Former President George W. Bush apparently jokes that Donald Trump makes him “look pretty good” by comparison. Building contractors in Utah worry that Trump’s proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum would slow growth. Gov. Gary Herbert is less than enthusiastic about naming a Utah highway after Trump.
Happy Wednesday. Former President George W. Bush apparently jokes that he looks “pretty good” compared with President Donald Trump. While that’s certainly more reserved than what his father has said — former President George H.W. Bush wrote in his book that Trump is “a blowhard” and he doesn’t like him — the younger Bush questions why the current White House administration can’t get its act together, according to a Republican source. “Sorta makes me look pretty good, doesn't it?” [TheHill]
Topping the news: Building contractors and manufacturers in Utah worry that President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum could slow construction in the state. [Trib]
-> Gov. Gary Herbert supports a compromise between lawmakers and Our Schools Now to drop a ballot initiative and fund education with property and gas taxes. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Herbert also said he believes it is “a little premature” to name a Utah highway after Trump as one state lawmaker has proposed. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Utah tribal leaders are asking for a position on the governor’s cabinet to have more of a voice in state government. Their request comes three months after Trump downsized the former Bears Ears National Monument against the wishes of the five tribes that sought the designation. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @ConanOBrien: “There’s too much news now. I just found out about the new aluminum tariff from my Snapple cap.”
-> From @HayesBrown: “even after all of these interviews, i get the feeling that we’re just getting the tip of the nunberg”
-> From @FattMernandez: ”Sam Nunberg is the last straw. I’m not learning anyone else’s name from this administration. I only had to learn nine names for the whole Wu Tang Clan and they’ve been around since ’93.”
Happy Birthday: To Taylorsville CFO Scott Harrington.
In other news: A last-minute guerrilla lobbying campaign at the Capitol is targeting supporters of HB205 — a bill that would criminalize doctors who perform abortions if the sole reason was Down syndrome — alleging that the bill is a waste of taxpayer money. [Trib]
-> The House passed a bill that would rename and restructure the Utah Transit Authority. [Trib]
-> The Senate gave preliminary approval to a pair of bills that would allow terminally ill patients to try medicinal marijuana products in the last six months of their lives. [Trib] [DNews] [ABC4]
-> The Senate also approved a bill that would require women seeking an abortion to undergo an information module that discourages the procedure. [Trib]
-> The House unanimously approved a bill that would allow Tesla to begin selling cars at its own dealership in Utah. [Trib]
-> The House also passed a bill that would create a delay for successful ballot initiatives, giving the Legislature time to make changes before they are enacted. [Trib]
-> The $3.6 billion redesign for the Salt Lake City International Airport is on track to be open and running in 2020. [DNews]
-> Pat Bagley shows legislators sticking to their guns. [Trib]
-> Paul Rolly breaks down Sen. Orrin Hatch’s recent attack on Obamacare supporters. [Trib]
Nationally: President Donald Trump’s top economic adviser resigned on Tuesday, citing disagreements concerning trade policy and the proposed tariffs. [WaPost]
-> Trump mocked the Oscars’ ratings in a tweet Tuesday morning and joked that he was one of the country’s last few stars. [Politico]
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— Courtney Tanner and Eric Baker
Follow @sltribpolitics