This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
New book offers insider account of Obama as new president. Warrant suggests Shurtleff was living it up. Count My Vote could be delayed — or not.
Happy Tuesday. A new book by President Barack Obama's former senior adviser David Axelrod describes the early days of the Obama White House as they saw the economic situation further slip into trouble. The stock market was in free-fall, credit markets frozen and hundreds of thousands of jobs were being lost every month. "Well," the new president said. "It's too late to ask for a recount." [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/10/david-axelrod-obama_n_6649688.html" target="_blank">HuffPost]
Topping the news: A new warrant in the ongoing felony case against former AG Mark Shurtleff says he was partying it up at a New York nightclub and offering to help some shady friends. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2160959-155/warrants-portray-shurtleff-living-it-up" target="_blank">Trib]
-> In a compromise to a compromise, lawmakers are considering delaying the "Count My Vote" bill, which regulates how political parties choose their nominees, until 2017. This would allow parties to proceed as normal in the 2016 election. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/proposed-bill-would-delay-count-my-vote-compromise/25930/dzA2-bjUmECqgrdyU0OHHQ" target="_blank">ABC4] Sen. Curt Bramble, who pushed SB54, says he's confident the deal will remain in place. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4764-bramble-confident-count-my-vote-compromise-will-survive" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Senate President Wayne Niederhauser says he's leaning toward supporting Gov. Gary Herbert's Healthy Utah plan. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4765-niederhauser-leaning-toward-supporting-healthy-utah" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/SenLyleHillyard" target="_blank">SenLyleHillyard "Some won't let me join for lunch w/Heart Association because they don't believe I have a heart"
From @https://twitter.com/PeteBusche" target="_blank">PeteBusche "Overheard at Legislature today from grown men: 'Red Bull is great. It's like speed-but it won't keep you out of the temple'"
From @https://twitter.com/MChisholm" target="_blank">MChisholm "Brian Williams missed his calling. He'd have a lot less problems had he just become a Congressman instead."
Happy Birthday: To the one and only Pat Bagley.
Tune in: How should Utah students learn science? Diana Suddreth of the Utah State Office of Education and review committee member Alisa Ellis join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about a new science curriculum and why a state school board committee put the brakes on the standards last week. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MT on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.
From Capitol Hill: Some activists and lawmakers alike balked at talk from Republican senators and representatives of a having joint discussion on Gov. Gary Herbert's Healthy Utah Medicaid-expansion plan — behind closed doors. While the Senate will proceed with the meeting, House leaders yesterday that they won't be discussing health care this week. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2159830-155/closed-door-government-in-utah-proposed-house-senate" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621555/Lawmakers-say-feds-may-give-state-more-flexibility-on-Medicaid-expansion.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A group of Russian gay activists visited the Utah Senate yesterday. The group has been in and out of jail in Russia and are now on a tour of America organized by the U.S. government. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2159518-155/russian-gay-activists-visit-utah-senate" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Of the 15 freshman in the Utah House, three aren't really freshman at all but returning members to Capitol Hill. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2144947-155/three-utah-house-freshmen-are-unlike" target="_blank">Trib]
-> State lawmakers are looking to tighten the punishments for repeat DUI offenders to ensure Utah can spend federal highway funds without restrictions. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2160634-155/feds-say-utah-dui-laws-not" target="_blank">Trib]
-> After some opposition to the idea of destroying old, polluting school buses, the House decided to delay voting on a bill that would replace dirty buses with clean energy models. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2160226-155/house-delays-vote-on-clean-bus-bill" target="_blank">Trib]
-> As deadlines draw nearer, lawmakers in the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee are thinking of basing colleges' performance funds on the amount of students that graduate. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621559/College-completion-could-weigh-heavily-on-performance-funding-for-higher-education.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A House committee approved a bill yesterday that would give terminally ill patients the "right to try" drugs not yet approved by the FDA. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2160132-155/right-to-try-meds-measure-advances" target="_blank">Trib]
-> To keep up Utah's good reputation with small businesses, a House committee, backed by Gov. Herbert, approved a bill yesterday that would end a dispute between Utah and California-based insurance company Zenefits. The company was previously accused as operating illegally in Utah. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2160630-155/utah-house-panel-oks-bill-to" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Breastfeeding mothers might get to catch a break from jury duty with a bill passed unanimously in the House Monday. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621509/House-passes-bill-exempting-nursing-mothers-from-jury-duty.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/09/bill-to-excuse-breast-feeding-mothers-from-jury-duty-passes-house/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> As lawmakers discuss policies on police body cameras, more and more officers are embracing them. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/more-police-embrace-the-growing-demand-for-officer/21021/XoggXmyjhUe-i4DKH8POHA" target="_blank">ABC4]
-> The Utah Department of Corrections unveiled some new plans in its budget yesterday, including criminal justice reforms. [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/09/criminal-justice-reform-in-utah-appears-linked-to-a-new-state-prison/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> The Senate gave a preliminary vote to a bill that would require students to pass the U.S. citizenship civics test before graduating high school. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2160390-155/senate-debates-civics-test-for-high-school" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621526/Civics-test-for-high-school-students-gets-preliminary-approval-in-Senate.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A bill that would require educators to inform parents sooner about their children's early graduation opportunities and give early graduates access to more scholarship funding passed an initial vote in the Senate yesterday. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621515/Bill-incentivizing-early-high-school-graduation-gets-preliminary-Senate-approval.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Two state lawmakers are at odds over how drivers in Utah should be able to make or take calls while in motion, with one suggesting only hands-free devices that the other lawmaker doesn't want to require. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4762-competing-measures-take-aim-at-cell-phones-behind-the-wheel" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Activists against domestic violence petitioned lawmakers Monday for more funding for domestic violence victim programs. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621542/Domestic-violence-treatment-and-prevention-groups-rally-for-increased-funding.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/brother-of-domestic-violence-victim-hopes-her-stor/60589/X3a48KW9ik6twGnMqgJ9uw" target="_blank">ABC4]
-> A House committee approved a bill yesterday that would allow state agencies to share their information and records on putative fathers. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621553/States-could-share-putative-father-registry-information-under-bill-approved-by-House-committee.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Sen. Lyle Hillyard is pitching a bill that would allow legislative agency offices to buy lunch for lawmakers instead of them having to pay for it themselves. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4757-bill-would-remedy-legislator-lunchtime-dilemma" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Paul Rolly questions why Utah lawmakers are not jumping on Gov. Herbert's Healthy Utah plan when it seems to be a direction approved by the LDS Church. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2148973-155/rolly-why-are-utah-legislators-apparently" target="_blank">Trib]
In other news: The Davis County League of Women Voters will hold a panel discussion Feb. 19 about Utah's tax policy. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621512/Davis-County-League-of-Women-Voters-to-host-discussion.html?pg=all" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Salt Lake City's new ordinance allowing bikers to order from drive-thrus is facing criticism from state lawmakers. It wouldn't be the first time the state weighed in on a local law. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2150292-155/bikes-at-the-drive-thru-city-legislature" target="_blank">Trib]
** SPONSORED: Crossing Your Fingers Isn't Health Insurance: During their 2015 session, the Utah Legislature has the power to change the lives of over 53,000 Utahns who don't have healthcare coverage. Without access to Medicaid or affordable private insurance, these working adults, full-time students, and their children are forced to live in the http://coverthegap.org/?utm_source=PolliticalCornflakes&utm_medium=eNewsletter&utm_content=CrossingYourFingers&utm_campaign=HealthUtah" target="_blank">coverage gap. Two years of studies, reports, and opinion polls show overwhelming support for legislation to close the coverage gap. Visit http://coverthegap.org/?utm_source=PolliticalCornflakes&utm_medium=eNewsletter&utm_content=CrossingYourFingers&utm_campaign=HealthUtah" target="_blank">http://www.coverthegap.org; to learn more about your neighbors who live in the coverage gap—and how you can help close it.**
Nationally: Despite a federal judge's decision that opened Alabama up to gay marriage yesterday and the Supreme Court's refusal to halt it, dozens of county official defied the federal direction and refused to issue marriage licenses to gay couples. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/alabama-judge-stakes-out-defiant-stance-against-same-sex-marriages/2015/02/09/a1be2de4-b06f-11e4-854b-a38d13486ba1_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/alabama-gay-marriage-politics-115045.html?hp=t3_r" target="_blank">Politico] [http://news.yahoo.com/ala-chief-justice-tells-judges-refuse-gay-marriage-092037117.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/09/alabama-gay-marriage_n_6644542.html" target="_blank">HuffPost] [http://abcnews.go.com/US/alabama-37th-state-sex-marriages/story?id=28836644" target="_blank">ABC]
-> In an effort to show transparency, Jeb Bush will release thousands of emails on his website Tuesday, along with the first chapter of his new e-book Tuesday. He says his "bilingual, bicultural" background will give him a step up in reaching out to minority voters. [http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2015/02/09/jeb-bush-to-release-e-book-tuesday-says-is-totally-focused-on-preparing-for/" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/jeb-bush-book-minorities-115031.html?hp=r3_3" target="_blank">Politico] [http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/09/politics/jeb-bush-2016-candidate-emails/" target="_blank">CNN]
-> Amid recent security mistakes and pressure from Congress, Secret Service Deputy Director Alvin Smith resigned yesterday and accepted a new position at the Department of Homeland Security. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/secret-service-removes-deputy-director-after-pressure-from-congress/2015/02/09/e31a7cca-b09c-11e4-827f-93f454140e2b_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://news.yahoo.com/no-2-official-secret-loses-job-agency-shakeup-192751863—politics.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/feb/9/at-smith-deputy-director-transferred-to-homeland-s/" target="_blank">WaTimes]
-> Inner rifts within a super PAC to support Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign were revealed yesterday with the resignation of one of the PAC's board members, David Brock. However, Brock agreed to consider rejoining the PAC hours after his resignation. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/david-brock-resigns-priorities-usa-action-115028.html?hp=t1_r" target="_blank">Politico] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/activist-david-brock-considers-rejoining-pro-clinton-super-pac-priorities-usa/2015/02/09/d4fd57b0-b0b1-11e4-827f-93f454140e2b_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost]
Where are they?
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— Thomas Burr and Erica Palmer
https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr and https://twitter.com/erica_palmer">Twitter.com/erica_palmer