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Inside the GOP filibuster plot. Chaffetz tours the border. Utah pushes for drone base.
Happy Tuesday. National Review takes a look at the planned filibuster Sen. Mike Lee and tea party pals are planning once the Senate returns to session next week. Lee has said he won't let gun-control legislation reach the floor:
-> "Their approach is carefully orchestrated, and they are operating on the premise that taking a principled constitutional stand with a little dramatic flair will rally people to their cause. Properly executed, they hope the upcoming filibuster will refocus the gun-control debate, which has been mired in technical details, on the meaning of the Second Amendment." [NRO]
Topping the news: Utah is competing against 37 other states to host one of six drone test sites, with the bid being pushed by the Governor's Office of Economic Development. [DNews]
-> With the House rumored to be close to getting an immigration deal together, Rep. Jason Chaffetz is touring the U.S.-Mexico border this week to beef up on the issue. [Trib]
Tweet of the day: From @daveweigel: "Watching VEEP promo DVD. In this alternate universe there's such a thing as 'the 9th district of Utah.'"
Happy birthday: To state auditor John Dougall, state Rep. Dana Layton and former state Rep. Julie Fisher.
Congrats: To Utah's newest federal judge, Robert Shelby, who was sworn in Friday at the Moss Courthouse. Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee were present at the investiture. Photo: [IMGUR]
In other news: Boy Scouts of America rejected an application from the Utah Pride Center to assemble a 10-scout troop comprised of boys who left the organization over the long-time ban on gay scouts and leaders. [Trib] [APviaHerald]
-> Salt Lake City is rolling out a transportation plan for the Sugar House area that includes slashing car lanes, adding bike lanes and pedestrian areas and expanding a proposed Sugar House streetcar. [Trib]
-> A polygamist group in Bluffdale is asking a planning committee to reconsider zoning to allow a retirement community to be built. [Trib]
-> UTA commuters - some of whom completely rely on public transportation to get around - say they aren't happy about a large fare hike. [Trib]
-> Peg McEntee says that with the new UTA fare hike, taking public transportation to work isn't worth it for her, or for one of her colleagues. [Trib]
-> Hairspray and 88 other household chemicals may be in the Division of Air Quality's crosshairs, as the agency imposes a new set of regulations to try to clean up Utah's air.[DNews]
-> Utah ranked #1 on a national survey of digital education policies, trumping all other states in how technology is integrated into classrooms. [Trib]
-> Gov. Gary Herbert has until Midnight Tuesday to veto or sign bills. Will he ax anymore? [UtahPolicy]
-> Meanwhile, Pleasant Grove is experiencing tech troubles, with its website's domain name expiring at the end of last month. The city's "website guy" is reportedly "working on it." [Herald]
-> Tom Wharton says that it's not just federal employees that are concerned about sequester budget cuts - businesses surrounding Hill Air Force say they're starting to feel the effects, and are worried about what lies ahead. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley takes on Kim Jong Un's war plans. [Trib]
Nationally: Across the political spectrum, Democrats, independents and even Republicans all say the same thing about Republicans: they're inflexible. [Politico]
-> Despite an interest in guns and a history of supporting gun rights, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is slowly shifting to the left when it comes to tackling gun control issues in the Senate. [NYTimes]
-> It'll be awhile longer before Treasury Secretary Jack Lew's loopy signature will grace our currency - the recent appointee has yet to submit an official signature to be printed on bills and coins, and even then, the process takes about 18 weeks. [WaPost]
-> JFK's daughter Caroline Kennedy is headed to Tokyo to be U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joining a long list of high-profile Americans to lead the post. [WaPost] [Politico]
Where are they?
Rep. Jason Chaffetz tours the U.S.-Mexico border with border patrol agents in Yuma, Ariz.
Gov. Gary Herbert hits an Elephant Club luncheon and reviews bills.
Utah AG John Swallow has an executive meeting and meets with KV Pharmaceuticals.
SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams heads to the County Council meetings.
President Barack Obama meets with senior advisers, lunches with Vice President Joe Biden, meets with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, chats with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and hangs out with the cast and crew of "42" at the White House.
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [Trib]
— Thomas Burr and Emily AndrewsTwitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/emilytandrews