Monday's news at a glance: More Utahns support Herbert's sales tax proposal. McAdams wants a bi-partisan solution for border security, but will support a wall "where it's appropriate." President Trump doubts lawmakers will reach a government funding deal he'll be able to accept.
Talk to us! Send us your news tips, suggestions, complaints or feedback here.
The UtahPolicy.com daily newsletter gets you up to speed on the top local and national news about politics and public policy. Our news is curated by Managing Editor Bryan Schott, along with help from Golden Webb. ((Click here to subscribe))
Today is the 28th day of the year. There are 337 days remaining in 2019.
Today is the first day of the 2019 Utah Legislature (1/28/2019)
45 days until the final day of the 2019 Utah Legislature (3/14/2019)
96 days to the Utah State Republican Party Organizing Convention (5/4/2019)
126 days until the municipal election filing period opens (6/3/2019)
130 days until the municipal election filing period ends (6/7/2019)
197 days to the 2019 Utah primary elections (8/13/2019)
281 days to the 2019 municipal elections (11/5/2019)
364 days to the first day of the 2020 Utah Legislature (1/27/2020)
372 days to the 2020 Iowa Caucuses (2/3/2020)
640 days until the 2020 presidential election (11/3/2020)
Poll: Plurality of Utahns support Herbert's sales tax cut proposal
By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor
Utahns are split over GOP Gov. Gary Herbert's suggested $200 million tax cut this year, a new UtahPolicy.com poll shows....
Will Utah lawmakers pass a tax cut this year? Our 'Political Insiders' have some thoughts...
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
What will lawmakers do with the massive $1.3 billion projected budget surplus this year? Some lawmakers are pushing for a tax cut with some of that money....
McAdams says he wants to work toward a bipartisan solution for border security
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
New Utah congressman Ben McAdams said Sunday morning he believes the newly elected Democrats in Congress are ready to work with Republicans to get things done....
Chaffetz on shutdown ending: 'Savvy move by Trump'
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Former Utah congressman and potential candidate for Utah Governor in 2020 Jason Chaffetz called President Trump's move on Friday to end the government shutdown a "savvy move" that would expose the Democrats for being soft on border security....
Legislative Republicans want to change Prop. 3, but most House and Senate districts voted in favor of full Medicaid expansion
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Utah Republicans should probably tread lightly as they plan to make changes to the voter-approved Prop. 3, which fully expands Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act....
Stewart on allegations Roger Stone lied to Congress: 'That infuriates me'
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Rep. Chris Stewart, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said he was infuriated that longtime Trump confidante Roger Stone was accused of lying to that committee, but warned Americans not to draw too many conclusions from the indictment....
Give us your feedback. Take our reader survey
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
We want to hear from you....
Deseret News
Derek Miller: Utah's growth requires smart policy
Pignanelli and Webb: The Legislature - the people, the process, outcomes
Editorial: Will new homeless shelters make Utah a model for the nation?
Proposal: Some Utah college students would pay no tuition, fees for 2 years
Sen. Mitt Romney says Trump called Democrats' bluff in ending government shutdown
Utah panel wants Legislature to review local proposals for federal lands designations
Salt Lake County Democrats elect Jenny Wilson as mayor to replace Rep. Ben McAdams
Utah legislators, advocates hope to build on 2018's push for suicide prevention
Hundreds of Utahns march for 3,200 unborn babies, rally for a bill limiting abortions in Utah
'I just want to be positive,' incoming Utah Senate President Stuart Adams says
'He measures twice and cuts once': Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson to lead with 'steady' hand
Bill would clarify Utah teachers can relay accurate info about contraception
Proposed Utah laws take on fake urine, kratom and overdose deaths
Broadening sales tax base to include services top topic for 2019 Legislature
Salt Lake Tribune
Op-ed: Miscalculations hamstring both sides of hate crimes legislation debate
Editorial: Make growth pay for itself. And for TRAX.
Jenny Wilson elected as Salt Lake County's new mayorUtahns in Congress praise ending shutdown, even if it's temporary. Sen. Mitt Romney says president is 'calling the Democrats' bluff.'
Other
What to expect from the 2019 Utah Legislative Session (Daily Herald)
President Donald Trump said Sunday he doubts lawmakers will reach a funding deal he will accept. Trump, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, said the chances of Congress reaching an agreement are "less than 50-50." Trump also said he doubts he would accept less than $5.7 billion for his border wall - https://on.wsj.com/2G5nPD7
Congress has three weeks to avoid another shutdown. The bill President Trump signed on Friday gives House and Senate leaders until Feb. 15 to find a funding deal Trump will accept - https://nyti.ms/2FUlvzP
Trump slams Ann Coulter. The conservative pundit has been ripping Trump for ending the government shutdown last week. "Maybe I didn't return her phone call or something," said Trump in response - https://wapo.st/2FRMyvz
President Trump wants his wall one way or another. Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said Sunday President Trump would use his executive authority and declare a national emergency to get funding for a wall on the southern border - https://cnn.it/2G6uLQI
Federal employees still hurting financially. Even though the shutdown officially ended on Friday, many federal workers are still unable to afford basic needs as they wait for their first paycheck in over a month - https://wapo.st/2FUlWKt
Boring but important. Republicans in the House have yet to name their members on the House Intelligence Committee. Until that happens, the committee cannot get down to work, which will include investigations of the Trump administration - http://bit.ly/2FU3wti
Polls! Polls! Polls!
Trump's golf course employed undocumented workers. They all were fired during the government shutdown. Earlier this month about a dozen undocumented employees at Trump National Golf Club were fired following revelations of undocumented labor at a Trump golf course in New Jersey - https://wapo.st/2FTEWZo
Kamala Harris officially kicks off her 2020 campaign. The California Democrat started her run for the White House with a shot at President Trump's xenophobic rhetoric, saying America is "better than this." She immediately became a frontrunner for the 2020 Democratic nomination after a reported seven-figure fundraising haul last week - https://wapo.st/2FSd8EN
A peace deal in Afghanistan. American and Taliban officials have agreed in principle to a framework for a peace deal. The potential accord could lead to a full pullout of American troops in exchange for a cease-fire and talks between the Taliban and Afghan government - https://nyti.ms/2FSVsc2
Military option in Venezuela. President Trump has reportedly mused about using military force in Venezuela where the U.S. is currently pushing for regime change - http://bit.ly/2FUG5Qy
Schultz likely to mount an independent run for the White House. Howard Schultz, the former chief executive of Starbucks, said he's preparing to run for president in 2020 despite describing himself as a "lifelong Democrat." Democrats are worried a Schultz candidacy could split independent voters who oppose President Trump, which may hand Trump another term - http://bit.ly/2FTC0w4
Trump thought firing Flynn would end "Russia thing." A new book from former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie reveals that President Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner believed questions about connections between the Trump campaign and Russia would end with the firing of former national security adviser Michael Flynn - https://nyti.ms/2FSWgOn
Brokaw puts his foot in his mouth. NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw apologized after saying on Sunday morning that Hispanics should "work harder" at assimilation - http://bit.ly/2FS9b2R
1782 - Congress authorized creation of the great seal of the United States.
1813 - Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice is published in the United Kingdom.
1878 - Yale Daily News becomes the first daily college newspaper in the United States.
1915 - An act of Congress creates the United States Coast Guard as a branch of the armed forces.
1956 - Elvis Presley makes his first national television appearance.
1985 - Dozens of the biggest names in popular music recorded "We Are the World." Royalties from the recording benefited famine relief in Africa.
1986 - The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 72 seconds after launch, killing all seven crew members, including civilian teacher Christa McAuliffe.
Diesel Tech Pathways Program shifts into high gear expanding into two counties
The Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development, diesel industry leaders and education leaders announced the expansion of the Utah Diesel Technician Pathways program to now include the Davis and Tooele tech colleges in partnership with their corresponding school districts...
2019 Clear the Air Challenge kickoff
The Salt Lake Chamber, along with its clean air partners UCAIR and TravelWise, kicked off the 10th Annual Clear the Air Challenge....
Board of Regents announces expansion of college access advising program
Thirty-three Utah high schools will have a full-time, permanent college access advisor this fall, the Utah Board of Regents announced at its meeting at Utah Valley University....
Andrew Gillum's Florida Ethics Troubles Just Got Worse (Slate)
Melania Trump gets 'substantial damages' and an apology for story in British magazine (CNN)
Hillary Clinton still considering 2020 presidential run (New York Post)
'Trump is having an impact': NATO head credits president's tough talk for $100B boost (USA Today)
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls Big Tech giants' dominance 'unsustainable' (CNN)
Genuine Leader
"A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus." Martin Luther King, Jr.
Free Weed
"A marijuana company is giving out free weed to government workers, which is why a bunch of T.S.A. agents are staring at their security wands like, 'Dude, I'm Harry Potter!'" - JIMMY FALLON
