This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
White House: Obama wants sequestration to end, setting up a battle with the GOP. Herbert calls for investing in the 'Greatest Generation.' GOP senators doubt Count My Vote changes.
Happy Thursday. A White House official says President Barack Obama will announce today his budget "will reverse harmful sequestration cuts and instead show how we can invest in his vision for middle class economics by making paychecks go further, creating good jobs here in the United States, and preparing hardworking Americans to earn higher wages." The move sets up a distinct fight between the president's agenda and that of the GOP-controlled Congress. Politico offers a bit more on the subject: [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/president-barack-obama-propose-ending-sequester-114709.html" target="_blank">Politico]
Topping the news: Gov. Gary Herbert gave the State of the State speech last night, emphasizing the need to invest in Utah's next "Greatest Generation." He called for more money for education and transportation, protected rights for LGBT and religious communities and support for his Healthy Utah Plan. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2112455-155/utah-governor-calls-for-action-on?page=1" target="_blank">Trib][http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620623/At-State-of-the-State-Governor-Herbert-calls-for-investment-in-Utahs-next-greatest-generation.html" target="_blank">DNews][http://fox13now.com/2015/01/28/utahs-next-greatest-generation-the-focus-of-herberts-state-of-the-state-address/" target="_blank">Fox13][http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/governor-herbert-says-the-state-of-the-state-is-ex/10321/GRUEHoHVnEWhQ_YROiuRdw" target="_blank">ABC4][http://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/local/2015/01/28/gov-gary-herbert-talks-medicaid-religious-rights-speech/22507151/" target="_blank">Spectrum][http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4644-herbert-reiterates-call-for-more-education-funding-in-state-of-the-state-address" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> GOP senators are voicing doubts that the Legislature will overturn last year's SB54, which was a compromise between the Count My Vote method of choosing nominees and the caucus-convention system. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2112675-155/gop-senators-legislature-unlikely-to-go" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor spoke to a sold-out crowd at the University of Utah yesterday, sharing advice and stories from her life and her recently released memoir, "My Beloved World." [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2107404-155/theres-little-old-me-sonia-sotomayor" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620614/Justice-Sotomayor-holds-court-in-student-section-as-U-keynote-speaker.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/justice-sotomayor-imparts-life-lessons-on-utah-students/article_e7c733d3-4406-52e4-949b-78c8ca8ef091.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://fox13now.com/2015/01/28/u-s-supreme-court-justice-sotomayor-leaves-the-stage-charges-into-the-audience-at-u-speech/" target="_blank">FOX13]
-> Some 55 percent of Utahns support passing an anti-discrimination bill for the LGBT community, a new poll shows. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4641-poll-slight-majority-of-utahns-favor-non-discrimination-bill" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
Tweet of the day: From @https://twitter.com/greenfield64" target="_blank">greenfield64 "Romney says marriage is key to avoiding poverty. Cue the lame Mormon polygamy jokes..."
Happy Birthday: To Steven Jackson, political director at the Utah Republican Party, who is turning 31st today.
Tune in: LDS Apostles Dallin H. Oaks and D. Todd Christofferson join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about the LDS Church push for religious freedom and nondiscrimination legislation in Utah. Watch Trib Talk live at 1:15 p.m. MT on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.
From Capitol Hill: House Speaker Greg Hughes, R-Draper, was once the leading force behind relocating the state prison, but he decided to give up his spot because he says he doesn't have the time. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2113486-155/utah-house-speaker-greg-hughes-quits" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Hughes said yesterday he doesn't expect the Legislature's two bills on anti-discrimination for the LGBT and religious communities to speed through the works, despite talk that the LDS Church's recent stamp of approval would speed things up. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620606/House-speaker-says-anti-discrimination-religious-liberty-wont-be-fast-tracked.html" target="_blank">DNews] Another move could see measures on religious freedom and anti-discrimination combined in the same bill. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4645-lawmakers-may-combine-religious-liberty-and-non-discrimination-legislation" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Lawmakers unanimously approved a $1 million bill yesterday that would provide a computer program for English and writing teachers to help them grade their students' course work and better assess their knowledge. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620625/Technology-would-help-teachers-give-faster-feedback-to-students-lawmakers-say.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A new measure introduced yesterday would make the state school board selected in a nonpartisan election. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4648-proposal-would-make-state-board-of-education-elections-nonpartisan" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> A bill that would set rules on forming new school districts based on students' family income sparked lengthy debate in the House yesterday. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620626/Bill-seeks-to-set-rules-on-formation-of-new-school-districts.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The Legislative Auditor General recommended improvements yesterday to how the Legislature funds the maintenance and operation of higher education buildings, especially those that were paid for by a private donor. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620582/Legislative-committee-looks-at-changes-for-higher-ed-capital-funding.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> And here's today's legislative schedule. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2112405-155/utah-legislative-schedule-for-thursday-jan" target="_blank">Trib]
In other news: A new proposed development on the Alpine mountainside has sparked a backlash from residents who believe they should have a say in the issue. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2103845-155/foothills-development-plan-pits-residents-mayor" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A new study says over 80% of Utah cities and counties report insufficient transportation funding, leading to poor road conditions that require more money to fix than the regular maintenance of good roads. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2113211-155/study-utahs-local-roads-deteriorating-amid" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.ksl.com/?nid=757&sid=33275481" target="_blank">KSL] [http://www.standard.net/Government/2015/01/28/New-local-roads-study-shows-transportation-needs-far-outpacing-funding.html" target="_blank">StandEx] [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4642-study-most-local-governments-say-road-funding-is-inadequate" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> UTA recently refinanced its bonds and upgraded its credit rating, which will save the organization an estimated $77.7 million over the next 24 years. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2112348-155/uta-says-bond-refinancing-saves-it" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Attorney General Sean Reyes attended a screening of a new documentary last night about a Utah non-profit's efforts to combat child sex trafficking. Reyes joined the group on a sting operation in Colombia last fall. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2113028-155/utah-based-anti-sex-trafficking-group-releases-documentary" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The Senate rejected a measure that would encourage the president to get approval from local and state officials before naming national monuments, though Sen. Orrin Hatch says the point still needs to be made. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2113134-155/senate-rejects-limits-on-national-monument" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Pat Bagley offers his take on shoulders and Sharia Law. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2113281-155/bagley-cartoon-bare-naked-shoulders" target="_blank">Trib]
Nationally: Sarah Palin spoke in Iowa last weekend, telling reporters she is very interested in a 2016 run for the presidency. However, many say her odd, rambling speech was a confirmation that her interest in securing the GOP nomination may not work out. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/2113285-155/sarah-palin-and-her-fans-on" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/sean-hannity-sarah-palin-speech-iowa-114675.html" target="_blank">Politico]
-> To the outrage of Republican lawmakers, Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch voiced her support yesterday for President Barack Obama's executive orders and confirmed that if her nomination was confirmed, her views wouldn't change. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765667289/Lynch-defends-Obamas-immigration-policies.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/29/us/politics/lynch-attorney-general-congress-confirmation-hearing.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes] [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/28/loretta-lynch-immigration_n_6563990.html" target="_blank">HuffPost] [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/loretta-lynch-senate-remarks-attorney-general-114676.html" target="_blank">Politico]
-> The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it will wait patiently before raising interest rates as the U.S. economy slowly improves, adding that inflation is currently well below its target rate. [http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2015/01/26/low-inflation-likely-to-keep-fed-patient-about-a-rate-hike" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/29/business/federal-reserve-rate-decision.html" target="_blank">NYTimes] [http://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-sticks-to-patient-tack-on-rate-increases-1422471820" target="_blank">WSJ] [http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/01/28/january-fed-meeting/22448071/" target="_blank">USAToday] [http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/28/us-usa-fed-idUSKBN0L10DZ20150128" target="_blank">Reuters]
Where are they?
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— Thomas Burr and Erica Palmer
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