This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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

Utah's Chaffetz readies subpoena for Hillary Clinton over emails. Lawmakers 'optimistic' about passing Medicaid expansion alternative today. The anti-discrimination bill passes the Legislature, governor to sign.

Happy Thursday, and welcome to the last day of the Utah Legislature's general session. Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is preparing a subpoena for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to answer questions about her private email account she used while in office. Chaffetz says he wants more than just the paper copies of emails Clinton provided the State Department. [http://www.wsj.com/articles/house-panel-prepared-to-subpoena-over-hillary-clintons-emails-1426103837" target="_blank">WSJ]

Topping the news: Although many lawmakers remain "optimistic," the odds of them reaching a compromise between Healthy Utah and Utah Cares in the 15 hours left in the session are looking slim. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2280307-155/hope-for-utah-medicaid-decision-is" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623953/Movement-on-Healthy-Utah-expected-today.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/medicaid-expansion-battle-comes-to-a-stalemate/18524/wAFLtyGfCEe7eEZBpGPURg" target="_blank">ABC4]

-> The Legislature has officially passed the historic SB296, which strikes a balance between LGBT nondiscrimination and religious liberties and is backed by parties on both sides. The governor has said that he is planning on signing the bill when it arrives on his desk. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2279279-155/lgbt-antidiscrimintation-bill-clears-legislature-on" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/utah-legislature-passes-lgbt-anti-discrimination-b/32222/bG9j5XP3VUuELNI6RAg1-w" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://www.standard.net/Government/2015/03/11/Tolerance-respect-compassion-at-route-of.html" target="_blank">StandardExaminer]

-> A national organization is claiming responsibility for the fact that Healthy Utah got defeated in the House, pointing to its radio ads encouraging Utahns to voice their opposition to the proposal. House Speaker Greg Hughes, however, says he has never heard of the organization. [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/11/anti-healthy-utah-attack-ads-come-from-foundation-in-florida/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> A new poll shows Utahns split on whether a seat belt violation is a primary reason for an officer to pull over a vehicle but they do support a ban on cell phone use while driving. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/5072-poll-utahns-split-on-primary-seat-belt-law-favor-restrictions-on-cell-phone-use-behind-the-wheel" target="_blank">UtahPolicy] Meanwhile, some 74 percent of Utahns are in favor of criminal justice reform that seeks to help treat offenders vs. just locking them up. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/5064-poll-majority-of-utahns-support-criminal-justice-reform-proposal" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/CapWestNews" target="_blank">CapWestNews "Just under 32 hours until sine die at #utleg. They're getting funny in the Senate."

From @https://twitter.com/BjaminWood" target="_blank">BjaminWood "Osmond, who's a little bit country, now having a private chat with Rep. Gibson, who's a little bit rock and roll #OsmondWatch"

From @https://twitter.com/KristenMoulton" target="_blank">KristenMoulton "No other state beats #Utah on anti-discrimin. plan, @GHughes51 says. Maybe #LDS Church should draft #Medicaid compromise?"

Happy Birthday: To former presidential candidate/Utahn Mitt Romney.

From Capitol Hill: A House committee passed SB297 last night, a bill that would allow government officials to refuse to perform marriages for same-sex couples as long as someone else is available to perform the nuptials. The bill is opposed by LGBT leaders but backed by the LDS Church. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2280280-155/religious-freedom-bill-backed-by-mormon" target="_blank">Trib] [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/11/compromise-bill-regarding-state-officials-same-sex-marriages-makes-progress-in-utah-legislature/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/religious-protection-and-expression-bill-passes-ho/94488/rY2EVdVg4U2FEA2HFOAmLg" target="_blank">ABC4]

-> The Legislature has given final passage to two bills that would make things easier for Utah's breast-feeding mothers. One would include breast-feeding in the state's anti-discrimination laws, and another would require employers to provide breast-feeding women with a private room and a refrigerator. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2279915-155/bills-to-help-moms-who-breast-feed" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865624003/Protections-for-nursing-women-clear-Utah-Legislature.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> How did the Legislature come to such an impasse over alternatives to Medicaid expansion? Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott take a look. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/5071-anatomy-of-a-legislative-impasse" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> Lawmakers are still at odds on what to do about the state's gas tax. [DNews]

-> The Senate hijacked the House's bill last night regarding school-board elections, swapping out the House sponsor's language for a partisan-election proposal that was already approved in the Senate. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2280904-155/utah-senate-hijacks-nonpartisan-school-board-bill" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865624024/Senate-swaps-nonpartisan-State-School-Board-bill-with-partisan-substitute.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The House passed an amended version of a bill yesterday that would raise statewide property tax to raise $75 million for public education to correct the disparity between the school districts in rich and poor areas. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2280499-155/house-signs-off-on-75m-property" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865624014/House-approves-75M-property-tax-increase-to-equalize-school-funding.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The Senate gave preliminary approval yesterday for a bill that would give some math, science and computer science teachers a $4,100 raise. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623952/Senate-gives-preliminary-approval-to-salary-raises-for-some-teachers.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The House approved a bill yesterday that would make it law for schools to receive prior written consent from parents before teaching their kids about sex education. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2280400-155/opt-in-sex-education-bill-passes-house" target="_blank">Trib] Lawmakers also passed another bill that would give parents the right to opt their children out of standardized testing and excuse them from school. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865624015/Lawmakers-advance-bills-to-clarify-parental-rights-in-education.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Another bill was passed that would require schools to have adequate Internet filtering infrastructure in place to monitor school devices. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865624017/Bills-to-improve-school-safety-await-governors-signature.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Paul Rolly discusses the Legislature's reaction to the medical marijuana bill, which was narrowly defeated in the Senate this week. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2249913-155/rolly-legislative-hypocrisy-on-medical-marijuana" target="_blank">Trib]

-> One family discusses their disappointment at the bill's defeat, saying medical marijuana helps one of its daughters who suffers from a terminal neurometabolic disorder. [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/orem/defeat-of-sb-won-t-stop-some-families-from-using/article_68a818f0-feb9-5c36-83c7-b95bec9c6081.html" target="_blank">Herald]

-> The sponsor of a bill passed by the Legislature that would bring the firing squad back as an alternate method for the death penalty is receiving national and international attention for his controversial bill.  [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623974/Utah-votes-to-retain-firing-squad-method-for-planned-execution.html" target="_blank">DNews] Here's a look at how other states handle the lack of lethal injection drugs in death penalty sentences. [http://www.standard.net/Government/2015/03/11/A-look-at-how-some-states-handle-execution-drug-shortage.html" target="_blank">AP]

-> The Senate passed two bills yesterday, one making it easier for child sexual abuse victims to file claims against their offenders and one to ban child abuse offenders from receiving teaching licenses. The second will be returned to the House for final approval. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2278741-155/as-victims-cheer-senate-passes-two" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623973/Bill-removing-statute-of-limitations-in-child-sexual-abuse-cases-passes-Legislature.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865624017/Bills-to-improve-school-safety-await-governors-signature.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The Legislature unanimously passed a bill widening the definition of prostitiution to include the exchange of sex for goods, instead of just money. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865624007/Legislature-clarifies-prostitution-laws.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The Legislature passed two bills yesterday that would tighten restrictions on police officers using search warrants. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2279765-155/legislature-approves-restrictions-on-police-warrants" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623996/Utah-Legislature-passes-bills-to-tighten-police-forcible-entry-surveillance-laws.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The state's criminal justice system will focus more on treatment and less on punishment with regards to minors and drug and alcohol laws, under a new bill passed by the Legislature this week. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623998/Legislature-passes-bill-improving-juvenile-drug-and-alcohol-correctional-system.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Lawmakers passed a bill yesterday that would establish a white collar crime registry, similar to a sex offender registry, that would allow people to look up nearby fraudsters. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2278712-155/citing-high-level-of-fraud-in" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623983/Bill-creates-white-collar-criminal-registry-in-Utah.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kuer.org/post/legislature-creates-white-collar-criminal-registry" target="_blank">KUER] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/bill-that-would-expose-white-collar-criminals-move/73956/pa0C_BYmGkOqi_bLfeWtwA" target="_blank">ABC4]

-> The House killed a bill yesterday that would increase annual car registration fees to help transportation funding. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2280566-155/house-kills-proposal-to-raise-car" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Although UTA disagrees, lawmakers passed a bill yesterday that would allow drivers to drive through railroad crossings as soon as the guard gates rise, without having to wait until the warning lights stop flashing. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2279068-155/bill-passes-to-ease-uta-train" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Lawmakers will likely give a project to keep the sage grouse off the endangered species list another $2 million this year, despite some concerns about the transparency of how the money is spent. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2279953-155/utah-lawmakers-set-to-give-sage" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Cockfighting in Utah will now bring tougher penalties, according to a bill passed by lawmakers yesterday. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2278556-155/cockfighting-bill-claws-its-way-to" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623963/Bill-to-make-game-fowl-fighting-a-felony-clears-Legislature.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Lawmakers passed a bill yesterday that could bring a jail sentence for people who move endangered animals in the state. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2278474-155/bill-passes-to-prevent-moving-endangered" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Lawmakers passed a bill yesterday that would consolidate two Department of Environmental Quality divisions that handle dangerous waste, to the dismay of the Radiation Control Board. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2280608-155/advocates-say-merger-of-dangerous-waste" target="_blank">Trib]

-> A bill that would expand Utah's Goblin Valley State Park stalled in a House committee yesterday over hangup on its merits and language. [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/legislature/hb-bill-to-expand-goblin-valley-state-park-stalls-in/article_9a25982c-55b9-568a-aa08-cff61fc5cc74.html" target="_blank">Herald]

-> Here's a look at a few of the important bills that have passed so far: [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/11/heres-some-of-the-big-bills-that-have-passed-in-the-utah-state-legislature/" target="_blank">Fox13]

In other news: Sen. Mike Lee announced that his re-election committee will be headed up by former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who had been courted as a possible Lee opponent. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2278413-155/sen-mike-lees-re-election-backed-by" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623955/Ex-Utah-Gov-Jon-Huntsman-Jr-to-head-Sen-Mike-Lee-re-election-committee.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/11/sen-lee-adds-huntsman-jr-bank-ceo-scott-anderson-to-reelection-committee/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> Sen. Orrin Hatch's backing of an open letter to Iran is contrary to the position he staked out during President Reagan's time in office when he said the president has the "sole" authority on foreign affairs. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2278718-155/flap-over-iran-open-letter-recalls" target="_blank">Trib] Some Republicans say they were surprised at the backlash that came from Democrats over the letter. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/republicans-surprised-by-iran-letter-blowback-116003.html?hp=t3_r" target="_blank">Politico]

-> Pat Bagley compares the GOP's letter to Iran's leaders with the University of Oklahoma fraternity caught singing a racist song. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2280012-155/bagley-cartoon-gop-senate-fraternity" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Rep. Mia Love spoke to students at Herriman High School yesterday to show them that they do have a voice in politics. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/mia-love-visits-herriman-high-students/37461/zCZ2JT9RyE6phKsrUtNm7w" target="_blank">ABC4]

-> Rep. Jason Chaffetz flew in and spoke with constituents in Spanish Fork yesterday about national issues. [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/south/spanish-fork/house-bills-congressman-jason-chaffetz-is-sponsoring-for-utah-united/article_9d6d9f4d-b105-5f5d-9001-514433928d45.html" target="_blank">Herald]

-> The quickly approaching deadline for commenting on the proposed Mountain Accord plan for the central Wasatch Mountains has been extended for several months. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2279264-155/mountain-accord-timeline-extended" target="_blank">Trib] You can submit your comments here: [http://mountainaccord.com/get-involved/" target="_blank">MountainAccord]

-> A new program at the Utah State Prison uses lifelike dolls to teach inmates how to nurture children. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/new-prison-program-teaches-inmates-to-nurture-chil/36431/AoAdBTiadEmWmUZlEVHLBQ" target="_blank">ABC4]

-> The Orem City Council is continuing discussion on how they are going to fund a needed increase in infrastructure funding. [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/orem/orem-council-continues-fee-increase-discussion/article_44697067-9ece-50a8-a133-1b428063db76.html" target="_blank">Herald]

-> Two police officers were shot in Ferguson, Mo., during a protest last night, continuing the racial unrest in the city. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/03/12/report-two-police-officers-shot-amid-ferguson-protest/?hpid=z1" target="_blank">WaPost]

Where are they?

  • Gov. Gary https://twitter.com/GovHerbert" target="_blank">Herbert has no public events.
  • Lt. Gov. Spencer https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox" target="_blank">Cox attends a Legislative Action Discussion and the last night of the Utah Legislative Session.
  • SL Co. Mayor Ben https://twitter.com/MayorBenMcAdams" target="_blank">McAdams meets with students in a University of Utah policy class and has a Transportation for America conference call.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama meets with Secretary of State John Kerry, travels to Los Angeles to tape an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and participates in a DNC roundtable.
  • 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