Happy Tuesday! Republican and Democratic negotiators have come up with a deal they hope to sell to Congress that would avoid a shutdown come Friday, though it may not be one they can sell President Donald Trump. The new budget compromise would offer $1.3 billion for some border fencing but that’s way below the amount Trump has promised. Congress, though, isn’t wild about another shutdown and may pass the measure. [Politico]
Topping the news: Gov. Gary Herbert signed SB96 into law on Monday night, replacing voter-approved Proposition 3 with a partial Medicaid expansion. The Utah Senate had approved the bill earlier in the day with all six Democrats opposing the measure. [Trib] [DNews] [KUTV] [Fox13] [DNews] [KSL] [KUTV]
-> Lawmakers gave a standing ovation after the state House voted in favor of advancing a bill proposing to symbolically cut the slavery exemption out of Utah’s constitution. The bill was passed unanimously and awaits the Senate’s vote which will happen in the upcoming weeks. [Trib] [Fox13]
-> A petition has amassed more than 15,000 signatures calling for Utah legislators to make painted lines on roads more visible. [Trib] (Note: This item has been updated.)
Tweets of the day: @Acosta: “Trump sounded like he was managing expectations about his crowd size before heading off to El Paso: ‘I like the old days when I was allowed to make outdoor speeches. It was a lot easier because you could have very big crowds.’"
From @mkraju: “'Lock her up!' the crowd chants at Trump rally tonight, referring to Hillary Clinton, of course.'"
From @daveweigel: “It’s been 27 months since the 2016 election. It’s just 21 months until 2020.”
Happy Birthday: to Rep. Karen Kwan.
In other news: Tenants from 42 units in a Salt Lake City apartment building were ordered to evict their homes within 72 hours after a sweeping order issued by Salt Lake officials because the building was not up to code. [Trib] [Fox13] [DNews] [KSL] [KUTV]
-> For the first time in three years, gas prices along the Wasatch Front have dipped to less than $2 a gallon — a feat that has been credited to the frigid winter weather. [Trib]
-> Utahns are trying to help the homeless by advocating a campaign striving to raise $8 million dollars, a sum that could be doubled because of a grant by the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation. [Trib]
-> A white nationalist group protested immigration by hiking to the top of the University of Utah "U" on Saturday. [Trib]
-> Tribune columnist Robert Gehrke argues against some of San Juan County officials actions over the past couple of months. [Trib]
Nationally: Democrat and Republican negotiators reached a tentative compromise for the border wall just a few days before the Feb. 15 deadline arrived. The deal includes $1.375 billion allocated towards fencing, but will not be finalized until it passes through the Senate and House and is signed by President Trump. [NYTimes] [WaPost] [Politico]
-> Rep. Ilhan Omar, a freshman Democrat and one of the first two Muslim women to serve in Congress, apologized on Twitter for making a comment that both Democrat and Republican leaders condemned as anti-semitic. [NYTimes] [WaPost] [Politico]
-> Multiple women have announced their candidacy for the 2020 presidential race within the last few weeks, yet researchers have found that many voters are still reluctant to throw their support behind female candidates because of biases and double standards — few are willing to admit it. [NYTimes]
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-- Thomas Burr and Sahalie Donaldson