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Political Cornflakes: Another showdown over Dreamers is coming to Congress

The Capitol Dome at sunrise, Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, in Washington. The Senate is ready for a showdown debate over immigration, including whether to protect young "Dreamers" from deportation, in an election-year battle that's sure to electrify both parties' most fervent voters and could well end in stalemate. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Another showdown over Dreamers is coming to Congress. Dabakis to retire. Herbert unveils task force to prevent teen suicide.

Happy Wednesday. We told you. Another showdown is coming in Congress over protection for the Dreamers. The House and Senate have until March 23 to pass a $1.3 trillion spending bill and it could be the last chance for Democrats to push for protection for immigrants who came to the country as children and Republicans to push for building a border wall. [Politico]

Topping the news: Salt Lake City Sen. Jim Dabakis announced that he will not run for re-election in November, citing his belief that state lawmakers should not stay in their seats for too long. [Trib] [DNews] [ABC4] [KUTV]

-> Gov. Herbert’s Teen Suicide Prevention Task Force presented a list of recommendations on Tuesday that focused on crisis response, reducing risk factors and protective measures. [Trib] [DNews] [Fox13]

-> Rep. John Curtis, who previously helped run a company that designed shooting ranges, says after the latest mass shooting “we can and must provide solutions.” [Trib]

Tweets of the day: From @MEPFuller: “Newsrooms: Where everyone knows when and what the President just tweeted without the usual ‘You see what Trump just tweeted?’ preface.”

-> From @kashanacauley: “It’s amazing that the right thinks Soros is funding high school student protests when no one in this country is willing to fund anything related to our high schools.”

-> From @BecketAdams: “Now, wait a minute. It was just last month that I saw a lot of you cheering on the teens at the March for Life. Now you’re telling me teenagers are too young and stupid to have a position on the Second Amendment? Come on now.”

-> From @gilbertjasono: “Are high schoolers unqualified to discuss complicated policy issues? Up next we debate the issue with Ted Nugent and the father from Duck Dynasty”

Happy Birthday: To former state Rep. Laura Black and Sen. Orrin Hatch’s state director, Melanie Bowen.

In other news: House Speaker Greg Hughes revealed emails and correspondences that he had received alleging that Utah TV stations have been silencing their employees from speaking out against noncompete clauses. [Trib]

-> Lawmakers continue to debate removing the death penalty from Utah, and some conservative legislators are flipping sides. [Trib] [DNews] [KUTV] [KSL]

-> The House approved a bill that would eliminate state sales tax on food. The bill will now go the the Senate for a vote. [Trib] [DNews]

-> Even with the crackdown on Utah’s DUI laws, a newly proposed bill would make it legal to use a weapon in self-defense at home while intoxicated. The alcohol lobby is labeling this as hypocritical. [Trib]

-> Shooting survivor Deserae Turner banged the gavel to open the Utah House of Representatives on Tuesday morning and also released 25 doves on the Capitol steps as a symbol of hope for the future. [KSL]

-> According to social calendars obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune, at least 71 groups have enticed state lawmakers with 74 events and receptions that included food in 2018 alone. [Trib]

-> A new bill would require lobbyists to participate in an annual workplace harassment course. [Trib] [DNews]

-> West Valley City has appointed a female interim police chief, making the city one of only a few in Utah that have a woman overseeing a police force. [Trib] [ABC4] [KUTV] [Fox13]

-> Models at New York Fashion Week sported new styles that showcase Utahns and their fight to preserve national monuments. [Trib]

-> Robert Gehrke points out that Utah needs to make changes if it wants to keep “The Greatest Snow on Earth.” [Trib]

Nationally: Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — the location of last week’s deadly school shooting — traveled to Florida’s state capitol to advocate for gun reform. [NYTimes]

-> President Donald Trump ordered the Justice Department on Tuesday to propose a ban on bump stocks, devices that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire at a higher rate. [NYTimes] [WaPost]

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— Thomas Burr and Eric Baker

Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/ebaker44