Take 2

Take 2 Podcast Host: Heidi Hatch Guests: Maura Carabello and Adam Gardiner Welcome back after the Take 2 summer break. While we were taking a break - Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s divorce filing and whether she will run for reelection as Luz Escamilla enters the race. Sen. Todd Weiler’s new role leading the Sutherland Institute. Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante resized. The continuing war with Iran. More than half a million acres burned in Utah this summer. Flock cameras—and why so many Utahns are pushing back. Nine weeks until Election Day. Election watch The SAVE America Act: voter ID, proof of citizenship and whether changes can be implemented before November. Utah voters on election requirements: 66% support proof of citizenship at registration, according to the latest Deseret News-Hinckley Institute poll. The Supreme Court’s mail-voting ruling and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson’s response that it currently has no effect on Utah. New polling: Gov. Spencer Cox, Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. John Curtis all in negative territory, with independents moving away from Cox. Utah politics and policy The Stratos AI data-center backlash, calls to reform MIDA, and questions over water, heat, noise and public accountability. Utah Senate President Stuart Adams’ demand for retractions and threats of lawsuits. Inflation, high gas prices and high beef prices. Trump’s imported-beef plan—and pushback from Utah ranchers and members of Utah’s congressional delegation. Tyson’s Eagle Mountain closure: 700 jobs lost after five years, despite a 10-year agreement and major tax incentives. Utah’s $212 million Meta settlement and how the state should spend it on youth mental-health concerns. If time: Gov. Cox’s new book, Off Ramp, out Sept. 8. Coming up Friday, Sept. 4: Rep. Doug Fiefia Friday, Sept. 11: Rep. Cal Roberts

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.

Host: Heidi Hatch Guests: Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz; Maura Carabello, Exoro Group Tax Cuts & Budget Cuts Utah lawmakers advanced SB60, the proposed cut would reduce tax rates from 4.5% to 4.45% Opponents argue that the reduction could be better allocated amid a projected $300 million revenue loss Utah Majority Family-focused legislation The House Majority Caucus has made cost-of-living and strong families a priority for this session Utah Gas Prices Currently, Utah has a $0.385 tax rate per gallon for motor fuel sold at gas pumps in the state, but has an exemption for fuel exported out of state. A draft bill is still in the works that would reassess the state’s gas tax structure Refineries produce up to 220,000 barrels a day, but about 75,000 of those are shipped out of state to meet demand elsewhere in the West, pushing our prices higher here at home. As of late January 2026, Utah's average gas prices for regular unleaded are around $2.68 per gallon Idaho Legislature is fighting Mad over Utah Legislations Idaho House speaker calls Utah House Speaker's plan “Bull manure”, and Speaker Schultz had some choice words in return https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/HJM012.pdf Sentencing Commission The Speaker is sponsoring HB 274 to reconfigure the sentencing commission. HB274, sponsored by House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, would change the makeup of the Utah Sentencing Commission by removing all defense lawyers from the commission and replacing them with more members from law enforcement. The Bar said it “strongly” opposes the bill because it “politicizes” the commission by restructuring it in a way that “favors law enforcement and partisan viewpoints.” https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0274.html Utah won a $30 million bid for US Magnesium’s land, water rights, and mining agreements on Tuesday as part of a wider strategy to refill the shrinking Great Salt Lake Utah purchased US Magnesium’s land, water rights, and mining agreements for $30 million to help US Magnesium filed for bankruptcy in 2025, halting magnesium production. Gov. Spencer Cox and Department of Natural Resources Director Joel Ferry say the move is critical for long-term lake health and air quality Where is Utah’s Appeal to the Supreme Court on Redistricting? Signature-gathering status: Will they need a miracle to get to the magic number by Feb. 14? When it comes to redistricting, most Utah voters do not believe the state legislature should be solely responsible for the district boundaries because it favors the party in power 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 1/19/26 Host: Heidi Hatch Guests: State Sen. Jen Plumb, MD, State Rep. Ryan Wilcox MLK Day of Service highlights as the Utah legislative session begins Lawmakers kick off the session with a blood drive Minnesota facing growing tension amid an ICE surge Sen. Nate Blouin introduces a bill to block ICE from entering churches and hospitals and to ban agents from wearing masks Utah ICE detention center has been in planning for nearly two years, dating back to the Biden administration Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill” and tightening budgets loom over legislative sessions across the West, reporting from Brigham Tomco Utah State School Board asked to cut $300 million, about 5% of its budget Bill filed to expand Utah Supreme Court justices from five to seven U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments on state bans of transgender athletes in girls’ sports Conservative organizer Scott Presler in Utah gathering signatures to repeal Proposition 4 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, Rep Ryan Wilcox Prop 4 is moving closer to the ballot as organizers report tens of thousands of signatures submitted to county clerks, even as another major policy fight begins to take shape. A newly filed effort to challenge Salt Lake County’s tax increase is now racing against a tight signature-gathering deadline, adding urgency to an already crowded political landscape. At the same time, unresolved court questions surrounding Prop 4 are keeping key decisions in limbo. Did you catch the Variety White House Expose? https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/trump-susie-wiles-interview-exclusive-part-1?srsltid=AfmBOopKq4pM-ka2qo47Cc-_KgQd8ZemDcDLj8JIfkSPGgD6Yg2yglP7 Salt Lake County Tax Referendum Goud Maragani and others applied for the referendum on Monday, which if approved by clerk's office, gives them a chance to put the increase on next year's ballot. They would need to get about 45,000 handwritten signatures in 45 days. They are using volunteers. Prop 4 Signature Gathering Rob Axson Utah GOP Chair reports an estimated 75k valid signatures gathered – first signatures turned in a week ago to county clerks. Few Hundred paid gatherers- majority local Utah hires Latest on Prop 4 Case appeal In new court filings, the legislature is asking Third District Judge Dianna Gibson to issue a final judgment in the case so they can appeal it to the Utah Supreme Court, which the plaintiffs and Gibson say she can’t do yet because of unresolved claims. 3 Governors Take the Stage together 3 Utah governors say the country ‘desperately needs more of Utah’ ... in the White House? https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/3-utah-governors-country-desperately-030000599.html Bridger Bolinder A leader in Utah’s House Republican caucus says he will not seek reelection next year, citing other commitments and responsibilities that require his attention. House Majority Assistant Whip Bridger Bolinder, R-Grantsville, announced the decision this week. Bolinder was elected by his House colleagues to a leadership role over the summer, becoming one of the newest GOP leaders on Capitol Hill. “Serving in the Utah House of Representatives has truly been the honor of a lifetime,” Bolinder said in a post on Instagram. “Representing the people of Tooele, Juab and Millard counties has meant more to me than I can put into words.” Political and Religious Violence Brown University Shooting/MIT Professor Shooting – person of interest found dead Salem New Hampshire 2 Students killed, 9 critically injured MIT professor shot and killed at home Bondi Beach Shooting On Dec. 14, a mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach killed 15 people, including a child, and injured dozens. Australian authorities said two gunmen linked to the Islamic State opened fire on a crowd of about 1,000 people, with police killing one suspect and arresting the other, who was critically injured. Police later removed two homemade bombs from a car connected to the attackers. Trump Gave himself a year in review in primetime address. Border closed Peaced Deal Gaza/Israel Economy is awesome (Many would debate this) Utah Year in Review Charlie Kirk shooting and Utah Congressional Maps biggest stories of the year New Year New Documentary: Melania Exclusively in theaters Jan 30 https://x.com/MELANIATRUMP/status/2001266577077837917?s=20 “Hi, Mr. President, congratulations,” Melania Trump says on the phone, speaking from a golden bathroom in the first trailer for “Melania,” Amazon MGM Studio‘s upcoming documentary about the First Lady. “Did you watch it?” Donald Trump asks on the other end of the call. “I did not, I will see it on the news,” she replies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.