This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Price tag for viable GOP 2016 candidates? Oh, just $50 million. Hatch says he wants to fix 'broken' Senate. Obama renominates Parrish to federal bench.
Happy Thursday. As we gear up for the 2016 presidential race, Republicans thinking of running the Republican primary gauntlet better start fundraising now because they'll need a lot of cash. Strategists and consultants say this primary phase could be the most expensive in history and serious contenders may need to raise at least $50 million to be viable. [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/7/gop-presidential-candidates-will-need-50-million-f/" target="_blank">WaTimes]
Topping the news: Sen. Orrin Hatch said he plans to use his new position as Senate president pro tempore to restore the "broken" Senate to be the "world's greatest deliberative body." [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/6/orrin-hatch-senate-republicans-must-restore-debate/" target="_blank">WaTimes] Watch his maiden speech here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIlI_x5Oxz0" target="_blank">YouTube]
-> President Barack Obama re-nominated Utah Supreme Court Justice Jill Parrish to the federal district court on Wednesday, and if confirmed she would be the second female judge on Utah's federal bench. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2031086-155/obama-nominee-utah-supreme-court-justice" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Some 80 percent of Utahns support the idea of requiring high school seniors to pass a 100-question citizenship test before graduating. Several lawmakers are considering such legislation. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4447-poll-utahns-support-increased-civics-knowledge-to-graduate" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Former Gov. Mitt Romney had dinner last night with several of his former political advisers during his 2012 campaign for the presidency. Several of his associates insist that he still may be up for running again in 2016. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/01/07/romney-huddling-with-key-members-of-2012-team-tonight/" target="_blank">WaPost]
Tweet of the day: From @https://twitter.com/gopTODD" target="_blank">gopTODD "I feel sorry for the people who haven't figured out that Glenn Beck is just an entertainer. Like Buddy the Elf not knowing he's human..."
From @https://twitter.com/CarolineWren" target="_blank">CarolineWren "Romney is def running in 2016! (Or he's just having dinner with 3 old staffers who live in the area)"
Happy Birthday: To Utah ex-pat Ashley Diana Lucas and the Minneapolis Star Tribune's Allison Sherry.
Tune in: Deneece Huftalin has worn several hats at Salt Lake Community College over the last two decades and on Friday, she'll be sworn in as SLCC's eighth president. On Thursday at 12:15, Huftalin joins Tribune reporters Annie Knox and Benjamin Wood to discuss her plans for the school and the future of higher education in Utah. Watch this online video chat at http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com. You can also join the discussion by sending questions and comments to the hashtag #TribTalk on Twitter and Google+ or texting 801-609-8059.
In other news: Tooele Mayor Patrick Dunlavy signed a resolution yesterday opposing the possible relocation of the Utah State Prison to a site near the Miller Motorsports Park. He says he is offended officials would sacrifice economic development in Tooele for economic development in Draper. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865619137/Tooele-Grantsville-leaders-sign-resolutions-opposing-proposed-prison-site.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Utah political leaders are offering their prayers for former House Speaker Becky Lockhart who has been diagnosed with an unspecified illness. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865619135/Utah-leaders-express-concern-over-former-Utah-House-Speaker-Becky-Lockharts-critical-illness.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The preliminary hearing for former Utah Attorney General John Swallow has been set for June 8-12. During the hearing, a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence to take Swallow to trial to face his charges and a sentence of up to 30 years in prison. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2030891-155/evidence-hearing-set-for-ex-utah-ag" target="_blank">Trib][http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865619129/Judge-sets-5-day-preliminary-hearing-in-June-for-John-Swallow.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Four California animal rights activists were charged under Utah's "ag-gag" law for taking photos of a pig farm in Iron county. The activists wanted to document the pigs' "trail of tears" to the slaughterhouse in California. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2027490-155/california-activists-charged-under-utahs-ag-gag" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes has hired former DNews reporter Chuck Gates to serve as his communication and constituent services director. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4450-hughes-hires-gates-as-communications-director" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Utah wildlife managers approved a plan to give out more hunting permits for black bears this year, hoping to reduce the number of black bears that have to be killed by authorities for threatening people or otherwise being a nuisance. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2027015-155/wildlife-managers-approve-plan-to-kill" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Pat Bagley offers his take on cartoonists vs. terrorists. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/2032114-155/bagley-cartoon-cartoonist-lives-matter" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The Bureau of Land Management announced on Tuesday a two-year ban on rope activities at Moab's Corona Arch and Gemini Bridges. Visitors complained that such activities, which became popular among thrill-seekers, detracted from the peaceful nature environment. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2030361-155/blm-bans-roped-fun-at-utahs" target="_blank">Trib]
Nationally: President Obama vowed to help France pursue the terrorists who shot and killed twelve people at a Paris newspaper on Wednesday, calling the event a "cowardly" and "evil" attack on free speech. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2030375-155/obama-paris-shooting-is-a-cowardly" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/obama-free-speech-paris-attacks-114042.html?hp=r1_3" target="_blank">Politico]
-> The terrorists, who are possibly linked with Al-Qaeda, targeted the editor and employees at a satirical newspaper in Paris known for publishing caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. In light of the attack, Utah Muslims explain why their religion is opposed to any sort of depictions of Prophet Muhammad. [http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/2031930-155/utah-muslims-explain-why-they-frown" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Speaker John Boehner has punishing those who tried to vote him out of his position, removing several from top committees. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/2032449-155/house-republicans-start-the-year-with" target="_blank">AP] But to the dismay of his allies, he may retreat on his initial harsh moves. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/boehner-may-let-dissenters-off-the-hook-114062.html?hp=t1_r" target="_blank">Politico]
-> A new Republican-sponsored provision will prevent Congress from turning to Social Security's retirement fund to assist the heavily underfunded program, unless the move is part of a larger plan to reform Social Security finances altogether. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765665712/House-rule-sets-up-election-year-battle-over-Social-Security.html" target="_blank">AP]
-> President Barack Obama is currently on a three-day, three-state trip to offer State of the Union "Spoilers" before the official speech on Jan. 20. [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/08/us/obama-on-3-state-tour-is-expected-to-offer-state-of-the-union-spoilers.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news" target="_blank">NYTimes]
-> Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said if he does decide to run for president next year, he thinks he can win. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765665756/Floridas-Marco-Rubio-says-he-can-win-presidential-election.html" target="_blank">AP]
Where are they?
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— Thomas Burr and Erica Palmer
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