Treasury secretary finds it “funny” when Trump swears during campaign rallies. Utah senators blame lobbyists for controversial inland port proposal. It’s possible no Republican will be on the Utah ballot this year.
Happy Monday. During a rowdy rally in Pennsylvania this weekend, President Donald Trump swore, complimented dictators and mocked a Democratic lawmaker as having “a very low IQ.” His loyal treasury secretary described it all as “funny.” “He's using these vulgarities in the context of a campaign rally,” Steven Mnuchin said, in part, during an interview on NBC. [WaPost]
Topping the news: Three Utah senators lashed out at lobbyists over a controversial inland port proposal while Salt Lake City leaders denounced the plan and called for a veto. [Trib] [DNews]
-> The 2018 Utah Legislature had its fair share of winners and losers. Here is a brief breakdown of those who landed on top and those who came up short. [Trib]
-> With the failure of a bill in the last days of the legislative session, it’s possible there could be no Republicans on the Utah ballot this year. [Trib]
-> State Rep. Mike Noel, who’s famous for fighting the federal government over public lands, reportedly will retire. [Trib] [DNews]
Tweets of the day: From @aedwardslevy: “NIXON: You seem … happy today, sir. EISENHOWER: It’s my favorite day of the year, a day to acknowledge my heroics. NIXON: Sir, Veterans’ Day isn’t … EISENHOWER: Dwight-saving time. NIXON: I didn’t get enough sleep to deal with this.”
-> From @MonicaHesse: “So, the only Americans Kim Jong-un will have ever met are Donald Trump and Dennis Rodman.”
In other news: Over the span of the 45-day session, Utah lawmakers worked to expand much of their own power and influence. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Legislators also made several changes to the state tax code. Here is a summary of those bills and ballot measures. [Trib]
-> One of the biggest changes from this session was the approval of a massive overhaul of the Utah Transit Authority. [Trib] [DNews]
-> After debate, Utah lawmakers chose to keep the death penalty in place but also passed regulations that would require jail death reporting. [Trib]
-> Legislators also debated the transfer of public lands to the state and discussed several bills that promoted the oil, gas and mining industries. [Trib]
-> Environmentalists are calling the 2018 legislative session a success. [Trib]
-> Lawmakers took steps to pass some liquor laws in 2018 but did not approve any groundbreaking legislation. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley depicts the Democratic Party’s newest campaign strategy. [Trib]
-> Paul Rolly describes how a Utah native is being forced from his position at The Hague due to a U.S. term limit law. [Trib]
-> Frank Pignanelli and LaVarr Webb discuss what legislators said this session and what they actually meant. [DNews]
Nationally: Without hesitation, President Donald Trump accepted an invitation to meet with North Korean leaders to discuss nuclear arsenals. [NYTimes]
-> Trump hosted an energetic rally in a Pennsylvania congressional district that he won by 20 points in the 2016 presidential election and that might be in danger in the upcoming midterm elections. [NYTimes]
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— Courtney Tanner and Eric Baker
