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GOP congressman: 'Slim' chance House impeaches Obama. Paul Mero steps down from Sutherland. Audit questions UTA-developer deal.
Happy Wednesday. Most Republicans in Congress have been careful not to say they want to impeach President Barack Obama while Democrats continue to raise the specter that the GOP would do so. Now a Republican congressman says there's a "slim" chance the House will do so but that it would cost the party its chances in taking back the Senate. Texas Rep. Kenny Marchant says its possible to see impeachment proceedings but, "that doesn't mean it should be done." [Buzzfeed]
Topping the news: The lawyer who helped legalize same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, the first state to do so, will help fight Utah's same-sex marriage ban. [Trib]
-> The Sutherland Institute in Utah asked its president, Paul Mero, to step down after 14 years after a long-simmering dispute. [Trib][DNews][Fox13]
-> The Utah Transit Authority "prepaid" a developer $10 million to construct a parking garage – that he never built – just after making a deal benefiting a UTA board member, and the agency never got all the money back. [Trib][DNews][Fox13] **Corrected from previous post**
-> Ever try to wrangle 22 grandchildren for a family photo? Mitt and Ann Romney, and their kids, did so this week and you can catch the fun moment in this video. [Politix]
Tweet of the day: From @emiliescribbles: "Pros of listening online to #utleg meetings: really comfy seat; can make faces. Cons: totally losing audio during a tech failure."
In other news: Liquor store patrons in Utah want extended hours and more craft beer selections, according to an in-house survey. [Trib]
-> Paul Rolly reports Salt Lake City's Rotary Club was surprised when AG Sean Reyes turned down an offer to appear before the group. Democrat Charles Stormont, who is running to take Reyes seat, gladly took the invite. [Trib]
-> Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox helped direct traffic at Terra Linda Elemntary in West Jordan in an effort to warn drivers to drive cautiously now that schools are back in session. [Trib]
-> The Sandy City Council unanimously voted to repeal current firearm laws that restrict the carrying of guns in public places. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley offers his take on why corporations are royalty, not just people. [Trib]
-> An audit of Utah's Fund of Funds shows that the agency overstated its investment returns and downplayed its costs. [Trib]
-> Allstate insurance has released a report stating that, according to claims filed with the company, Salt Lake City drivers are below average when it comes to good driving. [Trib]
-> Utah has been awarded an extra month to file an appeal on a federal judge's ruling to award same-sex marriages spousal benefits. [Trib][DNews]
-> A Weber County dairy has had its license suspended after 45 people got sick from drinking the dairy's raw milk. [Trib]
-> Salt Lake County is in search of a developer to take on the job of a downtown megahotel, which will need to be in close proximity to the Salt Palace Convention Center. [Trib]
Nationally: President Barack Obama and his administration have decided not to work with Bashar al-Assad, president of Syria, and the Syrian government when launching U.S. airstrikes against Islamic militants within the country. [WaPost]
-> Obama has vowed to dispel the threat of ISIS slowly, but surely. [Examiner][Politico]
-> Burger King Worldwide Inc. is now moving its headquarters to Canada after buying Tim Hortons Inc. in, what many believe to be, an effort to pay less in corporate taxes. [WSJ]
-> A long-term cease fire between Israel and Hamas has finally been reached after seven weeks of turmoil. [NYTimes][WSJ][LATimes]
Where are they?
Rep. Jason Chaffetz tapes an interview on KUED and visits with the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
Gov. Gary Herbert discusses Tier 3 fuel and meets with Rhosby Barker, congresswoman from the State of Chiapas, Mexico. He ends his night at the Centenarian celebration.
Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox tours Sanpete County with Sen. Mike Lee.
SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams hits the Ski Utah Board meeting, talks with South Salt Lake Mayor Cherie Wood, attends the Stanley Cup event at the Utah State Capitol, and welcomes all to the Sundance Outdoor Screening at the Red Butte Amphitheatre.
SLC Mayor Ralph Becker joins a conference call with National League of Cities Executive Director Clarence Anthony, gets updated on the Capitol City Education plan, stops by the Economic Development Loan Fund kick off event, and ends his day at Beers with Becker Event at O'Shucks-Ahh Sushi!.
President Barack Obama meets with members of the his economic team and senior advisors to receive an update on the economy.
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [Trib]
— Thomas Burr and Mallory Jesperson Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/JespersonM