Good Wednesday morning from Salt Lake City.
Wednesday's news at a glance: President Trump pitches Utah lawmakers on wall funding. The economic damage from the government shutdown may be far greater than first estimated. The final Mueller report may not be released publicly.
Talk to us! Send us your news tips, suggestions, complaints or feedback here.
Scheduling note: I'm headed to New York City for a few days to participate in a workshop sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations. I leave you in the capable hands of our esteemed publisher, LaVarr Webb.
The UtahPolicy.com daily newsletter gets you up to speed on the top local and national news about politics and public policy. Our news is curated by Managing Editor Bryan Schott, along with help from Golden Webb. ((Click here to subscribe))
Today is the 16th day of the year. There are 349 days remaining in 2019.
10 days until Salt Lake County Democrats elect a new County Mayor (1/26/2019)
12 days until the first day of the 2019 Utah Legislature (1/28/2019)
57 days until the final day of the 2019 Utah Legislature (3/14/2019)
108 days to the Utah State Republican Party Organizing Convention (5/4/2019)
138 days until the municipal election filing period opens (6/3/2019)
142 days until the municipal election filing period ends (6/7/2019)
209 days to the 2019 Utah primary elections (8/13/2019)
293 days to the 2019 municipal elections (11/5/2019)
384 days to the 2020 Iowa Caucuses (2/3/2020)
652 days until the 2020 presidential election (11/3/2020)
Trump makes pitch for border wall funding to Utah lawmakers
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
President Donald Trump made his pitch for building a wall on the southern border directly to local elected officials in the western U.S. today. Several Utah lawmakers joined the Tuesday afternoon conference call....
GOP leader who made a Nazi joke on Facebook hired as top deputy in Utah County Clerk's office
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
The Utah County GOP leader who was caught making a Nazi-themed joke on a private Facebook page has been appointed as a top deputy to new Utah County Clerk Amelia Powers....
Former Sen. Orrin Hatch says William Barr was 'known as the law and order Attorney General'
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Former Sen. Orrin Hatch introduced William Barr, President Trump's nominee to be Attorney General, during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday morning. Hatch said Barr, who served as AG during the Bush administration, was known as the "law and order Attorney General."...
Chaffetz, Love applaud House Republicans for punishing Steve King because of racist comments
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Two former members of Congress from Utah applauded House Republicans for punishing Iowa Rep. Steve King over racist comments....
CYBER24 Episode 41: Fortnite hackers - Battle Royale
By Marty Carpenter
In this week's episode, we look into the game causing relationship stress and carpal tunnel syndrome across the globe....
Deseret News
Editorial: You shouldn't need a brain surgeon to understand your hospital bill
Driver license division improperly shared Utahns' personal data, audit says
Bill would repeal, replace Medicaid expansion initiative approved by Utah voters
No pay, no Washington apartment for new Utah Rep. Ben McAdams
Salt Lake Tribune
'We can't use the r-word': Opinions are divided about whether a recession in Utah is at hand
Utah Driver License Division illegally shares some personal data, audit says
Other
Roy forming business advisory group to help spur commercial development (Standard-Examiner)
The government shutdown is entering day #26.
The economic damage from the shutdown may be far higher than estimated. White House economists said the economic loss from the shutdown might be double what they first thought, which could push the economy into a retraction - https://nyti.ms/2FDpnnW
A group of centrist Democrats turned down an invitation by the White House for a meeting on ending the shutdown. President Donald Trump invited the Democrats to undermine support for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and force Democrats back to the negotiating table - http://bit.ly/2FBUSys
No vote on funding bills. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell once again blocked a vote on a House package to reopen the federal government - http://bit.ly/2FD9RbF
Recess canceled. House leaders said they would cancel next week's Martin Luther King Day recess unless the government shutdown is suddenly resolved before then - http://bit.ly/2FA1ygK
The Trump administration orders government workers back on the job without pay. The administration is calling 50,000 employees back to fill critical roles like airline and food safety - https://wapo.st/2FB17CI
The U.S. Coast Guard missed a paycheck Tuesday. It was the first time ever American military service members have not been paid during a shutdown - http://bit.ly/2FBNMtQ
William Barr said he would allow Robert Mueller to finish his investigation, but the final report may not be made public. President Trump's Attorney General nominee said the final report of the investigation into links between the Trump campaign and Russia may not be released publicly - https://wapo.st/2FA2EsC
Wait...what?!! Fox News analyst Gregg Jarrett said the FBI should be disbanded to protect President Trump - http://bit.ly/2FtRiap
Russia backs up Trump. The Russian government dismissed claims that President Donald Trump has been working on behalf of the Kremlin - https://bloom.bg/2FvgkGc
No citizenship question on the 2020 census. A federal judge blocked the Commerce Department from adding a question about citizenship status to the 2020 census. Critics argued the question was designed to boost Republican political fortunes in the next redistricting cycle - https://nyti.ms/2FGg8mZ
Soaking the rich. A poll shows most Americans support raising the top tax rate to 70% - http://bit.ly/2FGyFPI
British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan was voted down by MPs in the biggest defeat for any UK government in the modern era. May will now likely face a vote of no confidence - https://cnn.it/2FzoCMB
1581 - The English Parliament outlawed Roman Catholicism.
1919 - The U.S. went legally "dry" when the 36th state ratified the 18th Amendment. Prohibition went into effect one year later. The Amendment was repealed in 1933.
Utah maintains AAA credit rating from all major rating agencies, saves taxpayer dollars on transportation projects
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and Treasurer David Damschen today announced that S&P Global, Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings have reaffirmed the State's AAA credit rating the highest rating a state can receive....
Sutherland Institute announces new members on its Board of Trustees
Sutherland Institute President and CEO Rick Larsen announced that both Greg Miller and John Sperry will join the organization's Board of Trustees....
Let them eat Big Macs why Trump gets America (Spectator)
Beto wonders: Can we still be managed by founding principles? (Washington Post)
As new U.S.-bound caravan grows to more than 2,000, Mexicans lash out (FOX News)
MSNBC Anchor Suggests Trump Is Blackmailing Graham Over 'Extreme' Secret (Free Beacon)
What new LifeWay Research survey says about why young adults are dropping out of church (Tennessean)
'At any cost': China warns US Navy over Taiwan (France24)
Steve King Says Yes to Resolution Rebuking His Own Comments: 'Let's Vote for This' (Mediaite)
Seek Light
"In nature, light creates the color. In the picture, color creates the light." Hans Hofmann
Conservative
"Conservative, n: A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal, who wishes to replace them with others." Ambrose Bierce
