention (04/24/2021)
36 days until the Biden/Harris administration's first 100 days are up (04/30/2021)
37 days until the Utah GOP Organizing Convention (05/01/2021)
170 days until half-way through the Cox/Henderson's administration's 500-day plan (09/11/2021)

Today At Utah Policy

Tweets of the day
By Holly Richardson
Harmful toxins in the Virgin River, national jobless claims down, reproductive problems and super bugsCommentary: A speech I wish a new president would deliver
By LaVarr Webb
"As I begin my new administration, I pledge to address the challenges facing our nation. For that reason, today I'm announcing an historic federalism summit. I invite the nation's governors and top legislative leaders from every state to meet with me and the leaders of Congress so that we can forge a close partnership to jointly solve America's most difficult problems.Letter to the editor: GA killings not racially motivated
By Lt. Colonel Raymond Takashi Swenson
As a Japanese American, I frankly do not see the massage parlors that were attacked recently by a violent wacko as in any way representative of the Asian American community. I was a prosecutor for five years in the Air Force, including three years in Japan, and I roundly condemn murder of any human being. But trying to use that murderer's actions as a reason to indict other Americans, to claim that he is somehow a thought leader for a movement of Americans who hate people of Asian descent, is disgusting and engenders hatred toward the vast number of honest and good Americans.

Utah Headlines

Deseret News

Religious disaffiliation is rising. Is there a path back to the fold? - What's driving religiously unaffiliated Americans away from organized religion? And what can bring them back? We can't talk about shootings without tackling our void in values - Change will only be brought about when the values of acceptance, understanding, self-control, empathy and valuing the differences in others become part of the moral fabric of our society. Salt Lake County mayor in 'wait-and-see' mode on continuing mask mandate - 'What I don't want to do is stir things up,' Mayor Jenny Wilson says. National surveys suggest Americans are having less sex. Here's why - or if - it matters to the future - A U professor says there's not a long enough timeline on the available data, which "should lead us to hold on a second before we make pronouncements about the death of sex." You're vaccinated. So can you travel for spring break? - The "CDC recommends that you do not travel at this time. Delay travel and stay home to protect yourself and others from COVID-19," the agency suggests on its website. Salt Lake family seeking asylum has been in its own type of quarantine for three years - Vicky Chavez is suing U.S. immigration officials, along with three other women in Ohio, Texas and Virginia. Mitt Romney: Science, not teachers unions, should dictate schools reopening - The data is in - k-12 schools are not super-spreaders. Schools that can re-open safely should do so. Striped vs. solid crosswalk lines: Knowing the difference could save you a ticket - A crosswalk that has a pattern of wide striped lines running from curb to curb - like a ladder - is a designated school crosswalk. According to state law, a motorist must wait for a pedestrian to walk all the way across the street to the opposite sidewalk before proceeding, whether school is in session or not.

Salt Lake Tribune

Utah's statewide mask mandate will end April 10 after Gov. Spencer Cox signed pandemic 'endgame' bill - He vetoed a proposal that would add new requirements for issuing public health orders pertaining to schools. Utah ranch for 'troubled teens' could lose its license for subjecting kids to forced labor, 'repetitive walking' - Sorenson's Ranch School must retrain its staff and abide by state rules or close. Quoting Brigham Young, James Huntsman sues LDS Church, seeks to recover millions in tithing - Federal fraud case - which quotes Brigham Young - claims Utah-based faith misled members to solicit money for charitable work but instead used it for commercial purposes, points to $100 billion reserve fund. The Salt Lake Tribune is pioneering one path forward for local news. See its playbook here - In 2019, The Tribune became the country's first nonprofit metro news organization. A look into Utah's sheriffs last-ditch - and misleading - campaign to get bail reform repealed - Utah's sheriffs launched an aggressive last-ditch campaign, publicizing dangerous people they say were let loose because of a flawed bail reform law. Burgess Owens got campaign donations from Capitol riot suspect - The Kentucky man said he didn't commit any acts of violence. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox vetoes controversial social media legislation - The issue is almost sure to return to the Legislature next year. Utah health, human services agencies to merge next year - The move has caused consternation among some Utahns concerned that public health could lose stature if it doesn't have its own agency.

Other

As COVID-19 vaccinations open up to all Utah adults, Salt Lake County doesn't want you 'vaccine shopping' (KSL) - "The problem that it creates for us is many of those individuals who are 'shopping' do not cancel their appointment." SL County Council to consider new mask mandate ahead of COVID-19 'endgame' bill (FOX 13) - Mayor Wilson urged people to still wear masks in public until health experts say it is safe to remove them and when the state reaches a herd immunity through vaccination. Taylor Swift, Utah theme park drop lawsuits over 'Evermore' trademark (FOX 13) - "As a resolution of both lawsuits, the parties will drop and dismiss their respective suits without monetary settlement." Doctors warn against waiting to get COVID-19 Vaccine (FOX 13) - It is becoming a race between the new COVID-19 variants and the vaccine. Ogden School District to become first in Utah to offer International Baccalaureate to all grades starting in fall (Standard Examiner) - The district will now move on to the next step in taking IB to Mount Ogden Junior High School and T.O. Smith Elementary School.

COVID Corner

AstraZeneca used 'outdated and potentially misleading data' that overstated the effectiveness of its vaccine, independent panel says (Washington Post) - The data "they chose to release was the most favorable for the study as opposed to the most recent and most complete. Decisions like this are what erode public trust in the scientific process." AstraZeneca revises Covid vaccine data with lower efficacy rate after accuracy questions (CNBC) - The company now says its vaccine is 76% effective in protecting against symptomatic cases of virus. A release issued on Monday reported a symptomatic efficacy rate of 79%. Former Trump vaccine czar fired over substantiated sexual harassment claim (Ars Technica) - Moncef Slaoui has been fired from his position as chair of a biomedical company's board of directors after an internal investigation substantiated allegations of sexual harassment against him. The do's and don'ts after getting vaccinated for COVID-19 (WXYZ) We Must Start Planning For a Permanent Pandemic (Bloomberg) - With coronavirus mutations pitted against vaccinations in a global arms race, we may never go back to normal. Why is the AstraZeneca vaccine linked to blood clots? Scientists may have found the answer (Deseret News) - AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine "could trigger an autoimmune disorder causing blood to clot in the brain" in a tiny percentage of recipients. These COVID-19 symptoms could cause a 'really serious problem' for people (Deseret News) - About 85% of those with long-COVID-19 face long-term symptoms, including neurologic symptoms. Wait, are they making a COVID-19 vaccine pill? (Deseret News) - The company Oravax announced this week that it is working on a COVID-19 vaccine that would be swallowed by pill without the need for an injection.

National Headlines

Newsom swats away Democratic challengers. Will his party live to regret it? (Politico) - Gov. Gavin Newsom's camp has one message for Democrats considering a California recall bid: Don't even think about it. Biden's closest Senate ally emerges as a shadow secretary of state (Politico) - The president dispatched Sen. Chris Coons to Ethiopia recently for an urgent diplomatic mission. North Korea launched two ballistic missiles, U.S., Japanese officials say (NBC News) - News of the launch comes after it was reported that the country fired at least one missile over the weekend, an action the U.S. downplayed. White House Weighs Executive Orders on Gun Control (New York Times) - A day after President Biden called on Congress to pass a new assault weapons ban and tougher background checks, the administration was considering steps it could take without legislation. Top health officials told to prioritize COVID testing for Cuomo's relatives (Albany Times Union) - High-level associates also benefited from program in early days of pandemic. Colorado Democrats Consider Ban On Assault Weapons After Mass Shooting (NPR) - "There's no question that the real solution has to come from the federal government. A patchwork of laws is better than nothing, but clearly, if someone is intent on causing harm and we have strict regulations in Colorado, somebody can drive an hour and a half to Wyoming. Biden taps Harris to handle border crisis (Washington Post) - "It's not her full-responsibility job, but she is leading the effort because I think the best thing to do is to put someone who, when he or she speaks, they don't have to wonder about, is that where the president is," Biden said. "When she speaks, she speaks for me." Rob Bonta nominated to be California attorney general, would be first Filipino in role (NBC News) - His nomination comes amid push for more Asian American and Pacific Islander representation in positions of power in the wake of racist incidents. Rachel Levine, Biden's pick for health post, is first openly transgender official to be confirmed by Senate. (New York Times) - Two Republicans, Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, crossed party lines to vote for Dr. Levine. Cuomo's Family Is Said to Have Received Special Access to Virus Tests (New York Times) - Top health officials tested Chris Cuomo, the governor's brother, when testing was not widely available, two people with knowledge of the matter said. Democrats Begin Push for Biggest Expansion of Voting Since 1960s (New York Times) - Democrats characterized the far-reaching elections overhaul as the civil rights battle of modern times. Republicans called it a power grab that would put their party at a permanent disadvantage. Republicans Aim to Seize More Power Over How Elections Are Run (New York Times) - G.O.P. lawmakers in at least eight states controlled by the party are trying to gain broad influence over the mechanics of voting, in an effort that could further undermine the country's democratic norms. Biden faces a flurry of new challenges ahead of first White House news conference (Washington Post) - Nine days are often more like dog years in the life of a president, and somewhere between planning and execution, reality intruded. Prosecutors allege 'alliance' between Proud Boys and Oath Keepers on Jan. 6 (Washington Post) - Investigators say members of the two groups coordinated beforehand, preparing for violence. House Democrats express alarm over slow stimulus checks (The Hill) - Many people who are elderly, disabled or veterans are facing delays in receiving the $1,400 stimulus checks as part of the most recent COVID-19 relief package.

Policy News

Utah Foundation: Measuring the miles - road usage charges in Utah
Utah has joined about a dozen states in exploring a new kind of revenue for road maintenance that charges drivers for miles driven, rather than fuel consumed. While many states have conducted research and pilot projects on road usage charges, Utah and Oregon are the only two states with currently operating programs.Sen. Lee, colleagues introduce US-UK free trade resolution
Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) today introduced a resolution recognizing the mutual history and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, and expressing the Sense of the Senate that the United States President should lay the groundwork for a mutually advantageous future trade agreement between the U.S. and the U.K.Utah County Chair Stewart Peay, Austin Cox announce campaign for Utah Republican Party Chair, Vice Chair
Today, Utah County Republican Party Chair Stewart Peay announced his intent to run for Chair of the Utah Republican Party, while Republican campaign strategist Austin Cox announced he would run to serve as Peay's Vice Chair.Romney, colleagues condemn China's human rights abuses against Uyghurs
U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), Ranking Member of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, today joined Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Edward Markey (D-MA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Tim Kaine (D-VA), in introducing a resolution condemning the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) for its treatment of the Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and calling for an international investigation into the abuses and crimes committed there.Utah Dept of Human Services names Nate Checketts and David Litvack as Deputy Directors
The Utah Department of Human Services (DHS) Executive Director Tracy Gruber announced the appointment of two new Deputy Directors, Nate Checketts and David Litvack. They will both assume their new roles April 5. These appointments come during a broader period of transition for the department, with a new executive director appointed in January by Governor Spencer Cox, and passage of House Bill 365 directing the consolidation of the Department of Human Services and the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) by July of 2022.

Business Headlines

GameStop Stock Is Tumbling Because Its Earnings Report Mattered After All (Barron's) - GameStop stock was falling fast on Wednesday after the company's fiscal fourth-quarter results disappointed analysts. There's also another elephant in the room: The company is considering selling more stock, which could dilute its shares. Congress set to grill Facebook, Google and Twitter CEOs on extremist content, misinformation (Deseret News) - Less than 48 hours after Utah Gov. Spencer Cox vetoed a controversial bill aiming to impose new moderation regulations on social media platforms, a U.S. House joint committee will take up some of the same issues in a Thursday hearing that will include the CEOs of Facebook, Google and Twitter. Amazon exec jabs Sanders, touts company's progressive policies ahead of union vote (Fox Business) - Amazon was one of the first companies to raise its minimum wage to $15 per hour after Sanders pressure campaign. Billionaire Mark Cuban launches digital art gallery called Lazy.com to display NFTs (The Hill) - Non-fungible tokens (NFT) are unique identifiers tied to blockchain technology, a decentralized database of records, and increasingly used by digital artists. CDC won't allow cruise companies to return to business in July (Atlanta Journal Constitution) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has rejected a request by the cruise industry to immediately lift a no-sail order that would have allowed ships to resume business in U.S. waters by July, months ahead of a previously announced November return date.

On This Day In History

(From History.com)

1634 - The first colonists arrive at Maryland's western shore and establish the first settlement of St. Mary's. Last week, archeologists announced that they had found the ruins of St. Mary's. 1807 - The British Parliament passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act making the slave trade illegal in the British colonies. However, trade continued in the Caribbean until 1811. Watch the 2007 movie Amazing Grace for a look at the work William Wilberforce put into the effort. 1862 - George Sutherland is born. He was a Utah Senator, a U.S. Senator and the only Supreme Court Justice to come from Utah. He was a strong proponent of women's political rights for his entire life. Conservative Utah think tank Sutherland Institute is named for George. 1911 - The Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory sweatshop in New York City burns down, killing 146 workers, almost all of them women. 1931 - Ida B. Wells Barnett dies of kidney failure at age 68. 1934 - Gloria Steinem is born. 1949 - Lillian E. Fishburne is born. She became the first African-American female to hold the rank of Rear Admiral (RDML) in the United States Navy (1998). 1967 - Debi Thomas is born. In 1988, she became the first Black athlete to ever win a medal in the Olympic Winter Games when she won the bronze in figure skating.