This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

Romney aide: Obama adviser 'concocted' election night concession claim. Obama taps Magna native as U.S. attorney. Rep. Greene apologizes over rape comments.

Happy Thursday. Mitt Romney's right-hand man during the 2012 race says that President Barack Obama adviser David Axelrod "concocted" a phone call in his new book where he claims that Romney's election night concession insinuated that the president won because of winning the black vote in a couple major cities. Garrett Jackson said he was listening to what Romney was saying — it was Jackson's phone that Romney was using — and what Axelrod wrote isn't accurate. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/mitt-romney-david-axelrod-2012-elections-114932.html" target="_blank">Politico]

Topping the news: President Barack Obama tapped John Huber, a Magna native and assistant federal prosecutor, as Utah's next U.S. attorney. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2142522-155/obama-taps-experienced-prosecutor-to-be" target="_blank">Trib]

-> After severe criticism and backlash, state Rep. Brian Greene, R-Pleasant Grove, apologized for his comments in a House committee Tuesday questioning whether sex with an unconscious person counts as rape, saying his remarks were taken out of context. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2140556-155/utah-lawmaker-apologizes-after-comments-on" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621161/Utah-lawmaker-seeks-to-clarify-comments-on-sexual-assault-bill.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/04/utah-representative-apologizes-clarifies-comments-he-made-on-sexual-assault-bill/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan, wants to call a constitutional convention to push a measure to balance the federal budget and limit federal authority. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4710-utah-bill-calls-for-constitutional-convention-on-balanced-budget-and-term-limits-for-congress" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> After much talk about whether Utah should permanently fall back or spring forward, lawmakers decided to dump the idea of putting Utah in the Central Time Zone, although the possibility of leaving it in Mountain Standard Time all year is still on the table. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2141885-155/senators-dump-move-to-change-daylight" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621178/Utah-lawmakers-reject-move-to-cancel-daylight-saving-time.html" target="_blank">DNews]

Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/utpolcapitol" target="_blank">utpolcapitol "Motion to move on to the next bill fails ...and I continue to question my...life decisions to go into politics."

@https://twitter.com/bbart76" target="_blank">bbart76 "Firing squads, state dog, defining rape, no raises for teachers. Welcome to Utah."

Happy Birthday: To Ally Cannon and Michael Steel.

Tune in: Tribune columnist Kurt Kragthorpe and University of Utah beat reporter Matt Piper join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about Signing Day 2015 and where sought-after recruits landed. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MT on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.

From Capitol Hill: Lawmakers are on board with the repeal of a law that blocks the state Department of Environmental Quality from enacting environmental regulations that are stricter than federal rules, opening the door to more rigorous rules regarding Utah's air quality. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2141499-155/bill-would-let-state-be-more" target="_blank">Trib]

-> A House committee advanced a bill that would reinstate the firing squad in Utah as a means of executing death-row criminals. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2141821-155/utah-closer-to-bringing-back-the" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621174/Bill-to-revive-firing-squad-narrowly-passes-House-committee.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/04/firing-squad-bill-narrowly-survives-committee/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> A Senate committee is pushing forward a bill to put a deadline requiring the attorney general to sue the federal government to hand over public lands in the state. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2141922-155/bill-sets-deadline-for-state-to" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621154/Dabakis-gets-passage-of-big-enchilada-lands-bill.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kuer.org/post/legislators-vote-put-deadline-public-lands-lawsuit" target="_blank">KUER]

-> The Senate rejected a bill yesterday that would send liquor violations fines to the Attorney General's office to help enforce the state's alcohol laws. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2140409-155/senate-defeats-liquor-enforcement-bill" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621132/Senate-votes-down-bill-to-divert-alcohol-fines-to-AGs-office.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The Alliance for a Better Utah is sending out emails and mailers criticizing two state lawmakers for "blocking" Gov. Gary Herbert's Healthy Utah plan. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2140201-155/advocacy-group-launches-pointed-campaign-for" target="_blank">Trib]

-> A bill seeking to get rid of disclosure requirements in real estate transactions was watered down yesterday to give the Real Estate Commission the authority to regulate the disclosures instead of banning them altogether. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2141404-155/bill-wiping-out-real-estate-disclosures" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Golden retriever puppies joined state senators in a committee meeting yesterday and won their vote to make the golden retriever the official "state domestic animal." [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2141987-155/golden-retriever-on-way-to-fetch" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621185/Student-backed-bill-for-state-pet-gets-OK-from-committee.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Divorced parents without custody could get more time with their children, according to a new bill unanimously approved by a House committee yesterday. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621180/Bill-giving-noncustodial-parents-more-time-with-kids-passes-committee.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The House passed a bill on to the Senate yesterday that would force school boards to hold their meetings within their boundaries, after the Salt Lake City School Board met at Snowbird ski resort. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2141159-155/house-school-board-should-meet-only" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The House advanced a bill yesterday that would require politicians to give anonymous campaign donations over $50 to charity or the government. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2141109-155/bill-advances-to-control-anonymous-political" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kuer.org/post/house-passes-bill-ban-anonymous-campaign-donations" target="_blank">KUER]

-> A new House bill would require school districts to pay more money to support capital funds for Utah charter schools. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621177/Bill-seeks-for-equalized-capital-funding-for-charter-schools-passes-committee.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Nursing mothers could be exempt from jury duty, according to a bill passed by a House committee yesterday. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621181/Bill-excusing-nursing-moms-from-jury-duty-advances.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/04/bill-exempting-breast-feeding-moms-from-jury-duty-in-utah-passes-committee/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> For the fifth anniversary of the commemorative legislative firearm, lawmakers are going big with a special edition AR-15. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2137083-155/utah-legislators-go-bigger-with-commemorative" target="_blank">Trib]

-> And here's the Legislature schedule for the day. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2141129-155/utah-legislature-thursday-feb-5" target="_blank">Trib]

In other news: A group of planners, architects, business people and the Pioneer Park Coalition is having a brainstorming session this weekend to plan a makeover for Salt Lake City's Rio Grande neighborhood. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2141087-155/pioneer-park-planning-extravaganza-aimed-at" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Rep. Jason Chaffetz is looking to ban Internet poker or other online gambling that involve real money. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2140520-155/utahs-chaffetz-bets-against-online-gambling" target="_blank">Trib] [http://thehill.com/policy/technology/201811-graham-chaffetz-unveil-bill-to-ban-online-gambling" target="_blank">TheHill]

-> Pat Bagley offers his take on certain types of voters. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2141443-155/bagley-cartoon-the-unconscious-voter" target="_blank">Trib]

-> In the heated debate over children and vaccines, one lawmaker is trying to make it so personal beliefs are not a sufficient reason for parents to not vaccinate their kids. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765667780/Washington-lawmaker-aims-to-limit-vaccine-exemptions.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-california-vaccine-exemptions-20150204-story.html" target="_blank">ChicagoTrib]

Where are they?

  • Rep. Jason https://twitter.com/jasoninthehouse" target="_blank">Chaffetz heads to a morning fundraiser, votes and returns to Utah.
  • Rep. Chris https://twitter.com/RepChrisStewart" target="_blank">Stewart attends a briefing on Iran and meets with Utah's Great Basin National Heritage Area organization and CHG Healthcare. He later meets with Rep. Rick Allen and votes before he flies back to Utah.
  • Gov. Gary https://twitter.com/GovHerbert" target="_blank">Herbert has a meet and greet with the McDonald's Leadership Team and meets with the Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund.
  • Lt. Gov. Spencer https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox" target="_blank">Cox attends a legislative policy meeting and legislative action discussion.
  • SL Co. Mayor Ben https://twitter.com/MayorBenMcAdams" target="_blank">McAdams attends a press conference at the Clark Planetarium, meets with the Council of Governments and sits down with Deputy Mayor Nichole Dunn.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama attends the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington.
  • 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 Erica Palmer

    https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr and https://twitter.com/erica_palmer">Twitter.com/erica_palmer