About Utah Politics - March 13, 2014

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Thursday, March 13, 2014 - 8:00am

Local News Highlights: Daily Briefing

How to Sound Smart About Utah Politics - March 13, 2014

Final House report on John Swallow investigation says the former AG put a "for sale" sign on the office. Lawmakers put an extra $168 million into the public education budget. Senate Majority Leader Ralph Okerlund collapses from an apparent heart attack.

Countdown:

Today is the last day of the 2014 Legislature
Tomorrowthe Utah candidate filing period opens
5 days until the Utah Democratic Party caucus meetings
7 days until the Utah candidate filing period closes
7 days until the Utah GOP caucus meetings
43 days until the Utah State Republican and Democratic conventions
103 days until Utah's 2014 primary elections
236 days to the 2014 midterm elections
319 days to the start of the 2015 Utah Legislature
599 days to the 2015 elections
664 days until the 2016 Iowa Caucuses
970 days to the 2016 presidential election

Today's Utah political news highlights:

The Utah House releases their damning report of the investigation into former Attorney General John Swallow, saying he hung a veritable "for sale" sign on the office trading favors for cash [Utah Policy, Deseret News, Tribune].
The report also concludes Swallow may have broken 8 laws [Tribune].
The Senate approves two reform bills that sprung out of the investigation into Swallow [Tribune].
Lawmakers add $168 million in funding to the public education budget [Deseret News].
Senate Majority Leader Ralph Okerlund collapses during a meeting and is rushed to the hospital [Utah Policy, Tribune, Deseret News].
A bill providing incentives for a downtown Salt Lake City convention hotel wins final passage [Tribune, Deseret News].
Rep. Kraig Powell abandons his effort to remove the so-called "Zion Curtain" from Utah restaurants [Tribune].
The House gives a thumbs up to the creation of a commission to find a new home for the Utah prison [Tribune, Deseret News].
The Senate approves a proposal to expand a public/private partnership to provide more opportunities for at-risk children to attend preschool [Deseret News, Tribune].
A bill pushing for more transparency from USTAR is on the way to the governor's desk [Deseret News, Tribune].
The Senate approves a measure requiring all state and local agencies to educate employees on federalism [Tribune].
A judge hears arguments over Utah's decision to not recognize same-sex marriages performed following the ruling that Amendment 3 was unconstitutional [Deseret News, Tribune].

On this day in history:

1639 - New College was renamed Harvard College for John Harvard.
1781 - Astronomer Sir William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus.
1852 - "Uncle Sam" made his debut as a cartoon character in the New York Lantern.
1868 - The impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson began in the U.S. Senate.
1884 - Standard Time was adopted throughout the United States.
1901 - Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the United States died at the age of 67.
1906 - Suffragist Susan B. Anthony died.
1925 - Tennessee passed a bill prohibiting the teaching of evolution in public schools.
1930 - Clyde W. Tombaugh announced the discovery of the planet Pluto.
1938 - Defense attorney Clarance S. Darrow died at age 80.
2012 - The Encyclopaedia Britannica discontinued its print edition after 244 years.

Today At Utah Policy

Bryan Schott's Political BS: Nothing Beside Remains
He who laughs last, laughs best....

Investigation Says Swallow Hung a 'For Sale' Sign on AG's Office
Former Utah Attorney General John Swallow hung a "for sale" sign up on his door, and helped his friends and others who donated tens of thousands of dollars to his political campaign, the newly-released, $4 million report by a House special investigation committee concludes....

Senate Majority Leader Ralph Okerlund Rushed to Hospital (Updated)
State Sen. Ralph Okerlund had an apparent heart attack Wednesday afternoon during a joint leadership meeting....

Liljenquist Says He's Not Challenging Stewart
The Capitol rumor mill is rampant with speculation that Dan Liljenquist is gearing up to challenge Rep. Chris Stewart for the GOP nomination in 2014. According to Liljenquist, that couldn't be further from the truth....

Herbert Takes Swipe at Lockhart, Talks Budget, Medicaid
Scoreboard! It's clear Gov. Gary Herbert thinks he is coming out ahead of Speaker Becky Lockhart in the 2014 Legislative Session....

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