Host: Heidi Hatch
Gusts: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group & Nic Dunn, Sutherland Institute

• Utah Supreme Court justice faces allegations of impropriety in Prop 4 case

• In 2025, the Beehive Family earned $123,716 and paid $34,482 in taxes, about 28% of household income. That breaks down to nearly 2½ hours of every workday spent paying taxes

• UVU commencement speaker Sharon McMahon cancels

• Nate Blouin makes national headlines over vulgar social media history

• Utah legislative Democrats condemn Blouin

• Two businessmen accuse Utah Rep. Trevor Lee of past check fraud and abuse of power

• Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz says the Legislature is reviewing the allegations

• Signature gathering ends, Utah CD3 heads toward a convention showdown

• Swalwell and Gonzales resign from Congress under threat of expulsion

• TMZ opens a Washington, D.C., office and offers cash for tips, raising questions about whether more candidates could drop out or step down

• Trump posts a meme depicting himself as Jesus

• Provo Cougar Pride hosts event featuring a piñata resembling Sen. Mike Lee, a painting of President Donald Trump’s severed head on a platter, and decorative Molotov cocktails for sale

• Happy Tax Day, Utah families spend nearly 2½ hours each workday paying taxes

Take 2 Podcast, Friday, April 10, 2026

Heidi Hatch with Maura Carabello of Exoro Group and Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz.

• Vice President JD Vance is set to lead ceasefire talks this weekend, as tensions tied to a potential conflict with Iran continue. There are ongoing questions about whether a ceasefire will hold and if the Strait of Hormuz will remain open.
• Gas prices in Utah are now higher than the national average, $4.26 compared to $4.16. Lawmakers are also discussing how the state’s gas tax bill works and what it means for drivers.
• As the legislative session wraps, the group looks at highlights and lowlights, including early fundraising in Utah’s newly redrawn congressional districts and the latest update on efforts to repeal Proposition 4.
• President Donald Trump is requesting $1 billion to restore and protect the Great Salt Lake, bringing renewed attention to the lake’s decline and long-term environmental concerns.
• Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson is urging the Department of Homeland Security to abandon a proposed detention center in Salt Lake City. In an April 6 letter, she raised concerns about the plan, as questions remain about whether DHS can back out after already purchasing the site.
• Utah’s job market continues to grow. Nonfarm payroll employment increased an estimated 0.6% over the past 12 months as of January 2026.
• A Utah Valley University commencement decision is drawing more attention. The selection of Sharon McMahon as speaker is facing criticism, with College Republicans speaking out against the choice.

Photo Courtesy: Jackson Murphy

Host: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group & Carolyn Phippen, Political Advisor

CD1: Democrats try new tactic to win House seat in Utah, running as progressives in red state

• Open Primary: Who will it favor?

• DATA FOR PROGRESS INTERNAL POLL RESULTS dfp_ut01_memo_crosstabs.pdf

• Signatures for D1 Blouin and McAdams will both be in the primary

CD2: House Speaker Mike Johnson and Jim Jordan Endorse Blake Moore for Reelection–

Lisonbee counting on Convention support- calls out Moore for Advertising campaign using House $$

Latter-day Saints are the 2nd most Republican religious group in America — but also the only one shifting away

Washington County Sheriff steps down after accusations of misconduct

President Trump signs an order directing the creation of a national eligible voter list

Lt Governor immediately spoke out against the order

Forest Service Headquarters moves to Salt Lake City

Trump “You’re Fired”

• AG Pam Bondi
• DHS Kristis Noem

President Trump is requesting $1 billion to restore Great Salt Lake as part of his annual budget proposal to Congress

Take 2 Podcast March 27

Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

Rep Ryan Wilcox Utah Legislature

Repeal Prop 4 dies in Senate District 15 with signature removals

Trump signs emergency order to pay TSA agents as Congress struggles to reach funding deal

SLC Mayor Mendenhall: No water for ICE facility

Governor Cox vetoes:

HB462: Gov. Spencer Cox vetoes bill providing internet service on Utah’s rural school buses

HB164:  Would have required health care providers to tell patients how to file complaints with the state Division of Professional Licensing

School bell-to-bell cell phone ban

All prop bets are off in Utah under new law

Curtis, Schiff introduce bipartisan legislation to ban sports prediction market contracts

Wilcox bills:

HB0044S07 Criminal Use of Cryptocurrency Amendments

HB0072S02 Coercion Amendments Creates the criminal offense of aiding or encouraging suicide (moving the current language regarding aiding suicide from the criminal offense of manslaughter).

Host: Heidi Hatch

Maura Carabello Exoro Group

John Dougall Former State Auditor

Utah Caucus night

Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz endorses Karianne Lisonbee against incumbent Congressman Blake Moore

Prop 4 Repeal Update – Senator Riebe District within striking distance for Better Boundaries 102 signatures beyond requirement

ICE warehouse SLC spurs protests and condemnation from SLC and County Mayor’s Utah Democrats

• SLC Mayor Mendenhall says they won’t run utilities and can’t to the warehouse, demands meeting with DHS
• Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said he was not given any notice that the Department of Homeland Security was purchasing a warehouse in Salt Lake City

• Cox said he supports having an ICE detention center in Utah: He said such a center is necessary in the West, as several states, he argued, lack space to hold migrant detainees.
• Cox said he’d discussed establishing a detention center in the state with President Joe Biden’s administration prior to Trump taking office again.

February Polling on ICE Detention in Utah

Cesar Chavez: An investigation by The New York Times found extensive evidence that the United Farm Workers co-founder groomed and sexually abused girls

• Utah Legislature named scholarships after Chavez
• SLC named 500 South after the Labor leader –

Gov. Cox signs 72 bills in the 2026 General Legislative Session

Governor Cox new book

Random House has announced a book deal with Spencer Cox, offering what the Utah governor calls a guide to lowering political tensions in the U.S.

The book, titled Off Ramp, focuses on depolarization and aims to help Americans navigate disagreements in everyday life, from the dinner table to social media and politics.

Host: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group • Rob Axson, Utah GOP Chair

Utah Legislative Session

Sen. Adams kills bill passed seconds after midnight

Last-minute signature removal law passed

Utahns for Representative Government gets signatures to put repeal of Prop 4 on the ballot

The petition to repeal Utah Proposition 4 ended up with nearly 166,000 verified signatures.

Signature removal deadline: April 23

Utah Congressional Races Shaping up

Utah CD1

Race shifting to the left.

A public town hall was held for the eight Democratic candidates running for Congress in Utah’s 1st District. Ben McAdams did not participate.

Utah CD2

Blake Moore, the 5th-ranked House Republican, is facing a primary challenge.

Karianne Lisonbee is serving her fourth term representing District 14. Before her election to the legislature, she served on the Syracuse City Council.

Utah CD3

Celeste Maloy, who won a hard-fought battle in the caucus convention, will face a challenger in Phil Lyman, who previously announced he would run for governor.

Utah CD4

Mike Kennedy has filed to run for re-election and already has two Republican primary challengers in the race.

Key Political Dates

• Caucus Night: Tuesday, March 17
• Utah Conventions: April 25

National Issues

What Americans think about the war in Iran, and whether it could affect the midterms.

Partial government shutdown continues nearly a month in, with Utah TSA workers going without pay.

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Take 2 Podcast – Friday 2/27

• Host Heidi Hatch
• Guests: Maura Carabello, John Dougall

State of the Union Hit or miss

• Senator Mike Lee’s SAVE America Act received a standing ovation.
• Congressman Blake Moore recognized in the third row (no name) for naming Trump accounts.
• Some Democrats held an alternate event outside in animal costumes.
• Democratic leadership had Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger deliver the rebuttal, focusing on affordability.

Proposition 4 Signature Verification

• Utah GOP has surpassed the statewide number needed to repeal Prop 4: 157,898 verified signatures.
• Congressman Blake Moore urges voters to let the process play out and stop attempting to remove signatures:

“As a former co-chair of Better Boundaries, I encourage them and all parties to stop trying to undo the petition to reconsider Proposition 4 by attempting to remove signatures.”

• Federal District Court and Utah Supreme Court dismiss redistricting lawsuits; GOP options limited unless they appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Utah Legislature Updates

• Bills Introduced: 1,019
• S.B. 308 – Judicial District Amendments: Will not move forward this session. Sen. Todd Weiler cited feedback from the Utah State Bar and legal community.
• HB88 – Immigrant Services Funding: Debate halted by Rep. Karen Peterson; bill sponsor Rep. Trevor Lee framed as protecting taxpayer money.
• Prediction Markets: Legislature advances ban on proposition betting; Attorney General warns online betting blurs legal lines.
• HB 423 – DUI and Hit-and-Run Amendments: Passed House committee and floor unanimously; Senate committee passed unanimously; now headed to full Senate vote. Closes gap where fleeing after seriously injuring/killing someone is only a third-degree felony.
• Secretary of State Proposal: House committee advances plan to amend Utah Constitution so Utahns elect a secretary of state in 2028 instead of the Lt. Governor overseeing elections.

Federal Election News

• U.S. Department of Justice sued Utah, Oklahoma, Kentucky, West Virginia, and New Jersey for failing to provide full voter rolls. Nationwide total now 29 states + D.C.
• AG Pam Bondi: “Accurate, well-maintained voter rolls are a requisite for the election integrity that the American people deserve.”
• Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson:

“Neither state nor federal law entitles the Department of Justice to collect private information on law-abiding American citizens… we will always follow the Constitution and the law.”

• Utah Democratic Party Chair Brian King:

“This lawsuit is a blatant overreach and a threat to both Utah voters and our election process… it’s about control and interfering with the midterm election.”

Congressional Votes & SAVE Act

• Four Republican senators, including Sen. John Curtis, opposed ending the filibuster to pass the SAVE Act. Curtis warned he wouldn’t support tabling Democratic amendments if it meant “changing the Senate’s rules.”

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

• Sen. Mike Lee seeks to roll back Biden-era regulations, potentially expanding land use for grazing, mining, and other development.
• GAO opinion supports congressional review of the BLM plan; Rep. Celeste Maloy requested the review last year.
• Congress would have 60 legislative days to reject the rule; a simple majority vote would revert management to 2020 Trump-era rules.
• Supporters frame it as Congress reclaiming lawmaking authority from agencies rather than a state land control issue.

No podcast next Friday, but join us March 12th with Utah GOP Chair Rob Axson after the state verification process ends for the Prop 4 repeal effort

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Host: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group & John Dougall, Former State Auditor

Judge’s Ruling in Redistricting cases

Federal District Court

Utah Supreme Court

UFRG and Utah GOP surpass expectations, turn in 200K + signatures

Current verified signatures 117,114

HB 575, Fuel Tax and Supply Amendments, Rep. Cal Roberts, R-Salt Lake

New Gas Tax bill reduces rate by 6 cents a gallon, a 15.8% savings – well below below original 20 Cents a gallon

Presser expected Monday: State Leaders to Announce Major Oil and Gas Supply, Water, and Refining Agreements

HB 587, Income Tax Amendments, Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Salt Lake

The bill reduces both the corporate and individual income tax rates from 4.5% to 4.45%.

Immigration HB 88, Public Assistance Amendments, Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Davis

Would prohibit undocumented immigrants from accessing state- and local-funded programs: nonemergency medical health care, local- or state-administered health care or health insurance, housing assistance, food assistance, cash benefits, tuition assistance.

The bill also allows the public to sue state employees who intentionally ignore the law's requirement to present proof of lawful status to access certain services.

HB 294, Employer Verification Amendments, Rep Tiara Auxier, R-Morgan

Would require companies with 100 or more workers to use E-Verify (or similar programs) when hiring employees.

Current law applies to companies with 150 or more workers.

US conducts first air transport of nuclear microreactor in bid to show technology's viability

Arrived at Hill Air Force Base via three Air Force C-17s, then transported to Utah San Rafael Energy Lab in Emery County.

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Host: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Maura Carabello, Exoro Group; Curt Bramble, former Utah state senator

Happy Valentine’s Day. We’re halfway through the session, it’s Presidents' Day weekend, and it’s the anniversary of Utah women’s right to vote.

U.S. House approves the SAVE America Act as GOP makes election bill push

Utah Reps. Kennedy, Moore, Maloy, and Owens all voted in favor.

Sen. Mike Lee has 49 votes so far in the Senate.

UTAH LEGISLATURE

Utah lawmaker proposes HB 392, Unlicensed Driver Amendments, heads to the Senate.

As described by HB 136 sponsor Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, the bill is aimed at addressing the rising number of crashes caused by unlicensed drivers.

Utah wants to remove marriage tax penalties.

New bill would limit tax credits for unmarried individuals in an attempt to incentivize marriage.

Tax penalties present an obstacle to married households, which threatens the best foundation for kids to have good life outcomes, according to Rep. Melissa Ballard, R-North Salt Lake.

Should Utah third graders struggling with reading be held back a year?

‘Constitutional court’ three-judge panel bill takes on new amendments.

Utah’s digital ID program, “digital bill of rights,” could lead the nation in privacy framework.

Utah forces Chinese company to sell motorsports park in Tooele County.

SIGNATURE GATHERING WINS AND LOSSES

• Ben McAdams says he is the first to get the needed 7,000 signatures to make it on the ballot.

• Prop 4 repeal signature gathering in 11th hour. Signatures must be turned in by Sunday, Feb. 15.

• Salt Lake County tax referendum fails.

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Host: Heidi Hatch

Guests:

• Maura Carabello, Exoro Group
• Rob Axson, Utah GOP Chair

NEW FEDERAL REDISTRICTING LAWSUIT

A new federal lawsuit has been filed by Congressmen Burgess Owens and Celeste Maloy, along with other elected officials, challenging Utah’s redistricting process.

“Today we took action. I, along with elected officials throughout our state, filed a federal lawsuit to defend the constitutional process by which Utah chooses its representatives. We can’t just sit idly by as our representative government is weakened. This lawsuit exists to restore proper constitutional balance.”

— Rep. Celeste Maloy

More information on the case: Powers-Gardner v. Henderson

Related developments with the lawsuit filed with the Utah Supreme Court:

• Utah Legislature asks the Utah Supreme Court to stay the redistricting ruling
• Utah County Clerk requests to join the case

PROP 4 REPEAL: FINAL DAYS

9 days remain in the Proposition 4 repeal signature-gathering effort, which officially ends Sunday, February 15.

• Signatures currently verified and submitted to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office: 52%
• Is a large final submission still coming? Utah GOP Chair Rob Axson offers insight
• Growing controversy surrounding the effort, including accusations of assaults on signature gatherers and complaints from voters who say they did not understand what they were signing

SIGNATURE GATHERING CONTROVERSY

Better Boundaries announces a targeted signature removal campaign following reports of deceptive signature-gathering practices related to the repeal of Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law.

• Better Boundaries says voters were misled by signature gatherers- our Take 2 guests argue this isn’t really an argument
• Utah County Attorney confirms a criminal investigation into potential signature-gathering fraud
• Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson flagged approximately 300 signatures

SAVE AMERICA ACT

The U.S. House is expected to vote next week on Sen. Mike Lee’s SAVE America Act, introduced with Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas).

• The bill would require proof of citizenship to vote
• Measures include photo ID requirements and documentation compliant with REAL ID standards

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Host: Heidi Hatch

Guests: Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz; Maura Carabello, Exoro Group

Tax Cuts & Budget Cuts

Utah lawmakers advanced SB60, the proposed cut would reduce tax rates from 4.5% to 4.45%

Opponents argue that the reduction could be better allocated amid a projected $300 million revenue loss

Utah Majority

Family-focused legislation

The House Majority Caucus has made cost-of-living and strong families a priority for this session

Utah Gas Prices

Currently, Utah has a $0.385 tax rate per gallon for motor fuel sold at gas pumps in the state, but has an exemption for fuel exported out of state.

A draft bill is still in the works that would reassess the state’s gas tax structure

Refineries produce up to 220,000 barrels a day, but about 75,000 of those are shipped out of state to meet demand elsewhere in the West, pushing our prices higher here at home.

As of late January 2026, Utah's average gas prices for regular unleaded are around $2.68 per gallon 

Idaho Legislature is fighting Mad over Utah Legislations

Idaho House speaker calls Utah House Speaker's plan “Bull manure”, and Speaker Schultz had some choice words in return https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/HJM012.pdf

Sentencing Commission

The Speaker is sponsoring HB 274 to reconfigure the sentencing commission.

HB274, sponsored by House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, would change the makeup of the Utah Sentencing Commission by removing all defense lawyers from the commission and replacing them with more members from law enforcement. The Bar said it “strongly” opposes the bill because it “politicizes” the commission by restructuring it in a way that “favors law enforcement and partisan viewpoints.” https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0274.html

Utah won a $30 million bid for US Magnesium’s land, water rights, and mining agreements on Tuesday as part of a wider strategy to refill the shrinking Great Salt Lake

Utah purchased US Magnesium’s land, water rights, and mining agreements for $30 million to help

US Magnesium filed for bankruptcy in 2025, halting magnesium production.

Gov. Spencer Cox and Department of Natural Resources Director Joel Ferry say the move is critical for long-term lake health and air quality

Where is Utah’s Appeal to the Supreme Court on Redistricting?

Signature-gathering status: Will they need a miracle to get to the magic number by Feb. 14?

When it comes to redistricting, most Utah voters do not believe the state legislature should be solely responsible for the district boundaries because it favors the party in power

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