Error message

Situational awareness - March 21, 2018

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 - 10:15am
Utah Policy

Situational awareness - March 21, 2018

 

Good Wednesday morning from Salt Lake City. Welcome to Utah's must-read daily political news roundup. 

The Utah GOP loses another court battle over SB54. Utahns want Republicans to keep control of Congress in November. The suspect in a series of bombings in Austin, Texas is dead.

Happy birthday Twitter! The social media platform was founded on this day in 2006. 

Tick Tock

  • 25 days until the signature-gathering deadline for statewide ballot initiatives (4/15/2018)
  • 31 days until the Utah GOP State Convention (4/21/2018)
  • 38 days until the Utah Democratic State Convention (4/28/2018)
  • 97 days until the 2018 Primary Election (6/26/2018)
  • 230 days until the 2018 midterm elections (11/6/2018)
  • 313 days until the first day of the 2019 Utah Legislature (1/28/2019)
  • 959 days until the 2020 presidential election (11/3/2020)

Do you like podcasts? Give us a download! Listen to our interviews with Utah political newsmakers and "Bernick and Schott on politics" while you're on the go. Hosts Bryan Schott and Bob Bernick have more than 60 years combined experience covering Utah politics, so they bring you knowledge and insight that's unprecedented. You can subscribe using iTunesGoogle Play, and Stitcher.

Got a tip or story idea? Send me an email at bschott@utahpolicy.com.

If you have friends or colleagues who would enjoy receiving this daily news rundown, tell them they can subscribe to our newsletter here.

Here's what's driving the day

Utahns aren't fond of the job Congress is doing, but they want Republicans to remain in control

Our new poll finds that 2/3rds of Utahns don't think Congress is doing a very good job, but more than half want the GOP to keep their majority in the 2018 midterm elections [Utah Policy].

The Utah GOP loses another court battle over SB54

The 10th Circuit in Denver ruled against the Utah GOP's appeal in their lawsuit to strike down the signature gathering path for candidates [Utah Policy].

Romney's opportunity

Former Congressman Ernest Istook writes that Mitt Romney should rise above the culture of personal attacks and set an example for civility if he wins election to the Senate in November [Utah Policy].

Utah political bracket update

Homeless advocate Pamela Atkinson continues her Cinderella run through our political tournament bracket with another big upset. Check out the updated bracket here [Utah Policy].

Vote on today's matchups here [Utah Policy].

Other Utah Headlines

  • Utah Republicans and Democrats hit their neighborhood caucus meetings on Tuesday night. Attendance in Utah county was lower than usual [Daily Herald, Deseret NewsTribune].
     
  • A new lawsuit alleges Rep. John Curtis when he was mayor of Provo, and other city officials were aware of, and ignored sexual misconduct complaints against former Provo police chief John King [Deseret News, Tribune].
     
  • The Salt Lake City Council voted to delay development agreements in the northwest quadrant due to the bill passed by the legislature in the final days of the 2018 session [Deseret News].
     
  • The LDS Church donated a now-closed landfill in northwest Salt Lake City to the state [Tribune].
     
  • Gov. Gary Herbert signs a number of bills, including allowing restaurants to take down their "not a bar" signs and another to restrict when fireworks can be used [Associated Press, Deseret News, Fox 13Tribune].
     
  • The Alliance for a Better Utah once again demands that embattled Utah County Commissioner Greg Graves resign [Daily Herald].

National headlines

  • A suspect in a series of bombings in Austin, Texas is dead. He killed himself with an explosive device at a hotel in Round Rock, Texas as a SWAT team closed in [Austin American-Statesman].
     
  • Congress is struggling to find consensus on an omnibus $1.3 trillion spending bill before a government shutdown on Saturday. Republican leaders are now floating a short-term spending bill to prevent a shutdown [The Hill].
     
  • President Trump's national security advisers warned him not to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his reelection. In fact, written on his briefing materials in all-capital letters was "DO NOT CONGRATULATE." Trump went ahead and congratulated Putin anyway [Washington Post].
     
  • A former employee of controversial data firm Cambridge Analytica says Steve Bannon oversaw the firms collection of data from Facebook [Washington Post].
     
  • Members of the Senate Intelligence Committee warned about Russian interference in the 2018 midterm elections, suggesting a switching to voting machines that produce paper ballots [New York Times].
     
  • Global economic leaders warn of a trade war in response to President Trump's plan to impose stiff tariffs on steel and aluminum [New York Times].
     
  • EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt spent more than $105,000 on first-class flights during his first year in office. He also spent another $58,000 on charter and military flights [Politico].
     
  • Housing and urban development secretary Ben Carson defended the purchase of a $31,000 dining room set for his office saying his wife and staff made the ultimate decision to spend the exorbitant sum [New York Times].
     
  • A Fox News contributor who once said President Obama had been "date raped" by Russian President Vladimir Putin has quit the network, saying it has become a "propaganda machine" for the Trump administration [BuzzFeed].
     
  • Right-wing news site Breitbart's readership has nosedived since Steve Bannon was ousted as the head of the organization [Politico].

On this day in history

  • 1617 - Pocahontas died in England at about age 22. Three years earlier, she converted to Christianity, took the name Rebecca and married Englishman John Rolfe.
     
  • 1790 - Thomas Jefferson of Virginia became the first secretary of state.
     
  • 1925 - The Butler Act prohibits the teaching of human evolution in Tennessee.
     
  • 1952 - Alan Freed presents the Moondog Coronation Ball, the first rock and roll concert, in Clevel and, Ohio.
     
  • 1963 - Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary closes.
     
  • 1980 - President Jimmy Carter announces a United States boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics to protest the Soviet-Afghan War.
     
  • 2006 - Twitter is founded.

 

 

Today At Utah Policy

Utahns don't approve of Congress, but want Republicans to keep control after 2018 midterm elections
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Utahns have a very dim view of Congress, but they still want to see Republicans keep control in November....

Vote for more second round matchups in our 2018 Utah political bracket challenge
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
It's time for day #3 in the second round of our 2018 Utah political bracket challenge. Check out today's matchups and cast your vote below....

10th Circuit Court rules against Utah GOP in lawsuit against SB54
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Just in time for the biennial Utah caucus meetings, a three-judge panel has upheld a lower court's decision in the Utah GOP's lawsuit against SB54....

Another huge upset in our 2018 Utah political bracket challenge
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Here are today's results in our 2018 Utah political bracket challenge. Find out who booked their ticket to the "Sweet 16," including another big upset....

Guest opinion: Mitt Romney's golden opportunity -- To set an example
By Ernest Istook, former U.S. Congressman
Because insults sell newspapers and attract audiences, national media want Mitt Romney to be a U.S. Senator who frequently bashes President Donald Trump....

 

Policy News

a2b Fulfillment, Inc. chooses Utah for future expansion
The Governor's Office of Economic Development announced that a2b Fulfillment will expand operations to Ogden, Utah, adding up to 75 new jobs, $12.6 million in new state revenue and an estimated $840,000 in capital investment....

You're invited: Diplomatic luncheon with the Ambassador of Tunisia
World Trade Center Utah, in partnership with the Governor's Office of Economic Development, the Salt Lake Chamber, and the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC,) is delighted to host a diplomatic luncheon welcoming His Excellency Mr. Fayal Gouia,&nbs...

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

Feds sells leases on archaeologically rich southern Utah lands for oil and gas

Mormon church-owned site of former Salt Lake City landfill now in hands of state trust lands agency

10th Circuit Court rules against Utah GOP's attempt to overturn election law

Utah governor calls on residents to send money to homeless services account when they file their taxes

Gov. Herbert signs 136 more bills

Mitt Romney is praised by neighbors at his caucus

Deseret News

Editorial: Utah offers a model to guard against cyberattacks

Group repeats calls for embattled Utah County commissioner's resignation

Tribal representatives, public lands advocates decry oil, gas sale

Summit County lawsuit alleges pharma companies pushed dangerous opioids to make a profit

Salt Lake City pauses northwest quadrant development agreements, citing uncertainty with inland port bill

Utah governor signs bills to remove ill officials, fund homeless shelters

Election ruling draws mixed reviews from Utah caucusgoers

Federal appeals court upholds Utah's controversial election law

'We give of our resources': Herbert asks Utahns to donate to homeless fund on tax form

Is Utah dependent on the U.S. government? Not really, new report says

Other

Alliance for a Better Utah asks Greg Graves to resign, again (Daily Herald)

Utah County caucus attendance lower than presidential years, many Republican precincts opt out of app (Daily Herald)

North Ogden Democrat, Republican join race for Utah House District 7 seat (Standard-Examiner)

Layton GOPer plans to challenge US Rep. Rob Bishop in House race (Standard-Examiner)

Lack of contested races for November election seen as rare (Park Record)

Summit County political season moves toward critical caucuses (Park Record)

National Headlines

Cambridge Analytica's use of Facebook is straight from Obama's playbook (Spectator)

Smug elites are about to start parading their virtues. Ignore them. (The Week)

'Morning Joe' Frantic Over Poll Showing Americans Believe In A 'Deep State' (Daily Caller)

Are some states headed for Splitsville? Movement grows to allow sections of states to break away (FOX News)

You're proving the president's point when you talk about the intel chiefs like they're vengeful hatchet men (Washington Examiner)

Nielsens illustrate how the popularity of political shows (Associated Press)

Democratic, Republican voter bases are more different than ever, study finds (Los Angeles Times)

San Francisco expected to ban fur sales, stirring backlash: 'What's next? They're going to say that you can't have beef?' (Los Angeles Times)

Walkout fallout: School districts hit with backlash over political activism (Washington Times)

Trump Greets Visiting Saudi Prince with a Crowded Agenda (Wall Street Journal)

One of the last anti-abortion Democrats could lose his seat to a progressive challenger Tuesday (Vox)

Illegal immigrants, who dodged California ICE raid after Dem mayor's tip-off, re-arrested for new crimes (FOX News)

California city votes to opt out of sanctuary law (Washington Times)

Wise Words

Work Life Choices

"There's no such thing as work-life balance. There are work-life choices, and you make them, and they have consequences." Jack Welch
 

 

Lighter Side

Spring Break

"It's spring break! Just remember, the partying lasts a week, but the photos will cost you jobs forever." Jimmy Fallon