Situational awareness - February 12, 2018

Someone is trying to set up Utah lawmakers to catch them in a compromising situation

By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor

Utah lawmakers beware! There's an active effort to entrap you in a compromising situation.

The Utah Legislature was rocked this week by the scandalous revelation that former Rep. Jon Stanard met a prostitute twice for sex last year. Now, UtahPolicy.com has learned there may be an active effort to catch other lawmakers in a similar situation.

Read more...

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Situational awareness - February 12, 2018

Good Monday morning from Salt Lake City.

Week four of the Utah Legislature gets underway. Lawmakers want to look at whether the feds are paying the state fairly for public lands. Will the Jon Stanard sex scandal affect Republicans at the ballot box in November? President Trump will unveil his $4 trillion budget proposal on Monday.

Tick Tock:

• 24 days until the final day of the 2018 Utah Legislature (3/8/2018)
• 25 days until the filing period for candidates in the 2018 election opens (3/9/2018)
• 31 days until the filing deadline for the 2018 elections (3/15/2018)
• 36 days until the statewide caucus meetings for Utah Republicans and Democrats (3/20/2018)
• 68 days until the Utah GOP State Convention (4/21/2018)
• 75 days until the Utah Democratic State Convention (4/28/2018)
• 134 days until the 2018 Primary Election (6/26/2018)
• 266 days until the 2018 midterm elections (11/6/2018)
• 350 days until the first day of the 2019 Utah Legislature (1/28/2019)
• 996 days until the 2020 presidential election (11/3/2020)

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Here's what's driving the day:

Are the feds paying Utah enough for public lands?

Rep. Ken Ivory wants to study whether the payments Utah gets from the federal government are enough to cover the actual costs. He thinks the state may be owed billions more [Utah Policy].

Streamlining the process on Capitol Hill

Sen. Jake Anderegg wants to stop some of the shenanigans his colleagues pull at the end of a legislative session [Utah Policy].

Stanard scandal probably won't affect whether GOP holds his seat

The sex scandal that forced Jon Stanard from office probably won't give Democrats a shot at picking up the seat in November [Utah Policy].

A Capitol Hill "honeypot"?

We told you first on Friday that lawmakers are worried that they may be the target of someone trying to put them in a compromising situation following a weird encounter at a Salt Lake City hotel [Utah Policy]. 

Should lawmakers back away from a controversial abortion bill?

Our "Political Insiders" are divided along partisan lines over whether the Utah Legislature should move forward with a controversial anti-abortion bill [Utah Policy].

Entrepreneur jumps into CD2 race

John Sittner, who founded Ancestry.com, filed papers with the FEC to run for Utah's 2nd Congressional District seat as an independent [Utah Policy].

Other Utah headlines:

• The Utah House passed a right-to-try bill that would allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis but rejected a measure to allow the Utah Department of Agriculture to oversee the growing of cannabis in the state [Deseret News, Tribune].
   
• House Republicans want to boost teacher pay next year, but their Senate counterparts aren't sure they have the money [Deseret News].
   
• A House committee rejected a bill to ban hand-held devices while driving [Tribune].
   
• Vandals painted a pro-Bears Ears message on the Utah Capitol over the weekend [Deseret News].
   
• Rep. John Curtis filed his intent to run for re-election on the GOP ticket. He will pursue the nomination through the convention and signature-gathering routes [Deseret News].
   
• Salt Lake City's bid to host another Olympic games will not be stopped if the US Olympic Committee decides not to pursue the 2026 Winter Games [Deseret News].
   
• Even if Salt Lake City decides to bid for another Winter Games, the city does not have a dedicated Olympic Park, and the Hoberman Arch is in pieces [Tribune].
   
• UDOT has to pay Target $2 million because a highway interchange in American Fork made it difficult for motorists to exit the store [Tribune].

National headlines:

• President Donald Trump will unveil his $4 trillion budget on Monday. The proposal gives up on the longtime Republican goal of eliminating the deficit in 10 years [Washington Post].
   
• Trump's budget proposal includes drastic cuts to domestic programs while massive spending boosts for the military [Politico].
   
• President Trump will also take the wraps off his $1.5 trillion infrastructure spending plan, which encourages cities and states to invest in road and bridge projects [New York Times].
   
• The next big battle in Congress will be over immigration. The Senate is set to begin floor debate on the issue this week [CNN]. 
   
• Since Trump took office, immigration enforcement officers have dramatically increased the number of immigrants they've detained who have no prior criminal convictions [Washington Post].
   
• EPA head Scott Pruitt is spending lavishly on first-class travel and hotels according to a review of EPA records. For example, a recent trip to Europe for Pruitt and his top aides cost taxpayers $90,000, which is far more than what it cost for other staffers on the same trip [Washington Post].
   
• The fallout from the Rob Porter resignation is roiling the White House and raising speculation whether chief of staff John Kelly is on the chopping block over his handling of the scandal [New York Times].
   
• Employers are opting to give employees one-time bonuses instead of wages, which is hurting wage growth. Now, those one-time payments account for a larger percentage of employee compensation budgets than wage increases [New York Times].
   
• The Trump Administration wants to turn the International Space Station into a commercially run venture. The administration is proposing to end spending on the station by 2024, turning the station over to the private sector following that [Washington Post].
   
• Amazon is launching their own package-delivery service to compete with FedEx and UPS [Business Insider].
   
• The New York AG filed a lawsuit over the sale of the Weinstein Company, saying the proceeds from the sale should benefit the women Harvey Weinstein is accused of sexually harassing. The lawsuit alleges a "toxic environment for women" who worked at the firm [New York Times].

On this day in history:

• 1541 - Santiago, Chile was founded.
   
• 1733 - Englishman James Oglethorpe founds Georgia, the 13th American Colony, and its first city at Savannah.
   
• 1915 - The first stone of the Lincoln Memorial is put into place in Washington, D.C. 
   
• 1963 - Construction begins on the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.
   
• 1999 - President Bill Clinton is acquitted by the United States Senate in his impeachment trial.
   
• 2004 - The city of San Francisco begins issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in response to a directive from Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Today At Utah Policy

Stanard sex scandal likely won't hurt Republicans in HD62
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Will the bombshell resignation of Republican Jon Stanard last week put HD62 in play for Democrats this year? Don't count on it....

Sittner jumps into 2nd Congressional District race
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
John Sittner, the founder of Ancestry.com, has filed paperwork to run for Congress as an independent candidate in Utah's 2nd CD....

Should lawmakers back away from possibly unconstitutional abortion bill? Our 'Political Insiders' are divided
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
An election year abortion bill is stoking controversy on Utah's Capitol Hill this session. ...

Guest opinion: Medicaid 'work mandate' is misguided policy
By Ryan Jensen
 The current administration has made numerous changes to health care policy, and some affect Utah....

Utah lawmakers may try to see if the feds are really paying their fair share for federal lands
By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor
Every year, the federal government pays Utah counties what's known as PILT "payment in lieu of taxes" for the federal land in their area that is not subject to property taxes....

Someone may be trying to set up Utah lawmakers to catch them in a compromising situation (Updated)
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Utah lawmakers beware! There may be an active effort to entrap you in a compromising situation....

Anderegg wants to stop his colleagues from 'playing games' with legislation during the last days of a session
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Veteran lawmakers have developed some tricks to get around legislative rules to push through controversial or complicated legislation. One Senator says it's time for that to stop....

Policy News

Gov. Herbert meets with Ryan Zinke, Secretary of the Interior
Friday morning, Gov. Gary R. Herbert met with Ryan Zinke, Secretary of the Department of the Interior....

NRA applauds Sec. Zinke's move to conserve wildlife populations
The National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action applauded Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's Order to enhance big game migration corridors....

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

Op-ed: Investing in infrastructure must include investing in technology - and partnering with Silicon Slopes companies is a good place to start

Op-ed: How do Utah lawmakers sleep at night, knowing medical marijuana could help so many people

Editorial: Squaring the circle of tax reform

Utah lawmaker's resignation over claims he solicited sex complicates a proposed overhaul for the state's technical colleges

Trump's Interior Secretary announces wildlife initiative with hunting benefits, as protesters in Salt Lake City slam his public-lands policies

Utah support for proposed Medicaid expansion initiative holds steady, with two-thirds in favor

Taxpayers paid for hotel stays allegedly used by Rep. Jon Stanard for tryst with prostitute

Utah lawmakers fearing manufactured scandals after strange woman came to a senator's hotel room and said 'I'm your date'

Net safety program that trains Utah students at risk in attorney general budget cuts

The Utah House voted on two bills to legalize medical marijuana. Both needed to pass. One didn't.

A ban on hand-held cellphone use while driving? The public, highway patrol, PTA and insurers want it. Lawmakers reject it in first hearing.

Utah employers were accused of a lot more discrimination and retaliation in 2017

Gehrke: One intern's story, and recent headlines, prove that Utah's Capitol is in need of a major cultural shift

Deseret News

Patricia Jones: Good leaders help organizations cope with change

Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: Legislative highs and lows, Romney's run and city/state intrigue

Op-ed: Drug importation legislation is a poison pill for Utah patients, not a panacea

Editorial: Defeat the noncompete bill - it will hurt the people it seeks to help

Another SLC Olympic bid would be slowed but not stopped if USOC doesn't seek 2026 Games

Hopes too high for teacher pay raises? 'There isn't the money everyone thinks there is,' Senate leader says

Alleged 'entrapment' attempt has Utah lawmakers on 'high alert'

Utah House passes right-to-try bill, rejects cannabis growing, dispensing measure

Interior Secretary Zinke issues order on big game migration corridors

Resolution advances permitting EnergySolutions application for landfill in Tooele County

Resolution OKed urging repeal that could help Puerto Rico

Support for the death penalty waning in Utah, study says

Utah Lake, wild horses, grazing, river dispute angle for lawmakers' attention

'Personal park'? South Salt Lake leaders question neighborhood's exclusive access to city land

Forward thinking or blowing smoke? Sides deeply at odds over cannabis research bill one year later

Frustrated residents by homeless resource site still waiting for buyout offers

Vandals leave message supporting Bears Ears at Capitol

Other

Editorial: Utah County can no longer limp along with only three commissioners (Daily Herald)

Utah businesses, legislators work towards better air quality (Daily Herald)

Bill calls on USU Extension to create jobs in rural Utah counties (Logan Herald Journal)

Summit County contemplates role in future bid for Winter Olympics (Park Record)

Mexico's top man in Utah impressed with Park City (Park Record)

National Headlines

Three Democrats Attended Private Dinner With Iran's President And Louis Farrakhan (Daily Caller)

Democrats ought to worry about the midterm elections (FOX News)

Free speech on campus: Some students want schools to limit what's said (Orlando Sentinel)

The woke police have ruined entertainment (New York Post)

US wants to privatize International Space Station (AFP)

Rand Paul revels in role of Senate troublemaker (The Hill)

Former Obama campaign manager says 'all public pollsters should be shot' (FOX News)

Peeling back the layers of Hillary Clinton's deceit (New York Post)

Immigration to Get Freewheeling Debate in the Senate (Wall Street Journal)

Israel warns over Iran's presence in Syria after air strikes (AFP)

The Fed is officially in a nail-biting showdown with Wall Street (Business Insider)

Wise Words

Leadership

"No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it." Andrew Carnegie
 

Lighter Side

No Worries

"In San Diego, a Girl Scout is in trouble for selling cookies outside a legal weed dispensary. However, the girl isn't worried, because she is now worth $200 million." Conan O'Brien