Tag Archives: Utah Legislature

Take 2: Masks, lotteries, and Liz Cheney

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Heidi Hatch, Greg Hughes and Maura Carabello are ready to de-brief after another week of news.

Gov. Spencer Cox: Masks can be ditched the last week of school: He said schools will still have the option to require masks during the last week, but the state will no longer mandate the rule.

Cox wants to give away millions to encourage more Utahns to get vaccinated: Is this legal and is it a good idea? The announcement comes a day after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine established a lottery system to give five people $1 million each as a vaccination incentive.

“There is no amount of money that is too much to help us get an extra 5% or 10% of people vaccinated,” Cox said.

CDC says vaccinated can toss the mask: Why Now? In a move to send the country back toward pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday eased indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to safely stop wearing masks inside in most places.

The new guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters.

Liz Cheney voted out of House leadership: Rep. Blake Moore voted to keep her, Owens did not vote, Curtis and Stewart voted for change.

Sen. Mitt Romney backed Cheney, Lee would not weigh in on the issue because it was in the House.

Plus, Heidi’s whirlwind trip to Washington, D.C. for an exclusive sit down with Utah’s Senators, in the same room at the same time. Watch 2 News at 10 on Thursday, May 20.

Take 2: 100 days of Spencer Cox, war of words over political cartoon

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Greg Hughes and Maura Carabello join 2News anchor Heidi Hatch to review this week in Utah politics.
They’ll review Gov. Spencer Cox’s first 100 days in office, the ongoing mask debate in Utah, Republicans’ opposition to President Joe Biden’s definition of “infrastructure,” and a war of words between Salt Lake Tribune cartoonist Pat Bagley and Utah’s congressional delegation over a cartoon criticism of Rep. Burgess Owens’ speech at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Take 2 Podcast: Gov. Cox signs 464 bills, uses his first veto, plus gun control and U.S. border crisis

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Host Heidi Hatch welcomes former Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes and from the other side of the aisle, Maura Carabello.

Utah’s newly elected Gov. Spencer Cox signed 464 bills but vetoed one titled “Electronics Free Speech Amendments.”

Final Bills

Gov. Cox signed these four bills:

● HB 220 Pretrial Detention Amendments. Schultz, M. (A win for Greg Hughes)

● HB 294 Pandemic Emergency Powers Amendments. Ray, P

● SB 107 In-person Instruction Prioritization. Weller, T.

● SB 195 Emergency Response Amendments. Vickers, E.

 

Gov. Cox vetoed these three bills:

● HB 98 Local Government Building Regulation Amendments. Ray, P.

● SB 39 Hemp Regulation Amendments. Hinkins, D.

● SB 187 Local Education Agency Policies Amendments. Winterton, R.

 

Gov. Cox allowed these three bills to become law without his signature:

● HB 197 Voter Affiliation Amendments. Teuscher, J.

● SB 104 Tax Levy for Animal Control. Weller, T

● SB 167 Utah Film Economic Incentives. Winterton, R

 

Our trio also discusses gun controls after a supermarket shooting in Colorado. President Joe Biden called for a ban on assault weapons and background check legislation.

The crisis on the border: Who is at fault anyway? There could be selective outrage depending on who is president.

According to statistics published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, authorities encountered 9,457 children without a parent in February, a 61% increase from January, not 28%. The numbers of unaccompanied children did rise 31% between January 2019 and February 2019.

Take 2 podcast: Vaccines for everyone, bills not signed, Sec. Interior headed to Utah to discuss Bears Ears with state leaders

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KUTV’s Heidi Hatch hosts Maura Carabello and Greg Hughes about a variety of topics just after the end of Utah’s legislative session.

The trio discusses good news as all Utah residents 16 and older will be eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccines starting March 24.

Our trio also looks at:

BILLS SIGNED and NOT SIGNED

  • Mask mandate end April 10, still has not been signed.
  • What vetoes if any are going to happen?
  • HB228- no more mugshots will be made public, until a person is convicted of a crime.
  • HB308- prohibits state government from requiring Utahn’s to get a covid vaccine.

NEW SECRETARY OF INTERIOR HEADED TO UTAH

Before taking action on Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante national monuments, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland will visit Utah, following the executive order of President Joe Biden. Haaland is a Native American, the first to serve as U.S. Secretary of the Interior and as a cabinet member. Her coming visit earned praise from Utah’s Republican politicians who are fearful Biden will restore Bears Ears to the size it was before it was reduced by a Republican president Donald Trump.

UTAH STIMULI PIE

Rep. Jeff Stenquist: “I’m stunned looking at the amount of federal stim-dollars coming to Utah: State Govt: $1.52B Local Govts:$1.1B Education: $1.1B Other Govt Agencies: $704M Individuals: $3.76B Total: $8.39B This on top of our current surpluses and strong economy. Holy smokes! #utpol #utleg”

INLAND PORT MEETINGS ARE BACK

The Utah Supreme Court has agreed to hear a lawsuit filed by Salt Lake City’s mayor over the inland port project. SB243 created “infrastructure banks” and sets aside $75 million for the Utah Inland Port Authority project areas.

Take 2 podcast: The longest year ever

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Take 2 host Heidi Hatch welcomes Maura Carabello and Greg Hughes as the state of Utah — and the nation — reflect on the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic changing everything about our daily lives.

This week’s political news:

President Joe Biden delivered his first primetime address to the nation on Thursday, setting a May 1 goal for all American adults to be made eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Utah has a target date of April 1 for that to happen, as 2News reported earlier this week.

American Rescue Plan is passed and signed, with individual checks to start this weekend. Utah’s entire Congressional delegation voted against it.

Does Utah need the money and, if yes, how should it be used?
Questions about a Latter-day Saint general authority’s political donations emerged this week: “These donations were made by our family using an online account, which is shared by our family and associated with my Name. I regret such an oversight on my part. I fully support the church’s policy related to political donations from church leaders.” – statement from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Daylight Saving Time this weekend: Utah passed a bill a year ago to end the clock change, but it’s still happening.

LEGISLATIVE SESSION

502 bills passed that may become laws. Are there any for-sure vetoes?
April 10: The statewide mask mandate is expected to be lifted (schools and 50+ gatherings not included)
The mental health day bill for school kids passed
Bail reform was repealed and now the work starts again
Constitutional carry or permit-less carry: Adults 21+ can conceal a firearm without a permit
No more picketing private homes
More doctors can recommend cannabis for up to 15 patients

TAKE 2 PODCAST: End of the legislative session with a flurry of spending, bills

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Take 2 host Heidi Hatch welcomes Maura Carabello and Greg Hughes on the same day Utah’s legislative session ends. With a slew of things to talk about, including all that happens on the session’s last day, the trio tackle some of the highlights of what Utah’s lawmakers have been up to.

An English-only bill died on Utah’s political hill while another piece of legislation wants to get rid of mask mandates in the state. This happens just as Utah and other counties move to the “moderate” phase of COVID-19 precaution.

In a sobering reality of the virus, Rep. Jon Hawkins of Pleasant Grove joined the Utah House of Representatives from his hospital bed. Hawkins has been hospitalized with coronavirus since January and said he will have to learn to walk and swallow again.

“The things we all take for granted,” he said.

A new position will be created after the Legislature approved to help tackle those who are homeless. Is Utah having a “homeless czar” the right move? In addition, lawmakers put $50 million into housing

One bill with no controversy, a Senate law enforcement modification bill, passed the House unanimously Thursday that will put some oversight over BYU police.

There is also a big transportation bill that passes that includes $1 billion in one-time spending and borrows an additional $264 million.

Other topics include:

SB228 Social Media Controls: A bill passed Thursday would regulate how social media companies’ moderate content on their platforms. SL TRIB SB228 requires social media platforms to clearly state their content moderation policy, and inform Utah users within 24 hours when they run afoul of it. There’s also a requirement that those companies provide an appeal process for Utah account holders.

Bail Reform Passes: Greg’s work is complete? Or just beginning

Party Switching Bill: A bill limiting certain Utahns from switching parties before a primary election has passed the Senate and is on its way to Gov. Spencer Cox’s desk. House Bill 197, sponsored by Rep. Jordan Teuscher (R-South Jordan), passed the Senate 22 to 3. One Democrat joined Republicans in voting for it.

The bill specifies that for those who are already registered with a political party after March 31, any party affiliation change would not take effect until after that year’s primary election. Unaffiliated voters could register with a party at any time and still vote in the primary.

Two new Utah state parks: Raptor State Park and Lost Creek State Park by Echo Reservoir are here.

There is also a new law to studying flying car traffic.

TAKE 2: Greg has COVID, & what you might’ve missed this week in Utah politics

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Take 2 host Heidi Hatch is joined by former Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes and Maura Carabello, founder of the Exoro Group, for this week’s Take 2 podcast.

Hughes joins remotely as he is in quarantine with COVID-19.

This week in the Utah Legislature:

  • The Utah pioneer license plate: It’s been panned on social media. Do the people of Utah need it or want it?
  • Budget: Lawmakers unveil $2.26 billion transportation and construction package with $1.4 billion in bonds for transit and construction projects. Senate Republicans are not convinced borrowing such a large amount of money is prudent.

“In a year when we’re flush with cash, you have to ask whether it makes sense to bond right now,” said Assistant Senate Majority Whip Kirk Cullimore (R-Sandy).

  • Senate Bill 205: Is Dan McCay trying to gut “count my vote?”
  • House Bill 388: Should 16-year-olds be able to vote in school board elections?
  • The death of the transgender athlete bill
  • Changing the name of Dixie State University: Will it happen?
  • Where are we on police reform?

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill is praising a bill moving through the legislature that would define when police should not use deadly force. House Bill 237, sponsored by Rep. Jen Dailey-Provost (D-Salt Lake City), would specify that officers should not use deadly force on an individual who is suicidal and does not pose a threat to anyone else.

  • Women’s Bills: Maura has a whole list of what we didn’t accomplish.
  • House Bill 143 passes, meaning Utah will no longer suspend driver’s licenses for unpaid court debt
  • Minimum wage: A bill that would incrementally increase Utah’s minimum wage to a peak of $15 an hour by July 2026 stalled in a House committee on Thursday. Republicans worried it would kill jobs and hurt the economy prevailed over Democrats who said it would help lift people out of poverty. Is this the right place for the conversation or should this be a national issue?

PODCAST: Take 2 — Transgender bills, consent in sex education, governor’s powers

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Host Heidi Hatch welcomes guests Maura Carabello and Greg Hughes to talk about the political issues impacting the state of Utah.

The tackle a variety of issues including a transgender sports bill aimed at eliminating transgender athletes from girls high school sports in Utah.

Another bill would require Utah students to learn about consent, coercion and sexual violence prevention behavior narrowly moved past its committee to head the larger legislative body.

Other topics the trio discusses includes a bill to limit Utah’s governor’s powers in a time of crisis, a rioting bill, Jason Chaffetz, new jobs for Ben McAdams and words from Rep. Burgess Owens about reparations for Black Americans.

Take 2: Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID relief plan, Romney’s Family Security Act

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Take 2 host Heidi Hatch is joined by former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes and political consultant Scott Howell in a new episode.

The big topic of discussion is President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus bill. Early Friday, the Senate approved a measure that would let Democrats muscle Biden’s coronavirus relief plan through the chamber without Republican support. Vice President Kamala Harris was in the chair to cast the tie-breaking vote — her first.

Other topics discussed include:

  • Sen. Mitt Romney’s Family Security ACT proposal to be added on to stimulus package: Romney released the Family Security Act on Thursday — which the senator plans to propose as an amendment included with the Democrats’ stimulus package. It would provide families up to $3,000 a year in financial support per child ages 6 to 17 and up to $4,200 a year for infants to age 6. Americans expecting a child would be able to start applying for the monthly benefit four months prior to their due date.
  • Student loan crisis: Proposed relief with $50K student loan forgiveness.

UTAH LEGISLATURE:

  • Catfishing Bill: The House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted Thursday afternoon to move forward with a bill intended to protect people who are impersonated online. House Bill 239, sponsored by Rep. Karianne Lisonbee (R-Clearfield), would criminalize the impersonation of someone else on the internet to harm, intimidate, or threaten.
  • After a record number of police shootings in 2020, police reform bills face the first test in Utah Legislature. House Bill 84, sponsored by Rep. Angela Romero (D-Salt Lake City), would require law enforcement agencies to report data regarding use-of-force incidents to the Bureau of Criminal Identification.
  • House Bill 162, sponsored by Rep Romero would require officers’ annual training to include a substantial focus on “mental health and other crisis intervention responses, arrest control, and de-escalation training.”
  • Senate Bill 38, sponsored by Sen. Daniel Thatcher (R-West Valley), would tighten the certification and training requirements for police dogs and their handlers. That bill passed the Senate and is awaiting action in the House of Representatives.
  • Senate Bill 13, sponsored by Sen. Jani Iwamoto (D-Salt Lake City), would require providing information about officers under certain investigations to POST. It would also require providing information about officers to prospective employers if asked. That bill passed a Senate committee last week.

PODCAST: Take 2 – Trump’s positive COVID-19 test upcoming debates

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Take 2 is back after months away due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A lot has changed and at the same time a lot has remained the same. It’s a new year but the same or similar problems remain.

We are still in the middle of a pandemic and the way forward is different depending on who you talk to.

Social unrest has bubbled up again the people demonstrating, and rioting have changed and the ones sitting home in disgust have swapped places.

We have a new governor, but a familiar face. A smooth transition of power.

On the flip side President Donald Trump today said he will not attend President-elect Biden’s inauguration, the first time a sitting president has forgone the tradition since 1869.

People still only like to hear people who agree with them and believe the same way. With that, a conversation we hope will help you see the other side and find some middle ground.

Guests:

  • Greg Hughes (R)
  • Jim Dabakis (D)

Host: Heidi Hatch