This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

Mitt Romney considering another bid. Herbert pitches a big education increase. Mike Lee: Obama trying to give citizenship to immigrants.

Happy Friday. Will he or won't he? Another day and another story on whether Mitt Romney will jump back in and try for a third run at the White House. Politico talks to Romney insiders and top backers to find that the two-time candidate is unimpressed with the possible 2016 crowd of Republicans so far and is considering another run because there doesn't seem to be anyone else viable out there. [http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/mitt-romney-2016-run-113518.html" target="_blank">Politico]

-> With the GOP in control of Congress next year, many city officials fear social programs will receive cuts and lead to  rise in hunger and homelessness. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1932680-155/us-mayors-fear-hunger-homelessness-will" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Sen. Mike Lee says that President Barack Obama's immigration reforms are really a back-door effort to grant citizenship to immigrants. [http://www.theblaze.com/blog/2014/12/11/gop-senator-charges-obama-with-planning-a-back-door-path-to-citizenship-for-illegal-immigrants/" target="_blank">TheBlaze]

Tweet of the day: From ">@rickklein: "You gotta love politics. Tonight, it's Obama/Boehner/Reid vs. Warren/Pelosi/tea party."

Happy Birthday:  On Sunday to Rep. Jason Chaffetz's district director Jennifer Scott.

Tune in: Tribune reporters Matt Canham and Robert Gehrke, editorial writer George Pyle and environment editor Rebecca Walsh join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about the prison relocation short list, a boost to highway speed limits and other top news stories of the week. Tune in to Behind the Headlines at 9 a.m. Mountain Time on KCPW 88.3/105.3 FM or live stream online.

In other news: The Utah Division of Community Affairs fined online e-cigarette marketers earlier this year for $1.1 million, but settled for about 2 percent of that in the end. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1937939-155/utah-slashes-fines-for-online-e-cigarette" target="_blank">Trib]

-> According to a recent study, foreign-born Latinos now account for 3.6 percent of Utah's spending power. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1937371-155/foreign-born-latinos-provide-36-of-utah" target="_blank">Trib]

-> With all the activities happening in Salt Lake City, "Big Brother" technology will help make traffic smoother. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1937143-155/a-benefit-of-big-brother-watching" target="_blank">Trib]

-> In an excerpt from the Mia Love biography, Love is defeated by Rep. Jim Matheson by 768 votes. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1929016-155/book-excerpt-mia-love-in-2012" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Bob Bernick takes a deeper look at Gov. Herbert's budget proposal and his taking advantage of good tax revenue to spotlight his issues. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4248-bob-bernick-s-notebook-breaking-down-herbert-s-budget-sleight-of-hand" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> Bernick and Bryan Schott discuss Herbert's Healthy Utah plan and his budget in their weekly videocast. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4247-video-bernick-and-schott-on-politics" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> Once again, Rep. Jason Chaffetz and his cot make the news — because he's moving offices. [http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/226821-rep-chaffetz-and-his-cot-make-office-move" target="_blank">TheHill]

-> Paul Rolly discusses conservatives switch to wanting an activist judge to overturn the Count My Vote law. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1936951-155/rolly-utah-conservatives-ask-where-is" target="_blank">Trib]

Nationally: Lawmakers scramble to pass a $1.1 trillion spending bill to avoid a possible government shutdown and according to the White House, President Obama supports the bill. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/house-poised-to-narrowly-approve-101-trillion-spending-bill/2014/12/11/820d8974-8147-11e4-81fd-8c4814dfa9d7_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost][http://www.wsj.com/articles/house-to-vote-on-spending-bill-as-midnight-deadline-looms-1418316973?mod=WSJ_hp_RightTopStories" target="_blank">WSJ][http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/12/us/congress-spending-bill.html" target="_blank">NYTimes][http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/gop-pauses-spending-bill/article/2557268" target="_blank">Examiner]

-> The camp of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong has begun to be dismantled and protestors were removed by police after dozens of prominent members of the movement gave themselves up for arrest. [http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/12/world/asia/hong-kong-protests.html" target="_blank">NYTimes]

Where are they?

  • SLC Mayor Ralph https://twitter.com/SLCMayorsOffice" target="_blank">Becker meets with Gov. Gary Herbert regarding the Marketplace Fairness Act, attends a holiday luncheon with Salt Lake City employees and an LDS Christmas dinner and concert.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama meets with Saudi Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdalaziz Al Saud and meets with his national security and public health teams to receive an update on the Ebola response.
  • 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