This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Chinese leaders love 'House of Cards.' House leaders don't want federal Medicaid money. Leavitt said anti-Count My Vote efforts infringe on voters' rights.
Happy Wednesday. "Frank Underwood - the scheming U.S. congressman in the Netflix drama 'House of Cards' - may be the most murderous, morally corrupt, conniving politician in Washington," The Washington Post reports. "And the Chinese can't get enough of him." It seems the new series has found a big following with top Communist leaders in China who like that the series shows an unflattering image of America's leaders. (But, hey, it's still a great show, right?) [WaPost]
Topping the news: House Republican leaders released a plan to cover uninsured Utahns without taking any federal money. [Trib] [DNews] [Herald] [KUTV] [ABC4]
-> Former Gov. Mike Leavitt said a Senate bill that would make the Count My Vote initiative moot is an attempt to infringe on the people's right to petition government. [Trib]
-> Legislation to help fund a convention center hotel unanimously passed a House committee. [Trib] [DNews] [APviaKUTV]
-> Gov. Gary Herbert said listing the sage-grouse as endangered could cost the state billions in economic development. [DNews] [KUER]
Tweet of the day: From @BenWinslow: "A group of elementary school kids just walked into the @utahsenate gallery. Try to stay awake, kids."
Happy Birthday: To former state Rep. Brent Wallis.
On the Hill: What sausage is up for grinding at the Capitol? Today's schedule [Trib]
-> The bill to make changes to Utah's caucus system, and preempt the Count My Vote initative, will hit the Senate floor Thursday. [Herald]
-> Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, is sponsoring a constitutional amendment to prohibit infringement of political parties' right to nominate candidates. [DNews]
-> U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart told lawmakers that immigration reform is not a top priority. [Trib] [DNews] [KUER]
-> A bill requiring local governments to us 10 percent of beer tax revenue on alcohol abuse prevention programs has been further diluted. [Trib]
-> Rep. Lee Perry, R-Perry, talks about his bill to change the definition of DUI on The Trib's "In Their Own Words." [Trib] The legislation was put on hold for further study. [Trib] [Fox13]
-> A House committee recommended that a bill to allow counties to purchase electricity from renewable sources be studied during the interim. [Trib]
-> A House committee held legislation to narrow the definition of "air contaminates." [Trib]
-> A House committee passed legislation limiting when and how police officers can execute search warrants. [Trib] [DNews] [Fox13]
-> The House approved a bill requiring law enforcement to take DNA samples from those arrested for felonies. [APviaHerald]
-> The Senate passed a proposal allowing petitions for children to be placed in protective custody if one parent is accused of killing another. [DNews]
-> Legislation passes the House to keep criminal charges that did not result in convictions off of background checks. [APviaKUTV]
-> Lawmakers advance two bills to make voter registration records more private. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Legislation giving a tax credit to parents who home school their children passed a House committee. [Trib]
-> A Senate committee advanced legislation allowing school employees to ask students if they're suicidal. [Trib]
-> The Senate moved ahead a proposal to put carbon monoxide detectors in all schools. [KUTV]
-> Opponents of Common Core education standards rallied at the Capitol. [Trib] [DNews]
-> The advocacy group Voices for Utah Children released a study showing which lawmakers' districts have the most residents who fall into the Medicaid coverage gap. [Trib]
-> Lawmakers are working on proposals to help children with autism. [KUER]
-> If lawmakers change the state tree, the National Arboretum may have to plant a quaking aspen in Washington. [Trib]
-> A lawmaker wants to privatize state-run golf courses. [DNews]
-> The Senate passed a bill allowing those over 12 years of age to try hunting with an experienced hunter before taking hunting education classes. [Trib]
-> Paul Rolly discusses legislative dealings with charter schools and Lincoln Day Dinner shenanigans. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley offers his take on where Utah lawmakers really get their wonderful gems. [Trib]
In other news: Utah Democrats are actively seeking out the Latino vote for their 2014 elections and trying to find ways to get more to turn out to the polls. [UtahPolicy]
-> Midvale City leaders have asked Ivory Homes not to close a mobile-home park in order to build high-rise apartments. [Trib]
-> Holladay City will vote on an anti-discrimination ordinance later this week. [Trib]
-> The Millard County Commission gave the go ahead for Utah's first utility-sized commercial solar plant. [DNews]
Nationally: The Congressional Budget Office reports that raising the minimum wage to $10.10/hour would increase the pay of 16.5 million low-wage workers and cost the jobs or around 500,000 workers. [WaPost]
-> President Barack Obama said the feds will raise fuel efficiency standards on medium and heavy-duty trucks. [WaPost]
-> Canvassers are going door to door trying to sign people up for the Affordable Care Act. [NYTimes]
Where are they?
Rep. Chris Stewart meets with constituents in Fillmore and St. George.
Gov. Gary Herbert meets with Democratic leaders, heads to his monthly news conference at KUED, meets with homeless advocate Pamela Atkinson, and hits the Freedom Foundation Hero Luncheon. Later he meets with Sen. Mike Lee and goes on Let Me Speak to the Governor.
Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox speaks to Uintah Basin Water.
SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams speaks to SL Co. Human Services Department managers meeting and meets with county staff.
SLC Mayor Ralph Becker goes to meetings with the airport advisory board, community liaisons and hits a budget preparation session.
President Barack Obama flies to Mexico hold meet with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The president later flies back to Washington.
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 Topher Webb Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/topherjwebb