Tag Archives: Utah

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: 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

PODCAST: Take 2 – Abortion bill, coronavirus, Super Tuesday & Olympia Hills

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Take 2 with Anchor Heidi Hatch featured guests, Maura Carabello, of The Exoro Group, and Utah State Auditor John Dougall.

The main topic of discussion in the podcast is the proposed bills in the 63rd general session of the Utah State Legislature, including House Bill 34 – Abortion Revisions – heard before a packed house. The Senate panel approved elective abortion ban in a party-line vote.

Sen. Dan McCay’s bill that would prevent abortions in Utah if Roe v. Wade is ever repealed was up in committee Thursday. It was a full house!

McCay said he understands the feeling and sentiment around a women’s right to choose but a baby’s ability to choose is robbed through abortion. He was quoted as saying:

That baby deserves a choice for life as we all do,” he said. “If a woman wanted to still receive an abortion she could go to another state and still receive what she wanted. The agency of one is robbed from the agency of another.

Meanwhile, Lehi votes to be an abortion-free city – a “sanctuary city for the unborn.” Additional topics discussed include:

  • Utah Bigamy Law change: Unanimous in the Senate. And the polygamy decriminalization bill just passed the House with only three no votes. Libertas Institute Founder Conner Boyack said about the legislation, “Several years of work and here we are. It’s a great day.” Is it?
  • Daylight Saving Bill heads to the Governors Desk: It still needs an act of congress and a few neighboring states to join the effort.
  • Good News: Rep. Steve Eliason wore his dinosaur tie for the passage of the “Utahraptor State Park” bill on Thursday.
  • Coronavirus: State health department conducts a press conference briefing. Should we all build bunkers or just wash our hands?
  • Olympia Hills passes first vote 6-3: Is this responsible growth?
  • Super Tuesday just days away: Super Tuesday is the closest thing we have to a National Primary. Salt Lake County voter turnout was 29% one week out from the election with 95,811 ballots returned out of 331,170 mailed out. In-person early voting has been 679 people. There are 3,979 delegates total, 1,357 up for grabs on Tuesday. Who will be left standing? Did you watch the last debate? South Carolina Bernie Sanders makes stop in Utah on Eve of Super Tuesday.