Here's why Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is praising Utah lawmakers

Episode 32 April 11, 2025 00:26:01
Here's why Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is praising Utah lawmakers
The Hinckley Report
Here's why Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is praising Utah lawmakers

Apr 11 2025 | 00:26:01

/

Show Notes

Three members of Pres. Donald Trump's cabinet visited the Beehive State this week. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and EPA Director Lee Zeldin met with state lawmakers and members of the state's congressional delegation. Our expert panel discusses why the three federal leaders have high praise for Utah.

Kennedy specifically praised a bill recently passed by the Utah legislature that bans fluoride from water systems in the state. The move aligns with Kennedy's "Make America Healthy Again" initiatives.

Utah leaders are also weighing in on Pres. Trump's latest round of tariffs. The fear is whether or not economic uncertainty over the executive orders will push the country toward a recession. We evaluate how Utah is being impacted, and what Gov. Spencer Cox is doing to shore up the state's economy.

Union organizers in Utah have less than a week to gather signatures in their attempt to get a voter referendum on the state's ballot. The group "Protect Utah Workers" is made up of several labor unions in the state. They want Utah voters to decide whether or not to overturn HB 267 (Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan). That bill passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Cox prohibits public labor unions from collective bargaining.

Host Jason Perry is joined by Robert Spendlove, senior economist with Zions Bank — McKenzie Romero, editor-in-chief of Utah News Dispatch — and Chris Bleak, partner with RRJ Consulting.

Funding for The Hinckley Report is made possible in part by Merit Medical and by the financial contributions of PBS Utah members. If you would like to support the work we do, please visit https://pbsutah.org/supporthinckley

Chapters

View Full Transcript

Episode Transcript

00:53 - 4:33 - Visit from Transportation Secretary Duffy 4:33 - 16:55 - RFK Jr, MAHA, and the Utah Way 16:55 - 20:55 - Tariffs and Trade Wars 20:55 - 24:48 - Public Worker Unions Referendum 24:48 - 25:54 - Will the Legislature hold a veto override session? 25:54 - 26:33 - Outro

Other Episodes

Episode 8

October 24, 2025 00:26:23
Episode Cover

The Great Salt Lake Is Disappearing. Here's What Utah Is Doing About It

Unsustainable water use, a growing population, and ongoing drought are all contributing to the shrinking Great Salt Lake. But what can YOU do to...

Listen

Episode 34

May 03, 2024 00:26:11
Episode Cover

Convention Results & Summer Preview

Primary match-ups are finalized following the state political party conventions. Our panel discusses the raucous moments among some delegates. Plus, the national issues hitting...

Listen

Episode 33

April 18, 2025 00:26:40
Episode Cover

How Utahns feel about the economy, protecting public unions, and big-name political visitors

Organizers of a ballot referendum to overturn HB267 submitted their final batches of signatures this week. State law requires about 140,000 signatures, but supporters...

Listen