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The details on Obama's visit. Herbert vetoes five bills. A new 2016 poll is bad for Republicans.
Happy Thursday. Hillary Clinton is a polarizing figure but at this stage in the 2016 contest, she's the clear favorite. A new poll shows her with an advantage on any of the Republican heavyweights. And none of those Republican candidates have a net positive approval rating. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/poll-bush-now-tops-gop-field-clinton-runs-ahead-of-all-republicans/2015/04/01/518fc5fe-d891-11e4-8103-fa84725dbf9d_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost]
Topping the news: President Barack Obama is staying overnight in Utah and then will speak at the Hill Air Force Base tomorrow, but the public probably won't have a chance to see him. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2355634-155/obama-to-stay-overnight-in-utah" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865625537/Obama-set-to-arrive-in-Utah-on-Thursday.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/04/01/president-obama-visiting-utah-this-weekend-reveals-few-details/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.standard.net/Local/2015/04/01/President-Obama-speech-at-Hill-AFB-not-open-to-the-public.html" target="_blank">StandardEx] [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/5258-there-won-t-be-much-of-a-chance-for-the-public-to-see-obama-in-utah-this-week" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> On the final day of this year's bill signing period, Gov. Gary Herbert vetoed five bills, including one that would have renamed a stretch of the Veterans Memorial Highway after the late House Speaker Becky Lockhart. Herbert said he vetoed the highway bill after a phone call from Lockhart's husband asking him to do so. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2356812-155/herbert-vetoes-five-bills-including-bill" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/gov-herbert-vetoes-five-bills-on-final-day-of-sign/32975/r-lfQNMEfkyVoIAJR0MxmA" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865625536/Governor-vetoes-bill-naming-highway-after-former-House-Speaker-Becky-Lockhart.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/5262-herbert-finishes-legislative-business-by-vetoing-five-bills" target="_blank">UtahPolicy] [http://fox13now.com/2015/04/01/governor-vetoes-becky-lockhart-memorial-highway-bill/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/provo/governor-vetoes-hb-no-lockhart-highway/article_f31c8b6e-1305-5a97-89bf-f3a63dc9f7d3.html" target="_blank">Herald]
-> With the success of Utah's religious liberties bill and the backlash over Indiana's, Utah lawmakers offered Indiana some advice. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/utah-lawmakers-offer-indiana-some-advice/28162/EqCrundyD063rm_-RQFrJQ" target="_blank">ABC4] Here's how Utah's bill is different: [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865625518/Utah-Indiana-religious-freedom-laws-not-alike.html" target="_blank">DNews]
Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/RickAaron" target="_blank">RickAaron: "Pres. Obama is coming to Utah Thurs. To fit in he'll travel in a minivan with stick figure decals of his family & 38 Secret Service agents."
From @https://twitter.com/SusanPage" target="_blank">SusanPage: "So that's a no? RT @asmith83: Harry Reid, on becoming a lobbyist: "I'd rather go to Singapore and have them beat me with whips."
Happy Birthday: State Auditor John Dougall and former state Reps. Dana Laytonand Julie Fisher
Congrats: To Allison Barker, Rep. Chris Stewart's press secretary, and Ryan Leavitt, a counsel for Sen. Orrin Hatch's President Pro Tempore office, on their engagement. Ryan popped the big question on Tuesday night, and Allison said yes.
Tune in: Sen. Mark Madsen, state Tax Commission Chairman John Valentine and Spanish Fork mother Tenille Farr join Tribune health reporter Kristen Moulton to discuss the prospects for medical marijuana in Utah. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MST on http://www.sltrib.com" target="_blank">sltrib.com.
In other news: Herbert also vetoed a bill that would have made it easier for non-educators to become public school principals. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2357037-155/governor-vetoes-bill-making-it-easier" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Clean air advocates are calling Gov. Gary Herbert's decision to sign a bill prohibiting all-out bans on wood burning a "slap in the face." [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865625491/Air-quality-advocates-call-prohibition-of-wood-burning-ban-a-slap-in-the-face.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Paul Rolly gives an in-depth look at the way conspiracy theorists are responding to Obama's visit. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2330862-155/rolly-obamas-utah-visit-military-exercise" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Pat Bagley gives his take on California's drought situation. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2356779-155/bagley-cartoon-the-golden-state" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Rep. Jason Chaffetz met with the Daily Herald editorial board yesterday to discuss a wide scope of issues, including Benghazi public transportation, national debt and Moab. [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_e763619b-51be-5362-ac05-bfd5a93a2a41.html#.VRyOHmh1H6o.twitter" target="_blank">Herald]
-> Rep. Chris Stewart sat down with the Fox13 news studio to discuss the president's foreign policy and Iran's nuclear capabilities. [http://fox13now.com/2015/04/01/congressman-chris-stewart-talks-iranian-nuclear-pursuits-secret-service-snafu/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> A judge rules a San Juan County commissioner can't say the First Amendment protects his protest ATV ride through a restricted canyon. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2356766-155/first-amendment-no-shield-for-recapture" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A Mormon Utah mother is receiving attention for a video she made promoting her story of using medical marijuana to treat cancer while she was pregnant. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2356271-155/sick-mormon-mother-makes-poignant-video" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Utah Highway Patrol officials and a Utah lawmaker say a new bill that will make not wearing a seatbelt a primary offense will prevent deaths on the road. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865625498/New-Utah-seat-belt-law-will-save-lives-analyst-and-lawmaker-say.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A new federally funded initiative is seeking to help allow low-income families to buy more fruits and vegetables at Utah's farmers markets. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2356240-155/program-helps-needy-shop-at-utah" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The Air Force and other military branches are pressuring federal lawmakers to end continued spending cuts. [http://www.standard.net/Military/2015/04/01/Defense-officials-warn-Congress-of-sequestration-again-note-infrastructure-concerns.html" target="_blank">StandardExaminer]
-> Yesterday marked the state's first "Start By Believing Day,' a new day set aside to raise awareness and support for victims of sexual assault. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/april-1-marks-inaugural-start-by-believing-day/17312/0Zu7kovU-kKkkiGxfoWUcQ" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/police-take-oath-to-startbybelieving-sexual-assault-victims/article_def04616-455b-5078-9c56-6e3049ebaa02.html" target="_blank">Herald]
Nationally: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is backing down from a previous promise to sign a religious liberties bill passed by the state legislature, after mounting pressure coming from his son, Wal-Mart, and the nationwide criticism of a similar measure passed in Indiana. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2355413-155/after-backlash-arkansas-governor-urges-changes" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/02/us/arkansas-governors-son-thurst-into-spotlight-over-religious-freedom-bill.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes] [http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/31/politics/arkansas-religious-freedom-anti-lgbt-bill/" target="_blank">CNN] [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/arkansas-hutchinson-rfra-walmart-116567.html" target="_blank">Politico] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/04/01/arkansas-governor-to-discuss-religious-liberty-bill/" target="_blank">WaPost]
-> Here's a look at why Wal-Mart and other big retailers, such as Apple, Gap and Levi Strauss, are publicly speaking out against certain religious-objections legislation. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765671111/Why-businesses-are-speaking-out-on-religious-objections-laws.html" target="_blank">AP]
-> Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey was indicted yesterday on federal corruption charges for allegedly using his position to advance the business interests of a friend in exchange for gifts and money. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/menendez-expected-to-be-indicted-as-soon-as-wednesday-sources-say/2015/04/01/623024c6-d86e-11e4-8103-fa84725dbf9d_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://blogs.rollcall.com/wgdb/bob-robert-menendez-indicted-on-federal-corruption-charges-2/?dcz=" target="_blank">RollCall] [http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/237648-menendez-charged-with-corruption" target="_blank">TheHill] [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/01/menendez-fbi-corruption_n_6926202.html" target="_blank">HuffPost] [http://www.wsj.com/articles/new-jersey-sen-robert-menendez-indicted-on-corruption-charges-1427900772" target="_blank">WSJ]
-> Utah isn't the only state facing a water shortage; California Gov. Jerry Brown signed an executive order yesterday to reduce statewide water usage by 25% to address severe drought conditions. [http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/california-impose-unprecedented-water-rationing" target="_blank">MSNBC] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/01/californias-governor-just-announced-unprecedented-water-restrictions-heres-why/" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/01/us/california-water-restrictions-drought/" target="_blank">CNN]
Where are they?
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Matt Canham and Erica Palmer
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