This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Biden would have chose Elizabeth Warren as his running mate. Lee refuses to back Trump — for now. Obama signs Hatch bill.
Happy Thursday. We told you yesterday that Vice President Joe Biden says he would have made the "best president" had he decided to run for the office, but that he has no regrets. Now we learn that Biden had even planned out who he would have liked as his own running mate: Elizabeth Warren. And he still thinks the Massachusetts senator would be Hillary Clinton's best choice to replace him as the nation's No. 2 in January 2017. [<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/joe-biden-elizabeth-warren-223104">Politico</a>]
<strong>Topping the news: </strong>Sen. Mike Lee refuses to support Donald Trump for the time being. [<a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/mike-lee-on-donald-trump-he-scares-me-to-death/article/2591104#.VzPb8Id2CJM.gmail"; target="_blank">WaashingtonExaminer</a>]
-> President Barack Obama signed Sen. Orrin Hatch's Defend Trade Secrets Act into law. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3880095-155/obama-signs-hatch-bill-protecting-trade"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865654052/President-signs-Hatch-bill-to-better-protect-company-trade-secrets.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>] [<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/05/11/obama-signs-trade-secrets-bill-allowing-companies-sue/84244258/"; target="_blank">USAToday</a>] [<a href="http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/obama-signs-defend-trade-secrets-act-into-law"; target="_blank">ABC4</a>]
-> Gov. Gary Herbert leads Republican challenger Jonathan Johnson by a wide margin, according to a Utah Policy poll. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3879635-155/herbert-polling-well-ahead-of-johnson"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/9468-poll-republican-voters-favor-herbert-over-johnson-74-19"; target="_blank">UtahPolicy</a>] [<a href="http://kuer.org/post/herbert-leads-johnson-latest-utah-policy-poll"; target="_blank">KUER</a>] [<a href="http://kutv.com/news/local/herbert-holds-large-lead-over-johnson-in-governor-race-new-poll-finds"; target="_blank">KUTV</a>] Both Johnson and Herbert appear positioned to beat Democrat Michael Weinholtz in November. [<a href="http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/9483-">UtahPolicy</a>]
<strong>Tweets of the day: </strong>From <a href="https://twitter.com/gopTODD"; target="_blank">@gopTODD</a>: "<span class="s1">I'm listening to another attorney discuss one of my <span class="s2">#utleg</span> bills so I can get CE credit. How odd is that?<span class="s2">"</span></span>
From <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnFugelsang"; target="_blank">@JohnFugelsang</a>: "Ok I want someone to explain what 'entitled' means and I want it NOW."
From <a href="https://twitter.com/Yair_Rosenberg"; target="_blank">@Yair_Rosenberg</a>: "Trump criticizing someone for tweeting too much is like Bernie Madoff criticizing someone for poor money management."
<strong>Tune in: </strong><span class="s1">Rocky Mountain Power spokesman Dave Eskelson, Sarah Wright of Utah Clean Energy and Tribune environmental reporter Emma Penrod join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to discuss whether a proposed 11-state regional power transmission system would be a good deal for Utah consumers. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MT on SLTrib.com.</span>
<strong>In other news:</strong> SLC Mayor Jackie Biskupski named business consultant Lara L. Fritts her candidate for Salt Lake City's director of economic development. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3880206-155/salt-lake-city-mayor-jackie-biskupski"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865654074/Biskupski-chooses-new-economic-development-director-candidate.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]
-> Gov. Herbert criticized the Utah Transit Authority's decision to close its committee meetings to the public. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3880529-155/gov-gary-herbert-among-critics-of"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> A legislative audit of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation shows oversight that is costly to taxpayers. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3880696-155/audit-state-doing-poor-job-tracking"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865654064/State-rehabilitation-offices-weak-oversight-costly-audit-says.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]
-> The Utah Transit Authority blames the train operator for Sunday's TRAX derailment. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3879907-155/trax-derailment-blamed-on-driver-"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865654054/UTA-says-excessive-speed-caused-TRAX-derailment-that-hospitalized-3.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>] [<a href="http://fox13now.com/2016/05/11/uta-excessive-speed-to-blame-for-trax-derailment-sunday/"; target="_blank">Fox13</a>]
-> The U.S. Olympic Committee named the University of Utah one of its three medical centers. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3879293-155/university-of-utah-named-olympic-medical"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865654073/University-of-Utah-Health-Care-welcomes-its-newest-patients-Team-USA.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]
-> Peace Officer Standards and Training cleared former West Valley City police detective Shaun Cowley, who fatally shot a woman during an undercover operation in 2012. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3880756-155/police-officer-who-shot-danielle-willard"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> Despite Utah's growing economy, homelessness rose by 7 percent last year. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3878645-155/homelessness-rose-7-in-utah-last"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865654048/Family-homelessness-in-Utah-up-17-percent-new-data-shows.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]
-> The attorney defending a polygamous sect accused of organizing a multimillion-dollar food stamp fraud scheme argues it was all about religious freedom. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3880154-155/defense-for-polygamous-sect-members-wants"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> A Utah man is charged with hacking the United Airlines website. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3878852-155/utah-felony-counts-filed-against-alleged"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> Convicted businessman Jeremy Johnson says his cooperation with Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings should help reduce his prison sentence. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3879372-155/jeremy-johnson-wants-davis-prosecutor-to"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> Synthetic painkiller Fentanyl increases Utah's opioid problem. [<a href="http://fox13now.com/2016/05/11/the-new-killer-fentanyl-like-heroin-but-worse/"; target="_blank">Fox13</a>]
-> Pat Bagley gives his take on the controversy surrounding Utah's fetal anesthesia law. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3880676-155/bagley-cartoon-playing-doctor"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
<strong>Nationally: </strong>Colorado Planned Parenthood shooter Robert L. Dear Jr. has been ruled incompetent to stand trial. [<a href="http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_29878482/planned-parenthood-shooters-competency-be-decided-wednesday"; target="_blank">DenPost</a>] [<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/11/us/planned-parenthood-shooting-robert-lewis-dear-hearing/"; target="_blank">CNN</a>] [<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/us/judge-declares-planned-parenthood-suspect-unfit-for-trial.html?_r=0"; target="_blank">NYTimes</a>]
-> House Speaker Paul Ryan meets with Donald Trump today in what might be a slightly awkward meeting. [<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/11/politics/paul-ryan-donald-trump-house-republicans/"; target="_blank">NYTimes</a>] [<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/has-donald-trump-stolen-paul-ryans-party-out-from-under-him/2016/05/11/12fd4c54-1719-11e6-924d-838753295f9a_story.html"; target="_blank">WaPost</a>] [<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/11/politics/paul-ryan-donald-trump-house-republicans/"; target="_blank">CNN</a>]
-> FBI Director James Comey says the number of Americans leaving to fight for ISIS has significantly dropped. [<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/fbi-director-comey-isis-losing-its-appeal-america-n572486"; target="_blank">NBC</a>] [<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/isis-american-recruitment-on-decline-fbi-director-says/"; target="_blank">CBS</a>] The FBI continues to track 800 ISIS-related cases across the U.S. [<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/fbi-tracking-800-isis-related-cases-us-fbi/story?id=39037540"; target="_blank">ABC</a>]
-> Sen. Ted Cruz hints he may jump back into the Republican presidential race by positioning himself to oppose Trump in Texas. [<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/ted-cruz-donald-trump-texas-223090"; target="_blank">Politico</a>] Cruz has also said filed to run for Senate re-election in 2018. [<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/11/politics/ted-cruz-senate-re-election/"; target="_blank">CNN</a>]
-> The United States signed onto the United Nations' Kigali Principles, which give peacekeeping troops and police the ability to use force to protect civilians in armed conflicts. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765686380/US-approves-UN-use-of-force-to-protect-civilians-in-conflict.html"; target="_blank">APviaDNews</a>] [<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-3585712/UN-peacekeepers-urged-use-force-save-lives.html"; target="_blank">DailyMail</a>]
<strong>Where are they?</strong>
<ul>
<li>Rep. Jason <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/jasoninthehouse"; target="_blank">Chaffetz</a></strong> chairs the Oversight hearing that examines mismanagement and misconduct at the T.S.A. He also meets with the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.</li>
<li>Rep. Chris <a href="https://twitter.com/RepChrisStewart"; target="_blank"><strong>Stewart</strong></a> attends a House Intelligence Committee briefing and meets with a Bureau of Land Management regional director, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Egyptian ambassador. Later in the day, he votes, receives the Champion of Healthcare Innovation Award and attends an Israeli Independence Day Reception.</li>
<li>Gov. Gary <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/GovHerbert"; target="_blank">Herbert</a> </strong>attends the Utah P.T.A. Convention in Provo in the morning. In the afternoon, he visits LaVerkin Elementary School and attends Sotheby's International Realty ribbon cutting in St. George.</li>
<li>Lt. Gov. Spencer <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox"; target="_blank">Cox</a></strong> attends the Learning Leaders Show at the State Capitol and the ElevateHER Challenge at Zions Bank. In the evening, he attends a Vernal Chamber of Commerce meeting.</li>
<li>State Auditor John <strong><a href="http://twitter.com/FrugalDougall"; target="_blank">Dougall</a></strong> attends a State Board of Education meeting and visits with auditors at their annual C.P.A. training.</li>
<li>SL Co. Mayor Ben <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/MayorBenMcAdams"; target="_blank">McAdams</a></strong> meets with County Assessor Kevin Jacobs, County Clerk Sherrie Swensen and Salt Lake Chamber President Lane Beattie. He meets with Sheriff Jim Winder and City Council members Michael Jensen and Sam Granato later in the afternoon.</li>
<li>President Barack <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama"; target="_blank">Obama</a></strong> receives the presidential briefing in the morning.</li>
</ul>
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— Thomas Burr and Kayla Goodson
<a title="Thomas Burr" href="https://twitter.com/thomaswburr"; target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/kay_goodson"; target="_blank">Twitter.com/kay_goodson</a>