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Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Americans ready for gay marriage. Senate committee favors bill to enact Healthy Utah Plan. Groups pitch lawmakers for pet project funding.
Happy Thursday. Associate Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg says that Americans are ready to accept same-sex marriage, arguing that there's been a sweeping change in attitudes toward gays in the last few years. In a rare interview, Ginsburg also says that President Barack Obama's health care law, which the court could save, or gut, this session, will be a central part of Obama's legacy. [http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-12/ginsburg-says-u-s-ready-to-accept-ruling-approving-gay-marriage-i61z6gq2" target="_blank">Bloomberg]
Topping the news: Religious liberty advocates announced their vision for a bill yesterday that would give statutory protection to religious beliefs while preventing employment and housing discrimination against all, without specifically mentioning the LGBT community. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2169420-155/religious-liberty-bill-seeks-to-protect-utah" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621693/Utah-lawmaker-unveils-religious-liberty-recognition-protection-bill.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/state-and-regional/utah/lgbt-religious-rights-compromise-could-emerge-next-week/article_a54dd510-0efa-5441-8ba4-4a15852efed6.html" target="_blank">AP] House and Senate leaders are saying they won't consider one issue without the other. [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/11/there-could-be-one-big-bill-in-utah-on-gay-rights-and-religious-liberties/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4784-religious-liberty-and-non-discrimination-legislation-set-to-debut" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> In a piece of good news for Gov. Gary Herbert, a Senate committee recommended a bill yesterday that would enact his Healthy Utah Medicaid expansion plan. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2168538-155/senate-committee-endorses-governors-healthy-utah" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/state-and-regional/utah/governor-s-medicaid-plan-gets-early-ok-from-lawmakers/article_e414ed9b-78a3-536e-9023-3064f20cc7fe.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/healthy-utah-plan-gets-support-from-advocates-and/37335/SChZntDATEqeAoDoV8Ftsw" target="_blank">ABC4] Lawmakers still have three potential healthcare bills on the table. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621711/Utah-residents-lawmakers-discuss-health-care-bill-related-to-expanding-coverage.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> It's a familiar charade, but this year has topped all — three dozen groups, from the Hale Center Theatre to the Big Outdoor Expo, have visited the Capitol this week to ask for nearly $241 million for their pet projects, more than was requested during the entire 2014 session. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2165349-155/economic-development-or-pork-on-parade" target="_blank">Trib]
Tweet of the day: From @https://twitter.com/Jeandioslc" target="_blank">Jeandioslc "I dream of a time when legislators can restrain themselves from making pointless partisan comments that add 0 to a serious debate."
From @https://twitter.com/utahhousedems" target="_blank">utahhousedems "interns have started sneezing. Are we entering the first #coldepidemic of the 2015 #utleg? #handsanitizereverywhere"
Happy Birthday: To Carol Sisco.
Tune in: Anna Brower of ACLU of Utah, Uintah County Attorney Mark Thomas and Tribune reporter Matt Canham join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about criminal justice reform and legislative solutions currently being considered on Utah's Capitol Hill. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MST on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.
From Capitol Hill: A group of health advocates, including cancer, diabetes, heart, lung and stroke associations, are pushing for the Gov. Herbert's Healthy Utah plan. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621687/Patient-advocate-coalition-urges-lawmakers-to-adopt-Healthy-Utah.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Senate Budget Chairman Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, is backing a proposal that would appropriate $1.5 million of taxpayer dollars to help Utah State University fund stipends for their athletes so they can be more competitive when recruiting. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2168618-155/usu-with-help-from-sen-hillyard" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A bill requiring students to pass the U.S. citizenship civics test passed the Senate yesterday, although they reduced the amount of questions the students will have to answer from 100 to 50. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2168982-155/utah-senate-advances-civics-test-for" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621673/Bill-requiring-citizenship-test-for-high-schoolers-passes-Utah-Senate.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/11/senate-passes-bill-requiring-civics-exam-for-students/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> State Rep. Robert Spendlove wants to limit the amount of money Utah takes from the federal government to, at maximum, 40 percent of the state budget. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4788-proposed-constitutional-amendment-would-limit-federal-funds-utah-could-receive" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Spendlove is also out with what he says is a "middle of the road" compromise to the Healthy Utah Plan that would cover fewer people than the governor's proposal but more than "medically frail" plan offered by other Republicans. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4785-spendlove-proposes-middle-of-the-road-medicaid-expansion" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> A new bill passed in both the House and the Senate would enact an interstate registry of birth father information to help unwed fathers find their children before the children get adopted. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2169169-155/legislature-moves-to-create-registry-for" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Lawmakers stalled a bill in committee last night that would allow city councils to authorize new charter schools because of concern with making such a shift in educational oversight. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2169940-155/committee-puts-brakes-on-bill-to" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The Senate approved a bill yesterday that would give teachers new software to give them better and faster feedback on their students' reading and writing. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621714/Senate-committee-approves-English-teaching-technology-bill.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Boat registration fees may increase by $10 this year according to a bill approved by the Senate aimed at combatting the invasive Quagga mussel. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2169181-155/boat-registration-fees-may-rise-10" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A new bill being proposed by the House would aim a section of Interstate 15 in Utah County after the late Speaker Becky Lockhart. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2169293-155/house-votes-to-open-bill-naming" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A Senate committee advanced a bill yesterday that would extend same-day voting registration to those who vote early. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2169809-155/election-day-registration-may-expand-to-early" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Meanwhile, a House committee recommended two bills that would ease technical restrictions in the state's voting system. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621712/Bills-to-boost-eligible-ballots-advance-through-House-committee.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> And here's today's Legislature schedule: [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2165662-155/utah-legislature-thursday-feb-12" target="_blank">Trib]
In other news: Vice President Joe Biden awarded 20 public safety officers with the Medal of Valor yesterday for loyalty and bravery. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765668177/Medal-of-Valor-Officers-saved-lives-in-Boston-Wisconsin.html" target="_blank">AP] Among those honored was Weber County Sheriff Lt. Nathan Hutchinson, who was shot five times but still rescued two officers during a 2012 drug raid in Ogden. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2169047-155/utah-officer-awarded-medal-of-valor" target="_blank">Trib]
-> UTA set another record for ridership last year, although it fell short of its goal by 4 percent. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2169156-155/uta-sets-ridership-record-with-more" target="_blank">Trib]
-> At a Republican event honoring Reps. Mia Love and Will Hurd and Sen. Tim Scott, Love warns of a "new slavery" for those dependent on others to take care of them. [http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/rep-mia-love-warns-new-slavery-rnc-black-outreach-event" target="_blank">MSNBC]
-> The board of the Uintah Transportation Special Service District is investigating "rumors and allegations of improprieties" after the resignation of its executive director Cheri McCurdy and her secretary. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621708/Uintah-transportation-board-seeks-investigation-after-director-resigns.html" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Around 200 people with a variety of questions attended the Mountain Accord question-and-answer meeting last night to get more information on the proposed plan for the central Wasatch Mountains. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2169055-155/mountain-accord-session-draws-crowd-of" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Salt Lake City Council members are trying to decide which of the city's golf courses to close to get their golf program out of the red. [https://cornflakesdummy.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=13387&action=edit" target="_blank">Trib]
**SPONSORED: http://r.clb.pt/r/abb09643e3f3f5c754c8ea06cb9cddeb?d=http%3A%2F%2Fcoverthegap.org%2F%3Futm_source%3DPolliticalCornflakes%26utm_medium%3DeNewsletter%26utm_content%3DCrossingYourFingers%26utm_campaign%3DHealthUtah" target="_blank">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://r.clb.pt/r/abb09643e3f3f5c754c8ea06cb9cddeb?d=http%3A%2F%2Fcoverthegap.org%2F%3Futm_source%3DPolliticalCornflakes%26utm_medium%3DeNewsletter%26utm_content%3DCrossingYourFingers%26utm_campaign%3DHealthUtah" target="_blank">coverage gap. Two years of studies, reports, and opinion polls show overwhelming support for legislation to close the coverage gap. Visit http://r.clb.pt/r/abb09643e3f3f5c754c8ea06cb9cddeb?d=http%3A%2F%2Fcoverthegap.org%2F%3Futm_source%3DPolliticalCornflakes%26utm_medium%3DeNewsletter%26utm_content%3DCrossingYourFingers%26utm_campaign%3DHealthUtah" 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: For the first time in 13 years, Congress is being asked for more war powers. President Barack Obama also expressed confidence that America will succeed in destroying ISIL. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765668157/Obama-on-war-powers-request-Islamic-State-is-going-to-lose.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/11/watch-live-pres-obama-speaking-on-isis-military-action/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.wsj.com/articles/obama-asks-congress-to-authorize-military-action-against-islamic-state-1423666095" target="_blank">WSJ] [http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/11/385528726/obama-war-powers-resolution-does-not-signal-new-ground-war-for-u-s" target="_blank">NPR] [http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-31425384" target="_blank">BBC]
-> Although Mitt Romney won't be running for president in 2016, he is keeping his schedule full of high-profile appearances to show that he doesn't want out of the political sphere just yet. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765668216/No-longer-a-candidate-Romney-seeking-a-GOP-kingmaker-role.html" target="_blank">AP]
-> The House easily passed a bill yesterday approving the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, although it won't have enough votes to override Obama's expected veto. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/11/politics/boehner-obama-keystone-veto/" target="_blank">CNN] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/02/11/congress-passes-keystone-xl-bill-setting-up-veto-showdown-with-obama/" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/02/11/congress-gives-final-approval-to-keystone-xl-pipeline-bill-setting-up-veto/" target="_blank">Fox] [http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/11/385539589/house-sends-keystone-xl-pipeline-measure-to-obama-despite-veto-threat" target="_blank">NPR]
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 Erica Palmer
https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr and https://twitter.com/erica_palmer">Twitter.com/erica_palmer