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Jeb Bush braces for D.C.'s big conservative event. Healthy Utah declared dead. Former Sen. Bennett diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Happy Thursday. The Conservative Political Action Conference starts today just outside Washington, an event that brings together America's conservatives for a three-day rally for the cause. It's not exactly Jeb Bush's home. The former Florida governor and likely 2016 candidate is bringing along some old George W. Bush hands and eschewing a regular speech to appear with Fox News' Sean Hannity, figuring it might give him a better approach to reach the audience. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/jeb-braces-for-cpac-115520.html?hp=rc3_4" target="_blank">Politico]
Topping the news: One step forward, and two steps back: State Senators passed the Healthy Utah measure with a final vote yesterday, but House Speaker Greg Hughes said he doesn't want to entertain the bill in the House. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2220974-155/house-leader-on-medicaid-expansion-were" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622808/Healthy-Utah-plan-heads-to-House-on-life-support.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kuer.org/post/house-republicans-will-likely-thwart-healthy-utah-plan" target="_blank">KUER] [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/25/house-speaker-declares-healthy-utah-plan-dead-in-the-legislature/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.standard.net/Government/2015/02/25/Governor-s-Medicaid-expansion-plan-may-have-hit-dead-end.html" target="_blank">AP]
-> A bill to legalize medical marijuana and establish dispensaries was introduced in the Senate yesterday, but Gov. Gary Herbert has already said he is opposed to the concept. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2220878-155/marijuana-bill-would-allow-growth-sale" target="_blank">Trib] [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/25/bill-introduced-to-legalize-medical-marijuana-in-utah/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://kuer.org/post/senator-proposes-medical-marijuana-utah" target="_blank">KUER] The bill has received support from Utah families facing serious medical conditions. [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/legislature/why-this-utah-county-family-is-hoping-for-legalized-marijuana/article_19120341-d0ed-526e-ae5b-f99a73e76cfb.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=social_david_kennard" target="_blank">Herald] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622841/Lawmakers-to-hear-bill-that-would-expand-medical-marijuana-use-in-Utah.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Former Utah Sen. Bob Bennett confirmed yesterday that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2221866-155/former-utah-sen-bennett-diagnosed-with" target="_blank">Trib] [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/25/former-utah-senator-bob-bennett-getting-treatment-for-pancreatic-cancer/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.standard.net/News/2015/02/25/Ex-US-Sen-Bob-Bennett-of-Utah-announces-cancer-diagnosis-1.html" target="_blank">AP]
Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/PeteBusche" target="_blank">PeteBusche "The ability of @https://twitter.com/gopTODD" target="_blank">gopTODD to tweet, email, and chair a committee simultaneously is seriously impressive"
From @https://twitter.com/UTferalcat" target="_blank">UTferalcat "My highest point in #utpol was all the free Krispy Kreme donuts from the garbage cans of John Swallow."
Happy Birthday: To Rep. Rob Bishop's new spokesguy, Lee Lonsberry.
Tune in: Rep. Brad Daw, anesthesiologist Perry Fine, Jennifer May with Hope 4 Children with Epilepsy and Connor Boyack with Libertas Institute join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about Senate Bill 259 and the upcoming legislative debate over medical marijuana. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MT on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.
From Capitol Hill: A new bill would deny pension benefits to public officials who commit crimes, which could potentially affect former Attorney General John Swallow of his retirement. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2222617-155/bill-could-strip-swallows-pension-if" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Pat Bagley offers his take on lawmakers' reaction to the Healthy Utah plan. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2222340-155/bagley-cartoon-healthy-utah-gets-whacked" target="_blank">Trib]
-> An Illinois professor with experience in writing religious rights and nondiscrimination laws is coming to the Utah Legislature today to consult with lawmakers. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622845/Illinois-professor-could-help-Utah-draft-religious-liberty-nondiscrimination-bill.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Despite doubts, Gov. Herbert says he is still "optimistic" about his proposal to allocate $500 million in new money for education. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622771/Governor-still-optimistic-about-500M-increase-to-public-education.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> For $75 million, one lawmaker is hoping to put a technology device into the hands of hundreds of school children. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622864/Statewide-school-technology-bill-passes-first-legislative-hurdle.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> In another move to address students' school testing, a House resolution would ask state educators to conduct a study to find areas where testing could be reduced. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622826/Move-to-reduce-student-testing-passes-House.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A Senate committee passed a House bill yesterday that would require mental health counselors and social workers to have yearly training on suicide prevention. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2222504-155/bill-requires-extra-suicide-prevention-training-for" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A watered down bill passed by a House committee would make carrying a weapon on public transportation without a permit a misdemeanor instead of a felony. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2220820-155/utah-house-panel-ease-penalty-for" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622818/Panel-OKs-bill-reducing-penalties-for-concealed-weapons-on-buses.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/25/proposed-legislation-would-reduce-penalty-for-carrying-a-weapon-on-public-transit/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Children of any age could petition to restore their parents' parental rights under a new bill in the House. Current law only allows those over 12 years of age to seek such a move. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622822/Bill-OKed-allowing-all-children-to-petition-for-restoration-of-parental-rights.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A bill hoping to tax and regulate e-cigarettes has been watered down to simply call for regulation. [http://www.standard.net/Government/2015/02/25/Pending-bill-to-regulate-e-cigarette-products-will-not-include-hefty-tax.html" target="_blank">StandEx]
-> Lawmakers are hoping to appropriate an extra $10 million to education to reduce classroom sizes. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622775/Class-size-reduction-bill-passes-Senate.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A Senate bill moving through the system would give students greater incentives to graduate early from high school. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622773/High-schoolers-may-see-more-incentives-for-early-graduation.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Lawmakers are considering a proposal to name a section of Interstate 15 after the late Speaker Becky Lockhart. [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/legislature/will-iin-utah-county-be-named-after-the/article_79844a06-e1a5-5660-9908-c5fb5e214b86.html" target="_blank">Herald]
-> A new bill would license and register professional autism therapists. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2222271-155/panel-wants-to-license-autism-therapists" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622835/New-license-proposed-for-Utah-professionals-who-treat-autism.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A resolution that would call for Utah to join an Constitutional Convention to unite states against the power of the federal government failed in the House by just four votes. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2222433-155/utah-house-shoots-down-call-for" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A new Senate bill would give funding to households experiencing intergenerational poverty. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622850/Bill-would-fund-education-for-families-experiencing-intergenerational-poverty.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A House committee voted unanimously yesterday to pass a resolution that would expand the Utah Test and Training Range. [http://www.standard.net/Military/2015/02/25/State.html" target="_blank">StandEx]
-> A bill passed in the Senate would make it a felony to move an endangered animal to Utah. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2220968-155/move-an-endangered-animal-in-utah" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Citizens, business leaders and lawmakers rallied at the Capitol yesterday calling for better funding for Utah's deteriorating transportation infrastructure. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622832/Hundreds-assemble-to-demand-patch-for-Utahs-113B-transportation-system-pothole.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.standard.net/Government/2015/02/25/Transportation-groups-gather-for-rally-outside-Utah-Capitol.html" target="_blank">StandEx]
-> And here's today's Legislature schedule: [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2221197-155/utah-legislature-thursday-feb-26" target="_blank">Trib]
In other news: In the wake of four fatal police officer shootings in Utah this year, Salt Lake City held a community meeting last night to discuss the use of deadly force. [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/25/salt-lake-city-officials-meet-with-residents-to-discuss-police-use-of-force/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Although Utahns might not feel the effects of a potential shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security this weekend, the state would see consequences if the funding lapse continued through the summer. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2221359-155/how-homeland-security-shutdown-would-affect" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Utah Department of Health officials declared an end of the state's measles outbreak yesterday. [http://kuer.org/post/utah-department-health-declares-end-measles-outbreak" target="_blank">KUER]
-> With the upcoming expiration of the fairground's current lease of the Utah State Fairpark, the owner of the Real Salt Lake rescinded its proposal to build a soccer stadium at that location. [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/25/proposal-to-build-soccer-stadium-at-utah-fairpark-rescinded/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> The West Valley City Police Department announced that by the beginning of March, its police officers will wear body cameras in every interaction they have with the public. [http://fox13now.com/2015/02/25/west-valley-city-police-to-begin-recording-all-interactions-with-citizens-by-march-2/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Citizens rallied outside the Provo Police Department yesterday to protest the killing of a man who was recently shot by Provo Police. [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/provo/protesters-rally-to-support-man-shot-and-killed-by-provo/article_62cf54d1-51fe-5418-8ff1-24ce944cb2ee.html" target="_blank">Herald]
-> The Defense Department announced it has found the remains of a Utah soldier who was shot down in the Pacific during World War II. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2220769-155/remains-of-world-war-ii-pilot" target="_blank">Trib]
Nationally: Some House conservatives who reluctantly accepted Speaker John Boehner as their leader are praising his tough stance in refusing to compromise on President Barack Obama's executive orders on immigration. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/conservatives-john-boehners-115501.html?hp=l1_3" target="_blank">Politico] [http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/25/us-usa-congress-security-idUSKBN0LS24220150225" target="_blank">Reuters] [http://thehill.com/homenews/house/233665-house-conservatives-warn-boehner-dont-cave-on-immigration" target="_blank">TheHill]
-> Lawmakers may be changing their minds about approving the nomination of Loretta Lynch as attorney general because of her stance on immigration. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/loretta-lynch-immigration-republicans-115516.html?hp=t1_r" target="_blank">Politico]
-> President Barack Obama agitating Republicans on three different issues this week, while still calling for compromise on other issues such as prison reform. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765669039/Calling-for-cooperation-Obama-engages-in-confrontation.html" target="_blank">AP]
Where are they?
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 and Erica Palmer
https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr and https://twitter.com/erica_palmer">Twitter.com/erica_palmer