In addition to the Super Bowl lineup, “water cooler” conversations last week were dominated by political topics. We try to quench the readers’ thirst with our perspectives.
The Legislature came out swinging against public employee unions this session. The bill passed the full House and a Senate committee before being slowed down. Why are these workers targeted and what is the likely outcome?
COWLEY: The divisive relationship between the UEA and Republican-led Legislature has added fuel to this fire. Unions are inherently political in nature, and that political power has disproportionately been deployed to benefit Democrats, but union members aren’t necessarily the stalwarts of liberal values they once were. Many union workers voted for Trump. Unions are made up of blue-collar workers who are feeling the sting of inflation at the grocery store and gas pump. Many are gun owners. That all sounds pretty Republican to me, so why are some unions, particularly the UEA, still carrying the banner of Democrat causes? The Legislature doesn’t want liberal union leadership speaking for all public employees. My suggestion: Address the problem, but leave the police and firefighters out of it.
The Legislature introduced a substitute bill that would require a recertification vote every five years granting the union collective bargaining authority on behalf of all employees, union and non-union. The bill does not impact the right to join a union.
PIGNANELLI: “I learned from my father to respect the dignity of work and the dignity of working people.” — Donald Trump
When in private legal practice, I was honored to represent many Utahns — hired by a public agency — in various employment disputes and wage negotiations. These included school employees (i.e. custodians, school bus drivers, secretaries, etc.), police officers and firefighters.
I advocated for them in multiple settings with elected or prominent appointed officials. The associations to which they belonged retained me or provided support otherwise. Almost always, the agency on the other side enjoyed professional assistance. Thus, such trade organizations help level the playing field for these good people.
Public employees have statutory protections, but navigating sometimes turbulent waters requires external help. Fellow citizens who protect our children and keep us all safe have the right to associate with their colleagues to also help them. The freedom of association provided in our federal and state constitutions recognizes these fundamental considerations.
True to his campaign promises, Trump froze billions of dollars of federal funding about to go out the door. A federal court has halted the action for now, but if Trump prevails, how will this impact Utah?
COWLEY: Promises made, promises kept. Trump said for years on the campaign trail that he would drastically cut government spending. Why is anyone surprised that he is actually doing it? Perhaps because we have heard this perennial promise from just about every presidential candidate, but none have followed through.
Cutting spending is a great rallying cry for those worried about our ballooning national debt, but when it comes down to the brass tacks, there is a real price to be paid for all these cost-cutting measures. Each federal program, no matter how obscure, has a constituency that deeply cares about it. Many are happy to see pork cut until it is their golden goose headed to slaughter.
Trump’s goals to address the national debt, reestablish domestic manufacturing dominance and restore border security aren’t achievable without some sacrifices — withholding federal funds and implementing tariffs. Time will tell how much fiscal pain voters are willing to endure to see these principles come to fruition.
In a tight budget year, this freeze would make the Legislature’s constitutional obligation to balance the budget even harder.
PIGNANELLI: About a quarter of our state budget is from federal sources, and much more is spent in Utah through other activities. Such reliance on Washington, D.C., is replicated in the other states, thus explaining consternation with Trump’s freeze on grants.
Interest payments on the national debt are now the highest spending category in the federal budget. Although the philosophical underpinnings of Trump’s actions are rational, he once again selected a sledgehammer over a more productive scalpel. This was disturbing to members of both parties. Yet, Trump is signaling that much more discomfort is in the future if the usual talk of reducing the deficit translates into action.
Trump’s cabinet is almost complete, having endured Senate interrogations, but three nominees still remain. Will RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel get the green light, and what is Utah’s delegation saying about them?
COWLEY: Moderate Republicans feel pressure to not rubber stamp every single Trump cabinet appointee and policies. They may use these last few appointees to make a stand. Utah’s Sen. Curtis expressed his concern with Tulsi, RFK has drawn criticism from both the left and right for his stance on vaccines, and Patel faced one of the most contentious Senate inquisitions yet. Protestations and feigning apprehension, then voting for these cabinet members, may be enough for moderates to demonstrate their independence from Team Trump without incurring its ire.
PIGNANELLI: Curtis’ mild hesitancy on Gabbard has prompted a flurry of activity. But her approval by the Senate Intelligence Committee will likely secure her Senate confirmation. This will make it easier for Kennedy and Patel.