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VA secretary apologizes for claim that he was in special forces. Hatch says he has a plan if GOP lawsuit against Obamacare prevails. Herbert: We can all just get along.
Happy Tuesday. 'Tis time to start remembering better: The secretary of Veterans Affairs is apologizing for falsely claiming that he was part of U.S. special forces during his time in the military. "I have no excuse," the secretary now says. "I was not in special forces." [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/robert-mcdonald-veterans-affairs-lie-special-forces-115446.html?hp=r1_4" target="_blank">Politico]
Topping the news: Sen. Orrin Hatch, who is backing a lawsuit declaring President Barack Obama's health care law unconstitutional, says he will release a short-term solution for those who will lose coverage if the verdict goes his way. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765668924/Capitol-Hill-Buzz-Sen-Hatch-prepping-health-bill.html" target="_blank">AP]
-> After meeting with the President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and other governors from around the nation, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert touted their ability to work together despite partisan lines. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2213005-155/herbert-governors-tout-bipartisanship-solutions-after" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A new report identifies factors keeping women from reaching top levels of government and business, including cultural expectations to stay at home, a lack of college degrees and a "mindset" that they don't belong. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2212020-155/lack-of-confidence-and-a-mindset" target="_blank">Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/JeremyBRoberts" target="_blank">JeremyBRoberts: "Any truth to the rumor @JimDabakis will celebrate passing anti-discrimination this year by purchasing the Legislature's AR-15? :)"
From @https://twitter.com/FoxandPig" target="_blank">FoxandPig "Someone in committee just smelled their tie. #yesitsmells #timetodryclean"
Tune in: Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City government liaison Jean Hill, University of Utah law professor Clifford Rosky and University of Illinois law professor Robin Wilson join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to discuss what a nondiscrimination/religious freedom law could look like. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MST on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.
From Capitol Hill: The anti-discrimination issue is still hot at the Legislature, and here's an in-depth look at the status of the three bills addressing it and how it affects real people in Utah. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2209335-155/as-utah-lawmakers-debate-lgbt-and?fullpage=1" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A House lawmaker unveiled a "Death with Dignity" bill yesterday that would give terminally ill Utahns the "right to die." [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/23/right-to-die-bill-being-unveiled-in-the-utah-state-legislature/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/right-to-die-debate-expected-to-hit-utahs-capitol/34606/y1z17LCC80WXHaBNyKeGZA" target="_blank">ABC4]
-> The Senate gave preliminary approval yesterday to a bill to make the golden retriever the official state domestic animal. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2212247-155/state-dog-bill-advances-barely" target="_blank">Trib]
-> An amendment advanced in the Senate that would overturn the "Count My Vote" compromise, although the preliminary vote wouldn't be strong enough to pass the final vote later this week. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2213223-155/amendment-advances-to-overturn-count-my" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622656/Senate-to-debate-bill-to-delay-Count-My-Vote-compromise.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.standard.net/Government/2015/02/23/Senate-OKs-bill-related-to-Utah-caucus-system-law.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4895-senate-advances-constitutional-amendment-to-give-parties-ultimate-power-in-putting-candidates-on-ballot" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> The House passed a bill yesterday that would increase the salaries of educators teaching math, science and special education by $5,100. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622627/House-passes-bill-to-increase-select-teacher-salaries.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The Senate rejected a proposal yesterday that would allow the state to adopt "more stringent" clean-air rules than the federal government. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2213676-155/senate-shoots-down-clean-air-rule-measure" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622673/Clean-air-measure-dies-in-Utah-Senate.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/bill-that-could-have-helped-clean-utahs-air-defeat/33399/2KKf2I3JcUODQdYOu5m97A" target="_blank">ABC4]
-> The Legislature started taking applications yesterday for law firms who want to jump on a $2 million state lawsuit to take over public lands from the federal government. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2213075-155/lawmakers-seek-applicants-to-develop-2" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622672/State-moves-forward-on-federal-public-lands-bid.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A new bill passed by the House makes it legal to take a "selfie" with your voting ballot. [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/23/new-bill-lets-you-take-a-selfie-with-your-ballot/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> The Dalai Lama is coming to Salt Lake City, and the House passed a resolution to support him and all others who are involved in the 2015 Parliament of the World's Religions. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622619/Utah-lawmakers-show-support-for-Parliament-of-the-World7s-Religions.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A House committee unanimously approved a bill yesterday that would require high school students to pass the state's civics test for new citizens before they graduate. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622607/House-panel-approves-bill-to-require-citizenship-test-for-high-school-degree.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/23/new-bill-moves-closer-to-changing-utah-high-school-graduation-requirements/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/legislature/lawmakers-to-consider-requiring-citizenship-test-to-graduate/article_60248f23-ad3d-5af9-b1ad-b89af9f8fd88.html" target="_blank">AP]
-> The Senate passed two bills yesterday that would require new drivers to pass an additional online test after they complete a driver-education class and would make it more costly for undocumented immigrants to obtain "driving privilege cards." [http://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2212105-155/utah-senate-approves-another-new-driver-test" target="_blank">Trib]
-> There are currently five bills and two resolutions regarding elections for the Utah State Board of Education, all exploring different options to elect school board members and hold them accountable. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622546/Should-Utah-have-a-partisan-State-School-Board.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The House passed a bill that would give a $50 tax credit to teachers who use their own money to buy school supplies. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2213440-155/house-advances-supply-expense-tax-credit" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A Senate committee voted yesterday to advance two bills that would eliminate lobbyist badges and erase a requirement for corporations to report political donations. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2213465-155/rule-changes-for-lobbyists-corporations-advance" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A Senate committee halted a bill that would ban people under age 19 from entering smoke shops unaccompanied, saying it might go to far. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2212001-155/senators-douse-bill-banning-youth-from" target="_blank">Trib] [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4889-senate-committee-holds-bill-prohibiting-minors-in-tobacco-shops" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> After Utah made national news for trying to shut down California-based insurance company Zenefits, the House voted for a bill that would allow the business to operate legally in the state. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2213498-155/house-passes-bill-to-allow-zenefits" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A bill approved by a House committee would remove the statute of limitations related to child sex abuse cases, allowing victims of child sex abuse to file lawsuits any number of years after the incident. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622657/Bill-would-eliminate-statute-of-limitations-on-civil-actions-related-to-child-sexual-abuse.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/23/utah-lawmaker-hopes-to-eliminate-statute-of-limitations-on-civil-child-sex-abuse-cases/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Paul Rolly discusses the bills of two competing lawmakers who's measures respond to constituent concerns about access to Bear Lake. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2201604-155/rolly-utah-gop-clout-surfaces-in" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A Senate committee approved a bill that would ban anonymous campaign donations. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622654/Senate-favors-bill-to-ban-anonymous-political-campaign-donations.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Rep. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, offers three reasons why he opposes Healthy Utah. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/2202064-155/op-ed-healthy-utah-throws-in-the" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Lawmakers are trying to figure out what they can do about a multi-million dollar, publicly funded wastewater treatment plant in Heber Valley that is sitting idle because of conflict behind its bonds. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622652/Legislature-mediating-bitter-dispute-over-idle-Wastach-County-sewer-plant.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A new bill approved by a House committee would delay the adoption of building codes for new home construction. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622622/Building-code-bill-clears-legislative-committee.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A few dozen service organizations visited the Capitol yesterday to show legislators the role and impact national service programs have on communities. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622650/National-service-groups-visit-Utah-Capitol-to-tout-programs.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Lawmakers decided yesterday to back off of a horse-tripping ban, instead seeking to increase regulation of the sport. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622674/Lawmakers-back-off-horse-tripping-ban.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> And here's today's Legislature schedule: [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2212977-155/utah-legislature-tuesday-feb-24" target="_blank">Trib]
In other news: A brand new development of trendy, high-rise condos and stores near Pioneer Park is already filled up, even after the developers had financial issues that almost prevented the project from being finished. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2168550-155/things-are-looking-up-around-pioneer" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Police Chief Chris Burbank are holding a town hall meeting tomorrow evening to discuss the use of lethal force. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2213398-155/salt-lake-city-to-host-town" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A second group has resigned from the Pioneer Park Coalition, with some claiming it is moving ahead on plans without securing approval from its members. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2212289-155/pioneer-park-coalition-sees-another-resignation" target="_blank">Trib]
Nationally: President Obama warns that a Homeland Security shut down that will occur without a new budget passed would impact state economies and American security. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765668918/Obama-to-governors-DHS-shutdown-would-hurt-state-economies.html" target="_blank">AP]
-> The Supreme Court will hear a challenge to Obama's health care initiative next week, and there are a few language specifics of the bill they are going to look at. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765668932/Meaning-of-4-words-at-center-of-high-court-health-law-fight.html" target="_blank">AP]
Where are they?
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— Thomas Burr and Erica Palmer
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