This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

Mayor's race close. Medicaid expansion plan on the ropes. Paul Ryan's big choice.

Happy Tuesday. Ribbed by John Oliver and now spoofed by Saturday Night Live. It seems Rep. Jason Chaffetz has been just about everywhere after he flubbed a chart criticizing Planned Parenthood and launched his campaign to be House Speaker. [http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/fox-friends-speaker-of-the-house-cold-open/2919728?onid=148621#vc148621=1" target="_blank">SNL]

Topping the news:  The race for Salt Lake City mayor may come down to a wire, as a new poll shows a statistical dead heat among the most likely voters. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/7280-Bob%20Bernick%20and%20Bryan%20Schott" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

->A third of Utah lawmakers have ties to the health care industry, which could affect the way they vote on Utah Access Plus. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3048077-155/one-third-of-utah-lawmakers-have-connections" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Paul Ryan, the Republican most Republicans want to run for House Speaker, says he's wearing a Mitt Romney mask for Halloween. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/11/politics/paul-ryan-mitt-romney-halloween/" target="_blank">CNN]

Tweets of the weekend: From http://twitter.com/mckaycoppins" target="_blank">@mckaycoppins: "Ryan: 'But I don't WANT to be Speaker, dad!' Mitt: 'I'm not gonna force you, son. But I trust you to make the right decision.'"

From http://twitter.com/ktumulty" target="_blank">@ktumulty: "Thinking they should just put the Speaker's job on " href="http://t.co/iO7WNqH46h" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> class="js-display-url">monster.com and hope for the best."

From http://twitter.com/daveweigel" target="_blank">@daveweigel: "Bachmann told Fake Snowden/Fauxden that 'Snowden is the biggest Benedict Arnold in American history.' (Bigger than Benedict Arnold?)"

From http://twitter.com/iboudreau" target="_blank">@iboudreau: "Yes, Jim Webb will be at the first Democratic Primary Debate. He will be at a table in back, selling Warhammer miniatures he painted."

From http://twitter.com/thenickcolletti" target="_blank">@thenickcolletti: "Where can i buy a slutty donald trump costume"

Happy Birthday: to House Speaker Greg Hughes, who received an early birthday present when his Pittsburgh Steelers won on the last play of the game Monday night.

Tune in: State Rep. Brad Daw and Wendy Gibson of the Utah Consumer Lending Association join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about regulating the payday loan industry in Utah. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.

Opinion section: Walt Dabney, a former land manager for 42 years, feels Utahns should let leaders know land and water funds are a priority. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3044353-155/op-ed-let-bishop-lee-know-that" target="_blank">Trib]

-> William White, a registered professional geologist and BLM's physical scientist, says that just because speed week was cancelled, it doesn't mean the salt flats are mismanaged. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3014279-155/op-ed-speed-week-cancellation-does-not" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Peter Metcalf, CEO and president of Black Diamond Inc., explains how air pollution threatens Utah's national parks and economy. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3044373-155/op-ed-air-pollution-threatens-utahs-national" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Aisha Moodie-Mills, CEO of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund in Washington, D.C., explains why Jackie Biskupski is the best SLC mayoral candidate. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3044322-155/op-ed-biskupski-is-best-choice-for" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Kate Kopischke, wife of SLC Mayor Ralph Becker and an international mediator, says her husband will continue to bring real solutions to Utah's capital. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3044296-155/op-ed-for-real-solutions-salt-lakers" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Marina Lowe, a legislative and policy counsel for the ACLU of Utah, and John Mejia, the organization's legal director, believe Utah must do more to to provide legal counsel to defendants who aren't able to afford a private attorney. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3044345-155/op-ed-utah-must-walk-the-talk" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Janice Shaw Crouse, Ph.D., executive director of World Congress of Families IX, explains the reason "Family: The promise begins with me," was chosen as the theme for this year's conference. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3044364-155/op-ed-world-congress-brings-its-message" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Orrin Hatch, Utah's senior U.S. senator, and Kem Gardner, chairman of the Gardner Company, tell why Utah's Pay-for-Success program is a model ready for federal funding. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3044323-155/op-ed-utahs-pay-for-success-is" target="_blank">Trib]

-> James Copland, director of Manhattan Institute's Center for Legal Policy, and Rafael Mangual, a project manager for the company, say Sen. Orrin Hatch is right about criminal justice reform. [http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/judicial/256537-hatch-is-right-on-criminal-justice-reform" target="_blank">TheHill]

-> Paul Rolly shares how Rep. Jason Chaffetz climbed the political ladder [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3043328-155/rolly-chaffetz-looks-stupid-makes-gains" target="_blank">Trib] and compares neighboring cities Cottonwood Heights and Holladay to East and West Berlin. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3046894-155/cottonwood-heights-and-holladay-like" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Pat Bagley gives his take on the Republican search for a House Speaker [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3047843-155/bagley-cartoon-republican-search-for-a" target="_blank">Trib] and Payday's lender service. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3055799-155/bagley-cartoon-payday-lender-service" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Frank Pignanelli and LaVarr Webb discuss the race for House Speaker and Chaffetz's candidacy. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638782/Speaker-of-the-House-race-picks-up-with-Chaffetz-a-possibility.html" target="_blank">DNews]

Weekend in review: We'll start with a quick rundown of the Speaker's news. Utah's Rep. Jason Chaffetz said he'd drop out of the race for House Speaker if Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan declares his candidacy. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3046928-155/utahs-chaffetz-if-ryan-runs-for" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638675/Rep-Jason-Chaffetz-says-he-wouldnt-run-against-Rep-Paul-Ryan-for-House-speaker.html" target="_blank">DNews] Many are rooting for Ryan. [http://fox13now.com/2015/10/11/the-gop-begs-paul-ryan-to-save-the-party/" target="_blank">Fox13] Sen. Mike Lee said he's not interested in the job. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638896/Sen-Mike-Lee-flattered-but-not-interested-in-House-speakership.html" target="_blank">DNews] There were even some rumors of Mitt Romney entering. [http://kutv.com/news/local/house-speaker-race-is-romney-running" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse wore a BYU hat and donated to the Utah Food Bank after losing a bet to Lee. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638882/Senator-makes-good-on-wager-from-BYU-Nebraska-football-game.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/senator-pays-up-on-byu-nebraska-football-bet" target="_blank">ABC4]

-> San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman was voted Utah's 2015 county commissioner of the year, despite being convicted of a misdemeanor earlier this year. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3047293-155/convict-named-utahs-county-commissioner-of" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Federal prosecutors argue against a new trial in the Recapture Canyon ATV case. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638702/Federal-prosecutors-argue-against-new-trial-in-Recapture-Canyon-illegal-ATV-ride-case.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> First there were too many emails intercepted by the federal government in the case of St. George businessman Jeremy Johnson, but now there are allegedly lots of missing emails. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3048129-155/jeremy-johnson-case-bedeviled-again-by" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Last year, more than 45,000 Utahns could not pay off high-interest payday loans. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3044275-155/45000-utahns-could-not-pay-off" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/more-than-45000-payday-loans-went-unpaid-in-utah-last-year" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> Mayoral candidate Jackie Biskupski buys TV time for an ad, but some question whether that's her best outlet. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638856/Biskupski-makes-first-TV-ad-buy-but-are-the-airwaves-her-best-option.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Two young, progressive candidates, Derek Kitchen and Nate Salzar, are vying for the Salt Lake City Council seat for District 4. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3040195-155/young-progressives-kitchen-salazar-vie-for" target="_blank">Trib]

-> In the race for Salt Lake City Council District 2, it's the old guard (Van Turner) versus the young blood (Andrew Johnston). [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3038945-155/salt-lake-city-district-2-race" target="_blank">Trib]

-> A mailer battle has unfolded in Millcreek Township. [http://fox13now.com/2015/10/12/mailer-battle-unfolds-as-attempts-to-sway-voters-in-township-ballot-initiative/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> New property-tax notices are being delivered this month to some land owners, and depending on where you live, you may see an increase. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3039727-155/scary-news-coming-to-some-utahns" target="_blank">Trib]

-> A Salt Lake airport chief Maureen Riley has been named to lead a North American council. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3047680-155/salt-lake-airport-chief-to-lead" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Sugar House Park officials rejected a request for a monument honoring executed labor icon Joe Hill. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3047249-155/sugar-house-park-officials-reject-monument" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Salt Lake County cultural facilities advisory committees suggested investing millions in local projects. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3046876-155/salt-lake-county-cultural-projects-get" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Layton officials are hoping to improve congestion near the Layton Hills Mall by implementing a controversial design, which will open Sunday. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3047321-155/controversial-road-design-to-open-sunday" target="_blank">Trib] [http://kutv.com/news/local/state-opens-another-thru-turn-intersection-but-are-they-worth-it" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> Riverton officials plan to build a mall bigger than Farmington's Station Park. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2860238-155/get-ready-riverton-a-huge-mall" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Developers plan to add hundreds of apartments to the UTA's new North Temple station. [http://kutv.com/news/local/development-plans-to-add-hundreds-of-apartments-near-north-temple-uta-station" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> Salt Lake City leaders who were against a new state prison within city limits seem to have changed their tone. [http://kutv.com/news/local/slc-seems-to-change-tone-over-prison-no-grounds-to-sue" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> A House committee voted to lift longstanding restrictions on kayaks, rafts and other "hand-propelled" vessels on rivers and streams in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3050045-155/house-committee-approves-measure-to-open" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The attention focused on Utah's sage grouse is no simple matter, as the bird's status varies between areas. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2992334-155/why-do-utahs-sage-grouse-need" target="_blank">Trib] Though the bird wasn't placed on an endangered list, Utah is still forced to focus conservation efforts on it. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/2991507-155/in-sage-grouse-win-utah-sees" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Protesters rallied this weekend for better treatment of animals at Lagoon. [http://fox13now.com/2015/10/10/protesters-rally-against-treatment-of-animals-at-lagoon/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> Leaders at Dixie State University are paying $50,000 to replace their mascot and rebrand the school. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3054829-155/dixie-state-takes-steps-to-change" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Though Utah doesn't require it, all public colleges in the state have "active shooter" plans. [http://kutv.com/news/local/utah-public-colleges-have-active-shooter-plans" target="_blank">KUTV]

-> A $150,000 grant will help improve the well-being of children in Kearns. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3043384-155/grant-to-help-fund-study-on" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Many teachers at Utah charter schools don't have the state's required certification. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3055236-155/many-utah-charter-school-teachers-arent-qualified" target="_blank">Trib]

-> The State School Board implemented a new strategy focusing on technology. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638699/State-School-Board-adopts-strategy-to-implement-statewide-tech-initiative.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> The birth rate in Utah and Arizona's polygamous towns has slowed to a crawl. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/3038619-155/births-in-polygamous-towns-on-utah-arizona" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Peter Huntsman will lead the family's charitable foundation. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638884/Peter-Huntsman-named-head-of-family-charitable-foundations.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> Former Gov. Jon Huntsman called for bipartisan cooperation during the No Label's presidential forum. [http://kutv.com/news/local/jon-huntsman-calls-for-bipartisan-cooperation-in-washington" target="_blank">KUTV] [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/gov.-jon-huntsman-breaks-down-partisan-barrier/article/2573907" target="_blank">WashingtonExaminer]

Nationally:  It's the Democrat's turn, as candidates prepare for the first 2016 Democratic presidential debate tonight moderated by CNN's Anderson Cooper, but don't expect the slugfests you've seen during the Republican debates. [http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/10/politics/democratic-debate-time-date/" target="_blank">CNN] [http://www.nytimes.com/live/first-democratic-debate-cnn-election-2016/democratic-debate-reveals-divides-and-gaps/?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=photo-spot-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news" target="_blank">NYTimes]

The GOP is scrambling to find candidates for House Speaker, but few with the potential to lead actually want the job. [http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/10/12/kevin-mccarthy-speaker-of-the-house-fallon-colbert-jost-snl-punchlines/73820560/" target="_blank">USAToday]

-> After probes of Planned Parenthood, Rep. Jason Chaffetz said he found no financial wrongdoing. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jason-chaffetz-planned-parenthood-funding_5616ed01e4b0dbb8000de134" target="_blank">HuffPost]

-> Two campus shootings on Friday in Texas and Arizona left two dead and four injured. [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/10/us/campus-shootings-texas-arizona.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes]

-> Donald Trump received a cease and desist letter from Aerosmith's Steven Tyler about his use of the song "Dream On" for his campaign. [http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/aerosmith-warns-donald-trump-over-dream-on-use-20151011" target="_blank">RollingStone]

-> After some called John Kasich the Jon Huntsman of the 2016 presidential race, the man himself said Kasich is "a better candidate." [http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/10/12/jon-huntsman-talks-john-kasich.html" target="_blank">ColumbusDispatch]

Where are they?

  • Gov. Gary https://twitter.com/GovHerbert" target="_blank">Herbert participates in the National Association of State Chief Information Officers annual conference, the Multicultural Youth Leadership Summit and a National Security Conference with Rep. Chris Stewart. He also welcomes Juan Carlos Pinzón, ambassador of Colombia.
  • Lt. Gov. Spencer https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox" target="_blank">Cox assembles for the Multicultural Youth Leadership Summit, an Economic Development Corporation of Utah Board of Directors meeting and a budget development meeting.
  • SLC Mayor Ralph https://twitter.com/beckerformayor" target="_blank">Becker attends a meeting with North Branch Mayor Kirsten Kennedy and the Salt Lake City Council.
  • SL Co. Mayor Ben https://twitter.com/MayorBenMcAdams" target="_blank">McAdams holds meetings with Clark Planetarium board chair Tom Beckett, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah executive committee and the County Council.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama hears the daily briefing and meets with Attorney General Loretta Lynch.
  • 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]

    — Matt Canham and Mariah Noble

    http://www.Twitter.com/mattcanham" target="_blank">Twitter.com/mattcanham and https://twitter.com/mnoblenews" target="_blank">Twitter.com/mnoblenews