Orrin Hatch, Donald Trump and health care. Your Thursday morning political briefing from UtahPolicy.com

Local News Highlights: Daily Briefing

Morning must reads for Thursday, July 27, 2017

Good Thursday morning from Salt Lake City. Today is the 208th day of the year. There are 157 days remaining in 2017.

State leaders vow to crack down on the homeless problem in downtown Salt Lake City. Orrin Hatch breaks with President Trump on the issue of transgendered soldiers. The Senate fails again to pass an Obamacare repeal measure.

The clock:

• 19 days until the 2017 Utah primary election (8/15/2017)
• 103 days until the 2017 election (11/7/2017)
• 179 days until the opening day of the 2018 Utah Legislature (1/22/2018)
• 224 days until the final day of the 2018 Utah Legislature (3/8/2018)
• 467 days until the 2018 midterm elections (11/6/2018)
• 1,195 days until the 2020 presidential election (11/3/2020)

Today's political TL; DR -

• Top state leaders say they're going to take steps to help end the violence and chaos surrounding the homeless population in downtown Salt Lake City. Gov. Gary Herbert taps Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox as the state's "point man" on homeless issues [Utah Policy].
   
• Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jenny Wilson says she's running for the seat currently occupied by Sen. Orrin Hatch because Utahns "are ready for new leadership" in Washington. She also says she's not a fan of President Trump but does not see herself as part of "the resistance" movement that's popped up in Democratic circles [Utah Policy].
   
• Sen. Orrin Hatch breaks with President Donald Trump's Twitter announcement that transgendered Americans will no longer be allowed to serve in the military saying, "Transgender people are people, and deserve the best we can do for them" [Utah Policy].
   
• The Utah Legislature picks John Cannon, currently the top lobbyist for the LDS Church, to run the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel [Utah Policy].
   
• Provo Mayor John Curtis has a big lead in the Republican 3rd District primary according to a new poll. Curtis leads Tanner Ainge and Chris Herrod by more than a 2 to 1 margin [Tribune].
   
• The special election in the 3rd District is carrying a hefty price tag for counties, who are asking the state for help in covering those costs [Deseret News].
   
• Whoops! Some unaffiliated voters in Utah County were sent ballots for the GOP 3rd District primary election. Only registered Republicans can vote in the August primary [Deseret News].
   
• Former Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has some harsh words for the Trump administration over their review of national monuments, including Bears Ears [Deseret News].
   
• Sen. Howard Stephenson, says teachers in Utah have been too slow to adopt technology in the classroom. He says those reluctant teachers may have to "die off before we can embrace this with fidelity" [Tribune].
   
• The U.S. House approves Rep. Mia Love's plan to allow members to use office funds for security at their personal homes [Tribune].
   
• Hans Andersen, a candidate for Orem Mayor, says the incumbent, Richard Brunst, used his city email account and other resources for political purposes [Tribune].
   
• New estimates from the Outdoor Industry Association show outdoor recreation brought $12 billion to Utah's economy last year [Tribune].

National headlines:

• Constitutional crisis brewing? President Donald Trump has discussed the possibility of firing Attorney General Jeff Sessions and using a recess appointment to replace him, which would do an end-run around Senate oversight [Washington Post].
   
• Some of President Donald Trump's top aides are warning him to back off his assault on Attorney General Jeff Sessions because it could lead to a "revolt" among Senate Republicans [New York Times].
   
• President Donald Trump announced via Twitter that transgender people will no longer be allowed to serve in the military, which is a reversal of a policy established under the Obama administration. The decision caught military leaders at the Pentagon by surprise because Trump had not consulted with them before making the decision [Axios, BuzzFeed].
   
• The Senate resoundingly defeated a proposal to repeal major portions of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) [New York Times].
   
• Senators seem to be embracing a health care proposal that some are dubbing the "skinny repeal," which would kill the employer and individual mandates for insurance in Obamacare [New York Times].
   
• Senate Democrats say they will not offer any amendments to the GOP health care plan until they actually see the legislation. So far, Republican leaders have kept their Obamacare replacement proposal secret [Politico].
   
• Foxconn announced it would build a $10 billion plant in Wisconsin, which is a major victory for President Donald Trump's fight to bring manufacturing jobs to the U.S. [Wall Street Journal].
   
• New White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci says he will not hesitate to fire staffers if they leak information to the press [Fox News].
   
• Congress reaches a deal on new economic sanctions against Russia, North Korea and Iran [Washington Post].
   
• White House strategist Steve Bannon is reportedly pushing for a 44% marginal tax rate on people who earn more than $5 million per year. Right now that rate is 39.6%. The increase would pay for tax cuts for less wealthy Americans [The Intercept].
   
• Kid Rock says he is putting his U.S. Senate aspirations on hold while he launches a new initiative to spur voter registration [Fox News].
   
• Boring but important. For the first time ever, Americans spend more money on eating out than they do on preparing food at home [ZeroHedge].

On this day in history:

• 1789 - Congress established the Department of Foreign Affairs, the forerunner of the State Department.
   
• 1794 - French revolutionary leader Maximilien Robespierre was overthrown and placed under arrest; he was executed the next day.
   
• 1861 - Union Gen. George B. McClellan was put in command of the Army of the Potomac.
   
• 1866 - After two failures, Cyrus W. Field succeeded in laying the first underwater telegraph cable between North America and Europe.
   
• 1940 - Bugs Bunny made his debut in the Warner Bros. animated cartoon "A Wild Hare."
   
• 1953 - The Korean War armistice was signed at Panmunjom, ending three years of fighting.
   
• 1974 - The House Judiciary Committee voted 27-11 to recommend President Richard M. Nixon's impeachment on a charge that he had personally engaged in a "course of conduct" designed to obstruct justice in the Watergate case.

Today At Utah Policy

Wilson: Utahns are ready for new leadership in Washington
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jenny Wilson says she's running in 2018 because she thinks Utah is ready for new leadership in the Senate....

Top LDS Church lobbyist tapped to head Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel
By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor
The LDS Church's top government affairs person, John Q. Cannon, will be hired by the Utah Legislature to run its largest staff office, leaders of both political parties, both House and Senate, decided Wednesday night....

State leaders promise to crack down on 'deplorable' chaos in downtown Salt Lake City
By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor
In light of two murders in 18 hours in the Rio Grande area of Salt Lake City, top state, city and county officials met with Gov. Gary Herbert in the Capitol Wednesday to lay out an enhanced plan to deal with the city's homeless problems especially the dr...

Sen. Orrin Hatch sides with transgender Americans after Trump's call to ban them from military service
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Sen. Orrin Hatch said Wednesday that the U.S. should not "be discriminating against anyone" following President Donald Trump's decision to ban transgender people from serving in the military....

Weekly survey: Will negative attacks on Curtis work?
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Outside groups have launched a series of negative attacks against Provo Mayor John Curtis in the GOP primary election for Utah's 3rd Congressional District. Will they work? Vote now in our weekly survey....

Policy News

Hatch urges fair and thorough investigation into Russian meddling
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), the senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke in a Judiciary Committee hearing examining "Oversight of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and Attempts to Influence US Elections: Lessons Learned from Current...

Rep. Bishop announces Veterans Resource & Education Fair
Rep. Rob Bishop UT-01 will host a Veteran's Resource & Education Fair on August 7, 2017 from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center....

Utah Legislature awards international relations services contract to World Trade Center Utah
The Utah Legislature awarded a contract to World Trade Center Utah to help it accomplish its international relations duties and responsibilities....

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes receives Public Servant Award at International Leadership Foundation annual gala
Last week, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes was honored at the annual International Leadership Foundation Business Conference and Awards Gala with an international Public Servant Award for his outstanding professional achievements domestically and globall...

Utah Clean Energy receives national Regulatory Champion of the Year Award
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council recently awarded Utah Clean Energy, with a 2017 3iAward, recognizing the nation's best in "innovation, ingenuity and inspiration" in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The winners in four categories were based on a ...

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

Michelle Quist Mumford: The notorious Utah Bar

Editorial: Don't forget Utah, Outdoor Retailers. The future is still ours.

Outdoor recreation meant $12B to Utah's economy last year

Riverton is working to take more control of its police protection. Will other cities follow suit?

A surprise - not a happy one - could be coming to your mailbox

Provo Mayor John Curtis holds a big lead in the GOP primary to replace Jason Chaffetz

Hatch breaks with Trump, says transgender people should be able to serve in the military

Ex-Interior Secretary calls move to shrink Bears Ears illegal, on 'the wrong side of history'

Gov. Gary Herbert opens new front on lawlessness around Salt Lake City's homeless shelter

Orem candidate says city emails show mayor broke law playing politics with taxpayer resources

Frustrated Wayne County attorney resigns, publicly explains reasons to counter 'outrageous rumors'

Trump calls for release of Utahn Josh Holt during talks on Venezuela sanctions

Lawmaker: Utah's veteran educators may need to 'die off' before technology fills classrooms

Is Bears Ears too big? New poll says Utahns split on shrinking the monument

House OKs Rep. Love's plan to use public money for Congress members' home security

Senate Republicans fail in latest effort to kill Obamacare, look to try again

Mormon church's lobbyist is Utah Legislature's choice to lead its research office

West Jordan appoints interim city manager

Medical marijuana meeting drums up support for Utah to legalize it

Utah's transgender military vets are stunned by Trump's reinstatement of service ban

Deseret News

Jay Evensen: Don't overreact by eliminating the elected county recorder's office

A. Scott Anderson: Business recruitment incentives make sense for Utah's economy

Editorial: No more talk. Salt Lake City needs action to help Rio Grande homeless

Exhibitors mixed on Outdoor Retailer moving to Colorado

Education software a boon to teach reading or a bust when teachers lack training?

Labels, changing measurements impede failing schools' turnaround, educators say

Mormon leader tells Black Leadership Summit that religious liberty means 'fairness for all'

Counties seek state's help with special election cost

Some GOP ballots accidentally sent to unaffiliated voters

Utah leaders warn drug lords 'we're coming,' but disclose no details of new plan

Jewell bashes Trump administration over monument review

Utahns denounce Trump's ban on transgender troops in U.S. military

Other

Editorial: With 35 elections to decide, it's time to start paying attention in Weber Co. (Standard-Examiner)

Ogden's 1st full-time mayor Glenn Mecham remembered as force for progress (Standard-Examiner)

Northern Utah beneficiaries laud Obamacare as U.S. lawmakers debate its future (Standard-Examiner)

Valley Scout leader not offended by Trump's Jamboree speech (Logan Herald Journal)

National Headlines

Why the Rust Belt just gave Donald Trump a hero's welcome (New York Post)

Palin to subpoena two dozen reporters in defamation suit (New York Post)

Trump-supporting drag queen feels wrath of LGBTQ community (Miami Herald)

Scaramucci says he will contact FBI, Justice Dept. over leaked financial disclosure (The Hill)

GOP momentum grows for more modest plan to overhaul Obamacare (Washington Post)

Gov. Sam Brownback of Kansas Will Be Nominated as Religious Ambassador (New York Times)

Former Debbie Wasserman Schultz Aide Arrested for Bank Fraud (New York Magazine)

American Muslims growing more liberal, survey shows (CNN)

Rep. Scalise discharged from hospital weeks after shooting, to begin rehabilitation (Washington Post)

Youngstown man shines in spotlight at Trump rally (WKBN)

Fed, Leaving Rates Unchanged, Expects to Wind Down Stimulus 'Relatively Soon' (New York Times)

Wise Words

Competitive Advantage

"An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage." Jack Welch
 

Lighter Side

Fake News Cont.

"The other big story is this interview President Trump did with The New York Times. And the paper said that he made several false claims. And Trump was like, "But you chose to print them, so once again, fake news." Jimmy Fallon