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Paul: 'Goons' blocked WWII vets from their memorial. Senate rejects Lee-Cruz plan. SL Co. finds money to help in the shutdown.
Happy Wednesday. What happens when a group of World War II vets come to Washington and find their memorial on the National Mall closed? Well, hell hath no fury. The Honor Flight group pushed through the barriers and visited the homage, but the situation has become a big talking point for federal lawmakers. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., says the administration went out of its way to close the memorials and even sent "goons" to block the way. [Politico] More on the shutdown below.
Topping the news: Two state lawmakers want to raise the smoking age in Utah to 21, matching the time when you can buy alcohol. [Trib]
-> Salt Lake City won a lawsuit over a reservoir but a mining company is also claiming victory. [Trib]
The shutdown: The Senate rejected a piecemeal budget plan pushed by by Sens. Ted Cruz and Mike Lee. The proposed plan would allow funding to National Parks and Veterans Affairs; Democrats and the White House considered the plan frivolous. [Trib] [WaPost]
-> Sen. Mike Lee says he is concerned about Utahns impacted by the shutdown and will continue to fight for them. Rep. Jim Matheson says Lee's plan is "an unrealistic strategy" and it's time for everyone in Washington to grow up and fund the government. [DNews]
-> The Salt Lake County Council came to the rescue and provided food vouchers for the county's neediest mothers and children when the Women, Infants and Children program was suspended by the shutdown. [Trib] [Fox13]
-> Rep. Jason Chaffetz is forgoing his paycheck until the shutdown is over, and other members of Utah's delegation are deciding which members of their staff are essential or not. [Trib] [KUTV]
-> Utah Republicans and Democrats can both agree on one thing, that all of Washington is to blame for the shutdown. [Trib]
-> Ask anyone in Washington who is at fault for the federal shutdown and they'll say it was the other party's fault. Some GOP members are beginning to worry, though, it'll come back to haunt them. [Trib]
-> Civilian workers showed up to Hill Air Force Base to find out they've been officially furloughed during the shutdown. [KUTV] [Fox13]
-> Rangers at Utah's National Parks are shooing tourists away while the government shutters, many events and plans are being postponed or cancelled. [Trib] [DNews] [KUTV]
Tweet of the day: From @DamienFahey: "You're not going to believe this but everyone's uncle is giving away the solution to the government shut down on Facebook for free!!!"
In other news: The Utah Republican Party is $90,000 in debt and is asking for help to raise some cash. [Trib]
-> Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank slammed the alternative immigration bill, saying it would lead to racial profiling and cause Latino communities to distrust the police. [Trib]
-> The Tribune's editorial page says Obamacare deserves a chance to be tried out and researched by everyone. [Trib]
-> The Standard-Examiner says Sens. Ted Cruz and Mike Lee's strategy to "hijack Obamacare" is "reckless and, frankly, egomaniacal." [StandEx]
-> Pat Bagley is on his way to France and suggests folks keep an eye on our website to see how he's doing. [Trib]
-> A good portion of state lawmakers support the County My Vote effort, though may not be able to publicly because they're worried about repercussions. [UtahPolicy]
Nationally: The Affordable Care Act's website went live with over nearly 3 million hits in the opening day, though such high traffic did cause some glitches and delays. [WaPost] [NYTimes] [CNN]
-> A group of World War II veterans pushed through the metal barricade thwarting visitors to enter the World War II Memorial. [WaPost] [Politico] [CNN]
-> The Supreme Court next week will hear a challenge top the individual limit of campaign contributions. [NYTimes]
Where are they?
Gov. Gary Herbert hits a meeting of the Northern Utah Chamber of Commerce Coalition at Weber State's Davis Campus.
SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams sits down with Deputy Mayor Nichole Dunn and County CFO Darrin Casper.
SLC Mayor Ralph Becker speaks to the Bonneville Exchange Club, holds a UTA press event and attends a Sugar House Streetcar meeting.
WVC Mayor Mike Winder holds his monthly open door constituent meetings.
President Barack Obama meets with the Financial Services Forum and sits down with Secretary of the Treasury Lew.
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 Jordan Bailey Twitter.com/thomaswburr Twitter.com/thejordanbailey