Episode 59: LDS Leaders Anti-Trump? Recall elections, Crisis in Public Education, CBD and Federalism

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One listener writes, “I know how much everyone loves UBI, but with so many trials and studies to learn about it happening and wrapping up, I feel like it would be good to talk about their findings. I'm also discouraged by rich people who are lobbying to prevent even the research and studies.
The Thought Provoker: This week, a letter was read to Republican-majority LDS Congregations across Utah. Notably, Matt now lives in Idaho. https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2024/02/28/lds-leaders-stress-candidates/ Is this admonition “anti-Trump?” Is this in line with political non-affiliation statements of years past (not including June 2023.)? Will this heal or widen a divide among Trump-loving voters?
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law that exempts Panera Bread from a new $20-an-hour minimum wage hike for fast food chains after the billionaire owner of several of the chain’s locations donated to his campaign, according to a report. the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act (FAST Act) includes an unusual carve-out that exempts “chains that bake bread and sell it as a standalone item,” according to Bloomberg News. A second recall will determine Newsom's fate and potential political future. In the Book of Mormon, 32 times the phrase “by the voice of the people” is referenced in contrast to corrupt judges and leaders. Should the opportunity to recall any politician at any time be a more available choice for the people?
Many states are currently facing a crisis in public education. Across the nation, teachers are leaving the profession. Attrition rates have fallen, but in nine states studied in a recent Wall Street Journal article, turnover is higher now than it was in 2019, the last year before the pandemic. Researchers have linked loss of teachers to lower student test scores. Experts and educators say teachers are continuing to leave for a variety of reasons. The average teacher salary hasn't risen significantly in decades, adjusted for inflation, as officials have used increased education funding for other purposes. Occupations outside of teaching might be more available and enticing, with unemployment rates low and work from home policies more common. And some teachers say that student behavior has worsened since the pandemic, making their job more challenging. Do we have a moral obligation as society to make education a more attractive employment option for the best and brightest in our society?
The Big Question: A lack of federal regulation and a mishmash of state laws