Republicans are experiencing 2010 in reverse. Herbert proposes budget that focuses on education. Jeffs sentenced to 57 months.
Happy Thursday. A first-term president and unpopular congressional leaders are pushing a controversial legislative agenda that sparks a nationwide movement from the infuriated opposition. Retirements are suddenly putting the majority’s safe seats in play. Party leaders jam major legislation through Congress on a partisan vote, and are in such a hurry to pass it they’re rewriting it by hand hours before a vote. That was the case in 2010, when Democrats were in charge and started to lose control. Now Republicans are facing the same. [Politico]
Topping the news: Sen. Orrin Hatch expects the GOP’s tax bill will pass before Christmas and told President Donald Trump he’ll will get done. [Trib]
-> Gov. Gary Herbert proposed Wednesday to direct 72 percent of next year’s extra tax revenue towards education. [Trib] [DNews] [ABC4] [KUER] [KUTV]
-> Former polygamous sect leader Lyle Jeffs was sentenced Wednesday to 57 months in prison, as a result of defrauding a government assistance program. [Trib] [DNews] [ABC4] [Fox13] [KUER]
Tweets of the day: From @byrdinator: “Find someone who loves u as much as Ron Wyden loves purple ties”
-> From @saraschaefer1: “I wasn’t sure about#NetNeutrality and then it was explained to me that it could jeopardize the speed of the Domino’s Pizza Tracker and now I am aflame with blazing resolve to stop this atrocity”
-> From @seungminkim: “The Senate Ethics Committee suddenly got a lot less busy with Franken leaving and Moore losing.”
Happy Birthday: To Sutherland Institute President Boyd Matheson.
In other news: Holladay residents expressed their opinions on Wednesday about a potential development at the former Cottonwood Mall site. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley shares the many “names” Trump is known by. [Trib]
-> Robert Gehrke emphasizes the need for Utahns to know how much water they use. [Trib]
-> Michelle Quist examines what Roy Moore’s loss means for the Trump era. [Trib]
Nationally: As of Wednesday evening, Roy Moore refuses to concede to Doug Jones as the Senate race came to a close. [Politico]
-> The House and Senate are bringing together their versions of the GOP tax bill and anticipate a speedy approval. [NYTimes]
-> President Donald Trump found fault with other lawmakers and strategists after Roy Moore’s loss in Alabama, but continued to remind the American people that he “would have won Alabama.” [WaPost]
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-- Thomas Burr and Karenna Meredith Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/meredithkarenna