Inside Utah Politics

We are down to the final weeks in the race to lead Utah's capital city. Salt Lake City Councilwoman Erin Mendenhall and state Senator Luz Escamilla are hoping to be the city's next mayor. They join us this week on Inside Utah Politics for an in-depth panel discussion on why they want the job and where they stand on challenges the city is facing.

The race for governor...Lt. Governor Spencer Cox wants to take a step up...he's here to discuss why he wants the job and where he stands on some of the big issues. Plus, where is the line between public safety and personal privacy...advocates say the use of facial recognition software needs to be held in check and are calling on the Legislature to act.

This week on Inside Utah Politics we're talking about the race for governor. Another candidate has jumped in...Jeff Burningham joins us to talk about why he wants the job and where he stands on some of the big issues. Plus we talk a look at the potential modifications to the state's medical marijuana law ahead of the special session.

This week we discuss vaping illicit drugs. The troubling trend has the Drug Enforcement Administration on high alert. The special agent in charge of our area joins us with a crucial message for parents. Plus how did the mobile voting pilot program work during the Municipal Primary? An audit reveals details.

Today on Inside Utah Politics--The Point of the Mountain development- some call it one of the largest economic opportunities in the state's history. We're checking in with the director of the land authority that will help oversee the massive project. Plus, following the mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso an FBI association is calling on Congress to pass new domestic terrorism laws; why some are concerned about that.

This week we're talking Medicaid expansion. What's next now that the federal government said it will not approve the latest waiver? We're breaking it down. Plus, Utah County launched a pilot program to increase voting opportunities for residents living overseas

This week we're talking Census 2020. The count is about eight months away. Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson joins us to discuss efforts to make sure it's accurate and why that's so crucial. Plus, the tax reform task force will be wrapping up its town hall meetings this week. We're taking a look at what rural Utah leaders are sying about the process and concerns they have.

This week on Inside Utah Politics Jeff Merchant joins us to talk about his new role a Utah Democratic Party Chair. He discusses the transition and where he hopes to take the party from here. And, left to fend for themselves after serving our country through key national security missions. How a local couple is working to bring U.S. war dogs home for retirement.

Host Glen Mills finishes up our candidate profiles with those hoping to lead the capital city. Hear from candidates Luz Escamilla and Richard Goldberger. Glen then sits down with Jason Perry, Director of The Hinckley Institute of Politics to break down the race.

This week we continue to dig into the race to lead Utah's capital city. Host Glen Mills sits down with three more Salt Lake City mayor candidates: David Ibarra, Stand Penfold, and David Garbett.

This week on Inside Utah Politics, Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski isn't seeking a second term and eight candidates are lining up to take over. We'll introduce all of them to you in the coming days. Glen Mills sits down with candidates Jim Dabakis, Erin Mendenhall, and Rainer Huck.

Today on Inside Utah Politics the Utah Democratic Organizing Convention. Current Party Chair Daisy Thomas wants another term, but three challengers are lining up to take the job from her. Hear from the candidates to discuss why they want the position.

This week on Inside Utah Politics...is education funding at risk as state leaders consider tax reform? Should Congress begin impeachment proceedings against President Trump? We'll be digging into those questions with Salt Lake Tribune Columnist Robert Gehrke.

The tax reform task force has officially kicked off the process. Two of the voting members join us this episode to discuss where it goes from here and what the final proposal may look like. Plus, "Medicare for all", it's a popular talking point for some Democratic candidates making a run for the White House, but a Utah Congressman says it's not realistic. Why he says it's out of reach.

This episode we're talking taxes. A new citizens group has formed as discussions on tax reform are set to begin. Why they say Utahns should keep a close eye on the process and put the pressure on lawmakers. Plus, the Agriculture Secretary was in our state this week inking an agreement with state leaders. The governor says it's a big step toward protecting Utah from catastrophic wildfires. We'll explain how.

Religious freedom versus equal rights. The issue is in the national spotlight once again as Congress considers the Equality Act. The author of a new book is here to dig into the complexities. Plus, have you noticed how you shop at a certain store or talk about a certain product and all the sudden ads for them pop up in your social media feeds? It's no coincidence. What a congressman wants to do about it.

This week the new chair for the Utah GOP joins us to discuss his convention victory and his plan to heal the divide and move the party forward. Plus, two Utah lawmakers are behind a bipartisan push to increase the legal age to purchase tobacco and vaping products. Why they say it's necessary for the government to step in.

On this episode, our host Glen Mills talks to a Utah advocate who is pushing for a question on the upcoming census. Plus the IUP Panel weighs in on the latest involving the U.S. Attorney General over the Mueller Report.

On this episode of Inside Utah Politics the race to take over the reins of Utah's largest political party. Utah GOP delegates will gather on Saturday to elect a new party chair. We introduce you to the four candidates who want the job

On this episode of Inside Utah Politics, we discuss the future of autonomous vehicles and the role Utah will play. We're breaking down the bill that puts our state on the cutting edge of research and development.  Plus, presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren stirred up talk about public lands during a visit to our state. Our panel will debate her plan to ban drilling and fossil fuel leases.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for youth in our state. We're taking a look at what lawmakers are doing to try to reverse the tragic trend. Plus, the grant is about to run dry for the body cam program for the state's largest police department. Should they fork over the money to keep it going? Our panel weighs in.

On episode 10 of Inside Utah Politics, we discuss Utah’s recently passed hate crimes bill. Senate Bill 103 was signed into law by Governor Gary Herbert in a ceremony fit for bill decades in the making. Senator Daniel Thatcher, the bill sponsor, and former Representative David Litvack look back at what it took to get to this point. Plus, it was a big week for thousands of Utahns who fell into the Medicaid coverage gap. The recently became eligible for benefits for the first time in years, but advocates say many others are still being left out.

On episode 9 of Inside Utah Politics, we discuss Utah's affordable housing crisis. The Utah Legislature passed a bill to address the issue, but it didn't get any funding. We're looking into the problem and what happens next. Plus, Governor Herbert has signed a new "stand your ground" law. Is it necessary or does it go too far? Our panel debates. 

On this week's episode, we take a look back on Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski's surprise announcement that she is not seeking re-election. What does this mean for the race moving forward? Salt Lake Tribune's columnist Robert Gehrke helps us break it down. Plus, a look at this year's legislative session through the eyes of the next generation. We're checking in with millennial lawmakers to get their take on how it all went down.

State lawmakers passed a record 573 pieces of legislation during the 2019 legislative session. Speaker of the House Brad Wilson and Senate President Stuart Adams join us this week on Inside Utah Politics to discuss their first session at the helm and the big issues that came up for debate.

On this episode, the case against the first medical cannabis user to be prosecuted since the new law took effect has been dismissed. Now advocates are calling for compassion. Plus, the U.S. Supreme Court ends the legal battle over SB 54, our state's controversial election law. But, is the fight within the Utah GOP over? Our panel weighs in.

On this episode, state lawmakers are seeking more than $190 million to address air quality in our state. We check in with UCAIR to find out which bills they see as a priority. Plus, a major tax reform bill was unveiled during the week on Utah's Capitol Hill. Republican leaders say it's a generational opportunity, but some in the business community say they have been shut out.

This week on Inside Utah Politics...it was a big week for LGBTQ advocates on Utah's Capitol Hill. A hate crime bill unanimously passed committee, and a bill to ban conversion therapy was unveiled. We're breaking down the issues with Equality Utah. Plus, we're more than halfway through the legislative session. We take a look at the key issues to keep an eye on and our panels weigh in on what to expect in the final three weeks.

On this episode, we discuss Medicaid expansion in Utah. A bill replacing Prop 3 was signed into law during the week. We're digging into the changes and what it means for those in the coverage gap. and, making a difference for homeless Utahns. We'll introduce you to a 9-year-old boy who is going above and beyond to life those in need.

On this episode of Inside Utah Politics, we're looking into the state of the GOP. Republican National Committee Vice Chair Thomas Wright joins us to discuss his role at the National Level and party strategy heading into 2020. Plus, state lawmakers are moving quickly on a bill to replace Prop. 3, Medicaid expansion. Our panel weighs in on the changes and what it means for the ballot initiative process.

One of the most storied political careers in the state of Utah has come to an end. Senator Orrin Hatch served more than four decades in the U.S. Senate. ABC4 News chief political correspondent Glen Mills recently traveled to Washington D.C. to get an up close and personal look at his final days in office.