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Mitt Romney, family help bring vision to India. Two days left in the session, and hot issues still await. Poll: Utahns don't want the prison to move.
Happy Wednesday. Mitt Romney recently returned from India after helping his son Josh's charity bring vision to several impaired people, and he says it brought him a new perspective on the country and its residents. "What a blessing for me, my sons, and for my grandchildren to witness another great and free people building a better future for themselves, drawing on the strength of the human spirit," Romney wrote on his blog. "We return home with greater appreciation, both for India and for America." Josh Romney is the volunteer president of the group and has traveled several times to poor countries to lend a hand. [https://medium.com/@MittRomney/nine-days-in-india-with-charity-vision-95ba23bf74ae" target="_blank">Medium]
Topping the news: With only two days left in this legislative session, three high profile issues still remain unsolved: health care coverage, gas-tax changes and LGBT anti-discrimination. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2275742-155/with-the-end-near-some-heavy" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The historic SB296, which sets a balance between LGBT nondiscrimination and safeguards on religious liberties, will move forward to its final vote in the full House tomorrow. Gov. Gary Herbert says he intends to sign it if it comes to his desk, but it might see some competition in the House. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2274728-155/anti-discrimination-bill-moves-toward-a-final?fullpage=1" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623905/Utah-House-panel-endorses-anti-bias-religious-rights-bill.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/nondiscrimination-religious-freedom-bill-one-vote/33170/292dsyi9VUaoisvXPk7LLg" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/legislature/lgbt-anti-discrimination-bill-approved-awaiting-final-vote/article_6069ca64-ce24-580b-b64c-8dea591145c1.html" target="_blank">AP]
-> House Speaker Greg Hughes said House Republicans are looking toward the Senate and the governor to make the next move in negotiations on Medicaid expansion and the governor's Healthy Utah bill. Gov. Herbert says he is hopeful they will be able to reach a compromise. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623909/House-speaker-Up-to-Senate-governor-to-make-next-move-in-Healthy-Utah-negotiations.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/10/no-deal-may-be-reached-over-health-care-coverage-in-the-utah-state-legislature/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/5054-legislators-still-at-an-impasse-over-medicaid-expansion" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> A new poll shows that most Utahns don't want to move the state prison from its Draper site. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/5055-poll-majority-of-utahns-oppose-prison-move-support-for-move-gaining-among-democrats" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/RobertGehrke" target="_blank">RobertGehrke "Rep. Froerer won an award for 'Best Facial Hair on the Hill.' Rep. Chew was ROBBED!"
-> From @https://twitter.com/BjaminWood" target="_blank">BjaminWood "We should get the #LDS church to support more bills, it really seems to work wonders for the process."
Happy Birthday: To Tim Robison, senior policy advisor to Rep. Chris Stewart, and the National Press Club's Sarahanne Driggs.
Tune in: Gov. Herbert's education adviser Tami Pyfer, Utah Education Association president Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh and 2014 Teacher of the Year Allison Riddle join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to discuss the education budget, booming enrollment numbers and tech solutions. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MDT on sltrib.com.
From Capitol Hill: Utah may see the return of the firing squad as a possible method for the death penalty with a bill passed by the Legislature yesterday and sent to the governor. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2275697-155/utah-appears-on-verge-of-restoring" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623930/Bill-to-legalize-firing-squad-executions-passes-Legislature.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/10/firing-squad-bill-passes-the-senate-heads-to-governor-for-signature/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/utah-lawmakers-vote-to-allow-firing-squad-bill-hea/24863/9CUqUBgQU0yuv9RfhAn9iw" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://www.standard.net/Government/2015/03/10/Lawmakers-vote-to-become-only-state-to-allow-firing-squad.html" target="_blank">AP]
-> Here's a look at how the current state budget is shaping up, without accounting for Medicaid expansion. [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/legislature/utah-lawmakers-close-in-on-budget-without-medicaid-deal/article_8bedc08a-d731-5d88-88e3-0b56745c182c.html" target="_blank">AP]
-> Utah police officers will have the ability to pull drivers over and cite them for not wearing a seatbelt if the governor signs a bill passed by the Legislature last night. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2275766-155/after-years-of-battles-bill-finally" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The Senate approved a bill that would allow Utah government employees to refuse to marry same-sex couples, but only if they opt out of their right to marry anyone. [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/legislature/utah-senate-passes-bill-for-officials-to-refuse-marriages/article_f9750832-60c3-5a87-9f90-1b9dd29b1df0.html" target="_blank">AP]
-> Gov. Herbert said yesterday that he is not satisfied with the amount of money legislators have dedicated toward the state's education budget. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623907/Governor-not-satisfied-with-proposed-increase-to-school-funding.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Lawmakers passed a bill that would block state officials from setting a wood burning ban after much controversy over the proposed idea at the beginning of the year. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2273641-155/tweaked-ban-on-burn-bans-clears" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The Legislature gave final passage to a bill last night that would prevent contact-lens manufacturers from setting minimum prices for their lenses. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2275998-155/bill-to-ban-price-fixing-for-contacts" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623936/Bill-to-ban-fixed-contact-lens-prices-passes-House.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> After years of trying, the Legislature may pass a watered-down bill this session that would change the state's cockfighting laws. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2276551-155/utah-may-toughen-cockfighting-laws-after" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A proposal to raise the fuel tax on natural gas-powered vehicles was passed yesterday, but only after the tax hike was cut from 16 cents to 2 cents per gallon. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2275014-155/senate-slashes-proposed-tax-on-natural-gas" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A compromise bill that would establish a nonpartisan process for State School Board elections passed the Senate yesterday. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623876/Nonpartisan-State-School-Board-bill-moves-to-Senate.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/5048-senate-committee-advances-non-partisan-school-board-election-bill" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Legislators passed a bill to launch a student crisis line that would use a smartphone app to allow students to text anonymous reports of suicidal thoughts, crime and bullying at schools. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623908/Student-crisis-line-bill-goes-to-House-floor.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The House gave final approval to a bill that would require students to show they have the necessary math skills to move on to college and careers before graduating high school. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623931/Additional-math-requirements-for-high-schoolers-get-House-approval.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A House committee passed a bill yesterday that would require all public schools to get parents' permission before putting students through sex education classes. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623885/Bill-would-make-parent-opt-in-requirement-for-sex-education.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/10/no-sex-ed-for-kids-unless-parents-opt-them-in-bill-proposes/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> An initiative to give permanent funding to southern Utah's universities for STEM education was approved by a Senate committee yesterday. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623870/Southern-Utah-STEM-initiative-gets-OK-from-legislative-committee.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The Senate gave final passage to a bill yesterday that would require school districts to pay a uniform percentage of their local revenue to charter schools, leveling out the funding that wealthy and poor districts are contributing. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2276326-155/legislature-oks-uniform-funding-for-charter" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623934/Senate-approves-bill-to-equalize-property-tax-for-school-capital-funding.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Here are five bills that did not make it through the session, including one addressing daylight savings and another legalizing medical marijuana. [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/legislature/feeling-tired-daylight-saving-and-more-bills-that-died-in/collection_0c383d17-eacb-5c2d-bec1-a647a04b014f.html" target="_blank">Herald]
-> A group of students from Alta High School met at the Capitol yesterday to show young people that they can have a voice in politics. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623914/Alta-High-School-student-spearheads-new-civic-engagement-group.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Although Republicans control both the House and the Senate, controversy over certain bills this session shows that they often have different views. [http://kuer.org/post/republican-controlled-legislature-passing-bills-isnt-always-easy" target="_blank">KUER]
-> The House denied legislation that would increase funding for the Centennial Scholarship for Utah high school students. [http://www.standard.net/Government/2015/03/10/Bill-to-expand-funding-for-Centennial-Scholarship-dies-in-House.html" target="_blank">StandardExaminer]
-> Here's a look at the past few days in photos: [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623895/Photos-Time-running-out-on-2015-Utah-Legislature.html" target="_blank">DNews]
In other news: Despite strong supplies, the recent rise in temperature is bringing higher gas prices. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/despite-strong-supplies-gas-prices-are-on-the-rise/23336/tIV9JWWDo0ugFy21mUZ1wQ" target="_blank">ABC4]
-> The Utah Department of Health is trying to raise awareness for colorectal cancer, calling on Utahns to get screened. [http://kuer.org/post/udoh-calls-action-during-colorectal-cancer-awareness-month" target="_blank">KUER]
-> Anti-nuclear activist Margene Bullcreek was laid to rest on the Skull Valley Goshute Indian Reservation last week after spending years of her life fighting against plans to store nuclear wast on the reservation. [http://kuer.org/post/remembering-anti-nuclear-activist-margene-bullcreek" target="_blank">KUER]
-> Iron County has decided to privatize its ambulance service and sell it to Gold Cross Ambulance, a process officials described as an "emotional roller coaster." [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/iron-county-commission-votes-to-privatize-ambulanc/41331/HndmNj29Hkmu033BnW1E2A" target="_blank">ABC4]
Nationally: Hillary Clinton finally addressed the recent scandal over her using a personal email address in her work for the State Department, saying she did it out of convenience and later had her work-related messages delivered back to the State Department. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/hillary-clinton-emails-former-secretary-of-state-a/29150/Aq89xoJS00OPwTkXWWpylQ" target="_blank">ABC] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/hillary-clinton-to-answer-questions-about-use-of-private-e-mail-server/2015/03/10/4c000d00-c735-11e4-a199-6cb5e63819d2_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2015/03/10/hillary-clinton-emails-state-department/24668715/" target="_blank">USAToday] [http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/03/10/us/politics/11hillary-clinton-questions.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes] [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2274519-155/hillary-clinton-no-classified-material-sent" target="_blank">AP] But some say her defense won't stand against the criticism. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/10/politics/hillary-clinton-press-conference-will-satisfy-few/index.html" target="_blank">CNN] [http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/10/hillary-clinton-faces-new-questions-over-personal-emails-she-chose-not-to-keep" target="_blank">Guardian] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/03/10/3-reasons-why-hillary-clinton-convenience-argument-on-her-email-controversy-probably-wont-work/" target="_blank">WaPost]
-> Clinton also denounced the recent letter sent by GOP senators to Iran at yesterday's press conference at the United Nations, calling the move "out of step." [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/03/10/hillary-clinton-gop-iran-letter-challenged-obama-as-commander-in-chief/" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2015/03/10/hillary-clinton-emails-remaining-questions/" target="_blank">USAToday] [http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/10/us-iran-nuclear-usa-idUSKBN0M62HY20150310" target="_blank">Reuters] [http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/10/politics/tom-cotton-2016-presidential-candidates-iran-letter/" target="_blank">CNN] [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/10/hillary-clinton-accuses-republican-senators-iran-letter-nuclear" target="_blank">Guardian]
-> The Ferguson city manager resigned yesterday after a scathing report from the Justice Department that blamed the Missouri city for abusive behavior targeting African-American residents. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/10/us/ferguson-city-manager/index.html" target="_blank">CNN] [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/10/john-shaw-resignation_n_6844018.html" target="_blank">HuffPost] [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/03/10/ferguson-city-manager-resigned/24734977/" target="_blank">USAToday] [http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/03/10/392200035/ferguson-mo-city-manager-out-amid-shakeup" target="_blank">NPR] [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/11/us/ferguson-city-manager-resigns.html" target="_blank">NYTimes]
Where are they?
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— Thomas Burr and Erica Palmer
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