Email cornflakes@sltrib.com to subscribe.
Utahns say Gingrich is complicated. Romney uses Chaffetz to lure tea party. Another Utah County lawmaker is calling it quits.
Happy Tuesday. If you are interested in money in politics, then this is the day for you. Presidential candidates will be disclosing how much they raised at the end of 2011 and so will the secretive super PACs. Time to tally the million dollar donations. Also don't forget that polls open today in the Florida presidential primary.
Topping the news: Utah's former House members — Enid Mickelsen, Chris Cannon and Merrill Cook — have mixed feelings about Newt Gingrich, a "ferociously intelligent" man who is "never uncomplicated." [Trib]
-> Rep. Jason Chaffetz has been one of Mitt Romney's most prominent campaign surrogates and he seemed almost amused with his recent clashes with Newt Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond. [Trib]
Happy Birthday: To state Sen. Pat Jones.
Tweet of the day: From @kurtbestor: "For the love of Steve Jobs can someone help me stream the #utleg.?I cannot make it work with my Mac. Do I need 2 file a GRAMA request?"
Spotted: Former House Speaker and current 2nd District GOP candidate Dave Clark had some swanky courtside seats for the Utah Jazz win over the Blazers last night.
In other news: A Vietnam veteran is preparing to run as a Democrat against Chaffetz in the 3rd District, giving birth to "an election that you guys in Utah have never seen." [Trib]
-> After losing a ballot initiative by a mere five votes, South Salt Lake City leaders are trying to regroup and find a cheaper way to buy the old Granite High School. [Trib]
-> Salt Lake County Council member Randy Horiuchi is making some improvements after suffering from a stroke. He's healthy enough to watch some Jazz games, according to his wife. [Trib]
-> Peg McEntee goes after Sen. Mike Lee for his plan to stand in the way of President Barack Obama's nominees. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley suggests a novel way the LDS Church may be communicating its thoughts to the Legislature. [Trib]
2012 watch: Romney continues to blast Gingrich as Florida Republicans prepare to go to the polls. [NYTimes] [LATimes]
-> Romney holds a 14-point lead in the Sunshine State according to a poll released Monday. [CNN] [WaPost] Additional polls show different results, but all predict a Romney win. [NYTimes]
-> If selected as the GOP nominee, Gingrich threatens to forgo debates with President Barack Obama if it's moderated by a member of the press. [NBC] [Politico]
-> Gingrich may stay in the race for months, but Romney says he'll eventually pull it out. [DNews]
-> Romney and Gringrich campaigns match their personalities, one is pragmatic one is epic. [WaPost]
-> Ron Paul's demands to strictly adhere to the Constitution have some Mormons casting their votes his way. [USNews]
-> Romney credits his surge in Florida for his aggressive push back against Gingrich. [APviaHerald]
-> Rick Santorum resumes his campaign as his daughter makes a "miraculous turnaround" in the hospital after developing pneumonia in both lungs. [AP] [NBC] [ABCNews]
-> Santorum's main financial backer doesn't plan on stopping the cash flow any time soon, saying he likes the presidential candidate's authenticity. [WSJ]
-> Not forgetting the promise he made last week, Santorum said he plans to release four years of his tax returns he gathered from his home over the weekend. [Fox13]
-> A new Gingrich ad suggests that Obama is headed down the same path as Fidel Castro. [WaPost]
The Session: Rep. Mike Morley is the latest Utah County Republican to say he won't be returning to the Legislature next year. [Trib]
-> A projected Utah budget surplus has lawmakers debating how to best use the extra dough, including a possible tax cuts. [StandardEx] [APviaMSN]
-> A bill passed through a House committee Monday that would make it crystal clear that gun owners can carry openly. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Republicans, normally the law and order party, are taking a cautious look at a Democratic proposal to crack down on tagging. [UtahPolicy] [DNews]
-> The Legislature is debating a change in the way Utah students are testing, moving to computer-adaptive tests that would change as a student gets smarter. [Trib]
-> Utah Highway Patrol snubs a move to allow drivers to have darker tinting on their front windows. [Trib]
-> One proposal would crack down on"immigration consultants," who Sen. Luz Robles says sometimes take advantage of immigrants. [DNews]
-> Lawmakers look at leveling the playing field for private golf courses by waiving taxes, a move that would help "equalize" competition with its government-owned counterparts. [Trib]
-> A West Jordan lawmaker introduces a bill that would require the feds to give the state control of Utah's public lands. [Fox13]
-> Utah lawmakers are shelving plans to privatize Medicaid applications after researchers released a report showing it wouldn't increase quality or save the state money. [Trib]
-> The LDS Church keeps mum about the ongoing debate over the liquor-control bill. [ABC4]
-> Democrats accuse Republicans of abusing their 80-24 majority in the state House to strip them of proper representation. [Trib]
-> Legislators fared better this year completing their online ethics training by deadline. [Trib]
-> Vehicle inspections would be a thing of the past under one bill. [DNews]
Where are they?
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com.
-- Matt Canham and Laura Schmitz
Twitter.com/mattcanham
