This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Dem activists worried about Hillary; 'Who knows? She could implode totally.' Anti-discrimination bill advances. Dems, some in GOP trying to resurrect Healthy Utah bill.
Happy Friday. The revelation this week that Hillary Clinton used a private email address as secretary of state — making her conversations out of public reach and a possible violation of federal laws — has some Democrats pretty concerned about her viability as the party's nominee for president in 2016. "Who knows? She could implode totally," says one Iowa county Democratic official. Activists are arguing they need more possible candidates to step up just in case. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/hillary-clinton-2016-democrat-alarmed-by-emal-scandal-115814.html?ml=po" target="_blank">Politico] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/amid-clinton-controversies-democrats-yearn-for-an-alternative/2015/03/04/f782ec4e-c279-11e4-9271-610273846239_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost]
Topping the news: The anti-discrimination and religious liberties bill, SB296, which was endorsed by the LGBT community and the LDS Church, made its first step toward becoming law yesterday as it was unanimously endorsed by a Senate committee after an emotional debate. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2253822-155/mormon-backed-anti-discrimination-bill-passes-first-test" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623484/Senate-panel-endorses-anti-discrimination-religious-rights-bill.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/05/emotional-hearing-for-compromise-lgbt-nondiscrimination-religious-liberties-bill/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/monumental-anti-discrimination-compromise-heads-to/29251/EDxrQzGMGEmnaWE7aGQ1eA" target="_blank">ABC4]
-> A new bill addressing the same issue, SB297, would allow government employees to refuse to marry gay couples, but only if they give up their ability of marrying everyone else too. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2254800-155/new-bill-government-employees-could-refuse" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623561/Bill-requires-county-clerks-to-provide-person-to-perform-same-sex-marriages.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kuer.org/post/second-bill-let-public-officials-refuse-marry-gay-couples-unveiled" target="_blank">KUER] [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/05/bill-would-create-rules-for-county-clerks-and-same-sex-marriage/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Hundreds of Utahns rallied at the Capitol Thursday to protest a House committee's rejection of Healthy Utah, showing that they're not ready to give up yet. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2249359-155/hundreds-of-healthy-utah-backers-rally" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623559/Gov-Herbert-Fight-goes-on-for-Healthy-Utah.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kuer.org/post/healthy-utah-supporters-not-admitting-defeat-yet" target="_blank">KUER] [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/05/poll-which-plan-would-you-prefer-healthy-utah-utah-cares-or-neither/" target="_blank">Fox13] Some House Republicans are also trying to resurrect the bill. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2255883-155/dems-force-healthy-utah-vote-in" target="_blank">Trib] [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/05/house-members-revolt-over-healthy-utah/" target="_blank">Fox13]
Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/goldengateblond" target="_blank">goldengateblond "MSNBC: Harrison Ford Crashed His Plane. FOX: Member of the Hollywood Elite Crashed His Plane. CNN: We Found a Plane!"
Happy Birthday: On Saturday to Jared Whitley, Scott Burns and Taylorsville CFO Scott Harrington and on Sunday to Taylorsville Police Chief Del Craig.
Tune in: Tribune senior political reporter Robert Gehrke, justice reporter Jennifer Dobner, health reporter Kristen Moulton and editorial writer George Pyle join guest host Roger McDonough to talk about the week's top news stories including the anti-bias bill, Healthy Utah and medical marijuana. Listen to Behind the Headlines live at 9 a.m. on KCPW 88.3/105.3 FM.
From Capitol Hill: A bill that would reinstate the firing squad as an alternative method for the death penalty moved its way through the Senate yesterday. It will undergo one more vote in the Senate before it is passed to the governor. [http://kuer.org/post/firing-squad-bill-passes-first-hurdle-senate" target="_blank">KUER]
-> The House pushed discussion of a "right to die" bill to another day. The bill would give terminally ill patients the ability to get a prescription from their doctor to take his or her own life. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623563/Death-with-dignity-bill-put-on-hold-for-further-study.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/05/utah-lawmakers-debate-right-to-die-legislation/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/house-committee-pushes-right-to-die-discussion-off/19834/-x0cmiSXVU-oJXsnpZwExg" target="_blank">ABC4]
-> The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed a bill that would reform the state's prison system to reduce the population and offer more treatment. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/criminal-justice-reform-bill-passes-senate-committ/14275/Jb4dRwg8wUO-Pi5wQKbPNA" target="_blank">ABC4]
-> The day after Mitt Romney sent a letter urging state leaders to create a presidential primary, a bill doing just that passed out of committee. But Utah Republican Party Chairman James Evans says the party still plans on holding a caucus instead. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2253607-155/bill-advances-to-allow-presidential-primary" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623487/House-committee-passes-bill-setting-presidential-primary-date.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/05/mitt-romney-part-of-push-to-hold-presidential-primary-rather-than-caucus-in-utah/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/5002-house-committee-advances-presidential-primary-bill" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Bryan Schott notes that the Medicaid expansion fight in the Legislature is taking its toll on Gov. Gary Herbert and House Speaker Greg Hughes. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/5004-medicaid-expansion-battle-taking-a-toll" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> The Legislature decided to fund a 4 percent increase in per-pupil spending, which is the largest increase in years but substantially lower than Gov. Herbert's proposal. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2255904-155/legislature-backs-big-bump-in-student" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A bill that would allocate $20 million to replace the state's old, polluting buses was approved by a Senate committee yesterday. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623498/Bill-to-replace-dirty-buses-moves-on-to-Senate.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The House passed a bill regarding "cow sharing" yesterday, which would allow farmers to share their cows' raw milk. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2255398-155/house-milks-debate-over-cow-sharing" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The House Education Committee unanimously approved a resolution yesterday to urge educators to require high school students to take four years of math or reach equal proficiency. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623565/Should-Utah-high-schoolers-be-required-to-take-four-years-of-math.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The House GOP caucus met yesterday to discuss the latest on the state's political fight to gain control of federal lands. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623550/House-GOP-Who-will-control-Utahs-public-lands.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A Senate committee gave preliminary approval to an initiative yesterday that would give school counselors training to better prepare their students for college and careers. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623524/School-counselor-training-bill-gets-preliminary-approval-in-Senate.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The committee also approved a bill that would call for better Internet filtering systems in schools. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623503/Initiative-for-better-school-Internet-filtering-moves-to-Senate-floor.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A new House bill would significantly drop the court filing fee for parents trying to seek guardianship of their adult children with disabilities. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623555/Court-fee-for-parents-seeking-guardianship-of-disabled-children-may-drop-tenfold.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The House passed a bill yesterday that would ensure that most county governments will continue to have partisan offices and elections. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2254027-155/house-passes-bill-to-keep-partisan" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Paul Rolly discusses the sometimes tense relationship between the House and the Governor's office. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2249960-155/rolly-oops-herbert-aide-disses-house" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Bob Bernick says with only five days left in the legislative session, it appears two major issues won't be coming up for a vote. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/5008-bob-bernick-s-notebook-time-ticks-away" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> A Senate committee unanimously endorsed a bill yesterday that would expand death benefits to families of fallen officers. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623556/Bill-to-expand-death-benefits-to-families-of-fallen-officers-advances.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> And here's today's Legislature schedule. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2254501-155/utah-legislature-friday-march-6" target="_blank">Trib]
In other news: Three Republicans with deep Utah ties are among the 300 who signed an amicus brief in support of the Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage nationwide. They are former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, his daughter Abby Huntsman and campaign finance attorney Matt Sanderson. [http://time.com/3734626/gay-marriage-supreme-court-republicans/" target="_blank">Time]
-> A new lab study shows that the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks may have had a health affect on Utahns. [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/05/researchers-say-911-terror-attacks-had-impact-on-health-of-utahns/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> The leader of the conservative, free-market oriented American Legislative Exchange Council met with Utah leaders and students yesterday to discuss trust and innovation in politics and tout Utah's economic innovation. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2254750-155/alec-leader-meets-with-utah-leaders?fullpage=1" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Gov. Herbert nominated Paige Peterson, who currently serves as assistant U.S. attorney, for a seat on the 3rd District Court. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865623499/Paige-Petersen-nominated-for-3rd-District-judgeship.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Herbert authorized state facilities to fly their flags at at half staff March 9 to honor the passing of former Salt Lake Mayor Deedee Corradini. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/governor-orders-flags-lowered-to-honor-former-salt/34028/9TZdVo6Z106tsQXXalh8cw" target="_blank">ABC4]
Nationally: Hillary Clinton finally broke the silence on her email controversy with a tweet that says she has asked the State department to release her emails. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/hillary-clinton-breaks-silence-on-email-controversy-115783.html?hp=rc1_4" target="_blank">Politico] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/as-house-panel-issues-subpoenas-questions-mount-over-clinton-e-mails/2015/03/04/486cde18-c297-11e4-9ec2-b418f57a4a99_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/05/hillary-clinton-email-state_n_6805478.html" target="_blank">HuffPost] [http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/04/politics/hillary-clinton-emails/" target="_blank">CNN]
-> Meanwhile, it seems other Obama Cabinet secretaries were quite clear on the rules about personal vs. official email accounts and the White House reminded top aides about what was allowed. [http://www.buzzfeed.com/evanmcsan/obama-administration-private-email#.oc6PznD5l" target="_blank">Buzzfeed]
-> A group of U.S. lawmakers will visit Selma, Ala., to commemorate a civil rights anniversary, but not a single member of the House Republican leadership will be in attendance. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/gop-leaders-to-skip-selma-event-115801.html?hp=t2_r" target="_blank">Politico] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fifty-years-after-bloody-sunday-march-struggles-linger-in-selma/2015/03/05/8ed7a9c6-c348-11e4-ad5c-3b8ce89f1b89_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost]
-> The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to take an initial, internal poll today on the constitutionality of Obamacare's state exchanges after hearing arguments on the issue earlier this week. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765669572/Fate-of-Obama-health-law-subsidies-rests-with-2-justices.html" target="_blank">AP]
Where are they?
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— Thomas Burr and Erica Palmer
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