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Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: State Auditor John Dougall & Maura Carabello from the Exoro Group

Student Loan Forgiveness:

• What it does: President Biden’s plan to forgive up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients and $10,000 for other student loan holders. Payment pauses continues until end of year.
• Is it Legal? Last summer House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said President Biden does not have executive authority to issue “debt forgiveness” saying the action would be illegal and it would need an act of Congress.
• Democrat Chris Pappas of New Hampshire said Wednesday the plan “sidesteps Congress and our oversight and fiscal responsibilities.”
• Is it fair? Senator Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska) called the order a “scheme” that “forces blue-collar workers to subsidize white-collar graduate students.”
• Does this fix the higher ed cost problem? Will Universities jack up prices hoping more money is on the way.
• Will this fan and feed inflation: More money flowing with 40-year high inflation
• Will this change any votes for the midterm? A blue wave in thanks to Democrats and Biden fulfilling a campaign promise.

Bears Ears Lawsuit: The state is suing the Biden administration over the President’s restoration of the original boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments. The monuments were downsized by former President Trump in 2017.

Lieutenant governor will not remove state lawmaker from ballot: Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson said she will not remove the newly named head of the Department of Natural Resources from the ballot where he remains a candidate for the House of Representatives.

In a letter Wednesday, Henderson told attorneys for the Utah Democratic Party and legislative candidate Josh Hardy there is “no statutory basis” for removing Rep. Joel Ferry (R-Brigham City) from the ballot in the House District 1 race.

“At this time,” Henderson wrote, “whether or not Mr. Ferry remains on the ballot is entirely up to him.”

Utah Gerrymander lawsuit moves forward: State attorneys sought delay until the Supreme Court decides if states can hear such challenges.

Senate Debate Mike Lee Evan McMullin: McMullin says Lee will not debate. Lee says he is working on his schedule.

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Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Greg Hughes & Maura Carabello

Based and Woke: A riveting discussion: Also, have you heard of Mr. Mrs. MX?

Liz Cheney loses her primary to Trump-backed Harriet Hageman but says she may run for President

66% Hageman

Cheney 29%

Biden gets a win with the Inflation Reduction Act: Will Americans get a win with the bill now signed into law?

$7500 tax credit for EV’s

GM and Ford hike prices by $6-8k due to costs

15% tax on Billion-dollar companies

Lower RX costs? Not until 2026 starting with a handful of drugs

Utah Legislature transgender sports: Meeting discussed lawsuits surrounding ban on trans girls in sports. During the meeting, a case was discussed: Parents filed a complaint against and athlete who beat their kids and they assumed to be trans.

New Bill sex abuse reporting bill? Governor Spencer Cox says he supports requiring religious leaders in Utah to report child abuse- even if they learn about it through confession.

AP Investigation in Arizona sex abuse case

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Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group & John Dougall, State Auditor

Less than 100 days to election day

Orem voters will get to decide if they want their own school district: Campaigns begin over proposed Alpine School District split

Salt Lake City School District Superintendent issues sent to mediation

Rocky Anderson is running to get the mayor’s office Back

Salt Lake County Suspends one of their own

Statement for immediate release: “We stand firmly with victims and temporarily suspend Senator Gene Davis from participating in Salt Lake County Democratic Party events, committees, and any party-related activity.” An intern has accused him of sexual harassment.

Lt. Gov. Henderson: ‘Turn down the rhetorical heat’ on election fraud claims

Henderson’s statement came after Willie Billings announced Wednesday that he would not go forward with a lawsuit challenging the results of the House District 72 primary election in which he lost to Joseph Elison by just ten votes.

In a statement on Facebook, Billings said he could not afford the cost of litigating the issue.

Senate Race:

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Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Greg Hughes & Maura Carabello

Elections

• All 5 Utah Congressional incumbents hold their seats
• Lee will now face race with Evan McMullin
• Becky Edwards and Erin Ryder make impressive showings in Salt Lake County
• Utah County DA David Leavitt loses amid ritualistic sex abuse case and talk of cannibalism
• Utah’s most liberal Senate District tight: Jen Plumb ahead of Senator Derek Kitchen by 50 + points
• Long time state senator Gene Davis (D) losing to Nate Blouin
• Newcomer Sheldon Steward beats out Steve Debry for (R) County council race

Supreme Court Rulings

• Remain in Mexico Policy properly ended
• EPA limited on emissions regulations
• Roe V Wade (Utah law put on hold for 2 weeks PPP ACLU lawsuits)

First gun control package to pass in Congress in 30 years

Fireworks v light shows

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Jake Hunsaker, first time candidate, running for US House seat in Utah’s 4^th District sat down with Heidi Hatch ahead of Tuesday’s primary.

Utah’s 4^th district is the only race where the candidates did not debate prior to Utah’s primary June 28^th.

Congressman Burgess Owens said he did not have time for a debate while serving the people of Utah in Washington D.C.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Vote for the candidate who will SHOW UP for Utah. #jake4congress #utpol pic.twitter.com/Qt5kzOBcNa

— Jake Hunsaker (@JakeHunsaker) June 2, 2022

To allow voters to understand their candidates we sat down with both men to talk about the most prominent issues facing Utahn’s.

Take 2 Podcast Burgess Owens and challenger Jake Hunsaker CD4

Hunsaker sat down hours after the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.

“I applaud the decision by the court to return legislative power on this sensitive issue. That is not part of our constitution. It is not enumerated as a right of the federal government.”

As a pro-life candidate Hunsaker said he will “advocate for the unborn” as a believer in the sanctity of life. He acknowledges “there are many ways that we can and should at the state level, empower families, empower expectant parents, through resources and education.”

Hunsaker discussed his position on the following issues:

• Roe V Wade Overturned
• Bi-partisan gun legislation
• Inflation/Economy
• Gas prices/Biden proposed gas tax holiday
• Forgiving school debt
• January 6^th hearings
  
  

Learn more about Jake Hunsaker

Congressman Burgess Owens

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Utah’s primary election is Tuesday, June 28.

Leading up to the election, the only Congressional race where there was not a debate was in Utah’s CD4.

Heidi Hatch sat down with Congressman Burgess Owens and challenger Jake Hunsaker to give voters an opportunity to hear from both candidates.

Owens’s interview was recorded Thursday, June 23 prior to the Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe V Wade and the passing of gun legislation in Congress- The Congressman joining by phone from his office in Washington D.C.

Jake Hunsaker joined Heidi Hatch in studio Friday June 24^th after both the ruling and votes in Congress.

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Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Greg Hughes & Maura Carabello

Governor signals openness to Red Flag law discussion.

Utah Drought: So far, no sign of a special session.

Do we need an executive order to save water? Would it do any good?

Some cities are offering cash if you flip your strip: South Jordan- “A cash rebate of $1.00 per square foot is available to residential customers who convert the landscaping in their park strips from lawn to a water-efficient design. Program participants who attend a free park strip class will receive $1.25 per square foot of grass removed and replaced with water-efficient landscaping.”

As the Great Salt Lake Dries Up, Utah Faces An ‘Environmental Nuclear Bomb’

Legislative Water Changes

• HB242, $250 million in grants to fast-track metering of secondary water- that has until now been a free for all.
• HB410, puts the Utah Department of Natural Resources in charge of the selection process for a conservation/trust and award money

US Senate Race: Sabato’s Crystal Ball moved Utah’s U.S. Senate race from “Safe Republican” to “Likely Republican” after a recent DesNews Hinckley Poll putting Lee at 41% McMullin 37%

Sabato’s Crystal Ball moved Utah's U.S. Senate race from "Safe Republican" to "Likely Republican" after a recent DesNews Hinckley Poll giving @SenMikeLee a small lead 41% – 37% over Independent @EvanMcMullin.
Good news for McMullin fundraising.
First we have a primary#utpol pic.twitter.com/KYh1AVaxnA

— Heidi Hatch KUTV (@tvheidihatch) June 15, 2022

Homeless problems in Salt Lake City: Is it getting worse?

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Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Greg Hughes, Maura Carabello

January 6^th prime time committee hearing:

• CBS calls it the “Capitol Assault Hearings.”
• NBC calls it “the January 6th hearings.”
• ABC calls it the “Attack on the Capitol.”

Did it pack the punch Democrats were hoping it would? Did the committee make their case?

Ballots are on kitchen counters: 18 days until election day

Looking ahead to the November election- new poll out in the U.S. Senate Race

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Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Greg Hughes, Former Utah House Speaker & Maura Carabello, Exoro Group

Utah GOP held their own debates: Party leader Carson Jorgensen was the moderator.

Utah’s Primary Debates with the nonpartisan debate commission: Who ditched and why?

Utah County Ritualistic Sex Abuse Investigation Nightmare

TUESDAY: UT County Sherriff’s office announces “Ritualistic Sex abuse” investigation

WEDNESDAY AM: UT County DA calls a news conference says, “I learned that my wife and I were part of those allegations, allegedly that we were guilty of cannibalizing young children, and murdering young children,” Leavitt said. Allegations he said they were cleared of years ago. Calls on the Sherriff to resign.

WEDNESDAY PM: Sherriff holds news conference to say he and multiple other agencies are dealing with a serious case of sexual abuse, never said DA Leavitt’s name and no he won’t resign.

THURSDAY: Adam Pomeroy is dropping out of the Utah County Attorney race- clearing the way for his opponent Jeff Gray.

FRIDAY: Leavitt defends record on sex crimes prosecutions.

Background here

Victim story here

Ballots arrive June 7^th

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Host: Heidi Hatch
Guests: Maura Carabello & Greg Hughes

This week’s episode delves into the issues surrounding the Uvalde, Texas school shooting that claimed 21 lives.

Did Uvalde officers do enough to save lives as we reflect on those who have paid the ultimate price in sacrificing their lives in the service of our country this Memorial Day weekend.

What can be done to turn the tide of gun deaths in America?

Is there gun legislation both sidees can agree on: Red flag laws, moving age to 21 to buy guns, HR8 in Congress Universal background checks.

How does mental health play in?

Gun deaths in children are up homicides/suicides spiked in 2020 by 30%. Drug overdoses in kids up 84%. We are headed in the wrong direction as a country, how do we change direction?