Take 2: Prop 4 signatures move forward as tax referendum faces tight deadline

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.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.