Take 2 - KUTV 2News - TopPodcast.com

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Take 2: Prop 4 signatures move forward as tax referendum faces tight deadline Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

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.

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Take 2 Podcast: Salt Lake Co. approves property tax increase, Gov. Cox signs 3 bills Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Host: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group; Nic Dunn, VP of Strategy, Sutherland Institute

Salt Lake County Approves Property Tax Increase

The Salt Lake County Council voted Tuesday night to approve a property tax increase of around 14%, lower than the originally proposed increase of nearly 20%.

Special Session: Gov. Cox Signs 3 Bills

Repeals the new law that stripped power from public labor unions
Changes the filing deadlines for Utah’s 2026 congressional races
Clarifies the exclusive and original appellate jurisdiction of the Utah Supreme Court

Legislative Audits: District Attorney, Police and Criminal Justice System

Salt Lake County District Attorney Audit
Salt Lake City Police Department Audit

Welfare Reform

Nic Dunn returns from meetings in Washington, D.C.
Work disincentives built into the current system
Utah as a national leader due to:

Health Care: Dueling Senate Bills Fail

As the deadline approaches for expiring enhanced ACA subsidies, the Senate rejected:

University of Utah Athletics: Private Equity Deal

University of Utah unveils plan for a private equity partnership
Otro Capital would become a minority owner in Utah Brands & Entertainment
NCAA President warns schools to use caution with new forms of athletic equity financing

Public Lands Group Files Lawsuit Over New National Parks Pass Featuring Former President Donald Trump

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Take 2 Podcast: Utah GOP fuels repeal push with millions as redistricting fight intensifies Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

Utah GOP has raised over $4 million to repeal Proposition 4. The money is being donated by 501(c)(4) out of MA

Signatures gathered- Rob Axson Utah GOP Chair reports healthy pace (tens of thousands) and growing momentum. None turned in yet.

Utah GOP filed for a stay, no ruling yet

Sutherland Institute Survey: Utah voters think elected officials, not judges, should choose congressional maps

https://sutherlandinstitute.org/utah-redisticting-survey/

Do voters agree or disagree with the court-driven process produced by proponents of Proposition 4? Sutherland Institute recently commissioned Y2 Analytics to conduct a survey of Utah voters to investigate this question.

By a 63-point margin, Utah voters believe that the policymakers they elect should be making redistricting decisions over judges. A full 71% of Utah voters say that an elected body or elected official at the state or county levels ought to have primary responsibility to decide congressional maps, compared to 8% who say judges should be primarily responsible. A plurality of Utah voters say that a body elected by the people (e.g., the Utah Legislature or county council) should be making redistricting decisions, while 21% of voters say it should be a state-level elected official (e.g., the governor), and 15% say it should be a county-level elected official (e,g., a county mayor).

5 Democratic Candidates in the D1 2025 Race

State Sen. Nate Blouin announced his candidacy Nov. 24- now backed by Bernie
Newcomer Luis Villarreal entered the race
1st in Sen. Kathleen Riebe
Former congressman Ben McAdams
Former state Sen. Derek Kitchen.

REP. VERONA MAUGA looking to pass gun law change in upcoming session after shooting of Afa Ah Loo at No Kings Protest

Drafting bill to keep long guns off the streets during protests
Manslaughter charges filed this week against the “peace keeper”

Cox proposes $30.7B budget with funding for homeless campus, child tax credits

Gov. Spencer Cox proposes a $30.7 billion budget prioritizing literacy, a homeless campus and child tax credits.
The budget includes $20 million for reading support and $25 million for a homeless campus in Salt Lake City.
Cox's proposal also allocates funds for school safety, technical colleges and outdoor recreation.
fund a literacy public awareness campaign and invest tens of millions in "paraprofessionals" to help teachers give an extra hand to young students who are falling behind. That would include $20 million for reading support in elementary schools that fall below the statewide proficiency benchmark of 70% of third graders reading at grade level.

How the Trump administration could make or break Utah Gov. Cox’s budget priorities

Trump tax bill leads to projected $300 million decrease in state income tax revenue.
Gov. Cox prioritizes $25 million in budget to finish construction of homeless campus.
Cox not proposing income tax cuts like the ones he supported for five years in a row.

https://governor.utah.gov/press/gov-cox-releases-fy-2027-budget-proposal-focused-on-responsible-fiscal-management-strong-families-and-long-term-prosperity/

Rep. Blake Moore joins Pres. Trump to celebrate Michael and Susan Dell’s $6.25B investment in Trump Accounts

Congressman Blake Moore joined President Trump at the White House to celebrate Michael and Susan Dell’s monumental $6.25 billion investment in Trump Accounts for children. Congressman Moore introduced legislation in the House to establish these investment accounts, which was passed and signed into law as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4th, 2025.

U.S. pauses immigration applications from 19 countries after two National Guard members shot in DC

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Take 2 Podcast: No map appeal, shift left, Epstein files, Utah birthrate Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

Heidi Hatch | Maura Carabello, Exoro Group | Curt Bramble, former state senator

• Speaker Mike Schultz on redistricting ruling

Says Judge Gibson’s late decision blocked any chance for an emergency appeal; calls timing “wrong” and says it cut the Legislature out of the court process.

• Rep. Burgess Owens letter

Accuses judge of overstepping and “imposing an outcome never chosen by the people.”

• Redistricting history with Curt Bramble

Utah missed a fourth seat by 856 people after the 2000 Census; Bramble helped draw the first four-district map.

• New map creates a safe blue district

Republicans now competing for three GOP seats; questions around whether 74-year-old Owens will retire.

• Candidates for Utah’s new Democratic district

Derek Kitchen joins Ben McAdams and Kathleen Riebe.

Others considering: Caroline Gleich, Kael Weston, Nate Blouin.

• Trump backs release of Epstein files

Bill requires AG to release unclassified DOJ records within 30 days, including names of officials and entities tied to Epstein.

• Utah birthrate continues to fall

Most counties still above replacement level, but two-thirds saw declines; shifts peak childbearing to ages 25–29.

• Juvenile aggravated murder bill

Would allow judges to send offenders convicted as adults directly to prison instead of secure care.

• Brigham City nuclear project

$750M investment under Gov. Cox’s “Operation Gigawatt,” creating Utah’s first full-scale nuclear ecosystem.

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Take 2 Podcast: Late-Night Ruling, Utah’s New Blue District, and the End of the Shutdown Nov 15, 2025

Show notes

KUTV TAKE 2 PODCAST Nov 14, 2025

Late-Night Ruling, Utah’s New Blue District, and the End of the Shutdown

Guests: Rob Axson, Utah GOP Chair | Rep. Doug Owens

New Maps: Judge Gibson throws out Map C and approves Map 1 — minutes before the deadline.
Blue District: New 1st District leans D+14, putting a GOP-held seat in play.
Appeal Uncertain: Cox supports appealing, but none filed yet.
Prop 4 Fight: GOP ballot initiative to repeal the independent redistricting law underway UFRG.org
Who Draws the Lines? Debate over legislative authority vs. judicial oversight.
Democrats Jump In: McAdams running; Riebe challenging; Blouin a possible contender.
Impeachment Talk: Rep. MacPherson drafting a bill to impeach the judge.
Shutdown Ends: Trump signs funding bill; agencies reopen; ACA tax credits could spark the next battle.

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Take 2 Podcast: Utah municipal Elections, Shutdown Fallout, and National Shifts Nov 08, 2025

Show notes

Take 2 Podcast – Friday, Nov. 7 | 2:30 p.m.

Heidi Hatch with South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey & Exoro Group’s Maura Carabello

Utah Primaries

Turnout: 30% statewide (Piute 63%, Salt Lake 23%)
Tight mayoral races across the Wasatch Front
Utah County incumbents trailing Provo Mayor concedes
Cottonwood Heights: Mike Weichers concedes to Gay Lynn Bennion (57%-42%)
Salt Lake City Council unchanged
Southern Utah new Mayors

Government Shutdown

FAA cutting flights 10%, Salt Lake Intl. among 40 airports hit
Judge orders Trump to fund SNAP; Utah missed first payments Nov. 6
Utah Senate Democrats push to cover SNAP benefits

Politics & Redistricting

Utah’s new congressional map expected next week
Ben McAdams likely to announce run after approval
Utah GOP holding hearings on redistricting repeal (Nov. 3 & 10)

Davis County Taxes

Property tax hike trimmed from 30% to 15%

Salt Lake County Council

GOP members vote to cut childcare at rec centers and senior center to cut budget

National Election 2025

Democrats sweep key races in NY, VA, NJ
Moderates win VA & NJ governorships
Socialist Zohran Mamdani wins NYC mayor race over Andrew Cuomo
California voters approve Prop 50, allowing new redistricting
Young voters, women key blocks heading into 2026 midterms

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Take 2 Podcast: Day 29 of shutdown: SNAP funding ends, ACA Subsidy Fight, Utah Faces Tax Hikes Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

Utah faces mounting strain as the government shutdown hits day 29 — SNAP funding runs out, tax hikes loom, and homelessness policy shifts under new leadership. We break down the political standoff, the stakes for Utah families, and how state and local leaders are responding.

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Take 2 Podcast: Sen. John Curtis shares why he believes stalemate was 'pre-determined' Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

On day 22 of the government shutdown, Utah Sen. John Curtis sat down with Heidi Hatch to share why he believes the stalemate was “pre-determined,” driven by partisan politics.

Before the interview, Curtis voted for the 12th time to reopen the government with a continuing resolution that failed 54-46, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance. Three Democrats voted with Republicans, but no additional Democrats crossed the aisle.

At 22 days, the shutdown is now the second-longest funding lapse in modern history, surpassed only by the 35-day shutdown in late 2018 and early 2019.

Curtis said a short-term continuing resolution may be necessary to get the government reopened, but it’s not a long-term solution.

“It doesn’t make sense to keep the government closed when the very people we’re trying to help with high premiums are also the ones losing SNAP benefits,” he said.

He noted that since 1974, Congress has only passed a budget on time four times, often relying on continuing resolutions or shutdowns that end in massive omnibus spending bills. Curtis is pushing a new approach modeled after Utah’s baseline budget system, where prior-year funding automatically carries over until new appropriations are passed.

“Instead of a shutdown, an omnibus, or a CR, we’d simply stay on the previous appropriation,” he said, calling it a plan that promotes fiscal responsibility.

Still, Curtis said Washington has grown accustomed to crisis politics.

“Both Republicans and Democrats are part of the problem,” he said. “It’s a fair accusation.”

While he said he understands the frustration of families facing higher health premiums, Curtis believes tying those costs to shutdown negotiations is inappropriate.

On federal subsidies, he added, “People like free things once we give them free things. It’s near impossible to undo that. Do people at 400% of poverty really need zero premium? Maybe they need some help, but certainly not zero premium — and yet, how do you take that back?”

As the Senate remains gridlocked and the House out of session, Curtis warned the shutdown could last “a long time” unless public pressure builds. He outlined potential off-ramps and pointed to his own proposals — such as a baseline budget bill and an automatic spending cut plan — as ways to prevent future shutdowns.

Hatch also asked Curtis about rising beef prices and President Trump’s plan to import beef from Argentina, pressing whether the move could help or hurt Utah ranchers.

Curtis also discusses his new bill on forest fire mitigation, the East Wing Ballroom renovation, energy prices, and the future of energy in Utah.

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Take 2 Podcast: How to take 'heated' out of rivalry game, Utah politics Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

Take 2 Podcast – October 16, 2025

Host: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz and Rep. Doug Owens

Episode Rundown:

Holy War Weekend: BYU and Utah face off again, but let’s keep the rivalry friendly — not a real war.
Politics and Polarization: Noble Analytics polling shows rising concern about political violence. Is that tension spilling over into sports and daily life?
Prop 4 Battle: The Utah GOP moves to overturn the voter-approved independent redistricting measure, reigniting debate over fair maps and political power.
Judicial Appointments: The public comment period opens for Utah’s newest judicial nominee.
Government Shutdown: The standoff drags on in Washington as healthcare subsidies remain the sticking point.
Middle East Update: President Trump returns from a historic peace deal signing in Israel.
Utah Legislature: Lawmakers discuss new funding for career and technical education programs.
Gas Prices: A proposed tax exemption change could save Utah drivers 10 to 20 cents a gallon.

🎧 Stream the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.

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Take 2: Israel-Hamas peace deal moves forward, day 9 of government shutdown Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

Take 2 Podcast – October 9, 2025

Hosts: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group; Trent Staggs, Riverton Mayor and Small Business Administrator

_____

ISRAEL–HAMAS PEACE DEAL MOVES FORWARD

President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a peace framework that would allow for the swift release of all hostages.

Still missing from the plan are key details on Hamas’s disarmament and who will govern Gaza once the deal moves ahead. Those issues are expected to be part of later negotiations.

_____

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN – DAY 9

The federal government shutdown has entered its ninth day, with Affordable Care Act subsidies still a sticking point for Democrats.

Republicans have centered their messaging around health care for migrants, pushing for limits on taxpayer-funded benefits.

In Utah, undocumented migrants can access emergency medical care, and some coverage is available for children.

_____

NEW NUMBERS – UTAH RANKS 3RD IN MIGRANT ARRIVALS

Salt Lake City is now one of the nation’s fastest-growing destinations for migrants, according to new data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Between May 2023 and January 2025, nearly 2.5 million migrants who entered the U.S. — either illegally or through legal protection under the CBP One app — reported where they planned to live.

Miami led with 2,191 arrivals per 100,000 residents, followed by Fort Myers, Florida, at 1,782. Salt Lake City ranked third with 1,685, just ahead of Denver and New York.

AP Source

_____

NEW ICE DIRECTOR – AGREEMENTS WITH UTAH CITIES AND COUNTIES

The new ICE director is expanding partnerships with Utah law enforcement under three models:

Task Force Model – Local officers working directly with federal agents.
Jail Enforcement Model – ICE cooperation within county jails.
Warrant Service Officer Model – Deputized officers allowed to serve immigration-related warrants.

_____

UTAH SPECIAL SESSION

Lawmakers passed and the governor signed Map C, the new congressional redistricting plan. The map now heads to a judge for approval.

With the new boundaries, Utah could see as many as two competitive races in the 2026 election cycle.

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