This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Democrats opt for scorched-earth strategy against Trump. Poll: 78% of Utahns oppose Hatch re-election possibility. Hatch meets with Trump.
Happy Thursday. While some Democrats are looking to take a high road in dealing with President Donald Trump, the bulk of the party has settled on a scorched-earth, not-now-not-ever model of opposition. In legislative proposals, campaign promises, donor pitches and even in some Senate hearings, Democrats have opted for a hard-line, give-no-quarter posture, a reflection of a seething party base that will have it no other way. [<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/democrats-trump-strategy-234206">Politico</a>]
<strong>Topping the news: </strong>While a majority of Utahns approve of Sen. Orrin Hatch's job performance, nearly 8 in ten Utahns oppose him running for re-election, a new poll shows. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4863386-155/utahns-approve-of-sen-hatchs-performance">Trib</a>]
-> Hatch spent 90 minutes in the Oval Office with Trump and afterward Hatch said he's ready to work with him on "a number of issues important to Utahns." And it appears he'll meet with Trump again today. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4864165-155/utahs-hatch-meets-privately-with-trump"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> During his State of the State address, Gov. Gary Herbert announced the creation of a new program that would help more Utahns fill high-skill, high-paying jobs. Herbert covered other ground during his speech as well, including education, alcohol policy and air quality. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4863718-155/herbert-launches-drive-to-help-more?fullpage=1"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865671865/Herbert-We-need-to-get-on-top-of-intergenerational-poverty-teen-suicide-homeless-and-addiction.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>] [<a href="http://www.good4utah.com/news/live-governor-herbert-delivers-2017-state-of-the-state-address/645561808"; target="_blank">ABC4</a>] [<a href="http://fox13now.com/2017/01/25/governor-herbert-the-state-of-our-state-is-truly-exceptional/"; target="_blank">Fox13</a>]
-> The new Salt Lake Tribune-Hinckley Institute poll shows that about 62 percent of Utahns support investigations into Russian attempts to influence the results of the presidential election. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4863016-155/poll-utahns-back-congressional-probe-of?fullpage=1"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
<strong>Tweets of the day: </strong>From <a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/jimantle"; target="_blank">@jimantle</a>: "Keep seeing social media posts simultaneously happy and unhappy that Trump is so far keeping his campaign promises."
From<a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/MEPFuller"; target="_blank">@MEPFuller</a>: "PHILADELPHIA — Two cheesesteak technicians debated whether it'd be worth it to get fired over refusing to serve President Donald Trump."
From <a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/mattdpearce"; target="_blank">@mattdpearce</a>: "If science has to undergo political review in order to be seen, in what world can it still be trusted as science?"
<strong>In other news: </strong>Evan McMullin, a Utah native and former independent presidential candidate, launched the grassroots organization Stand Up Republic to challenge the Trump administration and launch a "new conservative movement." [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4863736-155/evan-mcmullin-launches-grass-roots-movement-to"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865671862/McMullin-launches-nonpartisan-organization-in-defense-of-our-democracy.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>] [<a href="http://kutv.com/news/local/evan-mcmullin-starts-group-to-serve-as-trump-watchdog"; target="_blank">KUTV</a>]
-> Utah ranks fourth in America for deaths from drug overdose. A new public-awareness campaign from the Utah Department of Health hopes to decrease those numbers with a focus on educating Utahns about the dangers of opioids and the signs of an overdose. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4862453-155/state-campaign-to-educate-utahns-about"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865671851/Utah-health-officials-state-lawmakers-launch-campaign-to-halt-Opidemic.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>] [<a href="http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/stop-the-opidemic-campaign-launched-by-utah-department-of-health/645424580"; target="_blank">ABC4</a>] [<a href="http://fox13now.com/2017/01/25/stop-opidemic-campaign-launched-to-combat-utahs-opioid-epidemic/"; target="_blank">Fox13</a>]
-> Utah has a backlog of 1,000 untested rape kits, according to state Rep. Angela Romero. Under her new legislation, state law would mandate testing of all rape kits within 30 days. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4863703-155/bill-unveiled-to-mandate-testing-of?fullpage=1"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> Sen. Jake Anderegg, R-Lehi, is proposing legislation that would change Utah's status as one of six states without an equal pay law. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865671847/GOP-senator-to-sponsor-equal-pay-for-equal-work-bill.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]
-> A family life professor at Brigham Young University says broken marriages may cost Utah $200 million a year. To encourage premarital classes, a new proposal from Utah lawmakers would cost couples an extra $20 on their marriage license. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4863549-155/utah-marriage-may-soon-cost-20"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865671859/Bill-would-boost-cost-of-marriage-license-by-20-fund-premarital-counseling.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>] [<a href="http://kutv.com/news/local/price-to-get-married-in-utah-may-soon-rise"; target="_blank">KUTV</a>]
-> Utah lawmakers voted to recognize the 474 mental health patients who died in state custody at the Utah State Hospital without a proper burial. This took place before 1960. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865671861/Utah-lawmakers-recognize-hundreds-who-died-were-buried-in-care-of-state-hospital.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]
-> A new women's program from the Mexican Consulate of Salt Lake City hopes to empower Hispanic survivors of domestic violence and create space to talk about the culturally taboo issue. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4840593-155/utahs-mexican-consulate-launches-new-program"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
<p class="p1">-> A Utah legislator is hoping to close a loophole that may protect teachers from facing sex charges if the student is 18 years old. [<a href="http://www.good4utah.com/news/loophole-in-law-allows-teacher-to-avoid-sex-charges/645555807"; target="_blank">ABC4</a>]</p>
<p class="p1">-> Utah State University is launching a bystander intervention program to involve the larger community in sexual assault prevention. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4858126-155/new-usu-campaign-urges-bystanders-to"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]</p>
<p class="p1">-> Sen. Jim Dabakis wants to change Utah's flat tax to a two-tiered system that would tax wealthy citizens at higher rates to fund local schools. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4863846-155/senator-dabakis-tax-the-rich-to"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]</p>
<p class="p1">-> A bill is on its way to the Senate that would close a payday loan loophole allowing repeat payday borrowers to receive a new loan to refinance an old one. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4862814-155/without-a-single-dissenting-vote-house"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]</p>
<p class="p1">-> After spending $74,000 hiring "union-busting" consultants, the Utah Transit Authority may have a harder time making such expenditures if legislation from Rep. Karen Mayne is approved. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4863002-155/lawmaker-attacks-uta-spending-on-union-busting"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]</p>
<p class="p1">-> Fifteen Utah business leaders and conservationists wrote a letter to the Trump administration opposing the potential selection of state Rep. Mike Noel as the director of the Bureau of Land Management. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4858088-155/can-utahs-mike-noel-run-the?fullpage=1"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]</p>
<p class="p1">-> Testimony alleging that House Speaker Greg Hughes may have ties to the corruption case of former Attorney General John Swallow has brought a swarm of new witnesses forward and prompted Swallow's attorneys to ask the judge for more time. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4863408-155/as-flood-of-new-witnesses-come"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]</p>
<p class="p1">-> Despite recent controversy about the Trump administration's use of "alternative facts," Hughes defended the president, calling Trump an honest man. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4863873-155/speaker-hughes-on-president-trump-i"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]</p>
<p class="p1">-> Comcast has agreed to air ads created by Fred Karger, who is searching for tips about the LDS Church's finances, after he makes some changes. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/4862450-155/comcast-to-air-ads-pursuing-mormon"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]</p>
<p class="p1">-> The Army's Dugway Proving Ground is planning to discharge pharmaceuticals 50 miles southwest of Tooele next summer to test how the chemicals may impact troops. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4862143-155/army-plans-pharmaceutical-test-in-utahs"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]</p>
<p class="p1">-> A Utah mother who says the Venezuela government is using her jailed son as a "political pawn" issued a tearful YouTube video pleading for President Donald Trump's assistance in her son's safe return. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4862691-155/mother-asks-trump-to-help-free"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]</p>
-> Robert Kirby flippantly suggests the election system is broken and America needs to let different populations take turns running the country — starting with women. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/4859311-155/kirby-screw-elections-our-next"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
<strong>Nationally: </strong>With a pair of executive orders addressing immigration, President Donald Trump ordered the construction of a border wall with Mexico and sought to cut funding for sanctuary cities. [<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/donald-trump-immigration-234142"; target="_blank">Politico</a>] [<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-immigration-executive-order-wall/"; target="_blank">CBSNews</a>] [<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/25/us/politics/refugees-immigrants-wall-trump.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=a-lede-package-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0"; target="_blank">NYTimes</a>] [<a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jan/25/trump-eviscerates-obamas-immigration-policy/"; target="_blank">WaTimes</a>]
-> Trump suggested he may be open to bringing back torture tactics like waterboarding, saying: "We have to fight fire with fire." [<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38753000"; target="_blank">BBCNews</a>] [<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/25/politics/donald-trump-waterboarding-torture/"; target="_blank">CNN</a>] [<a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jan/25/trump-considering-order-reopen-cia-prisons-terror/"; target="_blank">WaTimes</a>] [<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/president-trump-stands-campaign-promise-bring-back-torture-45050338"; target="_blank">ABCNews</a>]
-> Trump has renewed his claim that widespread voter fraud cost him the popular election — this time voicing his intention to launch a major investigation into the issue. [<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/25/us/politics/trump-voting-fraud-false-claim-investigation.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=a-lede-package-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news"; target="_blank">NYTimes</a>] [<a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/01/25/511655860/despite-criticism-of-claims-trump-seeks-investigation-into-voter-fraud"; target="_blank">NPR</a>] [<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/president-donald-trump-says-he-will-ask-major-investigation-allegations-n711956"; target="_blank">CBSNews</a>] [<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-donald-trump-vows-launch-major-investigation-alleged/story?id=45033266"; target="_blank">ABCNews</a>]
-> The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended at 20,000 points for the first time, which Trump's senior adviser tweeted was due to the "Trump Effect." [<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38742516"; target="_blank">BBCNews</a>] [<a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/25/us-markets.html"; target="_blank">CNBC</a>] [<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/25/business/dealbook/dow-20000-stock-market-milestone.html"; target="_blank">NYTimes</a>] [<a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jan/25/dow-jones-hits-20000-first-time/"; target="_blank">WaTimes</a>]
<strong>Where are they?</strong>
<ul>
<li>Rep. Jason <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/jasoninthehouse"; target="_blank">Chaffetz</a>, </strong>Rep. Chris <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/RepChrisStewart"; target="_blank">Stewart</a> </strong>and<strong> </strong>Rep. Mia <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/RepMiaLove"; target="_blank">Love</a></strong> attend the House and Senate Republican Retreat in Philadelphia.</li>
<li>Gov. Gary <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/GovHerbert"; target="_blank">Herbert</a></strong> heads to the Winter Innovation Summit and meets with legislative leadership and staff.</li>
<li>Lt. Gov. Spencer <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox"; target="_blank">Cox</a></strong> meets with legislative leaders in the morning and then hosts students for a charter school day on the Hill.</li>
<li>State Auditor John <strong><strong><a href="https://twitter.com/FrugalDougall"; target="_blank">Dougall</a> </strong></strong>visits with legislators before giving a tour of the Capitol to students and teachers and speaking at charter school day on the Hill. Afterward, he participates in the BYU Political Affairs Society's speed mentoring event.</li>
<li>SL Co. Mayor Ben <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/MayorBenMcAdams"; target="_blank">McAdams</a></strong> attends the third annual Winter Innovation Summit.</li>
<li>President Donald <strong><strong><a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump"; target="_blank">Trump</a> </strong></strong>flies to Philadelphia to kick off the House and Senate Leadership Retreat. In the afternoon, he meets with Sen. Orrin Hatch and Rep. Kevin Brady before signing an executive order.</li>
</ul>
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— Thomas Burr and Taylor Stevens
<a title="Thomas Burr" href="https://twitter.com/thomaswburr"; target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/tstevens95"; target="_blank">Twitter.com/tstevens95</a>