This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Mitt Romney 'major factor' in Boston's Olympic bid. Herbert may take executive actions for 'Healthy Utah.' Bill legalizing medical marijuana passes Senate committee.
Happy Friday. Where has Mitt Romney been since killing the idea of a third presidential bid? Working on another bid, this time to bring the Olympics to Boston. The former head of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City has become a major factor in Boston's efforts to get the 2024 Olympics. [http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/02/27/romney-ties-are-key-boston-olympic-bid/svPX59QEvBOKftku56QkYJ/story.html" target="_blank">Globe]
Topping the news: Gov. Gary Herbert is criticizing House Speaker Greg Hughes for refusing to hear debate for "Healthy Utah." [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2226866-155/fight-over-healthy-utah-raises-tension" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622901/Gov-Gary-Herbert-considering-executive-action-on-Healthy-Utah.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/utah-governor-criticizes-state-house-speaker-for-r/10778/_mrRWO4QpUqrTQj1wQjm8w" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4930-herbert-threatens-veto-over-prison-relocation-hits-house-for-blocking-healthy-utah" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> But the alternatives aren't looking any more promising; the Senate rejected another Medicaid expansion alternative "frail Utah" yesterday. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2227007-155/alternative-to-govs-healthy-utah-plan" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Utah's first bill legalizing medical marijuana made it's first step to becoming law yesterday, narrowly passing a Senate committee after a two-hour debate. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2225433-155/utahs-first-medical-marijuana-bill-passes" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622908/Medical-marijuana-gets-initial-political-nod-from-Utah-lawmakers.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/state-and-regional/utah/medical-pot-proposal-passes-first-test-in-conservative-utah/article_58a302b9-b6da-5e15-bb3c-1e9f61aba281.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/medical-cannabis-bill-passes-its-first-test-at-the/80010/0vONVD1eCUGobSU_rD3_Hw" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/26/medical-marijuana-bill-one-step-closer-to-legalization-in-utah/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://kuer.org/post/medical-marijuana-bill-passes-out-committee" target="_blank">KUER] [http://www.cityweekly.net/TheDailyFeed/archives/2015/02/26/medical-marijuana-bill-clears-committee-by-one-vote" target="_blank">SLCWeekly]
Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/AlexCragun" target="_blank">AlexCragun: "Utah House's solution to health care. 1. Get sick. 2. Commit a crime. 3. Go to the new prison. 4. Healthcare"
From @https://twitter.com/Jeandioslc" target="_blank">Jeandioslc: "Only thing certain about this session? We will all be here until midnight March 12."
From @https://twitter.com/tannerholcomb" target="_blank">tannerholcomb: "Chair: 'All those in favor say 'aye'' Kid next to me: 'Aye!'"
Happy Birthday: Today to State Sen. Wayne Harper and Utah Democratic Party veteran Rob Miller and on Saturday to Pat Shea.
Tune in: Tribune senior political reporter Robert Gehrke, government reporter Christopher Smart, health and education editor Rebecca Walsh and government and politics editor Dan Harrie join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about medical marijuana, Healthy Utah, golf course closures and the prison relocation. Listen to Behind the Headlines, the Tribune's weekly news roundtable, on KCPW 88.3/105.3 FM or live stream at http://www.kcpw.org/" target="_blank">http://www.kcpw.org.
From Capitol Hill: The Utah Senate passed a bill in a preliminary vote yesterday that would raise the state's gasoline tax by 10 cents a gallon, but House leaders say they have other ideas. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2227208-155/senate-advances-10-cent-gasoline-tax-hike" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622970/Senate-endorses-bill-to-raise-gas-tax-10-cents-per-gallon.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> In yet another round of votes, a bill to delay the "Count My Vote" compromise failed for the third time. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2226114-155/senators-stand-firm-by-count-my" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622902/Senate-kills-proposed-amendment-to-undo-Count-My-Vote-deal.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The "Right to Try" bill was advanced by the Senate yesterday, which would allow terminally ill patients to try experimental drugs not approved by the FDA. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2227052-155/right-to-try-bill-gives-terminally" target="_blank">Trib]
-> With six bills initially on the table, lawmakers are narrowing down the options for choosing members of the Utah State School Board. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622950/Lawmakers-narrow-selection-of-school-board-election-bills.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Count My Vote organizers oppose new legislation that would kick the decision of a nominee back to convention delegates if a primary winner doesn't get a majority of votes. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4931-count-my-vote-organizers-worried-by-bill-addressing-plurality-issue" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> A new resolution in the Legislature points to the little knowledge officials have on the number of homeless youths in Utah. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622958/Homeless-youth-population-difficult-to-quantify-challenging-to-serve.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The House passed a bill yesterday to expand death benefits to families of officers who die in the line of duty. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622961/House-passes-bill-to-increase-family-death-benefits-of-fallen-officers.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Sen. Al Jackson is proposing a bill that would remove "neglect" as a condition of removing a child from a home, arguing that it's too vague of a term. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4929-proposed-bill-could-eliminate-neglect-from-utah-s-child-welfare-law" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> The House and Senate passed a bill that would only allow incumbent county clerks to have their names appear once on a ballot. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2226589-155/incumbent-clerks-soon-will-have-name" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A rowdy debate in a Senate committee eventually led to killing a bill that would require truth in cosmetic surgery advertising. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2227315-155/truth-in-advertising-bill-brings-rowdy" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Two other areas, one in Tooele County and one in Utah County, now being considered for the new prison site. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4932-prison-relocation-commission-to-consider-two-more-potential-sites" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Activist group Mormons Building Bridges rallied at the Capitol yesterday to urge the passing of LGBT nondiscrimination bill SB100. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622946/Photos-Mormons-Building-Bridges-urges-passage-of-nondiscrimination-bill.html" target="_blank">DNews] Lawmakers say they are "extremely close" to finalizing a bill. [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/26/negotiations-very-close-on-lgbt-nondiscrimination-religious-liberties-bill/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> An amended bill to deregulate scrap-metal yards passed through committee yesterday after the sponsor removed a controversial section that would take away health departments' regulatory power. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2225717-155/amended-metal-recycling-bill-passes-committee" target="_blank">Trib] However, some say even the amended bill isn't strict enough. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2226228-155/tweaked-metal-recycling-bill-is-moving?page=1" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott discuss the goings on this week on Capitol Hill with special guest, Rep. Steve Handy. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4935-bernick-and-schott-on-politics-episode-226-video" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Lawmakers are looking to ease railroad crossing laws and allow cars to continue driving once the guard gates rise. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2225243-155/utah-lawmakers-seek-to-ease-train" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A Senate committee approved a resolution yesterday that would designate the first Wednesday in April as "Start by Believing Day" to support sexual assault victims. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622894/Committee-OKs-resolution-supporting-victims-of-sex-abuse.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> And here's today's Legislature schedule: [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2227615-155/utah-legislature-friday-feb-27" target="_blank">Trib]
In other news: While Department of Corrections leaders point out flaws in the dated Draper state prison, Gov. Herbert says the chances of it being moved are only 50-50. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2226493-155/utah-prison-leaders-say-move-required" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622901/Gov-Gary-Herbert-considering-executive-action-on-Healthy-Utah.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Rep. Mia Love voiced her excitement to vote for the bill stripping funding for President Barack Obama's immigration actions, suggesting that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should be ousted if he can't pass the bill in the Senate. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2226792-155/utahs-mia-love-excited-to-block" target="_blank">Trib]
-> In a week of speeches from possible GOP presidential candidates, Utah's Sen. Mike Lee warns voters about being seduced by platitudes and vague promises. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2226463-155/lee-to-conservatives-shouting-freedom-the" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Organizations are continuing to come forward and express their displeasure with the leaders of the Pioneer Park Coalition for saying it supported a legislative-funding initiative without asking their permission. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2225791-155/more-homeless-aid-providers-upset-with-pioneer" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The Senate Judiciary Committee voted in favor of advancing Utah Supreme Court Justice Jill Parrish to a seat on the federal bench. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2226066-155/judiciary-committee-advances-utah-nominee-to" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Utah Attorney General officials yesterday announced the launch of a new "ID Theft Central" website to help Utahns report and handle identity theft. [http://kuer.org/post/utah-attorney-generals-office-launches-id-theft-central-website" target="_blank">KUER]
-> The Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration released data detailing Utah's exports and economic growth for 2014. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/utah-exports-total-123-billion-in-2014/30767/AYHbiriYJk6MDqX8WlHerw" target="_blank">ABC4]
-> The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is holding public meetings throughout the state to get public opinion on their new prairie dog management program. [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/25/wildlife-officials-to-host-meetings-seeking-public-input-on-managing-prairie-dogs/" target="_blank">Fox13]
Nationally: Washington, D.C. officially legalized marijuana yesterday. But Utah's Jason Chaffetz says that D.C. leaders could be facing "severe penalties" for the decision. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2226057-155/utahs-chaffetz-dc-could-face-severe" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/02/25/dc-marijuana-legalization/24033803/" target="_blank">USAToday] [http://news.yahoo.com/legal-pot-arrives-district-columbia-amid-wrangle-congress-060848259.html" target="_blank">Reuters] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2015/02/25/leaders-react-to-congress-trying-to-block-d-c-marijuana-law/" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-legal-pot-washington-dc-20150225-story.html" target="_blank">LATimes]
-> In the face of an upcoming Homeland Security shutdown, House Republicans are considering another option to allocate short-term funding to the department and allow President Barack Obama's immigration policies to stay in place for now. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765669124/House-GOP-weighs-new-approach-on-Homeland-Security.html" target="_blank">AP]
-> The strongest rules on net neutrality ever were approved by the FCC yesterday, and network owners are not very happy. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/net-neutrality-what-comes-next-after-historic-fcc/39554/ZMiY8VtZgEGsqUPh6I-bMQ" target="_blank">ABC] [http://time.com/3723722/fcc-net-neutrality-2/" target="_blank">Time] [http://money.cnn.com/2015/02/26/technology/comcast-net-neutrality/" target="_blank">CNN] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/02/26/how-net-neutrality-won-and-obamacare-for-the-internet-lost/" target="_blank">WaPost]
-> Studies on Mormon-dominated Utah and the LDS Church's recent announcement supporting LGBT rights show that religious leaders may not have that much sway over people's political views. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/02/26/how-much-influence-can-a-church-have-over-its-members-political-beliefs-a-mormon-case-study/?postshare=3851424982279239" target="_blank">WaPost]
Where are they?
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— Thomas Burr and Erica Palmer
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