Take 2: Utah's Legislature With Heidi Hatch, Greg Hughes And Jim Dabakis

 The 24th episode of the Take 2 podcast features 2News Anchor Heidi Hatch and former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes (R) and The Exoro Group's Maura Carabello. Topics the panel tackled include aerial fireworks that were legalized in the Utah Legislature in 2011.  The discussion included sales doubling in the first year the aerial fireworks were permitted but now 8 years later if fires and air pollution are issues concerning enough to dial back the firework laws. Should we be able to blow stuff up because it’s patriotic?  Find out how the discussion played out in addition to the lively debate on these topics: MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWSUITS: The state said it would pick 10 growers but ultimately chose 8. Now those who were not chosen were suing. The number dropped so Utah doesn’t end up with too much marijuana. MUELLER TESTIMONY: Rep. Rob Bishop said, “the book was better than the movie.” Is impeachment possible? UTAH NO. 2 IN LGBTQ SUPPORT NATIONALLY: 2018 poll just released by the Public Reli

 The 23rd episode of the Take 2 podcast features 2News Anchor Heidi Hatch and former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes (R) and The Exoro Group's Maura Carabello. The panel tackles the latest poll on how Utahns feel about President Trump's job performance and his social media posting habits. Other topics discussed include: Racist tweets or POTUS speaking truth? Abortion Resolution: Local municipalities chiming in 9/11 bill: Sen. Mike Lee was a big part in holding it up, then pushing a much different plan. (Still $10 billion for 10 years.) Homeless shelters behind schedule: Asking for $21 million bridge loan. Need the money to pay contractors on time. Fundraising would pay it back. Utah lawmaker wants to legalize safe places to inject heroin and provide treatment options. Great idea or worst ever? Utah lawmakers will soon debate the idea. State Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost is leading the charge. Federal minimum wage $15 an hour: 6 Democrats voted against it yesterday in the House. Rep. Be

This week on the Take 2 podcast, 2News Anchor Heidi Hatch is joined by former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes (R) and The Exoro Group's Maura Carabello. The trio discussed if Utah driver's license information is being used illegally by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and additional topics including: Utah Inland Port Authority protesters: Police, media and messaging. Trump announcing he will drop the census fight: Is there a reason to fight for the citizenship question? State 3-day teleworking: Does it work? Presidential candidate Kamala Harris: Utah visit a hoax but is she still invited to the Beehive State?  District 4 has a new candidate: KSL Radio's Jay McFarland enters the race against Rep. Ben McAdams, days after Mia Love says she may run again. ICE raids start this weekend: Gov. Gary Herbert says not in Utah.

 This week on the Take 2 podcast, Heidi Hatch is joined by former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes (R) and Jan Seelig, Ph.D. to discuss a variety of topics and issues.  This week's topics include: Mackenzie Lueck's body is found. We talk about legal issues that hold up missing adult investigations. What’s more important- right to privacy or giving it away so we can be found faster? Trump Parade “Salute to America: Celebration.  Hit or Miss? Emergency on the border- overcrowding and unhealthy conditions. $4.6B funding headed that way. Can money fix the problem? Dem Debate- winners and losers a week out Kamala Harris Headed to Utah July 17 Should college debt be wiped out?

 The weekly Take 2 podcast hit its 20th episode including the special on the legislature killing the massive tax overhaul bill.  The milestone podcast featured 2News Anchor/Reporter Heidi Hatch hosting former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes (R) and guest Robert Gehrke, an award-winning columnist from The Salt Lake Tribune. Topics discussed included: A new pilot project set to start this fall - charging drivers of electric cars per mile. U.S. Border. Detention versus concentration camps. Salt Lake City Teachers at impasse headed for mediation. Looking forward to a new season with the Utah Jazz and Mike Conley, Jr. Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox pulls in $250k in 4 weeks in his bid for the governor's seat – kind of. Meanwhile, Utah County Businessman Jeff Burningham quietly has $570k. SLC Mayor gets sassy online.

 Episode 18 of the Take 2 podcast featured 2News Anchor/Reporter Heidi Hatch hosting former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes (R) and guest Maura Carabello of The Exoro Group. The panel dived into the Salt Lake City mayoral race and if ranked-choice voting could help in the election. Other topics discussed included: Gov. Gary R.  Herbert is in Europe this week with a delegation on a trade mission. Are these trade missions important or fun and games? Sen. Mitt Romney is pushing a ban on e-cigs in schools nationwide. Is this worth his while? A 10-year-old boy had a gun pointed at him by a Woods Cross police officer. Is this a case of wrong place, wrong time? Was it a bias against a black child? Trump's foreign intel admission: He's cool with it but should we all be cool with it? Romney says it's "simply unthinkable" to accept foreign dirt on rivals: "I ran for president twice. I ran for governor once. I ran for Senate twice. I've never had any attempt made by a foreign government. ... Had that

The Take 2 Podcast is officially a party of two as Democrat Jim Dabakis steps away to prepare to run for mayor of Salt Lake City. Former Speaker of the House in Utah, Republican Greg Hughes returns, still not officially running for governor of Utah. Topics ranges from protesters at a meeting to discuss the state's planned inland port, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox making his way across the state, speaking to communities as a leading candidate for the governor's chair when Gary Herbert steps away and President Trump's tariff deadline with Mexico. Also, the state is grappling with teacher pay and a Medicaid waiver. Will it go through? Send topical ideas to hhatch@KUTV2.com.

Episode 16 of the Take 2 podcast features 2News Anchor Heidi Hatch moderating debate between former Utah lawmakers, Jim Dabakis (D) and Greg Hughes (R).The two politicians did not see eye-to-eye on the following topics discussed: 5% tariff on Mexico until migrants stop crossing border. Governor’s energy summit: Is it helping the state or is it just coal smoke and mirrors? AG Reyes agrees to test body scanners that scan large groups. Is this legal and or a good idea? Great Salt Lake World Record attempt at a number of people floating. Argentina has the free float record at 1,941. Can we beat it? Pride Week and Sunday's parade.

Heidi Hatch welcomed former Utah lawmakers, Democrat Jim Dabakis and Republican Greg Hughes to tackle tough issues.  It's Memorial Day weekend and our National Parks are crowded, will promoting our State Parks help? The trio has a long discussion about President Trump, and continued support of him down the road. Sen. Mitt Romney and Sen. Mike Lee opposed the disaster relief spending bill. Why?  They also discussed the bombshell when Utah County Commissioner Ivie came out as gay and may run against Rep. Ben McAdams in Utah's 4th District.  They also discussed the the tax reform task force that will hold its first public meeting next week. Herbert says he wants to get it right rather than get it quick. Do we really need to change the way we tax? Happy Memorial Day and thanks to all who serve. 

 Episode 14 of the Take 2 podcast took on some sensitive topics with 2News Anchor/Reporter Heidi Hatch hosting former state lawmakers Greg Hughes (R) and Jim Dabakis (D). The panel of three discussed Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox announcing his run for governor and who else may be tossing their hats into the Gubernatorial ring.  Hughes even admitted that on a scale from 1 to 10, he's between a 7 or 8 in filing his candidacy for the state's highest seat.   Other topics discussed included: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints coming out against the national Equality Act. China trade war tariffs and Utah: Are they going to happen or will there be a last minute deal and who will hurt the most? Abortion heartbeat bills sweeping the nation; Is this a swing of the pendulum? Rep. Patrice Arent battling multiple myeloma: Wishing her the best!

 Episode 13 of the Take 2 podcast with 2News Anchor/Reporter Heidi Hatch featured a new guest, Senate Minority Whip Luz Escamilla (D).  She took on former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes (R) on issues with Hatch moderating that included: 150th Golden Spike Anniversary: Why it matters - the work of migrants and how, even after a tough history, the United States and China can come together and celebrate common achievement. More than a dozen states have moved to declare pornography a public health crisis: Is the case of Utah leading out? Riverton City Council votes on an abortion/pro-life resolution. Should city councils spend time on issues they have no sway over? The Salt Lake Tribune works to remain a voice in the market by going non-profit. Will it work? Luz talks legalities on the 501(c)3 application. Utah Tax code changes still happening – 10 people in charge but only one woman. Mueller Report is not dead yet. Does this help or hurt your party?

 Episode 12 of the Take 2 podcast tackled some tough issues with 2News Anchor/Reporter Heidi Hatch hosting former state lawmakers Greg Hughes and Jim Dabakis. The panel of three discussed girls playing high school football and today's resignation of two members of the Utah State Board of Education. Other topics discussed included: No collusion ruling in favor of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and medical marijuana. Trump defends clinicians right to refuse to perform abortions. Will it lead to refusing service to minorities? Utah GOP meets Saturday: Can it find common ground in a new leader? Kennecott cleaning up Utah’s air – killing coal power plant. Do Utah’s charter schools need more - or different - oversight after AISU financial problems and upcoming closure? Karaoke and ax throwing: Should you be able to drink whilst throwing it down?

Episode 11 of the Take 2 podcast took on "Avenger: Endgame" with 2News Anchor/Reporter Heidi Hatch hosting former state lawmakers Greg Hughes and Jim Dabakis. Who’s buying adult diapers to make it through the three-hour movie? Who’s saving their money?  As the trio talks shop, they address the following topics: The GOP convention is coming up. Are the party priorities in the right place? Ranked-choice voting. Senate Bill 54 statement. Call to repeal new hate crimes law. Activists want to “abort the inland port” are they going about it the right way? Micro-housing is awesome just not in my neighborhood. What else is up this weekend?

This episode of the Take 2 podcast took on some hot topics with 2News Anchor/Reporter Heidi Hatch hosting former state lawmakers Greg Hughes and Jim Dabakis. The Take 2 Podcast crew discusses the following topics: Hughes is back from a trip to China- why relations between the two countries matter to Utah. Senator Elizabeth Warren drops in on Utah and doesn’t even ask for cash. Utah Tourism, BLM, Wildlands, oil and who should be in charge. Amazon Comes to town with robots- are they killing jobs or creating them?

Utah’s Democratic party appears to be competing with Utah’s Republicans for the party of dysfunction. Elizabeth Warren is running for President and is making a stop in Utah. Is it just an ATM drive by or does Utah finally matter? Has the #MeToo movement gone too far? Dabakis pushes for Utah teachers to strike for better pay. GOP Todd talks Medicaid expansion, an issue where he voted against his party. A look at why Unified Police Department may not want to keep paying the body cam-footage fees. You can follow Todd Weiler on Twitter @gopTODD and check out his podcast the “TODDCAST”

Episode 10 of Take 2 tackles Utah’s biggest political and social issues of the week.  3 months in: The surprising grades for Sen. Mitt Romney and Rep. Ben McAdams.  A big week for LGBTQ issues in Utah: Hate crimes bill Possible revival of a ban on conversion therapy Policy change from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Governor Herbert does not veto new provisions for nuclear waste with Energy Solutions.  Crime is down in Salt Lake’s Rio Grande District or is it?

 Take 2 tackles the week's biggest political issues: Utah sinning legalized: Fornication, sodomy and adultery are now legal. Why does it matter? Greg Hughes says Utah County kept prosecutions in the category alive and well. 3.3 beer now 4.0 in grocery stores. Jim Dabakis is willing to let Utah cities decide their own alcohol content or ban booze all together. Governor signs bill to ban abortion after 18 weeks. Is this a giant waste of money or a much needed moral stand. Governor Herbert has one veto so far: Was it worth it? Utah Supreme Court tackles medical marijuana. The people verses the legislature. What will they ultimately rule? Sen. Mike Lee makes Colbert. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Tonton’s unite. Is Consistent Law and order seriously lacking in the USA? Think Mueller, Smollet, Rich parents buying their kids into colleges.

 Episode 8 of the Take 2 podcast proved to be lively with a debate between former state lawmakers Greg Hughes and Jim Dabakis. 2News Heidi Hatch posed the following questions and moderated the responses that were worlds apart: The Mueller Report is at long last complete: Should it be released and was the process fair? (Final bonus topic as Mueller handed report to AG while we were wrapping up recording) Rumor Mill: Is Chris Stewart headed to the Trump Cabinet?  Could Ambassador Jon Huntsman reprise his role as Utah’s Governor? Does Utah’s Legislature need more than 45 days to pass more bills? Utah’s GOP is a by many accounts a mess: Will a new Chair fix the infighting? Could Utah host a 2020 Presidential debate? The little state that could. Free Speech on our college campuses. Did POTUS make a smart move in that direction this week? NCAA tournament, gravel pits are the pits, follow the money and a whole lot more in this week’s Take 2.

Episode 7 of the Take 2 podcast was hosted by 2News Anchor/Reporter Brian Mullahy with former state lawmakers Greg Hughes and Jim Dabakis. The panel discussed the best and the worst of the 2019 legislative session with lively debate about a tax overhaul in an upcoming special session. Additional discussion addressed: - Funding education - Sales tax on food - LDS Church lost control of alcohol? - Abortion - Medicaid expansion - Hotter nuclear waste coming to Utah - $19 billion state budget  - State vs. Local jurisdictions -House vs Senate

 Back by popular demand, the Take 2 podcast moderated by 2News Anchor Heidi Hatch gets an exclusive update from former state lawmakers Greg Hughes and Jim Dabakis on the Utah legislature killing the massive tax overhaul. The duo answers the big question about why tax policy is being addressed as a "problem" in the Beehive State.