This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Mia meets Hillary. Cats that look like the Donald. The life and death of Medicaid expansion.
Happy Thursday. There's the Iran deal. The highway funding bill. Debates over poverty and healthcare. But sometimes you just need to dive into the silly side of life. Like people who make their cats look like Donald Trump. #Trumpyourcat is exploding on social media and for good reason. [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/07/14/trumpyourcat-cat-hair-donald-trump/30172079/" target="_blank">USAToday]
Topping the news: State lawmakers debated Medicaid expansion Wednesday while Utahns raised concerns about getting proper health care in a timely manner. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2735404-155/while-medicaid-debate-drags-on-utahns" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865632672/Action-urged-on-Medicaid-expansion-but-deadline-wont-be-met.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kuer.org/post/utah-allies-medicaid-expansion-still-waiting-action" target="_blank">KUER] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/advocates-call-on-lawmakers-to-act-now-on-medicaid/21190/UBa_cB6ofkqisNTK7O-Kkw" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/6344-" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Several medical experts spoke in favor of medical marijuana at a legislative hearing Wednesday. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2731427-155/utah-medical-marijuana-study-encouraging-for" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/witnesses-speak-for-medical-marijuana-at-state-capitol" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/07/15/potential-patients-utah-lawmakers-debate-legalizing-access-to-medical-marijuana/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> When Hillary Clinton visited her friends at the U.S. Capitol this week to shore up support for her presidential run, one Republican was in the group — Rep. Mia Love. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2735366-155/mia-love-meets-hillary-clinton-during" target="_blank">Trib] [http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/hillary-clinton-republican-mia-love/?dcz=" target="_blank">RollCall]
-> A look at the latest campaign finance reports shows how the wealthy are dominating the presidential primaries. Roughly $4 of ever $5 raised by the GOP candidates have gone to super PACs, most of whom are funded by just a few people. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2016-fundraising-shows-power-tilting-to-groups-backed-by-wealthy-elite/2015/07/15/4c915a74-2b05-11e5-a250-42bd812efc09_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost]
Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/TheFix" target="_blank">TheFix: "There's nothing politicians hate more than when Obama says 'that's what politicians do' to explain behavior. He is, um, a politician."
-> From @https://twitter.com/jeffzeleny" target="_blank">jeffzeleny: "@JebBush FEC report is a good read. GWB gave $2,700, with his occupation: Former President of United States. Laura Bush is simply: Retired."
-> From @https://twitter.com/miriamjanechek" target="_blank">miriamjanechek: "I don't NOT like cats, I'm just not a cat person, that is UNTIL TODAY thanks to #TrumpYourCat"
-> From @https://twitter.com/mckaycoppins" target="_blank">mckaycoppins: "All I know about Trump's $$$ is that he told me he makes more than Jennifer Aniston"
Happy Birthday: To State Rep. Merrill Nelson, Utah Democratic Party Chairman Peter Corroon and Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen.
Tonight: Salt Lake City mayoral candidates Ralph Becker, Jackie Biskupski, Luke Garrott, Dave Robinson and George Chapman will answer questions about public safety, transportation, the city's homeless problems and more at a live public debate. Join us at the City Library, 210 E. 400 South, or watch Trib Talk Livetonight at 7 on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com. You can also listen live on KCPW 88.3/105.3 FM.
In other news: Mia Love's seat on the Financial Services Committee has helped her amass large donations from big banks, supplementing the steady flow of small donations she regularly receives. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2733947-155/committee-post-translates-into-big-money" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Less than a month after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, a federal judge ruled in favor of a lesbian couple that the state blocked from having both names on their child's birth certificate. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/2733545-155/judge-to-consider-if-utah-must" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865632674/Utah-must-recognize-married-lesbian-couple-as-legal-parents-of-daughter-judge-rules.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/utah-judge-sides-with-same-sex-married-couple-fighting-for-birth-certificate" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://fox13now.com/2015/07/15/federal-judge-orders-utah-to-put-same-sex-couple-on-their-childs-birth-certificate/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Embattled state Rep. Justin Miller lunches with his Democratic colleagues and says he has no intention of resigning. [http://fox13now.com/2015/07/15/rep-justin-miller-lunches-with-fellow-democrats-still-wont-resign/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Check out Pat Bagley's cartoon on Pluto and New Horizons. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2735124-155/bagley-cartoon-pluto-and-new-horizons" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Russell M. Nelson was appointed president of the LDS Church's Quorum of the 12 Apostles, succeeding the late Boyd Packer. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/2735442-155/nelson-becomes-new-head-of-mormonisms" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865632675/Russell-M-Nelson-called-as-new-president-of-Quorum-of-Twelve-Apostles.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kutv.com/news/local/lds-church-announces-russell-m-nelson-as-new-quorum-of-twelve-president" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/elder-russell-m-nelson-is-now-first-in-line-for-th/41847/MuhaJjR6cEmq-KUlBXAPJw" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://fox13now.com/2015/07/15/lds-church-appoints-russel-m-nelson-president-of-the-quorum-of-the-twelve-apostles/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> SLC mayoral candidate Jackie Biskupski has several billboards up around the city advertising her campaign, but she didn't purchase them — the billboard company did and current Mayor Ralph Becker isn't happy about it. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2734005-155/sign-companys-pac-buys-billboards-for" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865632692/Becker-demands-Biskupski-take-down-billboards-paid-for-by-advertising-agency-PAC.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/6330-" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Three Republican senators have drafted a bill that would allow some members of the state school board to be partisan, some to be bipartisan and some to be appointed by Gov. Gary Herbert. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2734068-155/school-board-proposal-takes-catch-all-approach-to" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865632681/Lawmaker-proposes-new-compromise-bill-for-State-School-Board-elections.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> For about 17 days each year, Utah's air quality does not meet federal standards, according to a Utah Division of Air Quality analysis reported at a legislative committee hearing. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2735498-155/utah-air-not-so-much-yuck" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kuer.org/post/clean-air-top-concern-poll-says-lawmakers-urge-positive-spin" target="_blank">KUER]
-> Utah is part of an eight-state battle fighting against an expansion of the Clean Water Act. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2735788-155/utah-joins-8-states-in-suing" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The state is now investigating San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman's ATV ride through Recapture Canyon to determine if the Bureau of Land Management could have legally closed the road protestors drove on. [http://kutv.com/news/local/atv-protest-state-now-investigating-feds-action" target="_blank">KUTV]
-> The Utah Senate confirmed Stan Lockhart as the newest member of the Utah State Board of Education. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865632673/Senate-approves-appointing-Stan-Lockhart-to-State-School-Board.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee discussed police use of force, urging for a stronger relationship between officers and residents. [http://kutv.com/news/local/police-use-of-force-under-microscope-at-state-capitol" target="_blank">KUTV]
-> SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams attended the grand opening of a new Midvale Senior Center. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2733813-155/a-new-place-in-midvale-for" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865632679/New-Midvale-Senior-Center-gives-high-class-experience.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Former Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, who faces five felony charges from his tenure, is trying his hand at a startup business for nicotine inhalers. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865632680/Ex-AG-Mark-Shurtleff-starts-business-selling-nicotine-mist.html?pg=all" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The three-member Tooele County Commission voted to give themselves a raise. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2733671-155/tooele-commissioners-vote-themselves-a-24" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Kaysville ended a program that incentivized solar panels after fears that those residents weren't paying their fair share. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/2735403-155/story.html" target="_blank">Trib]
-> So far James Evans, chairman of the Utah Republican Party, isn't facing a challenger. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/6345-" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Sen. Orrin Hatch pens an op-ed about his amendment that would allow failing schools to renegotiate contracts to free up some money. [http://www.nationalreview.com/article/421248/education-reform-renegotiate-contracts" target="_blank">NatReview]
Nationally: The White House is courting members of Congress to support the Iran deal. [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/16/us/politics/white-house-lobbyingdemocrats-and-independents-to-support-iran-nuclear-deal.html?ref=politics" target="_blank">NYTimes]
-> Upon arrival in Oklahoma, President Barack Obama was met by a barrage of Confederate flags held up by protestors. [http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/07/16/first-draft-focus-protesters-greet-obama-with-confederate-flags/?ref=politics" target="_blank">NYTimes] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/07/16/obama-greeted-by-protesters-waving-confederate-flags-in-oklahoma/" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/in-oklahoma-protesters-greet-obama-with-confederate-flags-120207.html?hp=l2_4" target="_blank">Politico]
-> George H.W. Bush fell and broke a bone in his neck, but his relatives say he'll be ok. [http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2015/07/george-bush-41-is-ok-after-fall-says-grandson-george-p-bush.html/" target="_blank">MorningNews] [http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-george-h-w-bush-breaks-neck-bone-20150715-story.html" target="_blank">LATimes]
-> Being a U.S. senator and running for president can be difficult to do at the same time — just ask the five senators in the 2016 race for president. Sen. Marco Rubio, for example, has missed 69 votes in the Senate. [http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/07/15/marco-rubio-has-missed-most-votes-this-year-of-senators-running-for-president/" target="_blank">NYTimes]
-> In its second week of publication, Ted Cruz's book "A Time For Truth" will appear on the New York Times' bestseller list. This comes after the book was initially snubbed because of "strategic bulk purchases" to boost sales. [http://www.politico.com//blogs/media/2015/07/ted-cruz-makes-new-york-times-list-210608.html" target="_blank">Politico]
Where are they?
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]
— Matt Canham and Courtney Tanner
http://Twitter.com/mattcanham" target="_blank">Twitter.com/mattcanham and https://twitter.com/CourtneyLTanner" target="_blank">Twitter.com/CourtneyLTanner