This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Ex-President George W. Bush says brother Jeb has a problem: 'Me.' Dabakis ends mayoral bid. Poll shows Becker leading field.
Happy Thursday. Former President George W. Bush says his brother Jeb has a problem: "Me," the ex-president said Wednesday. "It's an easy line to say, 'Haven't we had enough Bushes?' After all, even my mother said, 'Yes.'" That's why, the former president said, he wouldn't be out on the campaign trail and Jeb Bush shouldn't have to defend him. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/george-w-bush-jeb-bush-2016-117020.html?ml=po" target="_blank">Politico]
Topping the news: State Sen. Jim Dabakis ended his campaign for Salt Lake City mayor just a week and a half after announcing he was in. He decided instead to support his friend Jackie Biskupski instead, who is also a Democrat, in hopes of defeating current Mayor Ralph Becker. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2404456-155/dabakis-drops-out-of-salt-lake" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865626488/Could-candidate-already-be-dropping-out-of-Salt-Lake-mayors-race-Dabakis-and-Biskupski-to-meet.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/dabakis-out-endorses-biskupski-for-salt-lake-city/55973/8qe_s-M6cE2tgqg2VuCH5w" target="_blank">ABC4]
-> Dabakis, by the way, called Becker a "terrific mayor" and offered his support for Becker's re-election bid in December. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/5393-dabakis-endorsed-becker-before-backing-biskupski" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Meanwhile, a new poll shows Becker leading the field of mayoral candidates, though Dabakis was in second place until he pulled out. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/5396-slc-mayor-poll-becker-33-dabakis-16-biskupski-12-garrott-9" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Utah's Rep. Mia Love has already collected over $400,000 in funding this year, showing that she's already thinking about a second term. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2405161-155/mia-love-keeps-campaign-machine-humming" target="_blank">Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/BenWinslow" target="_blank">BenWinslow: "I think that was the shortest #SLC Mayoral campaign in state history. A week-and-a-half."
Happy Birthday: To The Tribune's Jennifer Dobner.
Tune in: Salt Lake City Public Utilities director Jeff Niermeyer, Rep. Tim Hawkes and Mallory Bateman of the Utah Foundation join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about the state's low water supply and how water shortages could affect residents, farmers and the economy. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MDTon http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.
In other news: A viewing and funeral service for former Gov. Norm Bangerter will be held Friday and Saturday. Bangerter passed away Tuesday after suffering a stroke. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2405995-155/funeral-services-scheduled-for-former-gov" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865626530/Funeral-services-set-for-former-Gov-Norm-Bangerter.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/04/14/former-governor-norm-bangerter-suffers-stroke/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> The Girl Scouts are starting a troop at a gay pride center in Salt Lake City that will welcome transgender youth and children from LGBT families. [http://www.standard.net/News/2015/04/15/New-Girl-Scout-troop-starts-at-Utah-gay-pride-center.html" target="_blank">AP]
-> Aside from tuition, Utah's college students have to pay ever-increasing fees to fund things such as new gyms, buildings, sports and health services. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2386525-155/utah-students-pay-hundreds-in-fees" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Salt Lake City leaders have expressed support of a proposal that would ask voters for a sales tax increase to fund transportation in the city. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865626448/Salt-Lake-City-leaders-support-putting-county-sales-tax-hike-on-ballot.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> The State Transportation Commission and the Utah Transit Authority Board held a meeting Wednesday, saying that after a bill increasing the gasoline tax their financial outlook is the brightest in years. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2405248-155/udot-uta-see-bright-financial-future" target="_blank">Trib]
-> An Ogden mom is wary of a new city recommendation that would allow kiosk advertising on public sidewalks in the city. [http://www.standard.net/Government/2015/04/15/One-mom-watches-warily-as-Ogden-moves-toward-kiosk-signage.html" target="_blank">StandEx]
Nationally: A Florida man has been detained after he landed a gyrocopter on the grassy area of the U.S. Capitol. Apparently the man contacted reporters and politicians before the incident saying he was planning to land a gyrocopter on the Capitol lawn to "deliver mail" to Congress protesting campaign finance laws. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/gyrocopter-lands-on-us-capitol-lawn-pilot-arrested/23386/PsLZBSlK_0CPY0IOa2apLA" target="_blank">ABC] [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/gyrocopter-landing-us-capitol-117002.html?hp=l1_3" target="_blank">Politico] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/15/heres-the-web-site-of-the-man-who-flew-a-gyrocopter-to-the-capitol/" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/15/politics/aircraft-lands-on-capitol-grounds/" target="_blank">CNN] [http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/04/15/399847611/gyro-copter-with-single-occupant-lands-on-capitol-grounds" target="_blank">NPR]
-> Sen. Marco Rubio didn't waste any time in starting fundraising for his newly announced presidential campaign, which raised $1.25 million online during its first full day. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765671988/AP-source-Rubio-raises-125M-online-during-first-day.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/04/15/rubio-off-to-fast-fundraising-start-planning-aggressive-florida-schedule/" target="_blank">WaPost]
-> Allies of Loretta Lynch are launching a hunger strike to protest the delay behind confirming her as attorney general, but Republicans have offered a proposal that could finally bring the confirmation about. [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/loretta-lynch-supporters-hunger-strike-confirmation-116994.html?hp=c2_3" target="_blank">Politico] [http://www.rollcall.com/news/vote_on_lynch_nomination_possible_with_a_big_if-241219-1.html?pos=hbtxt" target="_blank">RollCall] [http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/238901-civil-rights-leaders-to-fast-for-loretta-lynchs-confirmation" target="_blank">TheHill]
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