Briefing Local – October 20, 2017

  • Ben McAdams, Mia Love, John Curtis, Jim Bennett, Kathie Allen, Orrin Hatch, Donald Trump, Gary Herbert, and Spencer Cox all get a mention in our rundown of a bananas week in Utah politics [Utah Policy]. Here’s a podcast version if that’s what you prefer [Utah Policy].
  • Gov. Gary Herbert says the Trump administration has been “erratic” during the first ten months, but it’s too early to pass judgment on President Trump’s performance [Utah Policy].
  • Bob Bernick says Utah Lawmakers are ready to wrest some power away from the executive branch and the fight over a legal opinion about the 3rd CD special election has just strengthened their resolve [Utah Policy].
  • PODCAST: “Beg to Differ” break down Ben McAdams’s decision to run for Congress, the 3rd CD debate and speak with Boyd Matheson about why he’s considering a run for Senate in 2018. Bryan Schott and Mike Winder make you the smartest person in the room when you discuss politics [Utah Policy].
  • Rep. Mia Love rips Ben McAdams‘s decision to challenge her in 2018 [Deseret News].
  • Backers of “Our Schools Now” say they have 1/4 of the signatures they need to put a proposed income and sales tax hike to give more money to schools on the 2018 ballot [Deseret News, Tribune].
  • Former Salt Lake County Recorder Gary Ott dies at the age of 66 [Deseret News, Tribune].
  • Gov. Gary Herbert says there’s simply an “honest difference of opinion” at the center of the controversy surrounding a legal opinion prepared by Attorney General Sean Reyes for the Legislature about the 3rd CD special election. Herbert’s office blocked the release of that opinion, and lawmakers want to take him to court in order to get their hands on it [Deseret News, Tribune].
  • Utah may bid to host either the 2026 or 2030 Winter Olympic games [Tribune].
  • It may cost Utah $40 million to get Olympic venues ready if the state does win a bid to host another Olympic games [Deseret News].
  • Former Salt Lake City Councilman Eric Jergensen has been found guilty of stealing $2.5 million in an investment scheme [Deseret News].