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Political new year's resolutions: Assume recording devices are everywhere. Love: Scalise should keep his job. Sen. Lee named a lawmaker to watch.

Happy Monday. As we start a new year, here are a few suggestions for resolutions that politicians should adopt after recent gaffes: Assume there are recording devices everywhere (Mitt Romney and his 47 percent); don't forget your own talking points (Rick Perry and that damned third department he wanted to cut); just admit who you voted for (Thanks Alison Lundergan Grimes); ditch the tan suit (We're looking at you, President Obama); and avoid dressing up as a tiger (Remember Oregon Rep. David Wu?). [http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/years-resolutions-politicians/story?id=27796665" target="_blank">ABCNews]

Topping the news: A new poll shows 80 percent of Utahns want the GOP-run Congress and President Barack Obama to work together to find solutions to the nation's problems while 17 percent say the two sides shouldn't find common ground. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4400-poll-utahns-want-congress-to-compromise-with-president-obama" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> The Utah Republican Party held a rare Sunday news conference to announce a poll that shows majority support for its lawsuit against SB54, which changes the nominating process for candidates. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/2019520-155/gop-wages-rare-sunday-fight-vs" target="_blank">Trib][http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4419-poll-shows-public-support-for-delaying-sb-54" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> Rep.-elect Mia Love appears on her first Sunday national political talk show and says embattled House Majority Whip Steve Scalise should keep his job. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2018376-155/mia-love-embattled-house-leader-should" target="_blank">Trib][http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/01/04/first-black-female-republican-elected-to-congress-backs-scalise-after-fallout-from-white-supremacist-group-speech/?Post+generic=%3Ftid%3Dsm_twitter_washingtonpost" target="_blank">WaPost][http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2015/01/rep-elect-mia-love-steve-scalise-should-stay-house-whip-despite-klan-controversy/" target="_blank">ABCNews]

-> Sen. Mike Lee is named one of eight lawmakers to watch this year for his chance to break away from Sen. Ted Cruz's shadow as a tea party leader. [http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/la-na-year-ahead-congress-20141231-story.html" target="_blank">LATimes]

-> Special interests are behind $8 of every $10 donated to Utah legislators, a Trib analysis shows. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1940533-155/special-interests-give-8-of-every" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The federal government has missed a deadline imposed by Utah to hand over public lands to the state, an outcome predicted by both sides of the debate. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2015872-155/utah-gears-up-for-lands-fight" target="_blank">AP]

Tweeta of the day: From @http://www.twitter.com/daveweigel" target="_blank">daveweigel: "What does anyone "mull" anymore besides presidential bids?"

And from @http://www.twitter.com/sparksjls" target="_blank">sparksjls: "Free idea: an exploratory supercommittee"

Happy Birthday: Today to Josh Loftin and a belated birthday to the state of Utah, which turned 119 on Sunday.

Tune in: Two members of the Pioneer Park Coalition - Scott Howell and Josh Romney - join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to discuss why they think Salt Lake City should consider moving homeless services away from the Rio Grande district. You can watch Trib Talk live at 12:15- p.m. Mountain Time at http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.

Opinion section: Pat Bagley offers his take on gun rights advocates keeping an open mind. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2013292-155/bagley-cartoon-an-open-mind-on" target="_blank">Trib]

-> A West Valley City author, Steve Warren, says the LDS Church's past political stances should give pause to those who follow the faith's leaders' political leanings. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2007932-155/letter-lds-political-history-shows-plenty" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Former Cache County Councilman Layne Beck says advocates of Utah's convention-primary changes are citing a questionable poll to seek support. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2008067-155/op-ed-supporters-use-questionable-poll-to" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The Salt Lake Chamber's Natalie Gochnour offers her predictions for 2015, including that Utah's economy will continue to be the strongest in the nation and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker will win re-election. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865618820/5-predictions-for-Utah-in-2015.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> BYU political scientist Richard Davis says Political Courage of the Year awards goes to Doug Owens for taking on Mia Love, Gov. Gary Herbert for his fight for his Healthy Utah Plan and Sen. Curt Bramble for pushing for primary election reforms. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865618707/Recognizing-a-rare-quality-political-courage.html" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Outgoing Rep. Jim Matheson thanks Utahns for allowing him to serve the last 14 years. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/1988747-155/op-ed-matheson-thanks-utah-for-allowing" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Rep. Chris Stewart says with the GOP in charge of Capitol Hill, the nation won't see as much gridlock as in recent years. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865618913/This-Congress-can-move-past-Washingtons-gridlock.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> LaVarr Webb and Frank Pignanelli offer their take on a handful of political issues you should watch for in the coming year. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865618912/Political-issues-to-keep-an-eye-on-in-2015.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> UtahPolicy's Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott offer their 2015 predictions: Bernick [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4418-bob-bernick-s-notebook-predictions-for-2015" target="_blank">UtahPolicy] Schott [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4417-bryan-schott-s-political-bs-predictions-for-2015" target="_blank">UtahPolicy].

-> Former Sen. Bob Bennett says technology will be the driving factor in the coming 15 years. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865618940/Using-last-15-years-to-predict-next-15.html" target="_blank">DNews]

Catching up: Abby Huntsman, a daughter of former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, isn't planning a bid for public office — but isn't ruling one out either and would run in Utah if anywhere. [http://www.sltrib.com/entertainment/2000107-155/might-abby-huntsman-run-for-office" target="_blank">Trib]

-> KSL political reporter Rich Piatt has left his job to take on a new role as Rep.-elect Love's communications director. [http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=32889539" target="_blank">KSL]

-> State Sen. Scott Jenkins plans legislation that would erase a new requirement that would allow independents to vote in political party primaries in an effort to keep the GOP contest open to only Republicans. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2006913-155/senator-proposes-bill-to-close-utah" target="_blank">Trib]

-> SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams, County Council Chairman Michael Jensen and Councilman Sam Granato were among taxpayers who were listed as delinquent on their property taxes, with the first two of them chalking it up to a mistake and the latter saying it was a business decision. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1999284-155/trio-of-county-officials-among-tax" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Rep. Jason Chaffetz, who takes over as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee this week, plans an aggressive agenda. [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/chaffetz-house-oversight-and-government-reform-committee-face-big-challenges/article/2558173#.VKlXHPqaZVk.twitter" target="_blank">Examiner]

-> Mitt Romney's longtime friend Kem Gardner says the 2012 presidential candidate is eyeing a third bid at the White House because he doesn't like how the GOP field is shaping up. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865618629/Mitt-Romney-eyeing-presidential-run-in-2016-longtime-friend-says.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> U law professor/former federal judge Paul Cassell has come under fire for filing a lawsuit that claims his client was offered as a "sex slave" to a famed lawyer and a member of the British royal family. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2015720-155/utah-law-professor-claims-british-prince" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Utah lawmakers are considering banning powdered liquor before it's legalized and hits state liquor stores. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1999625-155/utah-lawmaker-seeks-to-ban-powdered" target="_blank">Trib]

Nationally: Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert is taking on House Speaker John Boehner in Tuesday's leadership elections. [http://dailycaller.com/2015/01/04/louie-gohmert-declares-candidacy-for-speaker-of-the-house/" target="_blank">DailyCaller]

-> Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is leaving his gig with Fox News in anticipation of another run at the White House. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/04/politics/mike-huckabee-2016/" target="_blank">CNN]

-> Though the 2014 elections are barely over, the 2016 presidential race is heating up with potential Republican candidates stepping closer to running for the White House. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/republican-contest-for-2016-race-is-heating-up-quickly/2015/01/04/ed4a72c2-9427-11e4-aabd-d0b93ff613d5_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost]

Where are they?

  • Rep. Jason https://twitter.com/jasoninthehouse" target="_blank">Chaffetz returns to Washington and attends an evening GOP conference meeting.
  • Gov. Gary https://twitter.com/GovHerbert" target="_blank">Herbert is in Washington to meet with Pentagon officials and the National Governors Association.
  • Lt. Gov. Spencer https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox" target="_blank">Cox speaks to the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama attends meetings at the White House.
  • 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]

    — Thomas Burr

    https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr