This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Hatch's new Polynesian folk music band 'Across the Isle.' Utah House passes bill defining tape — with no comment. Love meets with Obama, CBC.
Happy Wednesday. Sen. Orrin Hatch appeared on NBC's "Parks and Recreation" last night alongside Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and finally revealed their joint music venture. Hatch told the character, the National Park Service's Leslie Knope, how much they both believed the nation's natural resources were important and then Booker interrupted, "But our real passion is," tapping Hatch on the arm as they announced in unison: "Polynesian folk music!" The Republican and Democrat noted that their band, "Across the Isle" was playing in Georgetown that night ... If only TV shows were actually real. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/wp/2015/02/11/across-the-isle-is-not-the-dumbest-political-band-name/" target="_blank">WaPost]
Topping the news: After national criticism over a lawmaker's comments regarding sex with an unconscious spouse last week, the Utah House unanimously passed a bill defining rape yesterday — without a single comment. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2165478-155/house-unanimously-and-without-comment" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621614/House-approves-sexual-assault-bill-without-debate.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> President Barack Obama is expected to request new war powers from Congress this week. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765668102/Obama-to-send-his-new-war-powers-request-to-Capitol-Hill.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/us/obama-to-seek-war-power-bill-from-congress-to-fight-isis.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes] [http://thehill.com/policy/defense/232328-obama-war-measure-to-ban-enduring-ground-troops" target="_blank">TheHill] [http://www.christianpost.com/news/obama-asks-congress-for-new-war-powers-to-fight-isis-congress-to-hold-first-war-vote-in-13-years-133843/" target="_blank">ChristianPost] [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-obama-war-powers-request-20150210-story.html" target="_blank">ChicagoTribune] Utah's Sen. Orrin Hatch says Congress should give him more flexibility in fighting Islamic jihadists. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2164480-155/utahs-hatch-seeks-flexibility-including-ground" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Utah Rep. Mia Love joined fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus yesterday in a meeting with Obama, though she didn't engage the president or meet with the awaiting press after. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2165465-155/utahs-mia-love-joins-black-members" target="_blank">Trib]
Tweet of the day: From @https://twitter.com/AlexCragun" target="_blank">AlexCragun "Huh...Lavar Christensen's summation was longer than his presentation."
Happy Birthday: To state Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, Mary Anne Huntsman and former Gov. Mike Leavitt.
Tune in: Following the excommunication of "Mormon Stories" podcaster John Dehlin, Ordain Women founder Kate Kelly, attorney Paul Toscano and feminist scholar Maxine Hanks join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about life after excommunication and their views on apostasy within modern religion. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MT on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.
From Capitol Hill: Republican Senators emerged from a closed-door caucus meeting on Medicaid expansion yesterday saying although they had a good conversation, they remain split. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2164975-155/after-closed-door-caucus-on-medicaid-expansion" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621627/Senate-Republicans-talk-Medicaid-expansion-but-make-no-decisions.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4770-senate-republicans-fail-to-come-to-a-decision-on-medicaid" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> A Senate committee approved a statewide property tax increase yesterday to help equalize funding between rich and poor school districts. The tax hike would cost the average Utah family almost $50 a year. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2165380-155/big-tax-hike-advances-for-school" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621637/Bill-seeks-to-adjust-property-tax-rate-to-equalize-school-funding.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A bill was held in a House committee yesterday that would prohibit minors from getting tattoos, even with parental consent. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621633/Bill-seeks-to-prohibit-tattooing-for-youths-even-with-parental-permission.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Rep. Curt Oda withdrew his bill yesterday that would allow anyone over the age of 21 to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, saying that he is going to work with Gov. Gary Herbert on it first to reach a compromise on the issue. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2165849-155/governor-cuts-deal-to-avert-showdown" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Sen. Todd Weiler is pushing a bill that would argue Congress would be able to delay implementation of an executive order if more than 25 percent of the House and Senate disagree with the action. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4768-resolution-aims-to-curb-executive-power-in-washington" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> After finding out about instances of children being able to access pornographic material in their elementary school classrooms, a new bill was unanimously recommended Monday that would require schools to have adequate Internet filters in place and teach students about safe technology use. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621562/Lawmaker-wants-better-Internet-filtering-on-school-devices.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A group rallied at the Capitol yesterday in support of a bill that would focus more on the cause behind individuals' criminal acts, with the goal of putting those who need it in enhanced treatment programs so they don't end up back in prison. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2164869-155/treatment-breaks-on-drug-crimes-urged" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621631/Criminal-justice-reform-groups-rally-for-a-system-that-helps-not-hinders.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The House passed a bill yesterday overturning a Salt Lake City law that required drive-thrus to serve pedestrians and cyclists. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621611/Bill-puts-brakes-on-Salt-Lake-City-ordinance-requiring-drive-thrus-to-serve-pedestrians-cyclists.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A St. George mother is pushing for a new bill that would toughen the state's distracted driving laws after her husband was killed due to an accident cause by a texting driver. Meanwhile, the House also looks at another bill that would loosen texting-while-driving laws. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621630/Utah-lawmakers-considering-competing-bills-on-cellphone-use-while-driving.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Base budgets for public and higher education were approved by the Legislature yesterday. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621636/House-Senate-approve-base-budgets-for-public-higher-education.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The Senate passed a bill yesterday that would give high school students more information and incentives regarding early graduation. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2164875-155/senate-moves-to-help-early-graduation" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621619/Bill-offering-incentives-for-early-high-school-graduation-passes-Senate.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Utah Lake and The Great Salt Lake State Parks are looking for $1.5 million dollars in funding to dredge their marinas, although they will need more than money to address the lakes' low water problem. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621618/Low-levels-at-Great-Salt-Lake-Utah-Lake-threaten-marinas.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee recommended 3rd District Judge Constandinos "Deno" Himonas yesterday for the Utah Supreme Court. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2163886-155/judge-deno-himonas-gets-nod-from" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Gov. Herbert signed an executive order yesterday to protect the state's sage grouse population. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621635/Herbert-signs-executive-order-ramping-up-Utah-protections-for-sage-grouse.html" target="_blank">Trib]
-> And here's the Legislature's schedule for the day. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2164870-155/utah-legislatures-schedule-wednesday-feb-11" target="_blank">Trib]
In other news: Salt Lake County is preparing a report to detail the "potentially significant" savings that have come from low gas prices and the mild snow fall. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2165425-155/county-calculating-impact-of-cheap-gas" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Twenty-six year old small business owner and gay marriage advocate Derek Kitchen announced his candidacy for the Salt Lake City Council yesterday. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2159298-155/gay-marriage-advocate-derek-kitchen-to" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865621632/Derek-Kitchen-announces-bid-for-Salt-Lake-City-Council-seat.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A foundation that raises money for the Jordan School District launched a fundraiser yesterday with the goal of raising $1 million in the next 90 days, about double what it normally raise in a year. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2165224-155/taxes-arent-enough-group-seeks" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and others will be available to answer questions about the Mountain Accord's plans for the central Wasatch Mountains tonight at 6 p.m. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2165500-155/mountain-accord-qa-is-at-6" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Pat Bagley offers his take on the State School Board's approach to science. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2165107-155/bagley-cartoon-darwin-and-the-utah" target="_blank">Trib]
Nationally: President Obama's former top White House adviser David Axelrod says in his new book that Obama hid his support of gay marriage during a good part of his political career for fear that it would cause him to lose voters. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2164545-155/longtime-aide-says-obama-misled-public" target="_blank">AP] [http://time.com/3702584/gay-marriage-axelrod-obama/" target="_blank">Time] [http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/02/yes-obama-was-lying-about-opposing-same-sex-marriage/385333/" target="_blank">Atlantic] [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/10/obama-same-sex-marriage_n_6652892.html" target="_blank">HuffPost] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/02/10/axelrod-says-obama-lied-about-opposing-gay-marriage-its-another-convenient-evolution/" target="_blank">WaPost]
-> After temporarily stepping down from his post, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams was suspended for six months without pay on Tuesday. [http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/brian-williams-suspended-six-months-wake-review-n304086" target="_blank">NBC] [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/business/media/brian-williams-suspended-by-nbc-news-for-six-months.html" target="_blank">NYTimes] [http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2015/02/how-to-read-the-brian-williams-news-202428.html?hp=t1_r" target="_blank">Politico] [http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2015/02/10/nbc-suspends-brian-williams-for-6-months/" target="_blank">Fox] [http://time.com/3704299/brian-williams-suspended/" target="_blank">Time]
Where are they?
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— Thomas Burr and Erica Palmer
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