This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
GOP may keep Obamacare subsidies if high court strikes them down. Utah lawmakers consider primary runoffs. Dougall backs term limits.
Happy Thursday. Republicans are considering a plan to keep Obamacare insurance subsidies for up to two years if the Supreme Court strikes down the part of the law that says residents of states that didn't set up their own health care exchanges — including Utah — can't get federal help. "We're going to be prepared," said Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch. "We wouldn't call them subsidies. But we'd certainly keep people whole so that they wouldn't suffer because of this interim time." [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/senate-republicans-obamacare-scotus-fix-119121.html?hp=b1_l1" target="_blank">Politico]
Topping the news: In the wake of changes because of SB54, state lawmakers are considering a change in how primaries are run so candidates have to garner more than 50 percent of the vote to win. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2636004-155/will-utah-need-to-have-runoff" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865630919/Lawmakers-may-not-agree-on-how-to-handle-election-plurality.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://kuer.org/post/legislature-looks-ways-solve-plurality-issue-elections" target="_blank">KUER]
-> Is too much of Utah's sales tax money going toward transportation? Some lawmakers think so and propose shifting a portion of the funds to education, among other programs. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2636707-155/utah-lawmakers-talk-of-shifting-transportation" target="_blank">Trib]
-> State Auditor John Dougall is now backing a movement to establish term limits for several Utah political offices. [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/state-auditor-publicly-endorses-term-limit-movemen/36616/OVhWXRZx4UyUOPZi5o2kwA" target="_blank">ABC4]
Tweets of the day: From @https://twitter.com/cboyack" target="_blank">cboyack: "Overheard from the Capitol grounds crew, digging into the lawn: 'They sure don't water this like they do the Governor's mansion!'"
-> From @https://twitter.com/AliWaleed767" target="_blank">AliWaleed767: "There is finally going to be a woman on the $10 bill. Too bad nobody will use it since it will only be worth $7.50."
-> From @https://twitter.com/RandyTayler" target="_blank">RandyTayler: "Oh sure, NOW you want to put women on currency, now that everybody uses plastic."
Happy Birthday: To veteran Utah pollster Dan Jones, Tiffany Gunnerson and BYU's Joel Campbell.
Tune in: Rep. Mike Noel, Sen. Jim Dabakis and Tribune environment reporter Brian Maffly join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to discuss whether the state should help pay legal fees for San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman, convicted of conspiracy in organizing an illegal ATV ride on protected lands. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.
In other news: Check out Pat Bagley's cartoon on what happens when the right wing and the religious clash over climate change. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2636877-155/bagley-cartoon-faith-based-denial" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Salt Lake County is distributing information packets regarding the six potential township changes that will be on the November ballot. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2635949-155/education-campaign-begins-on-huge-salt" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The Education Interim Committee would like to set aside money to train Utah teachers. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2636019-155/utah-lawmakers-contemplate-artificially-boosting-per-student" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865630914/Lawmakers-push-to-set-aside-more-money-for-teacher-training.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Some worry Jordan White, Gov. Gary Herbert's nominee for the Public Service Commission, is unfit for to be part of the panel because of previous ties to the parent company of Rocky Mountain Power. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/2636970-155/utah-senate-oks-former-pacificorp-lawyer" target="_blank">Trib]
-> The Prison Relocation Commission is re-examining cost estimates of rebuilding in Draper, saying the previous analyses may have been too low. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865630936/Prison-relocation-co-chairman-asks-if-18-billion-economic-impact-estimate-too-low.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, is sponsoring a bill that would tax e-cigarettes. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865630930/Lawmakers-resume-deliberations-of-possible-e-cigarette-tax.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> SLC Councilman Luke Garrott, a mayoral candidate, says he would have fired Chris Burbank if Garrott were mayor. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/6030-garrott-i-would-have-fired-burbank-if-elected-mayor-video" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> Three different legislative panels on Wednesday focused on water usage in the state. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865630933/Lawmakers-drill-down-on-complex-water-issues.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://fox13now.com/2015/06/17/utah-lawmakers-discuss-possibility-of-conservation-pricing-for-water/" target="_blank">Fox13]
-> Salt Lake City residents prefer parks and trails to golf courses, according to a survey commissioned by SLC Mayor Ralph Becker's office. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/2635184-155/survey-salt-lakers-ready-to-pony" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A new homeless shelter, called Lantern House, is now open in Ogden. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2627261-155/new-ogden-homeless-shelter-expected-to" target="_blank">Trib]
Nationally: By 2020, the $10 bill will feature a woman's portrait, but don't go nominating Beyonce — the honoree must be dead. [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/18/us/portrait-of-a-woman-to-share-space-on-the-dollar-10-bill-with-hamiltons.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/woman-to-appear-on-10-bill-in-2020/2015/06/17/90f7c3ee-153c-11e5-89f3-61410da94eb1_story.html?tid=pm_pop_b" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/woman-will-appear-on-10-bill-119135.html?hp=rc3_4" target="_blank">Politico]
-> Donald Trump allegedly paid people to attend his announcement rally and cheer for him. [http://www.businessinsider.com/paid-actors-at-donald-trump-announcement-2015-6" target="_blank">BusinessInsider]
-> Mark Ruffalo, the actor known for playing the Hulk, announced his support for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Let's just hope Sanders doesn't make him angry. [http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/245255-actor-mark-ruffalo-hillary-needs-to-adopt-sanders-message" 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 Courtney Tanner
https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr and https://twitter.com/CourtneyLTanner" target="_blank">Twitter.com/CourtneyLTanner