This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Mormon faith drives Mitt Romney's possible 3rd run. Your guide to the Utah Legislature's General Session. Education, energy, clean air top Utahns' issues.
Happy Monday, and welcome to the 2015 General Session of the Utah Legislature. We've got plenty of coverage below on what to expect, who the biggest players are and, if you'd like to get involved, how to reach your lawmakers. But first, an interesting story out of the New York Times this morning detailing how Mitt Romney's potential third run at the White House is "inextricably tied" to his Mormon beliefs and "to his sense of service and patriotism, and a facet of his life that he is determined to embrace more openly in a possible third campaign." [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/26/us/politics/romneys-consideration-of-candidacy-is-closely-tied-to-his-faith-allies-say.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes]
Topping the news: The 2015 session of the Utah Legislature convened today. Hot issues on the table will include Medicaid expansion, firing squads, daylight saving time, education and air quality. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2097177-155/medicaid-firing-squads-things-to" target="_blank">AP] [http://fox13now.com/2015/01/25/democratic-republican-party-chairmen-discuss-upcoming-legislative-session-in-utah/" target="_blank">Fox13] [http://www.heraldextra.com/what-to-expect-in-the-upcoming-utah-state-legislature/collection_c68cccee-ab67-5bfd-923d-882891113f10.html" target="_blank">Herald] [http://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/local/2015/01/24/legislature-meets-monday/22297843/" target="_blank">Spectrum]
-> Investing in eduction, developing the state's energy resources, salary hikes for teachers and improving air quality and mass transit are the top items Utahns want to see state lawmakers tackle this session, a new poll shows. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4609-poll-what-do-utahns-want-lawmakers-to-focus-on-during-2015-session" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> The Utah County Republican Party voted overwhelmingly on Saturday to oppose effort to expand Medicaid and Gov. Herbert's Healthy Utah plan. Republican leaders in the House and Senate have also voiced serious concerns about the long-term costs of the governor's plan. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2097371-155/utah-county-gop-votes-to-oppose" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Greg Hughes grew up fighting his way through school as his single mother struggled to pay the bills. One would have never guessed that tomorrow he would be sworn in as Utah's next speaker of the House. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2084832-155/greg-hughes-incoming-house-speaker-scraps?fullpage=1" target="_blank">Trib]
Tweet of the day: From @https://twitter.com/EWErickson" target="_blank">EWErickson "I watched the Palin speech. Out of respect for the former governor I offer no comment on it."
-> From @https://twitter.com/pourmecoffee" target="_blank">pourmecoffee "This should catch you up on 2016 GOP field: Is [candidate] running? -> Yes"
Tune in: Is waste-to-energy coming to Utah? Navitus Sustainable Industries CEO Heidi Thorn, HEAL Utah's Matt Pacenza and Tribune environment editor Rebecca Walsh join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about pyrolysis technology and a proposal to turn Sandy City's trash into electricity. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m. MTon http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.
Opinion: Pat Bagley offers his take on the connection between Disneyland and infectious diseases. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2094448-155/bagley-cartoon-immune-to-reason" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Paul Rolly points out that many of the negative predictions Republicans made about President Barack Obama when he started his term have proven to be dead wrong. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2089035-155/rolly-lee-other-gop-predictors-were?page=2" target="_blank">Trib]
-> A group of University of Utah students, staff and faculty in the college of social work condemn recent law enforcement shootings in places like Ferguson and Saratoga Springs. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2097118-155/op-ed-we-will-not-be-silent" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Rev. Tom Goldsmith and Dr. Biran Moench discuss citizens' responsibility to work together for clean air. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2085110-155/op-ed-we-have-a-moral-imperative" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Economic consultant Dean C. Dinas touts Utah's business sphere and the work of the Governor's Office of Economic Development. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2089758-155/op-ed-utahs-track-record-shows-goed?fullpage=1" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Heber City resident Karen Schwartz-Clover opposes the Utah law that protected the person who shot her two dogs a mile from her home. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2089984-155/op-ed-our-dogs-were-legally-shot" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Rep. Brian S. King, D-Salt Lake City, says Utah is making a mistake by not participating in Medicaid expansion. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2085060-155/op-ed-medicaid-healthy-utah-and-frail" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Ordain Women-supporter and active member of the LDS Church April Young Bennett hopes Ordain Women supporters will be met with love in their LDS congregations. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2085109-155/op-ed-ordain-women-supporters-are-worthy" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Utahns for Alternatives to the Death Penalty member Ralph Dellapiana voices his opposition to reinstating the firing squad in Utah. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2093141-155/op-ed-dont-return-utah-to-dark" target="_blank">Trib]
-> General Manager of Giant Bicycles Elysa Walk and president of the International Mountain Bicycling Association Mike Van Abel voice the importance of balancing recreation opportunities on public lands and the responsible development of oil and gas drilling. [http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2093169-155/op-ed-moabs-future-requires-balance-of" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Utah engineer Ron Clegg speaks of Utah's need for a primary seat belt law. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620342/Primary-seat-belt-law-will-save-lives.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Trade policy specialist Kent Jones looks forward to what he predicts could be a booming trade between the U.S. and Cuba. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620346/Anticipating-the-forthcoming-US-Cuba-trade-boom.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Former Sen. Bob Bennett says that Obama's State of the Union was a great campaign speech but does little for setting the stage for the next two years. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620385/Obamas-State-of-the-Union-address-had-plenty-of-style-little-stage-setting.html" target="_blank">DNews]
From Capitol Hill: Utah House and Senate leaders agree that something needs to be done about the state's gas tax, but they are divided on what that is. Reform or raise? [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2084871-155/raise-utahs-gas-tax-or-reform" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620368/Lawmakers-looking-to-pump-up-gas-tax-this-session.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/230375-state-polls-show-lack-of-support-for-gas-tax-hike" target="_blank">Hill]
-> The Deseret News offers six legislative topics to watch for this year that are important to Utah families: education, money, health, rights, responsibility and vote. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620227/Legislative-priorities—What-matters-to-Utah-families.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Hundreds attended the funeral of former Utah Speaker Becky Lockhart on Friday at an LDS chapel. But while she was remembered at her memorial service the day before as the "Iron Lady," those at her funeral spoke only of her loving heart. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2094315-155/becky-lockharts-family-honors-her-as" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.ksl.com/?nid=147&sid=33214168" target="_blank">KSL] [http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/becky-lockhart-remembered-as-loving-wife-and-mothe/17579/AOV59L7MfEeGvVD68tC3hw" target="_blank">ABC4] [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/provo/lockhart-eulogized-as-woman-of-good-heart-noble-deeds-faith/article_306ba6c1-8f6a-546a-9210-87c43f7a5f52.html" target="_blank">Herald]
-> Although the relocation of the Utah State Prison is a hot issue, lawmakers say they don't expect to reach a decision anytime in the near future. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620366/New-prison-site-not-expected-to-be-named-during-2015-session.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> House Minority Whip Rebecca Chavez-Houck sits down with Utah Policy's Bryan Schott to talk about Medicaid expansion and education funding. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4610-previewing-the-2015-utah-legislature-rep-rebecca-chavez-houck-video" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> A Utah Legislature is sponsoring a new bill that would make it illegal for a professional tattoo parlor to give a tattoo to someone under the age of 18. It is currently legal with parental consent. [http://www.kutv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/New-legislation-would-prohibit-tattooing-of-persons-under-18-71228.shtml#.VMW6ysahl4V" target="_blank">KUTV]
-> Aside from Obama's new free community college plan, Utah higher education leaders are asking state lawmakers for more than $337 million to help colleges and universities meet their goals. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620308/Higher-education-leaders-seek-337-million-in-state-funding.html" target="_blank">DNews] Less than half of Utah's college freshman graduate within six years of starting college, due to problems such as a lack of preparedness and tuition costs. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620281/Helping-students-climb-the-mountain-of-higher-education.html?pg=1" target="_blank">DNews]
-> In addition, lawmakers are looking for new ways to fund Utah's K-12 schools amid ever-increasing enrollment. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620303/Are-you-willing-to-pay-more-for-your-childs-education.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Other similar bills that will appear in the coming legislative session include one prohibiting anyone under 19 from entering a tobacco store and one raising the minimum age of tobacco sales from 19 to 21. [http://www.kutv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Legislation-would-ban-persons-under-19-from-entering-smoke-shops-71222.shtml#.VMXBAsahl4V" target="_blank">Trib]
-> And the list you've all been waiting for: here is the name and contact information for each one of Utah's lawmakers to get you through the next year. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2085514-155/how-to-contact-your-utah-lawmakers?page=3" target="_blank">Trib]
Weekend in review: After falling for years, the number of deaths on Utah's highways jumped 16 percent in 2014, with most of the fatalities being motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2093335-155/after-falling-for-years-utah-highway" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/report-traffic-fatalities-up-percent-in-utah-in/article_100f0b00-426a-5034-a1ad-3e18a0cc8228.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://fox13now.com/2015/01/23/officials-fatalities-increased-on-utah-highways-in-2014-many-could-have-been-prevented-by-seat-belt/" target="_blank">FOX13] [http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1180&sid=33212750" target="_blank">KSL]
-> Utah's Rep. Rob Bishop is pushing a measure through Congress that would allow the border patrol to ignore environmental laws within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico line, arguing it'll make it easier for them to stop border crossers and drug traffickers. [http://www.sltrib.com/home/2093507-155/utahs-rep-bishop-pushes-gop-bill" target="_blank">Trib]
-> Former Congressman Jim Matheson was honored by the Utah Democratic party on Saturday with a lifetime achievement award. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620338/Former-Congressman-Jim-Matheson-honored-at-Democratic-fundraiser.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Twitter can be a great way to engage with your political audience but also offers some dangerous risks. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4607-twitter-and-politics-it-s-risky-but-riskier-to-ignore" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]
-> A Parent Leadership and Empowerment Conference at Granite School District on Saturday emphasized the importance of parents' involvement in their children's education. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620327/Parent-empowerment-and-leadership-conference-urges-parental-involvement-in-school.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, spoke at the Iowa Freedom Summit on Saturday afternoon and urged attendants to pick a true conservative as their presidential nominee. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620319/Sen-Mike-Lee-urges-conservative-Republicans-to-select-principled-positive-and-proven.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> More than 120 people from 43 different countries were sworn in as new American citizens on Friday at the U.S. District Courthouse in Salt Lake City. [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620273/122-immigrants-refugees-from-43-countries-become-citizens-of-a-land-of-dreams.html" target="_blank">DNews]
-> Marc Sessions Jenson testified in his fraud case on Friday, pointing a finger at Utah's former Attorney General Mark Shurtleff. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/2089157-155/defense-attorney-alleged-fraud-victims-blamed" target="_blank">Trib] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620287/Marc-Jensons-testimony-in-fraud-case-describes-dealings-with-former-AG-Shurtleff.html" target="_blank">DNews] [http://www.standard.net/Courts/2015/01/24/Defendant-testifies-about-dealings-with-former-Utah-AG-1.html" target="_blank">AP]
Nationally: Obama yesterday announced a new proposal to set aside and protect more than 12 million acres of Alaskan wilderness from oil drilling. The move has sparked anger from Alaskan Republicans who see it as a slam on their economy. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/01/25/obama-administration-to-propose-new-wilderness-protections-in-arctic-refuge-alaska-republicans-declare-war/" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765667114/Obama-to-seek-wilderness-designation-for-Alaska-refuge.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/01/25/obama-seeks-wilderness-designation-for-alaska-refuge-sets-up-battle-with-gop/" target="_blank">FOX] [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/25/obama-alaksa-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-lisa-murkowski-dan-sullivan/22312741/" target="_blank">USAToday] [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/barack-obama-anwr-alaska-oil-114574.html" target="_blank">Politico] [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/26/us/politics/obama-to-seek-to-protect-millions-of-acres-of-arctic-habitat.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes]
-> Obama met with over 200 mayors at the White House on Friday, including SLC Mayor Ralph Becker, to try to earn support for his domestic policies. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/president-seeks-mayors-support-for-domestic-agenda/2015/01/23/58281f12-a333-11e4-b146-577832eafcb4_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost] [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/23/obama-mayors-middle-class-economics/22241859/" target="_blank">USAToday] [http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/23/fact-sheet-president-obama-hosts-over-200-mayors-across-country-white-ho" target="_blank">WhiteHouse]
-> A federal judge Sunday put a two-week stay on the decision to strike down Alabama's laws banning gay marriage. [http://news.yahoo.com/federal-judge-stays-ala-gay-marriage-ruling-014522443.html" target="_blank">AP] [http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/same-sex-marriage-hold-temporarily-alabama-judge-n293326" target="_blank">NBC] [http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-24/alabama-gay-marriage-ban-thrown-out-as-harmful-to-children-1-.html" target="_blank">Bloomberg] [http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2015/01/federal_judge_puts_same-sex_ma.html" target="_blank">AL]
Where are they?
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com" target="_blank">cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [http://www.sltrib.com/pages/email" target="_blank">Trib]
— Thomas Burr and Erica Palmer
https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr and https://twitter.com/erica_palmer">Twitter.com/erica_palmer