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‘The Rundown’: The redistricting battle over Hill Air Force Base

The redistricting process speeds toward the finish line on Utah’s Capitol Hill

  | Nov. 8, 2021, 1:32 p.m.

Good Monday morning Utah! Thanks for reading “The Rundown”.

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W2W4: Monday

The Legislature’s Redistricting Committee meets today at 3 pm at the State Capitol. They’ll officially discuss the four map proposals they made public late Friday evening.

It’s the only public hearing, and the only chance for public comment before lawmakers vote in the special session, which begins on Tuesday.

Hill Air Force Base stays put

The Legislature made their map proposals public on Friday night. You can read more about them here.

During the drafting of the congressional maps, one backroom battle was what to do with Hill Air Force Base, which has traditionally been a part of Utah’s 1st District.

It’s well-known in Utah political circles Rep. Chris Stewart and his supporters wanted to move HAFB into his 2nd District. The theory is it could give him a political advantage, given his background as an Air Force pilot coupled with the more conservative leanings of military members.

But, Rep. Blake Moore sits on the House Armed Services Committee, which many see as crucial for HAFB. The base and related businesses are a significant economic engine for northern Utah. Stewart is in line to possibly become the chair of the House Intelligence Committee if Republicans win the majority in the 2022 midterms. It’s hard to imagine he would give that up to move to HASC.

Legislative sources say a proposed compromise to split Hill between several districts was ultimately rejected. As a result, Hill is staying put.

Here’s what you need to know for Monday morning

Utah

🏛 Utah lawmakers made their redistricting map proposals public on Friday night. They’ll have a public hearing on their maps Monday afternoon. [Tribune]

  • Here’s what else is on the agenda for the special session that begins on Tuesday morning. [Tribune]

    • 🏛 Here are five things you need to know about the Legislature’s map proposals before the public hearing on Monday afternoon. [Tribune]

    💉 A federal appeals court temporarily blocked the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for large businesses. Utah leaders applauded the move. [Tribune]

  • On Friday, Utah joined a multi-state lawsuit against the Biden administration mandate. [Tribune]

    • 🐘 Republican Erin Rider will challenge Rep. Chris Stewart for the 2022 GOP nomination in CD2. Stewart has never faced a primary election. [Tribune]

    🗳 They’re almost done counting the ballots. Here are some highlights from the 2021 municipal elections. [Tribune]

  • There are still a few races yet to be decided. [Tribune]

    • 🏛 The state is investigating comments made by Domo’s Josh James, who said he was offered a tax incentive worth $23 million to keep his company in Utah even though he had no intention to leave. [Tribune]

    National

    🚜 The House passed the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, sending it to President Joe Biden’s desk. Here’s what’s in the bill. [WaPo]

  • 13 Republicans broke with their party on the vote to help pass the bill. Six Democrats voted against the bill [NYT]

    • 📊 Yikes! A new poll shows President Joe Biden’s job approval dropping to just 38%. [USA Today]

    🌊 Republicans, buoyed by their successes on Tuesday, see a GOP electoral wave building ahead of the 2022 midterms. [Politico]

    ⚖️ The Biden administration says they are prepared to defend the legality of the vaccine or testing rules for big businesses. [NYT]

    💉 Federal employees must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 23, which is the first test of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate. [AP]

  • Thousands of federal workers have requested a religious exemption from the vaccine mandate. [WaPo]

    • 💉 Schools are taking a leading role in getting kids vaccinated against COVID-19. [AP]

    🌎 An investigation found countries are underreporting their greenhouse gas emissions to the United Nations. [WaPo]

    ✈️ The U.S. is opening its borders to vaccinated international travelers today after 20 months. [CNN]

    💻 Hackers have breached computer systems in the defense, energy, health care sectors, as well as other sensitive areas in the U.S. [CNN]

    🚨 Retailers are scrambling to attract workers ahead of the holiday shopping season. [NYT]

    Monday morning’s Utah news roundup

    Utah

  • After developer forced 374 USU students to find new housing, others across U.S. complain of conditions at his properties. [Tribune]
  • Man charged with murder in connection with crash that killed Utah bakery co-founder. [Tribune]
  • New arboretum at historic Salt Lake City Cemetery highlights 80 varieties of trees. [Tribune]
  • Will this Hail Mary save the Utah Theater? [Tribune]
  • Here’s where Great Salt Lake water level stands. [Tribune]

    • COVID-19

  • Exhausted by holes in his heart, this Utah boy must wait for surgery as COVID-19 adds to hospital overcrowding. [Tribune]
  • Utah again reports double-digit deaths from COVID-19. [Tribune]
  • Second pill to treat COVID-19 announced. Here’s what you need to know. [Deseret News]

    • Washington

  • Why Mitt Romney stood alone among Utah GOP delegation on $1.2T infrastructure bill. [Deseret News]

    • Education

  • 5 ways labor shortages, supply chain issues are taking a toll on Utah schools. [Deseret News]

    • Opinion

  • Opinion: Why we support Evan McMullin for U.S. Senate. [Deseret News]

    • 🎂 You say it’s your birthday?!!

    Happy birthday to conservative activist Cherilyn Eagar and Matt Sandgren, former chief of staff to former Sen. Orrin Hatch.

    Got a birthday you’d like us to recognize in this space? Send us an email.