This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
GOP rep: Defund Air Force One because of Obama's executive orders. Utah joins 16 states to sue Obama. Herbert to roll out Healthy Utah plan details.
Happy Thursday. Congressional Republicans are angry over President Barack Obama's executive actions on immigration and are trying to find a way to push back, including some more, um, creative ideas. They include: impeachment, censure, suing and the more extreme ideas of defunding Air Force One and not inviting Obama to the Capitol to give the annual State of the Union address. The latter two aren't likely to gain widespread support but they are popular on the right flank. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/12/03/why-some-republicans-want-to-cancel-the-state-of-the-union-address/" target="_blank">WaPost]
Topping the news: Utah is joining 16 other states in a lawsuit to challenge the legality of President Barack Obama's executive orders regarding immigration. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1904632-155/utah-joins-16-states-in-suit" target="_blank">Trib][http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/us/executive-action-on-immigration-prompts-texas-to-sue.html?ref=politics" target="_blank">NYTimes][http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/states-sue-over-executive-action/article/2556921" target="_blank">Examiner][http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/states-sue-obama-immigration-order-113299.html?hp=r3_3" target="_blank">Politico][http://touch.latimes.com/#section/1780/article/p2p-82172876/" target="_blank">LATimes]
-> Gov. Gary Herbert today will roll out the details of his Healthy Utah Plan that has the support of the Obama administration but still needs backing of the Legislature. [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/state-and-regional/utah/herbert-to-lay-out-medicaid-plan-details/article_29a60bf4-bd86-569b-b708-141093cd1e8e.html" target="_blank">AP]
-> State lawmakers are considering big hikes in sales taxes, vehicle registration fees and fuel taxes in order to better fund transportation. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1904994-155/hikes-studied-for-gas-tax-sales" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Six possible Utah prison sites were identified by the Utah Prison Relocation Commission on Wednesday. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1904747-155/six-potential-utah-prison-sites-unveiled" target="_blank">Trib][http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865616955/Six-sites-now-under-consideration-for-new-state-prison.html" target="_blank">DNews][http://fox13now.com/2014/12/03/salt-lake-city-mayor-becker-opposes-new-prison-relation-proposals/" target="_blank">Fox13][http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4171-prison-relocation-committee-narrows-search-to-six-possible-sites" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
Tweet of the day: From http://twitter.com/CarlDowningUT" target="_blank">@CarlDowningUT: "On approach to Cabo San Lucas you fly over a Mexican prison, Utah needs to locate our new one to welcome tourists in the same manner."
Happy Birthday: To state Rep. Mark Wheatley.
Tune in: Salt Lake City Library director John Spears joins Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about his always-open 24/7 library idea. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. Mountain Time on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.
In other news: Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams was honored in Washington for his efforts in embracing preschool education. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1904215-155/mcadams-honored-for-school-program" target="_blank">Trib]
-> If the state of Utah wants, and succeeds, in taking over federal public lands it could either have a big surplus of revenue or a big shortfall, depending on gas prices. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4172-lawmakers-debate-taking-control-and-future-profitability-of-federal-lands" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Residents in Salt Lake fear that a proposal to keep the Salt Lake City Main Library open all day every day will turn the library into a homeless shelter. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1903011-155/library-or-homeless-shelter-proposal-to" target="_blank">Trib]
-> After local Sandy residents complained about racy magazine covers, the Sandy City Council is beginning to explore anti-porn options for the city. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1903492-155/sandy-city-to-explore-anti-porn-options" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Pat Bagley offers his take on how cops approach white, and black, kids. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/1904680-155/bagley-cartoon-officer-not-so-friendly" target="_blank">Trib]
Nationally: In an effort to avoid a government shutdown, House Republican leaders are closing in on a spending deal. [http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/us/politics/house-on-brink-of-deal-to-avoid-government-shutdown.html?ref=politics" target="_blank">NYTimes][http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/house-passes-short-term-tax-cut-package/article/2556935" target="_blank">Examiner][http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/white-house-doesnt-rule-out-boehner-plan-113293.html?hp=t4_r" target="_blank">Politico]
-> Protests erupted in New York City after a Staten Island grand jury said it wouldn't indict a white police officer that killed a black man after holding the man in a chokehold during his arrest. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2014/12/03/8dc55084-7b2b-11e4-84d4-7c896b90abdc_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost][http://touch.latimes.com/#section/1780/article/p2p-82162475/" target="_blank">LATimes]
-> President Barack Obama is starting with his own party first in order to mend fences with Congress. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-looking-to-mend-fences-with-congress-is-reaching-out-to-democrats/2014/12/03/3fdf9078-7a40-11e4-9a27-6fdbc612bff8_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost]
Where are they?
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com" target="_blank">cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [http://www.sltrib.com/pages/email" target="_blank">Trib]
— Thomas Burr and Mallory Jesperson
https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr and https://twitter.com/JespersonM" target="_blank">Twitter.com/JespersonM