This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Trump 'more determined than ever' to pursue peace after meeting with Pope Francis. Trump's budget proposal impacts Utah public lands, social programs. Chaffetz forms new PR firm.

Happy Wednesday. Despite past disagreements, President Donald Trump left a meeting with Pope Francis on Wednesday morning with renewed resolve. "I leave the Vatican more determined than ever to pursue PEACE in our world," he tweeted. Though the two leaders often appear at odds in policy and even in attire — Trump in a dark suit and the pontiff in white papal dress — the meeting was cordial. "He is something," Trump said of Francis. [<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pope-welcomes-trump-at-the-vatican-despite-past-disagreements/2017/05/24/9b3381c6-4056-11e7-adba-394ee67a7582_story.html?utm_term=.8ec2744592ff">WaPost</a>]

<strong>Topping the news: </strong>President Donald Trump's proposed budget cuts funds from public lands, health care and social programs that help Utah's needy and disabled. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/5322851-155/trump-budget-slashes-money-for-federal">Trib</a>]

-> One day before announcing he wouldn't run for re-election, Rep. Jason Chaffetz started a new company that he said may become a reincarnation of his former public relations and marketing firm. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/5324757-155/chaffetz-formed-new-firm-before-saying">APviaTrib</a>]

-> Rep. Chris Stewart says it's clear there was Russian meddling in the U.S. election, but CIA testimony and intelligence reports have not convinced him that the foreign government favored President Donald Trump. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/5324114-155/despite-cia-testimony-utahs-stewart-says">Trib</a>]

<strong>Tweets of the day: </strong>From @<a href="https://twitter.com/RobertGehrke">RobertGehrke</a>: "Trump cuts Natl Science Fndtn by $600m, includes axing mathematical science from $1.4b to $1.2b, a redux of, I dunno, blue percent? #utpol"

-> From @<a href="https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox">SpencerJCox</a>: "Meeting with the Latvian Ambassador tomorrow and there's a 87% chance I refer to him as Lativian. Thanks @BillSimmons."

<strong>In other news:</strong> Despite having a place to make comments online regarding the status of Bears Ears National Monument, many stakeholders still feel unheard. [<a href="http://kuer.org/post/national-monuments-lots-talk-many-still-feel-unheard">KUER</a>]

-> Former state Rep. Chris Herrod has added himself to the growing list of people vying for the congressional seat that Rep. Jason Chaffetz will vacate June 30. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/5324039-155/former-state-rep-chris-herrod-declares">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://kutv.com/news/local/former-utah-state-representative-joins-crowded-gop-race-for-congress">KUTV</a>]

-> The Salt Lake County Council wants answers to how the decision was made to place men at the homeless shelter site in South Salt Lake, despite Mayor Ben McAdams' insistence that the issue is "irrelevant." [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/5323998-155/salt-lake-county-council-continues-push">Trib</a>]

-> The county announced a plan Tuesday to improve communication among service providers for people experiencing homelessness. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865680642/County-unveils-communication-system-critical-to-homelessness-plan.html">DNews</a>]

-> The Salt Lake City Council rebuked the administration for spending money without approval, not filling key posts and not addressing damage to roads. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/5324599-155/salt-lake-city-council-rebukes-mayors">Trib</a>]

-> The American Beverage Institute purchased a full-page ad in the Las Vegas Review-Journal warning potential tourists heading to Utah about the state's new drunken driving law. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/5323720-155/anti-dui-law-ad-in-nevada-warns">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865680627/Ad-targeting-Utahs-05-percent-DUI-law-to-run-in-Las-Vegas-newspaper.html">DNews</a>]

-> The state organized the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee to implement the reforms outlined in HB239. [<a href="http://kuer.org/post/juvenile-justice-reforms-begin-state-oversight-comittee">KUER</a>]

-> The Utah Transit Authority has declined to release forms that disclose whether proposed projects could benefit one or more of its board members. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/5323040-155/uta-fights-to-keep-boards-conflict">Trib</a>]

-> A. Lorris Betz, the interim CEO of University of Utah Health Care, will earn $67,000 per month. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/5319130-155/a-lorris-betz-making-67k-per">Trib</a>]

-> Since making changes to its de-escalation tactics, the Salt Lake City Police Department has not been involved in a fatal officer-involved shooting in nearly two years. [<a href="http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/slcpd-has-not-had-a-deadly-police-shooting-in-close-to-two-years-this-may-be-why/720062138">ABC4</a>]

-> Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski took a ride with residents for Bike to Work Day. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/5318275-155/residents-join-salt-lake-city-mayor">Trib</a>]

-> The Salt Lake City Library will no longer charge overdue fines for books or movies. [<a href="http://kutv.com/news/local/slc-public-library-declares-overdue-fees-are-ancient-history-will-stop-charging-patrons">KUTV</a>]

-> Pat Bagley argues that everyone associated with the Trump campaign is lying about their connection to Russia — even though the Russian Foreign Ministry says otherwise. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/5323892-155/bagley-cartoon-the-russia-connection">Trib</a>]

-> Robert Gehrke contends that the back-and-forth about the status of Bears Ears as a national monument leaves the sacred land and archaeological treasures unprotected. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/home/5322809-155/gehrke-while-wrangling-over-undoing-bears?fullpage=1">Trib</a>]

-> Gehrke goes after state Sen. Todd Weiler for spreading the Seth Rich murder conspiracy theory while claiming not to. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/5323996-155/gehrke-im-with-you-todd-weiler">Trib</a>]

<strong>Nationally:</strong> Former CIA Director John Brennan said he is worried about contacts between Russian officials and associates of Donald Trump's campaign. [<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/23/us/politics/john-brennan-russia-trump-campaign-cia.html?ref=politics&_r=0&mtrref=http://www.nytimes.com&gwh=D6347E4920277D6285186F8B7BC0F0EC&gwt=pay">NYTimes</a>] [<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/cia-director-warned-russian-security-service-chief-about-interference-in-election/2017/05/23/ebff2a7e-3fbb-11e7-adba-394ee67a7582_story.html?utm_term=.f35887f3bb8e">WaPost</a>] [<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/23/brennan-russia-tried-to-recruit-us-persons-to-influence-presidential-campaign-238719">Politico</a>]

<strong>Where are they?</strong>

<ul>

<li>Rep. Mia <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMiaLove"; target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Love</strong></a> attends a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, meets with radiologists form St. Mark's Hospital and speaks with members of the Congressional Black Caucus. She later votes, participates in a climate solutions meeting and sits down with representatives of the U.S. Justice Action Network.</li>

<li>Lt. Gov. Spencer <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox"; target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cox</a></strong> greets the ambassador of Latvia, meets with administrators from Chartway Federal Credit Union, attends a Catholic Community Services luncheon and participates in a Fulbright Scholars conference.</li>

<li>State Auditor John <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/FrugalDougall"; target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dougall</a> </strong>has a lunch meeting and reviews audit work in his office. He later meets with State Treasurer David Damschen and a state lawmaker.</li>

</ul>

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— Courtney Tanner and Emily Anderson