Holly in the House. Hatch, Lee differ on amendment. Utah part of new White House push.

Happy Monday. We hope everyone is ready for week two of the legislative session. Congrats to Holly Richardson who, pending the formal appointment by Gov. Gary Herbert, will take over for ex-Rep. Craig Frank, representing House District 57. Swearing in tentatively planned for today. [Trib] [DNews] [KSL] [ABC4] [Fox13]

Topping the news: The White House expects U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman Jr. to leave his post and mount a presidential bid. [Politico]

-> The White House will announce this morning that Utah will be included in a new "Startup America" initiative as part of President Barack Obama's push for entrepreneurship and innovation. The new Techstars Network is aimed at boosting success for 6,000 entrepreneurs in 15 regions, including Salt Lake City. More details to come later.

-> Despite rhetoric on the Hill, a majority of Utahns are against a proposed open-carry law. [Trib]

-> And three-fourths of Utahns also want an independent redistricting commission but it isn't likely to happen. [Trib]

-> As part of budget cuts, 100 social service programs could face some decreases. [Trib]

Today's news: Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee have different proposals to amend the Constitution to require a balanced budget, though Lee seeks a steeper cut and doesn't include a majority-vote opt-out for war. [Trib]

-> Meanwhile, Lee says he'll filibuster any vote to increase the debt ceiling unless a vote on the balanced budget amendement is part of the deal. [TheHill]

-> Herbert is none to pleased with the feds, but he isn't calling for an all out war against Washington. [DNews]

-> Sen. Ben McAdams proposes a law making it a steeper crime for person to use "undue influence" to exploit someone, i.e. deceiving a senior out of money. [DNews]

-> Paul Rolly finds some humor at the Legislature, though the idea of roasting Sen. Chris Butters causes a bit of an uproar. [Trib]

2012 watch: A bad sign for Mitt Romney in that 2008 supporters aren't on board yet. [Politico] On a personal note, congrats to Romney and wife, Ann, on their 16th grandchild, Sawyer Romney. [Twitpic]

Facebook status of the day: From Ben McAdams: "To the person who mistakenly used my cell phone number in your online classified ad, I have numerous voicemails from applicants who, not only can drive well, but can also pass a drug test."

Opinion section: The aptly named Steven Gunn, a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Center in Utah, argues the open carry law puts police in danger. [Trib]

-> The extremist attending caucuses makes voters irrelevant says Bill Miller. [Trib]

-> Rolly: A power grab on Capitol Hill could mean more state boards under the Legislature's purview. [Trib]

-> Peg McEntee says Utah politicians have provided a load of satire. [Trib]

-> Pat Bagley's take on Wall Street, politics and the financial crisis. [Trib]

-> Joel Campbell says there's a little sunshine creep up at the state Capitol. [Trib]

-> Tribune managing editor Terry Orme describes the vital public service our reporters at the Legislature provide. [Trib]

-> Frank Pignanelli and LaVarr Webb take turns looking at the State of the Union and State of the State speeches. [DNews]

-> A public administration graduate student suggests compromise in fixing the health care reform law. [Trib]

Happy birthday: to state Sen. Pat Jones.

Out of Context catchup: Our column from this weekend looks at the tea party's mixed messages about Hatch. [Trib]

Where are they?

• Gov. Gary Herbert has yet to release a public schedule.
• SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon hosts a Cabinet meeting.
• SLC Mayor Ralph Becker has a briefing on the public safety building, meets with state Sen. Lyle Hillyard, then jumps on a conference call with Chevron about the troublesome pipeline. He finishes his day with meetings with representatives of the Dixie National Forest and Kennecott.
  
• WVC Mayor Mike Winder attends meetings at the Capitol for the League of Cities Legislative Policy Committee.
• President Barack Obama receives his daily briefing and meets with advisers in the Oval Office.

Weekend in review: To some, Utah's picturesque Book Cliffs are in danger thanks to oil and gas development. [Trib]

-> Topping Salt Lake City's agenda this year: Lighting and open space. [Trib]

-> Herbert asks the executive director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality to also be his energy adviser after his former adviser resigns. [Trib]

-> The feds gave Chevron approval to start its pipeline, but Becker wants the company to hold off. [Trib]

-> Utah Latinos hold one of a series of meetings about potential immigration reform bills. [KSL]

-> The DNews, as part of its series looking at the paper's new governing board, profiles former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt. [DNews]

Sports break: Michael Vick's pit bulls are making a slow recovery in Utah's Best Friends Animal Shelter. [DNews]

From Utah's Capitol Hill: Sen. John Valentine is preparing another revamp to Utah's liquor laws that could expand restaurant licenses and allow hotel room service to deliver a single drink, instead of an entire bottle. [Trib] [DNews] [Herald]

-> Utah lawmakers are taking aim at the federal government's land management policies. [AP]

-> It appears there's a lack of votes to pass an anti-affirmative action Constitutional Amendment. [ABC4]

-> A look at the Satirical Twitter account aimed at Rep. Oda's feral animal bill. [DNews][@UTferalcat]

-> Prison officials warn that they would have to release 850 inmates and cut 175 jobs if the Legislature sticks to a 7 percent budget cut. [Trib]

-> Panel agrees to preliminary list of 100 cuts in social services, including the closure of a Medicaid clinic and reduced domestic violence investigations. [Trib]

-> State superintendent gets an email suggesting schools can make money by putting Sen. Chris Buttars in an oven and having a bake sale. [Herald]

-> Legislature may eliminate the state's Office of Ethnic Affairs as part of budget cuts. [Trib]

-> State court officials identify 10 courthouses that could be closed to cut cash. [Trib]

-> Despite money concerns, the House agrees to $1.7 million plan allowing USU to create a vet program with Washington State U. [Trib] [DNews]

Bill Updates: HB202: A House committee signed off on a bill that would reduce death penalty appeals. [Trib]

-> HB52: House passes bill that would extend the statute of limitations on some crimes. [Trib]

-> SB36: Senate votes unanimously to change Utah's concealed-weapon permit law, making out of states get a permit in their own state first. [Trib] [DNews]

-> SB35: Senate passes bill to stop disreputable construction companies from declaring workers owners instead of employees. [Trib] [DNews]

-> HB34: House votes to require UDOT to get the permission of the Transportation Commission on any legal settlement costing $100,000 or more, a fallout of a scandal last year. [Trib] [DNews]

-> HB72: A House member attempts to boost tax the sale of unprepared food to the rate it was three years ago. [Trib]

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com.

-- Thomas Burr and Matt Canham
Twitter.com/thomaswburr
Twitter.com/mattcanham