This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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

Think Donald Trump's bid is a joke? The GOP should be worried. Residents want to be heard on prison relocation plans. House Dems ask Rep. Miller to stay away from interim.

Happy Wednesday. So yes, Donald Trump has joined the crowded field of GOP candidates and there are plenty of jokes to be made (see tweets below) but there may also be some reasons Republicans should be worried. Politico notes that GOPers laughed at Ross Perot's 1992 presidential bid but the wacky, loose-lipped candidate was able to draw the most votes of any independent contender in history and likely cost President George H.W. Bush re-election. [http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/06/donald-trump-2016-seven-reasons-to-fear-119069.html?hp=t2_r#.VYF0jBNVi0c" target="_blank">Politico]

-> State Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab, is trying to help funnel state funds to pay for the legal defense of San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman over his ATV ride through Recapture Canyon. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2630668-155/utah-lawmaker-gets-gop-support-to" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865630831/Federal-overreach-Public-lands-commission-wants-legal-analysis-of-ATV-trespass-case.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/lawmakers-back-aid-for-official-convicted-in-atv-protest" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/06/16/state-commission-supports-public-aid-for-protesting-county-commissioner/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> Get ready to pay extra in taxes this year due to a legislative tax hike on property and gas. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2632428-155/utahs-booming-economy-tax-hikes-mean" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Utah House Democrats have allegedly asked Rep. Justin Miller to stay away from Legislature's interim day today while he's facing allegations of misconduct. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/6019-democrats-ask-miller-to-stay-away-from-interim-day" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/annetdonahue" target="_blank">annetdonahue: "Donald Trump entering the presidential race is the greatest thing that's ever happened to Saturday Night Live."

-> From @https://twitter.com/AdamSmith_USA" target="_blank">AdamSmith_USA: "When/If Donald Trump has to drop out, can I be the one to tell him he's fired?"

-> From @https://twitter.com/mrchrisaddison" target="_blank">mrchrisaddison: "JEB! TRUMP! The 2016 Republican race is turning into a 1960s episode of Batman."

Happy Birthday: To state Rep. Rich Cunningham, BYU's Kelly Patterson and Ally Isom.

Tonight: Join The Salt Lake Tribune for a live event at 7 p.m. at The Leonardo museum, 209 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City. Tribune reporters Matt Canham and Thomas Burr will discuss their latest book, "Mormon Rivals: The Romneys, the Huntsmans and the Pursuit of Power," which explores the dynamics and friction between two of Utah's most prominent and politically active families. The event is free to the public and there will be an audience Q&A. CSPAN-2's Book TV is recording the forum for later broadcast.

In other news: Utah could end its fiscal year with between $20 million to $180 million more in tax revenue than planned, and it could be closer to the higher amount. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/6018-utah-s-budget-picture-improves-again" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> In the latest excerpt of "Mormon Rivals," a look at George Romney's rags-to-riches-to-public service story and how his son Mitt idolized him. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2610091-155/mormon-rivals-mitt-romney-modeled" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Check out Pat Bagley's cartoon on Donald Trump and Rachel Dolezal giving a new meaning to "fake it 'til you make it." [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2632425-155/bagley-cartoon-fakin-it" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The Salt Lake City Council passed a 2016 budget that includes plans for expanding public safety. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2632809-155/slc-council-approves-spending-jump-for" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865630865/New-public-safety-positions-highlight-Salt-Lake-City-budget.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The Utah Legislature will hire three lobbyists to work on public lands issues to the tune of $2 million. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/6014-legislature-approves-2-million-for-public-lands-effort" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> Paul Rolly reflects on SLC Mayor Ralph Becker's recent hiccups, including former SLC Police Chief Chris Burbank's resignation and the Glendale Golf Course rally. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2626097-155/rolly-beckers-bravado-burbank-and" target="_blank">Trib]

-> There's not too much disagreement over SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams mid-year budget proposals. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2632587-155/county-council-ok-by-mcadams-budget" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, chaired by Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, had harsh words for the Office of Personnel Management over a data breach that allowed hackers to access private information about federal employees. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2630642-155/fed-official-to-chaffetzs-committee-personnel" target="_blank">APviaTrib]

-> Jeb Bush's family legacy in politics is both a blessing and a curse. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/national/2015/06/16/jeb-bush-a-clan-of-ferocious-competitors-returns-to-the-fray/" target="_blank">WaPost]

Where are they?

  • Rep. Jason https://twitter.com/jasoninthehouse" target="_blank">Chaffetz chairs the Oversight Committee hearing on drones, takes part in a Judiciary Committee mark-up and attends the congressional picnic at the White House.
  • Rep. Chris https://twitter.com/RepChrisStewart" target="_blank">Stewart heads to a Republican Policy Committee meeting, participates in a Financial Services Appropriations mark-up and talks with representatives from the Utah Rural Electric Association and the Utah Autism Coalition. He later meets with constituents and speaks with both the International Dairy Foods Association and England Trucking.
  • Lt. Gov. Spencer https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox" target="_blank">Cox speaks with the Utah Red Cross board of directors and participates in a Comcast Leaders & Achievers Scholarship recognition event.
  • SL Co. Mayor Ben https://twitter.com/MayorBenMcAdams" target="_blank">McAdams meets with Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan and Draper Mayor Troy Walker.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama speaks at an investiture ceremony for Attorney General Loretta Lynch and meets with winners of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. He later hosts members of Congress for an annual picnic.
  • 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 Courtney Tanner

    https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr and https://twitter.com/CourtneyLTanner" target="_blank">Twitter.com/CourtneyLTanner