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Inauguration day. Sen. Mike Lee drops the 'elect.' Huntsman 2012?
Happy Monday. In a few hours, Sen.-elect Mike Lee will officially join the U.S. Senate and Sen. Bob Bennett will head into the ex-senators club. Wednesday marks the ceremonial swearing in for Lee and Utah's House members, but the Constitution says all newly elected members take over at noon today.
Likewise, Gov. Gary Herbert and Lt. Gov. Greg Bell take the oath of office today at the state Capitol at noon Mountain Time.
Salt Lake County's new and returning elected officials are getting an earlier start on taking their oaths of office, starting at 9 a.m. Mountain Time in the County Council chambers.
Topping the news: U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman Jr. tells Newsweek he may consider leaving his job this spring and doesn't rule out a potential presidential campaign. [Newsweek] [Trib] [ChiTrib] [DNews] An Atlantic writer speculates this story may be more about playing up Huntsman's ability to negotiate with Chinese leaders. [Atlantic]
-> Lee appears on his first major Sunday talk show and says he's willing to buck party leaders to push a mandate from voters to cut spending. [Trib]
-> Lee notes that even with new tea party members of Congress, progress on conservative issues may be slow. [NYTimes]
-> Lee is named one of the senators to watch this session. [TheHill]
-> The American Spectator brushes off the firebrand hype of incoming tea party candidates, including Lee. [Spectator]
-> Rep. Jason Chaffetz tells Politico his 2011 wish is, "No jail time." [Politico]
-> Sen. Kit Bond, who as Missouri governor in the 1970s repealed the Mormon extermination order, leaves government service and notes that LDS faithful still thank him. [Trib]
-> SLC Mayor Ralph Becker will run for re-election -- and his chances look pretty good right now. [Trib] [AP]
Must read: The Trib's Judy Fahys takes a look at the continued fallout of uranium mining on Navajos in southeastern Utah. [Trib]
Today's news: Under proposed legislation, it appears the number of Utah's liquor license is expected to stay put. [Trib]
-> In light of the idea of naming a state gun, Paul Rolly suggests a few other state symbols to recognize. [Trib]
-> DNews lists its Top 10 political stories of 2010. [DNews]
-> Take a look at governors' inaugurations past. [DNews]
Immigration: Continuing The Trib's series on immigration myths and facts, a look at whether undocumented workers cost more to the system than they put in. [Trib]
-> The Trib also looks at whether undocumented children are a burden on Utah schools. [Trib]
-> The LA Times looks at the divergent opinions on immigration, specifically that of Rep. Stephen Sandstrom and Tony Yapias. [LATimes]
-> A single, compromise immigration bill may emerge this session. [KSL]
Tweet of the day: Awww: From @OrrinHatch on Friday: "I know it's a day early but I'm looking forward to the New Year with Utah's great new Senator Mike Lee."
Out of Context catchup: Robert Gehrke asks our fans what the biggest political story of 2010 was, and the winner is the fall of Bennett and rise of Lee. [Trib]
Opinion section: Rolly takes a look at the race to fill the Utah Republican Party chairmanship between Thomas Wright and Dave Duncan. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley's take on wading through red ink into the new year. [Trib]
-> Business consultant Breck England says Rep. Rob Bishop's push for a repeal amendment is more about corporate donors. [Trib] Meanwhile, a Georgetown law professor calls it an alternative protest for when the federal government overreaches. [WashExaminer]
-> Black Diamond CEO Peter Metcalf notes how much outdoor recreation on public lands contributes to the national economy. [Trib]
-> Uintah Basin Standard editor slams Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's new "wild lands" policy decision, saying it will hurt his region terribly. [Standard]
-> LaVarr Webb and Frank Pignanelli discuss new year's resolutions for Utah politicos. [DNews]
Where are they?
Weekend in review: State lawmakers may have an easier time assembling the state budget this year but there will still be difficult decisions. [Herald]
-> BYU's Joel Campbell says Utah government agencies don't make it easy to access public records. [Trib]
-> Outgoing Utah County Commissioner Steve White says he was a victim of the tea party but he has no regrets. [Trib]
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-- Thomas Burr
Twitter.com/thomaswburr
