Morning must reads for Friday, March 31, 2017

Local News Highlights: Daily Briefing

Morning must reads for Friday, March 31, 2017

Good Friday morning from Salt Lake City. Today is the 90th day of the year. There are 275 days remaining in 2017.

Most Utahns oppose lowering the DUI level to .05%. McAdams will pick a site for a new homeless shelter on Friday. Mike Flynn wants immunity for his testimony in the investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election. 

The clock:

• 50 days until the Utah Republican State Convention (5/20/2017)
• 78 days until the Utah Democratic State Convention at Weber State University (6/17/2017)
• 221 days until the 2017 municipal elections (11/7/2017)
• 297 days until the opening day of the 2018 Utah Legislature (1/22/2018)
• 342 days until the final day of the 2018 Utah Legislature (3/8/2018)
• 585 days until the 2018 midterm elections (11/6/2018)
• 1,313 days until the 2020 presidential election (11/3/2020)

Today's political TL; DR - 

• NEW POLL: A slim majority of Utahns oppose the lowering of the DUI threshold from .08 to .05%. The poll finds that "very active" Mormons support the move, but nearly every other religious group is opposed [Utah Policy].
   
• We help you understand what happened this week in Utah politics and why in just 15 minutes. Watch our week in review video to get smart fast [Utah Policy].
   
• LaVarr Webb blisters residents of Draper who are pushing back against a proposed homeless shelter in their city saying it's not Christian behavior [Utah Policy]. Bob Bernick also piles on Draper saying the move was shameful [Utah Policy].
   
• Rep. Jason Chaffetz signals he's ready to take a more aggressive stance toward investigating the White House and Donald Trump's administration [Utah Policy].
   
• Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams will name his top choice for a new homeless center on Friday [Deseret News, Tribune].
   
• Former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn offers to testify about the Trump's campaign's alleged ties to Russia in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Flynn's lawyer is seeking a deal from Congress and the FBI [Wall Street Journal].
  • Flashback: Last September Flynn told Chuck Todd "When you are given immunity, that means you have probably committed a crime [Real Clear Politics].
     
  • Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, who sits on the House intelligence committee, said of Flynn's offer, "Generally, innocent people don't seek immunity" [CNN].
     
• Three senior White House officials were involved in leaking intelligence files to House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes. The revelation furthers the speculation that the Trump administration is colluding with Nunes to quash the investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 election [Washington Post].
   
• Russia reportedly hired 1,000 internet trolls to help spread fake news about Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election [Huffington Post].
   
• President Donald Trump has declared war against the Freedom Caucus after the group of right-wing House members helped scuttle the Obamacare repeal bill last week. Trump has pledged to back primary challengers against the group in 2018 [The Hill].
   
• Rep. Jason Chaffetz has struggled to find his footing as Chairman of the House Oversight Committee ever since Donald Trump won the election instead of Hillary Clinton [Atlantic].
   
• Friday must read: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is becoming increasingly isolated from State Department employees as his management style is making career diplomats uneasy [Washington Post].
   
• Two Democratic Senators say they will vote to confirm Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. That means there are only six more Democratic votes needed to break a filibuster [Wall Street Journal]. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says it's "virtually impossible" to avoid a filibuster fight over Gorsuch's nomination next week [Washington Post].
   
• President Donald Trump will sign two executive orders on Friday to tackle the causes of the U.S. trade deficit with other nations [CNN].
   
• Salt Lake County Councilman Stan Penfold says he will not run for another term this year [Deseret News, Tribune].
   
• European Union officials say they will negotiate new trade deals with Britain only after the conditions for its exit from the alliance is finalized [New York Times].

On this day in history:

• 1492 - King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain issued an edict expelling Jews unwilling to convert to Christianity.
   
• 1968 - President Lyndon B. Johnson made a surprise announcement that he would not run for re-election.
   
• 1976 - The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that coma patient Karen Anne Quinlan could be disconnected from her respirator. (Quinlan remained comatose and died in 1985.)

Today At Utah Policy

Poll: A majority of Utahns oppose lowering DUI limit
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
A slim majority of Utahns oppose lowering the legal limit for driving under the influence from .08 to .05% according to a new UtahPolicy.com survey....

I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest and laid him on my couch to rest...Just not in Draper
By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor
I assume many individuals comprising the angry mob who screamed at and threatened their good-hearted mayor Wednesday night (and even shouted down a homeless man) will attend one of the dozens of LDS chapels in Draper in the near future....

Bob Bernick's notebook: Shame!
By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor
Shame.Shame.Shame....

Draper is a city with good, Christian values! Bernick and Schott on politics #322
By Bryan Schott and Bob Bernick
We're back after a week on vacation....

Podcast: Bernick and Schott on politics #322
By Bryan Schott and Bob Bernick
Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott run down the week in Utah politics....

Chaffetz signals he's ready to get more aggressive investigating the Trump administration
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, who has been roundly criticized for his reluctance to investigate the Trump White House, says that's about to change....

Weekly survey: Should Republicans go 'nuclear' to confirm Gorsuch?
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Democrats are attempting to block the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court with a filibuster. Should Republicans change the rules to break the filibuster and confirm Gorsuch? Vote now in our weekly survey....

Policy News

Casual Friday: Weekend Events & Outdoors Report
Outdoor Notes-- Tribune: Utah Hike of the Week: Lake Blanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon -- Tribune: Improbable collaboration shines light on Utah's glittering Crystal Ball Cave -- Tribune: Nevada Northern Railway gears up for 30th season and solar eclipse -- Tribune: Plenty of...

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

Editorial: Senate seat is not Hatch's to give away

Utahns give Herbert high marks; only Republicans and 'very active' Mormons approve of Legislature

Search homeless at shelter, keep out sex offenders, confiscate bikes - all part of sheriff's plan for Rio Grande

Rolly: Wasatch prosecutor warns Utah senators he's coming after them for sex-offender vote

Councilman Penfold says two terms is enough - won't seek re-election

Gehrke: What would the guy who couldn't find room at the inn think of our response to homeless shelters?

Mormon church turns to Hatch for bill to speed up missionary visas

Most Utahns don't know a homeless person, says poll. Could it help explain NIMBY view on shelters?

McAdams to announce his top choice for homeless center on Friday

Deseret News

Jay Evensen: Don't be fooled, Utah is still a dry desert

Op-ed: A Utah response to homelessness

Sen. Mike Lee: Don't give up on health care

Editorial: Praise for Utah in helping military veterans find jobs

Is Utah good for millennials?

Sheriff defends his 'harsh' plan to solve homelessness 'crisis'

Man understands plight of homeless and says somebody has to speak up

Congress to consider water rights settlement between Utah, Navajo Nation

Salt Lake City Councilman Stan Penfold not seeking re-election

Decision day: McAdams expected to make site recommendation public Friday morning

Other

Sen. Orrin Hatch's new bill seeks help for missionary visas (Daily Herald)

National Headlines

Trump meets with Mnuchin in 'first stages' of tax reform planning (The Hill)

Senate Lets States Defund Clinics That Perform Abortions (New York Times)

Trump administration appealing halt of revised travel ban (CNN)

With Drought Emergency Over, Californians Debate Lifting Water Restrictions (NPR)

After Calling Nafta 'Worst Trade Deal,' Trump Appears to Soften Stance (New York Times)

Middle East Airlines Work Around Electronics Ban, Offer iPads, Laptops, Wi-Fi To Passengers (Forbes)

Obamacare Stalwart Anthem Seen Likely to Retreat for 2018 (Bloomberg)

CBO: Budget deficits, debt to reach record highs in 30 years (The Hill)

Bruised But Not Broken, Dakota Access Line Foes Turn to Keystone (Bloomberg)

US economy grew at steady 2.1 percent rate in Q4 (Boston Globe)

Net Neutrality Is Trump's Next Target, Administration Says (New York Times)

Wise Words

.05 Legislation
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." Ernest Hemingway

Lighter Side

Cooked Up
"These congressmen are nervous because the Congressional Budget Office warned that "Trumpcare" could result in 24 million people becoming uninsured. Trump says the numbers were cooked up by the microwave that's been spying on him at Trump Tower." Jimmy Kimmel