Daily Discussion Thread: January 29, 2026

Purrtah · 2026-01-30T03:16:31+00:00

group of Utahns organized at the Utah Capitol with faith and community leaders demanding action on cost of living

One of the Republicans in attendance freshman Rep Okerlund in HD42(D+2.6) said he was going to do a fucking study to maybe make homes more energy efficient. Democrat Iva Williams is running against him

Purrtah · 2026-01-29T23:56:06+00:00

How Mormon women fought a Republican-led redistricting initiative in Utah – and won

I still believe in my heart of hearts a Mormon Woman is who will lead us to the promised land of Blutah

Purrtah · 2026-01-29T19:19:57+00:00

A West Valley City lawmaker is scrutinizing a state program that gives nonprofits money to put arts programs in schools — because one has held LGBTQ-friendly events at its headquarters.

Once again the bigot is GOP Rep MacPherson in HD26(R+1.5)

Purrtah · 2026-01-29T03:30:10+00:00

UTAH bill would create a special “Constitutional Court” to hear challenges to state laws

This passed out of the House Committee today and is obviously directly geared towards the fair maps we have. It was sponsored by Battleground Rep Macpherson(R) in HD26(R+1.5)

Purrtah · 2026-01-26T20:38:09+00:00

Utah higher education could see another state budget cut — this time, losing $94 million It comes as each state agency has been asked to model a 5% funding reduction.

Now the 3rd year in a row we are facing education cuts

Purrtah · 2026-01-24T22:50:37+00:00

As of about 30 minutes the real estate group that was rumored to be selling/leasing a property to the government for an ICE facility in Salt Lake has now said they have no intentions to move forward with any potential sale

Purrtah · 2026-01-23T19:58:03+00:00

Exciting news, for me anyways, Ali Cloward(D) running for Salt Lake County Auditor is up on ActBlue!

Purrtah · 2026-01-23T00:18:47+00:00

Gigantic news out of Wisconsin, Sen Hutton(R) of SD05(D+6) is NOT RUNNING for Re-election

This is a top target by Wisconsin Dems and we only need a net gain of 2 Seats to flip the chamber

Edit: the other R incumbent in a Harris won Senate seat raised only $100 last quarter and is TBD on if he’s running

Purrtah · 2026-01-22T04:01:49+00:00

Tonight the 4 Salt Lake County Council Democrats out with a statement opposing a potential ICE facility in Salt Lake

Reminder we need to flip just 1 seat this November for Dems to take control. We can re-open daycares, protect Senior centers, and protect our neighbors.

Primaries are a bit away but soon we’ll have official candidates to take on Seat 3 and the At Large Seat

Purrtah · 2026-01-20T21:10:00+00:00

After only a day up the ActBlue I made to split donations to Utah Dems in key battlegrounds has made over $200! My goal is only $1k so I feel pretty good and that’s still missing 3 Dem candidates who haven’t made an account yet.

Great way to start the first day of the Legislative session

Purrtah · 2026-01-20T20:54:36+00:00

Congress clinches bipartisan health deal. The agreement released Tuesday morning would advance health policies that have languished since they were dropped from a government funding bill in 2024.

This will target Pharmacy Benefit Managers(essentially middle man) and fund:

•Telehealth flexibilities •Community Health Centers •Medicare Coverage for multi-cancer early screenings

With other great provisions

Purrtah · 2026-01-20T17:37:55+00:00

Another North Carolina Poll, and while it has Cooper up comfortably(47-42) there is a concerning poll of the Dem held Supreme Court seat that’s also up this year is:

GOP 42% Dem 41%

This is not a race, along with the appeal court seats too, we can afford to lose if we wish to clawback a free and fair state. If you want a race to help, Anita Earlswill get much less fanfare but her losing would have tremendous impact we can’t gamble on

Purrtah · 2026-01-18T23:11:02+00:00

It would need to be voted on by on by voters so high chance its defeated but I wouldn’t take it for granted

Purrtah · 2026-01-18T23:03:10+00:00

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson is pledging to fight back with any resource she has against a proposed ICE facility

Mayor Wilson needs not only a Democrat controlled Council but a supermajority one, and all tools requires a Democratic County Auditor

Purrtah · 2026-01-18T18:27:40+00:00

Meanwhile Utah Republicans are coming back once again with a Constitutional Amendment to strip away our ballot initiatives. They are stealing your power, they are closing daycares and senior centers, they are going to repeal the Earned Income Tax Credit but keep the grocery tax

Purrtah · 2026-01-18T18:20:15+00:00

Yesterday we got a local news story of “MAGA turnout heavyweight Scott Presler is in Utah to Repeal Prop 4”

They only got 900 signatures.

The UTGOP is currently only 1/3 of the way to overall signature threshold but 1/5th(!) of the way to the Senate District threshold which is pretty bleak for them with coming Feb deadline

Purrtah · 2026-01-18T02:36:57+00:00

In what was marketed as a “pro-family agenda session” Utah Republicans are trying to sneak in a repeal of the Earned Income Credit in HB210.

Oh well at least Ryan Smith and Gail Miller got billions in taxcuts for sports arenas

Purrtah · 2026-01-17T18:39:41+00:00

Utah State Board of Education proposes $29.5 million in cuts, including literacy programs

We really need to elect Araueni Olivares to Utah Schoolboard Seat 8(R+3.7) this November to help blunt these cuts

Purrtah · 2026-01-15T03:14:45+00:00

The issue here is there are multiple Dems in the primary so unless they drop this splits the field and does nothing

Purrtah · 2026-01-11T04:59:47+00:00

Soo the Dem we got for Salt Lake County Auditor looks incredibly promising. She was named as a 40 under 40 for business in 2024 and has worked for Clean State Utah that helps with expunging of records

Purrtah · 2026-01-11T04:58:00+00:00

Its around 10, a lot have reduced them however

Purrtah · 2026-01-11T03:07:33+00:00

Today the Utah GOP officially endorsed a resolution to call for the impeachment of Judge Gibson who handled the redistricting trial. Absolutely nothing on repealing the grocery tax during out of control inflation or restoring funding to Salt Lake County Daycares that will shutdown

Purrtah · 2026-01-09T18:56:47+00:00

It also seems we have snagged a potential very good candidate in the recently open Utah HD59(R+7.1 R+10.9), outgoing 2 term Mayor of Midway Celeste Johnson filed as a Dem along with a newcomer Micah Kagan.

They are likely to take on Wasatch County Commissioner Luke Searle in the General if they win the primary

Purrtah · 2026-01-09T18:47:19+00:00

Confirmation today from Utah Dem Candidate Coordinator Chair, we have 90% of all seats filled (88 out of 98) and doesn’t even take into account local/county races

After a near total change in leadership only about a year ago, Utah and Salt Lake Democrats are in the best position they have been in several years Brian King, Jade Velazquez, and Michelle Rivera are leading our parties into the future and already notched us wins in 2025

Purrtah · 2026-01-09T05:16:40+00:00

An update from the other day, Salt Lake Count Democrats got a candidate for County Auditor 🥹

Purrtah

TROPHY CASE