A partisan battle was smoothed over Wednesday after GOP lawmakers pushed, then backed off an amendment that would have stripped Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen's authority to choose the order of candidates on the ballot.

Republicans had amended House Bill 211 to take that power away from Swensen and grant it to the GOP-controlled County Council. They reversed the move after complaints by Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich.

The GOP senators did not hide that the move was partisan. Specifically, it was aimed at punishing Democrats for a series of scathing, last-minute campaign attacks against Republican candidates from the shadowy Truth In Politics political action committee.

Democratic Party Chairman Donald Dunn was tied to the group, but no link ever surfaced with Swensen.

-Thomas Burr

RAPE CRIMES

Time extended for bringing rapists to trial

Lawmakers on Wednesday extended the length of time someone can be tried on rape charges from four years to eight years as long as the alleged crime is reported within the first four years. Senate Bill 177 passed unanimously.

- Thomas Burr