Good morning Utah, and TGIF! Thanks for reading “The Rundown”.
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Burgess Owens joins the #FreeBritney movement
Utah Rep. Burgess Owens and a handful of his Republican colleagues have invited Britney Spears to testify before Congress about the conservatorship that controls nearly every aspect of her life.
Owens joined Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs in sending a letter to the pop star.
“You have been mistreated by America’s legal system. We want to help,” the quartet of lawmakers wrote to Spears. “If you will speak to Congress, we are ready to listen.”
“The United States Congress should hear your story and be inspired to bipartisan action. What happened to you should never happen to another American,” the four wrote.
Last week a court denied her request to break free from the conservatorship that has been in control of her estate since 2008. She told the court the legal arrangement was so controlling it blocked her desire to have another child.
Politico reported Thursday that representatives for Spears did not respond to a request for comment.
Here’s what you need to know for Friday morning
Local news
Another woman joins the race to challenge Sen. Mike Lee in 2022. Ally Isom, a former aide to Gov. Gary Herbert and spokesperson for the LDS Church, announced her campaign on Thursday. [Tribune]
Gov. Spencer Cox warned unvaccinated Utahns they are vulnerable to a surge in COVID-19. [Tribune]
Utah’s costs for fighting wildfires in the state are already north of $12 million, and leaders are worried the extreme drought in the west will push that total much higher by the end of the season. [Tribune]
A new study shows Utah newspapers cover female candidates running for office much differently than their male counterparts. [Tribune]
The Tribune’s Robert Gehrke recently took a turn in the state’s police training simulator to see how he would respond in a number of real-life situations. [Tribune]
National news
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed Republican Rep. Liz Cheney to the select committee that will investigate the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol. [CNN]
The Supreme Court closed out its term with a bang. The court issued a major voting rights decision that upheld Arizona voting restrictions that Democrats argued would make it more difficult for minority voters to cast a ballot. [SCOTUSBlog]
The Court also threw out a California regulation requiring charities and nonprofits to disclose the names and addresses of their largest donors. [SCOTUSBlog]
Attorney General Merrick Garland halted all federal executions while the Justice Department conducts a review of policies and procedures. [AP]
The Trump Organization and its CFO were charged Thursday in what prosecutors say is a “sweeping” multi-year scheme to avoid taxes. [Reuters]
The U.S. deficit will hit $3 trillion later this year because of increased government spending on the pandemic response. But, the deficit will begin to narrow once the pandemic spending ends and the economy heats up. [WaPo]
Supply chain hurdles are pushing prices higher. Manufacturers say this is the biggest price jump since the 1970s. [CNN]
Former President Donald Trump has offered to give House Democrats a look at his finances, but he refused to give up more sensitive financial information. [WaPo]
President Joe Biden visited Florida Thursday to meet with the families whose loved ones were inside the Miami Beach condo building when it collapsed. The president said the federal government would cover the cost of the rescue and recovery effort. [NPR]
The U.S. shut down Baram Air Base in Afghanistan as the pullout of American troops is accelerating. [WSJ]
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says she won support from 130 countries to establish a minimum tax for corporations. [NYT]
Fox News host Tucker Carlson, one of former President Trump’s most vocal supporters, voted for Kanye West in the 2020 presidential election. [Politico]
Meghan McCain announced she was leaving The View at the end of the season. [ABC News]
The Boy Scouts are offering to pay $850 million to victims of sexual abuse who have made a claim against the organization. [USA Today]
This week’s winners and losers in Utah politics
👍🏻 Winner. Donovan Mitchell. The Utah Jazz superstar made a huge splash this week after GQ reported he was part of a group of NBA players, coaches, and owners who planned to push lawmakers on the national and state level for social justice issues. He even said he wanted to meet with Utah lawmakers to discuss critical race theory (which The Tribune’s Andy Larsen reported last month).
A panoply of Utah lawmakers, including members of Congress, state senators, and house members, fell all over themselves to invite Mitchell to sit down and talk. His announcement also brought out the usual “shut up and dribble” responses from Utahns who don’t think athletes should be involved in politics (unless they’re on the same side).
Mitchell could make a tremendous impact.
👎 Loser. Burgess Owens. The freshman Republican has demonstrated some troubling problems with campaign cash. He was fined nearly $4,000 this week by the Federal Election Commission for failing to report $34,000 in last-minute donations to his 2020 election effort. That came after he had to refund approximately $135,000 in campaign donations that were over the legal limit.
Democrats will likely weaponize this issue against Owens during next year’s election.
👎 Loser. Voting to keep Confederate statues. This week, the House voted to remove Confederate statues, including a bust of the Supreme Court Justice who wrote the infamous Dred Scott decision from the U.S. Capitol. Utah Reps. John Curtis and Burgess Owens voted to keep the monuments in place and gave no explanation for their decision.
Friday’s Utah news roundup
Utah
Skinwalker Ranch, Utah’s home for UFO and paranormal legends, seen through photographs and a reality show. [Tribune]
More and more garbage keeps piling up on Utah roads. It’s trashy and treacherous. [Tribune]
Republicans are running out of conservative social media options. Is it a violation of their free speech rights? [DNews]
Utah among top 10 states with highest gas prices ahead of July 4th weekend. [KUTV]
Four new members appointed to Utah Homelessness Council. [KUTV]
Trial over Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal’s shooting could happen next year. [FOX13]
Fire officials concerned over spike in structure fires across Wasatch Front. [FOX13]
Utah County Commission approves property tax rate decrease. [Daily Herald]
UTA hopes new contract will trigger more free fares on bad air days. [Standard Examiner]
COVID-19
Once again, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Utah is well above 500. [Tribune]
Incentives for COVID-19 vaccines ‘still on the table’ as new poll shows little interest. [DNews]
Utahns are falling short of 70% July 4 vaccination goal — and the governor says that’s a concern. [DNews]
Environment
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources raising fishing limits again to prevent die-offs. [Tribune]
As the drought worsens, Utah’s national parks could face more flash flooding. [Tribune]
Poll: Utahns favor incentives for ‘wise’ water use — and tougher penalties for those who aren’t. [DNews]
Amid drought, green grass grows right outside Utah Capitol. [KUTV]
Fire agencies warn even an accidental fire could cost you thousands. [FOX13]
Great Salt Lake nearing lowest level in history. [FOX13]
SLC toughens anti-idling ordinance. [FOX13]
Education
Meet the new Salt Lake City school board member replacing the one recently arrested. [Tribune]
State to examine redesigning school accountability system. [KUTV]
Not all school districts comply with state law requiring suicide response program. [FOX13]
On the Opinion Pages
Michelle Quist: Utah Legislature whips itself into an asinine frenzy over critical race theory. [Tribune]
Marina Gomberg: This Fourth of July, here’s what to ignite instead of fireworks. [Tribune]
Sara Baldwin: We need Mitt Romney’s help to clean Utah’s air. [Tribune]
Daffodil Buchert: East High School rethinks its approach to ‘honors’ classes. [Tribune]
Johnny Townsend: We must learn to adjust to a changing world. [Tribune]
Paisley Rekdal: What We Thought About Just After the Shot. [Tribune]
🎂 You say it’s your birthday?!!
Happy birthday to Rep. Stewart Barlow, R-Fruit Heights; Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City; and Ori Hoffer.
On Saturday, Jordan Giles, district office manager for Rep. Chris Stewart and former state Rep. David Clark celebrate.
On Sunday, wish a happy day to Matt Slonaker, executive director of the Utah Health Policy Project and the Wall Street Journal’s Natalie Andrews.
Former Utah Rep. Johnny Anderson marks another year on Monday.
Got a birthday you’d like us to recognize in this space? Send us an email.
— Tribune reporter Connor Sanders contributed to this report.
