Take 2

Host: Heidi Hatch Maura Carabello Exoro Group John Dougall Former State Auditor   Utah Caucus night   Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz endorses Karianne Lisonbee against incumbent Congressman Blake Moore   Prop 4 Repeal Update – Senator Riebe District within striking distance for Better Boundaries 102 signatures beyond requirement   ICE warehouse SLC spurs protests and condemnation from SLC and County Mayor’s Utah Democrats SLC Mayor Mendenhall says they won’t run utilities and can’t to the warehouse, demands meeting with DHS Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said he was not given any notice that the Department of Homeland Security was purchasing a warehouse in Salt Lake City Cox said he supports having an ICE detention center in Utah: He said such a center is necessary in the West, as several states, he argued, lack space to hold migrant detainees. Cox said he’d discussed establishing a detention center in the state with President Joe Biden’s administration prior to Trump taking office again.     February Polling on ICE Detention in Utah     Cesar Chavez: An investigation by The New York Times found extensive evidence that the United Farm Workers co-founder groomed and sexually abused girls Utah Legislature named scholarships after Chavez SLC named 500 South after the Labor leader –   Gov. Cox signs 72 bills in the 2026 General Legislative Session   Governor Cox new book   Random House has announced a book deal with Spencer Cox, offering what the Utah governor calls a guide to lowering political tensions in the U.S.   The book, titled Off Ramp, focuses on depolarization and aims to help Americans navigate disagreements in everyday life, from the dinner table to social media and politics.  

Host: Heidi Hatch Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group • Rob Axson, Utah GOP Chair   Utah Legislative Session   Sen. Adams kills bill passed seconds after midnight   Last-minute signature removal law passed   Utahns for Representative Government gets signatures to put repeal of Prop 4 on the ballot   The petition to repeal Utah Proposition 4 ended up with nearly 166,000 verified signatures.   Signature removal deadline: April 23   Utah Congressional Races Shaping up   Utah CD1   Race shifting to the left.   A public town hall was held for the eight Democratic candidates running for Congress in Utah’s 1st District. Ben McAdams did not participate.   Utah CD2   Blake Moore, the 5th-ranked House Republican, is facing a primary challenge.   Karianne Lisonbee is serving her fourth term representing District 14. Before her election to the legislature, she served on the Syracuse City Council.   Utah CD3 Celeste Maloy, who won a hard-fought battle in the caucus convention, will face a challenger in Phil Lyman, who previously announced he would run for governor.   Utah CD4 Mike Kennedy has filed to run for re-election and already has two Republican primary challengers in the race.   Key Political DatesCaucus Night: Tuesday, March 17Utah Conventions: April 25  National Issues   What Americans think about the war in Iran, and whether it could affect the midterms.   Partial government shutdown continues nearly a month in, with Utah TSA workers going without pay. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Take 2 Podcast – Friday 2/27Host Heidi HatchGuests: Maura Carabello, John Dougall  State of the Union Hit or missSenator Mike Lee’s SAVE America Act received a standing ovation.Congressman Blake Moore recognized in the third row (no name) for naming Trump accounts.Some Democrats held an alternate event outside in animal costumes.Democratic leadership had Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger deliver the rebuttal, focusing on affordability.  Proposition 4 Signature VerificationUtah GOP has surpassed the statewide number needed to repeal Prop 4: 157,898 verified signatures.Congressman Blake Moore urges voters to let the process play out and stop attempting to remove signatures:“As a former co-chair of Better Boundaries, I encourage them and all parties to stop trying to undo the petition to reconsider Proposition 4 by attempting to remove signatures.”Federal District Court and Utah Supreme Court dismiss redistricting lawsuits; GOP options limited unless they appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.  Utah Legislature UpdatesBills Introduced: 1,019S.B. 308 – Judicial District Amendments: Will not move forward this session. Sen. Todd Weiler cited feedback from the Utah State Bar and legal community.HB88 – Immigrant Services Funding: Debate halted by Rep. Karen Peterson; bill sponsor Rep. Trevor Lee framed as protecting taxpayer money.Prediction Markets: Legislature advances ban on proposition betting; Attorney General warns online betting blurs legal lines.HB 423 – DUI and Hit-and-Run Amendments: Passed House committee and floor unanimously; Senate committee passed unanimously; now headed to full Senate vote. Closes gap where fleeing after seriously injuring/killing someone is only a third-degree felony.Secretary of State Proposal: House committee advances plan to amend Utah Constitution so Utahns elect a secretary of state in 2028 instead of the Lt. Governor overseeing elections.  Federal Election NewsU.S. Department of Justice sued Utah, Oklahoma, Kentucky, West Virginia, and New Jersey for failing to provide full voter rolls. Nationwide total now 29 states + D.C.AG Pam Bondi: “Accurate, well-maintained voter rolls are a requisite for the election integrity that the American people deserve.”Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson:“Neither state nor federal law entitles the Department of Justice to collect private information on law-abiding American citizens… we will always follow the Constitution and the law.”Utah Democratic Party Chair Brian King:“This lawsuit is a blatant overreach and a threat to both Utah voters and our election process… it’s about control and interfering with the midterm election.” Congressional Votes & SAVE ActFour Republican senators, including Sen. John Curtis, opposed ending the filibuster to pass the SAVE Act. Curtis warned he wouldn’t support tabling Democratic amendments if it meant “changing the Senate’s rules.”  Grand Staircase-Escalante National MonumentSen. Mike Lee seeks to roll back Biden-era regulations, potentially expanding land use for grazing, mining, and other development.GAO opinion supports congressional review of the BLM plan; Rep. Celeste Maloy requested the review last year.Congress would have 60 legislative days to reject the rule; a simple majority vote would revert management to 2020 Trump-era rules.Supporters frame it as Congress reclaiming lawmaking authority from agencies rather than a state land control issue. No podcast next Friday, but join us March 12th with Utah GOP Chair Rob Axson after the state verification process ends for the Prop 4 repeal effort See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host: Heidi Hatch Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group & John Dougall, Former State Auditor Judge’s Ruling in Redistricting cases   Federal District Court Utah Supreme Court   UFRG and Utah GOP surpass expectations, turn in 200K + signatures   Current verified signatures 117,114   HB 575, Fuel Tax and Supply Amendments, Rep. Cal Roberts, R-Salt Lake   New Gas Tax bill reduces rate by 6 cents a gallon, a 15.8% savings – well below below original 20 Cents a gallon   Presser expected Monday: State Leaders to Announce Major Oil and Gas Supply, Water, and Refining Agreements   HB 587, Income Tax Amendments, Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Salt Lake   The bill reduces both the corporate and individual income tax rates from 4.5% to 4.45%.   Immigration HB 88, Public Assistance Amendments, Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Davis   Would prohibit undocumented immigrants from accessing state- and local-funded programs: nonemergency medical health care, local- or state-administered health care or health insurance, housing assistance, food assistance, cash benefits, tuition assistance.   The bill also allows the public to sue state employees who intentionally ignore the law's requirement to present proof of lawful status to access certain services.   HB 294, Employer Verification Amendments, Rep Tiara Auxier, R-Morgan   Would require companies with 100 or more workers to use E-Verify (or similar programs) when hiring employees.   Current law applies to companies with 150 or more workers.   US conducts first air transport of nuclear microreactor in bid to show technology's viability   Arrived at Hill Air Force Base via three Air Force C-17s, then transported to Utah San Rafael Energy Lab in Emery County. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host: Heidi Hatch Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group; Curt Bramble, former Utah state senator Happy Valentine’s Day. We’re halfway through the session, it’s Presidents' Day weekend, and it’s the anniversary of Utah women’s right to vote.   U.S. House approves the SAVE America Act as GOP makes election bill push Utah Reps. Kennedy, Moore, Maloy, and Owens all voted in favor. Sen. Mike Lee has 49 votes so far in the Senate. UTAH LEGISLATURE Utah lawmaker proposes HB 392, Unlicensed Driver Amendments, heads to the Senate.   As described by HB 136 sponsor Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, the bill is aimed at addressing the rising number of crashes caused by unlicensed drivers. Utah wants to remove marriage tax penalties.   New bill would limit tax credits for unmarried individuals in an attempt to incentivize marriage.   Tax penalties present an obstacle to married households, which threatens the best foundation for kids to have good life outcomes, according to Rep. Melissa Ballard, R-North Salt Lake.   Should Utah third graders struggling with reading be held back a year?   ‘Constitutional court’ three-judge panel bill takes on new amendments.   Utah’s digital ID program, “digital bill of rights,” could lead the nation in privacy framework.   Utah forces Chinese company to sell motorsports park in Tooele County. SIGNATURE GATHERING WINS AND LOSSES • Ben McAdams says he is the first to get the needed 7,000 signatures to make it on the ballot. • Prop 4 repeal signature gathering in 11th hour. Signatures must be turned in by Sunday, Feb. 15. • Salt Lake County tax referendum fails. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.