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Rubio shoots down the idea of a unity ticket with Cruz. Legislature puts aside $4.5M for public lands lawsuit. Stewart says Trump is 'our Mussolini.'
Happy Thursday. And welcome to the last day of the Utah Legislature's General Session. You've survived thus far, what's another few hours? Plenty of legislative news below but first on the presidential scene:
-> Sen. Marco Rubio shot down the idea that he'd join with Senate colleague Ted Cruz on a unity ticket in order to block Donald Trump's continue rise toward the GOP nomination. "I think that's kind of House of Cards stuff," the Florida senator said. "It looks good on TV, it doesn't ever work that way." [<a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-gop-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/03/marco-rubio-house-of-cards-220530"; target="_blank">Politico</a>]
<strong>Topping the news: </strong>Utah lawmakers set aside $4.5 million in the budget for a potential lawsuit to take control of public lands. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3641356-155/legislature-sets-aside-funds-for-lawsuit"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] You can see the rest of the budget here. [<a href="http://fox13now.com/2016/03/09/see-what-the-utah-state-legislature-is-spending-your-money-on/"; target="_blank">Fox13</a>]
-> Utah Sen. Mike Lee began negotiations to drop his objection to sending federal money to help with the Flint, Michigan water crisis. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3640474-155/sen-mike-lee-in-talks-over"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/272410-senators-closing-in-on-flint-aid-deal"; target="_blank">TheHill</a>]
-> The widow of LaVoy Finicum says she will sue Oregon authorities for killing her husband during the Oregon standoff. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3639303-155/jeanette-finicum-says-she-will-sue"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://fox13now.com/2016/03/09/lavoy-finicum-widow-to-file-lawsuit-against-oregon-authorities/"; target="_blank">Fox13</a>] His family says a video showing his death proves that FBI officials assassinated him. [<a href="http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/finicum-family-angered-by-newly-released-video"; target="_blank">ABC4</a>]
-> Matt Canham explains how Utah voters can caucus on March 22 for their presidential choice. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3639379-155/how-to-vote-in-utahs-gop"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> Rep. Chris Stewart told a crowd at the U. that Donald Trump is "our Mussolini." [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3641643-155/rep-chris-stewart-compares-donald-trump"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
<strong>Tweets of the day: </strong>From <a href="https://twitter.com/BjaminWood">@bjaminwood</a>: "I feel like we could avoid a lot of these questions during floor debate if lawmakers would just read the newspaper."
From<a href="https://twitter.com/tripgabriel"; target="_blank"> @Tripgabriel:</a> "Clinton's support for path for citizenship vs. Trump's mass deportation. It's going to be Godzilla vs Mothra folks."
From @<a href="http://www.twitter.com/pourmecoffee"; target="_blank">pourmecoffee</a>: "Calendar really favors Rubio now, in the sense that there isn't an election today."
From <a href="https://twitter.com/DSORennie"; target="_blank">@DSOReannie: </a> "If you're a moderate Republican appalled by Trump, Clinton's not making it easy for you to defect tonight. She is talking straight to the Dem base."
<strong>Happy Birthday: </strong>To Tribune editor and publisher Terry Orme and our friend Todd Sims.
<strong>Tune in: </strong>Utah Republican Party chair James Evans and Tribune investigative reporter Matt Canham join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about caucus night and the upcoming GOP debate in Salt Lake City. Watch Trib Talk live at <span class="aBn"><span class="aQJ">12:15 p.m. MT</span></span> on <a href="http://sltrib.com/"; target="_blank">sltrib.com</a>.
<strong>From Capitol Hill:</strong> A bill to funnel transportion money to water projects cleared final passage in the Legislature<strong>. </strong>[<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3641316-155/controversial-bill-that-taps-utah-transportation"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865649708/House-lands-on-water-fund-compromise.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]
-> A watered down version of a controversial non-compete bill passed the Legislative. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3641037-155/senate-approves-watered-down-bill-on-non-compete"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865649717/Utah-lawmakers-pass-controversial-bill-on-noncompete-contracts.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>] [<a href="http://kutv.com/news/local/compromise-non-compete-bill-passes-utah-senate"; target="_blank">KUTV</a>]
-> A bill aimed at fixing Utah's troubled public defender system is on its way to the governor. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3639321-155/utah-lawmakers-pass-a-bill-to"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> Lawmakers unveiled a compromise in the water, transportion and education funding fight. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3639978-155/compromise-unveiled-for-school-water-transportation-funding-fight"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> A proposal to put tighter regulations on payday lenders is on its way to the governor. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3640906-155/new-payday-loan-regulations-receive-final"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> A deal to make a legislative fix to SB54 died on Tuesday night after much planning. [<a href="http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/8785-Bryan%20Schott%20and%20Bob%20Bernick" target="_blank">UtahPolicy</a>]
-> The Senate approved the study of gun-related suicides. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3639446-155/senate-approves-study-of-gun-related-suicides"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> The Senate passed a plan to allow liquor tasting at distilleries. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3640485-155/bill-passes-to-allow-utah-distilleries"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> A bill to require parents to watch a video before receiving a vaccination exemption was amended yet again before passing the Senate. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3639595-155/utah-senate-loosens-requirements-for-vaccine"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> A plan to lessen penalties for parents of truant children passed the House. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3639685-155/utah-house-approves-lesser-penalties-for"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://kuer.org/post/lawmakers-pass-bill-lowering-penalty-parents-truant-students"; target="_blank">KUER</a>]
-> Drive-through liquor sales may be banned in Utah soon. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3641240-155/no-drive-through-liquor-sales"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> The House approved a measure to provide incentives for refineries that burn cleaner fuel. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3640472-155/house-approves-tax-incentive-for-cleaner"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> Utah Democrats said they will continue to push for full Medicaid expansion. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865649702/Utah-Democrats-upset-over-Medicaid-vow-to-continue-to-push-for-full-expansion.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>] [<a href="http://kuer.org/post/democrats-not-giving-full-medicaid-expansion-utah"; target="_blank">KUER</a>]
-> A plan for the state to develop electronic driver licenses passed the Senate. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3640757-155/senate-approves-measure-to-look-into"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> The Senate approved a compromise between school districts and charter schools over funding. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3639778-155/senate-approves-charter-funding-compromise"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> "Hamilton," the smash hit Broadway musical, might be the only thing Sen. Jim Dabakis and Rep. Ken Ivory agree on. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3640406-155/utahs-far-right-and-far-left"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> A proposal to ease billboard restrictions on scenic byways passed the Senate. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3640358-155/bills-passes-to-ease-restrictions-on"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> Late Tuesday night, a House committee approved a plan to mandate cities to allow homeless shelters to operate year-long. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865649654/Push-for-year2round-homeless-shelter-in-Midvale-raises-concerns.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]
-> Utah lawmakers will ask Congress to pay back $1 million for money used to keep the national parks in the state open during the 2013 government shutdown. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3640258-155/utah-to-congress-you-owe-us"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> The House gave final passage to a measure that would legalize an illegal sign. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3640608-155/renegade-sign-gets-special-dispensation-from"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> A bill to approve $9.5 million dollars to help homelessness is own its way to the governor. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865649706/Historic-step-toward-solving-Utahs-homeless-problem.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]
-> The GOP voted to give themselves the majority on a key legislative committee. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3641603-155/gop-votes-to-give-itself-majority"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
-> A bill that would give county law enforcement more power in conflicts with federal land regulators passed the Senate. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3639272-155/bill-on-public-land-law-enforcement-awaits"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
<strong>In other news: </strong>A mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Clearfield Job Corps, claiming it was responsible for the death of her daughter. [<a href="http://www.standard.net/Courts/2016/03/08/Lawsuit-claims-wrongful-death-of-teen-attending-Clearfield-Job-Corps-Center.html"; target="_blank">StandEx</a>] [<a href="http://kutv.com/news/local/suit-claims-wrongful-death-of-clearfield-job-corps-student"; target="_blank">APviaKUTV</a>]
-> A school bus driver in Utah county was arrested for DUI. [<a href="http://kutv.com/news/local/utah-county-bus-driver-transporting-special-needs-children-arrested-for-dui-police-say"; target="_blank">KUTV</a>] [<a href="http://fox13now.com/2016/03/08/school-bus-driver-arrested-on-suspicion-of-dui-in-saratoga-springs/"; target="_blank">Fox13</a>]
-> The state filed charges against Citadel Security, claiming the company is operating illegally in the state. [<a href="http://kutv.com/news/local/state-files-charges-against-security-company-following-2news-investigation"; target="_blank">KUTV</a>]
-> Utah Transit Authority outlined its plan to spend Proposition 1 money in Davis and Weber counties. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3641201-155/uta-announces-how-it-will-spend"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865649677/UTA-proposing-improvements-in-Davis-Weber-Tooele-counties.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]
-> Some residents worry that Rep. Rob Bishop's public lands initiative may thwart the Bluff River Trail in San Juan County. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3601847-155/bluff-locals-seek-to-connect-town"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
 
-> A witness for the defense turned the tables on Jeremy Johnson in his fraud trial on Wednesday. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3639648-155/he-darn-near-destroyed-my-company"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
<strong>Nationally: </strong>After a surprise win in Michigan, Sen. Bernie Sanders faced Hillary Clinton in a debate<span style="color: #000000;">. [<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democratic-debate-in-miami-clinton-sanders-face-off-after-michigan-surprise/2016/03/09/92b73322-e601-11e5-b0fd-073d5930a7b7_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_no-name%3Ahomepage%2Fstory" target="_blank">WaPost</a>] [<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/live/2016-democrats-debate-in-miami/?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news"; target="_blank">NYTimes</a>]</span>
-> The Republican National Committee sued the State Department for Clinton's aides' email. [<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-03-09/republican-national-committee-sues-for-clinton-aides-e-mails"; target="_blank">Bloomberg</a>]
-> Some GOP donors fearing a Trump general election loss is inevitable are focused on maintaining control of the Senate. [<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/donald-trump-lobbyists-congress-220424"; target="_blank">Politico</a>]
-> The GOP establishment is growing more comfortable with the idea of Sen. Ted Cruz as the nominee. [<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/gop-establishment-starts-to-accept-ted-cruz-220474"; target="_blank">Politico</a>]
-> Sen. Marco Rubio said he "embarrassed himself to his kids" with his attacks on front-runner Donald Trump. [<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rubio-trump-attacks_us_56e0a80ce4b0b25c9180b680"; target="_blank">HuffPost</a>] [<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/inside-rubios-collapse-a-fateful-decision-that-helped-unravel-his-campaign/2016/03/09/2581e17e-e617-11e5-bc08-3e03a5b41910_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories_rubio-collapse-745pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory" target="_blank">WaPost</a>]
-> Rep. Chris Stewart said Trump is "our Mussolini." [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3641643-155/rep-chris-stewart-compares-donald-trump"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/natemcdermott/utah-republican-on-trump-hes-our-mussolini#.fg1kxJLBj"; target="_blank">BuzzFeed</a>]
<strong>Where are they?</strong>
<ul>
<li>Rep. Chris <a href="https://twitter.com/RepChrisStewart"; target="_blank"><strong>Stewart</strong></a> speaks to a class at Bountiful High School, meets with the president of Snow College and holds a town hall meeting in Ephraim.</li>
<li>Gov. Gary <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/GovHerbert"; target="_blank">Herbert</a> </strong>talks with legislators and reporters.</li>
<li>Lt. Gov. Spencer <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox"; target="_blank">Cox</a></strong> sits down with Belgium Ambassador John Verbeke and legislators.</li>
<li>State Auditor John <strong><a href="http://twitter.com/FrugalDougall"; target="_blank">Dougall</a> </strong>meets with the Kane County commission chairman, hits a State Board of Education meeting and celebrates the end of the legislative session.</li>
<li>President Barack <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama"; target="_blank">Obama</a></strong> sits down with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, they hold a joint press conference.</li>
</ul>
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at <a href="mailto:cornflakes@sltrib.com" target="_blank">cornflakes@sltrib.com</a>. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/pages/email"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]
— Thomas Burr and Michael Anderson
<a title="Thomas Burr" href="https://twitter.com/thomaswburr"; target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/MKrusenews"; target="_blank">Twitter.com/mkrusenews</a>
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