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 - April 2, 2020Good Thursday morning from Salt Lake CityTICK TOCK23 days to the Utah Republican and Democratic state conventions (4/25/2020)89 days to the 2020 Utah primary elections (6/30/2020)215 Days to the 2020 election (11/3/2020)293 days to inauguration day (01/20/2021)298 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 PolicyUtahns trust state government more than the feds to deal with coronavirus pandemicBy Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor Utahns have confidence in themselves when it comes to dealing with the coronavirus, their local doctors and hospitals, and Utah state government, but many don't trust GOP President Donald Trump and the feds to take care of the coronavirus crisis, a new poll finds. Burningham names McCay as his running mate By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeff Burningham named State Senator Dan McCay, R-Riverton, as his running mate on Wednesday night. Herbert plans to call special session by end of April to deal with coronavirus pandemic By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Governor Gary Herbert says he will call lawmakers into a special session by the end of April so they can grapple with the fiscal fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. OTHER UTAH HEADLINESDeseret News
Salt Lake Tribune
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NATIONAL HEADLINESBrutal jobs report expectedNew unemployment numbers are expected to show between 4.5 and 5.5 million Americans were out of work this week [Bloomberg]. Coronavirus deaths increasing rapidlyThe number of deaths from the virus grew to more than 5,000 overnight. More than 1,000 people died in a single day in the U.S. for the first time since the outbreak [Fox News]. Another hitch in the federal response to the outbreakThousands of ventilators in the national stockpile don't work after a contract to provide maintenance for the devices lapsed [New York Times]. The last rounds of protective gear in the national stockpile are nearly gone [CNN]. The Pentagon is seeking 100,000 body bags for civilian use as the number of deaths from the virus continues to rise [Bloomberg]. The U.S. is ending shipments of personal protective equipment overseas [CNN]. The Trump administration will not reopen the Obamacare exchanges to allow uninsured Americans to purchase healthcare coverage [NBC News]. Pump the brakesSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should "stand down" on passing another stimulus package through the House [Washington Post]. Shifting blamePresident Donald Trump says impeachment "probably" distracted him from fighting the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak [USA Today]. Vice President Mike Pence blamed China and the Centers for Disease Control for any delay by the federal government to respond to the coronavirus threat [CNN]. U.S. intelligence agencies say China concealed the severity of the coronavirus outbreak [Bloomberg]. For your radarFederal government officials fear the coronavirus could disrupt the federal government as the illness could disrupt the federal workforce tasked with running hundreds of agencies [Politico]. It's not just toilet paperAmericans are stocking up on guns amid the coronavirus outbreak. Nearly 2 million firearms were sold during March [CNN]. TroublingDr. Anthony Fauci, who has risen to prominence during the coronavirus outbreak, is facing threats to his personal safety. In response, the government is providing him a security detail [Washington Post]. Hmmm...Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler sold millions of dollars of stock in retailers and purchased shares in companies that produced medical equipment after receiving a classified briefing about the threat from the coronavirus in February [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]. Biden calls for a delayDemocratic frontrunner Joe Biden says the party should push its national convention to August instead of mid-July [New York Times]. BUSINESS HEADLINES
Policy NewsJoin an urgent and compelling forum featuring Mike Leavitt that will provide direction to help local businesses navigate COVID-19Join World Trade Center Utah, in partnership with the David Eccles School of Business, the Marriner S. Eccles Institute, and the Leavitt Group, for a webinar forum: "Navigating COVID-19: How to Save Your Business with Mike Leavitt" on April 3, 2020 11 am - 1 pm MST. The forum will provide clear and actionable direction to help local businesses navigate the COVID-19 health and economic crisis. Salt Lake County launches business relief hotline Following the latest Public Health Order issued Sunday, March 29 by Salt Lake County Health Department and signed by Mayor Jenny Wilson, the Salt Lake County COVID-19 Economic Impact & Recovery Team is launching a free Business Relief Hotline for all Salt Lake County-based businesses to access and receive immediate resource guidance, as well provide a live outlet to ask questions. Gov. Herbert issues moratorium on residential evictions for tenants impacted by COVID-19 Gov. Gary R. Herbert issued an Executive Order instituting a moratorium on residential evictions for a narrow group of tenants who have been directly impacted by COVID-19. Utah Bankers Association encourages small businesses impacted by COVID-19 to apply for federal aid; Paycheck Protection Program Utah small business owners who are negatively impacted by the Corona virus pandemic are strongly encouraged to visit Utah.Bank for instructions how they can take advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program. 'Why a free press matters in a democracy" essay competition for students grades 6 through university The National Student Essay Competition offers students in grades 6 through 8, grades 9 through 12, and those at universities and colleges an opportunity to reflect on the importance of a free press and to compete for $15,000 in cash awards from the Boston Globe Foundation and a full, four-year scholarship, current total value $152,000, at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. More National Headlines
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY1513 - Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon first sights land in what is now Florida. 1792 - The Coinage Act is passed establishing the United States Mint. 1902 - "Electric Theater," the first full-time movie theater in the U.S., opens in Los Angeles. 1917 - President Woodrow Wilson asks Congress for a declaration of war on Germany. 1982 - Argentina invades the Falkland Islands. Wise WordsGood Advice "When you have got an elephant by the hind legs and he is trying to run away, it's best to let him run."Abraham Lincoln Lighter SideTDS The president has also said he wants to reassess shutdowns after two weeks of quarantine. "But, what quarantine?" [Trevor] Noah retorted. "Two-thirds of the American population hasn't even been quarantined. People have been out at bars, restaurants, beaches the whole time. So, what are we reassessing after the 15 days? We're just going to go back to normal after doing a half-ass job? Subscribers may receive special messages with information about new features, special offers, or public policy messages from clients and advertisers. |