This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
'Draft Biden' effort tried to nudge Cool Joe into the race. Poll: Utah's congressional delegation approval around 50%. SLC spent $42,000 on Obama's visit.
Happy Wednesday. Vice President Joe Biden has stayed quiet on any presidential plans he may be harboring — especially since Hillary Clinton is sucking up all the attention on the left — but that doesn't mean Biden fans aren't trying to woo their guy into the race. The Draft Biden movement is trying to start some momentum. [http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/19/are-you-ready-for-president-biden.html" target="_blank">DailyBeast]
Topping the news: A new poll shows that Utah's all-GOP congressional delegation is hovering around 50 percent, not a fantastic mark when considering how Republican the state is. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865629029/Congressional-delegation-not-impressing-Utahns-poll-shows.html?pg=all" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Salt Lake City's government, including the police department, spent about $42,000 to host President Barack Obama during his visit. [http://fox13now.com/2015/05/19/how-much-did-slc-pay-to-host-obama-overnight-about-40000/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Americans for Prosperity, the Koch brothers-backed political group, has opened a Utah chapter, but doesn't plan to endorse candidates in the state. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865628975/Koch-brothers-group-launches-Utah-chapter.html" target="_blank">DNews]
Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/StevenTDennis" target="_blank">StevenTDennis: "I'm starting to think Harry Reid wants 'gave hell to the Koch brothers' on his tombstone."
Tune in: Utah Medical Association president-elect William Hamilton and Turner Bitton of the Drug Policy Project of Utah join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about the pros and cons of legalizing medical marijuana in Utah. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MDT on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.
In other news: The Prison Relocation Commission holds its first open house in Salt Lake City tonight. Take a look at the land near the airport that is under consideration. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2518376-155/take-a-look-at-the-utah" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The only government agencies in Utah that have used a drone in the past year are the Utah Transit Authority, the Utah Division of Emergency Management and the city of Lindon. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2530344-155/few-utah-agencies-report-using-drones" target="_blank">APviaTrib]
-> Paul Rolly notes that the SLC bike cop who was put on paid leave for refusing to participate in the Gay Pride Parade played a bit part in making the Mitt Romney-Evander Holyfield fight happen. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2529182-155/rolly-cop-who-bucked-pride-parade" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Sen. Orrin Hatch explains why he's a highly visible backer of the trade agreement now before the Senate. [http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/05/12/trade-promotion-authority-policy-congress-column/27175065/" target="_blank">USAToday]
-> HBO's 'Real Sports' slams Hatch over his push to keep dietary supplements from more stringent oversight. [http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/tv/2530492-155/hbos-real-sports-holds-orrin-hatch" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Provo's police chief believes the state should expand Medicaid to help fight crime. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2526963-155/utah-police-cite-medicaid-expansion-as" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Sen. Mike Lee went from a bit skeptical of Scott Walker to being impressed after meeting with the Wisconsin governor who is gearing up for a presidential run. [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2015/05/19/mike_lee_impressed_after_meeting_scott_walker__126651.html" target="_blank">RCP]
-> Rep. Rob Bishop convenes a House meeting where lawmakers lament the possible inclusion of the sage grouse on the Endangered Species List. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865629025/Utah-other-Western-states-decry-threatened-sage-grouse-listing.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Interior Secretary Sally Jewell says wildfires are the main threat for the sage grouse. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2530976-155/us-interior-secretary-rangeland-fire-the" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Gov. Gary Herbert's energy summit will include its first ever international energy panel, a nod toward the state's goal of exporting coal. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865629036/2-day-energy-summit-shines-spotlight-on-Utah.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> A group of parents made one last public effort to fight proposed science standards being considered by the state Board of Education. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2530869-155/parents-educators-debate-new-science-standards" target="_blank">Trib]
Nationally: The 2016 presidential race really has only one defining issue at this time and it is money, lots and lots of money. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/money-money-money-money-money-money-money/2015/05/19/6d69633e-fe3e-11e4-833c-a2de05b6b2a4_story.html?postshare=1861432053992660" target="_blank">WaPost]
-> Hillary Clinton took questions for the first time in weeks, saying she wants the State Department to release her emails immediately and calling her vote on the Iraq War a "mistake." [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/hillary-clinton-iraq-war-vote-mistake-iowa-118109.html" target="_blank">Politico] [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/05/19/clinton-breaks-media-silence-answers-reporters-questions-on-emails-and-more/?intcmp=latestnews" target="_blank">FoxNews] [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/20/us/politics/hillary-clinton-says-law-is-hurting-small-banks-and-businesses.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes]
-> House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says it is stupid for male members of Congress to impose limits on professional meetings with female employees. [http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/pelosi-it-s-stupid-for-male-lawmakers-to-avoid-meeting-alone-with-female-staffers-20150519" target="_blank">NJ]
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 Matt Canham
https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr and http://www.Twitter.com/mattcanham" target="_blank">Twitter.com/mattcanham