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Situational awareness - March 5, 2018

Good Monday morning from Salt Lake City. Welcome to the final week of the 2018 Utah Legislature. There are just 4 working days remaining.

Lawmakers are pushing to make a school funding deal with "Our Schools Now." Very few Utahns support the "Keep My Voice" ballot initiative. Congress aims at rolling back bank regulations.

Tick Tock:

3 days until the final day of the 2018 Utah Legislature (3/8/2018)4 days until the filing period for candidates in the 2018 election opens (3/9/2018)10 days until the filing deadline for the 2018 elections (3/15/2018)15 days until the statewide caucus meetings for Utah Republicans and Democrats (3/20/2018)47 days until the Utah GOP State Convention (4/21/2018)54 days until the Utah Democratic State Convention (4/28/2018)113 days until the 2018 Primary Election (6/26/2018)245 days until the 2018 midterm elections (11/6/2018)329 days until the first day of the 2019 Utah Legislature (1/28/2019)975 days until the 2020 presidential election (11/3/2020)

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Here's what's driving the day:

SCOOP! Let's make a deal!

Legislative leaders are working behind the scenes with organizers of Our Schools Now to come up with more funding for schools. OSN is pushing for a sales and income tax hike to bring an estimated $700 million annually to Utah's underfunded schools [Utah Policy].

Poll shows weak support for Keep My Voice

Only 17% of Utahns support the proposed ballot initiative to repeal SB54 and return to the caucus/convention system as the only path to the primary ballot for candidates (insert sad trombone noise). 75% of Utah voters say they support the current dual-track system [Utah Policy].

GOP lawmakers try to fix Utah GOP Central Committee snafu

HB485 simply instructs the state to ignore a bylaw change made by the Utah GOP Central Committee that could have an adverse effect on Republican candidates in November [Utah Policy].

Our "Political Insiders" don't like the Utah GOP bylaw change

Our "Insider" panel and readers think the bylaw change made by a small group of Utah GOP Central Committee members, which would kick candidates who take the signature route to the ballot out of the party, is a terrible idea [Utah Policy].

"Red Flag" bill to prevent gun violence

Rep. Steve Handy unveils HB483, which would allow the police to get a court order to take away the guns from an "extremely dangerous" person [Utah Policy].

Civility goes out the window

Rep. Mike Noel's email box is being flooded with nasty emails, but he says he's trying to keep a good attitude [Utah Policy].

Other Utah headlines

Residents on Salt Lake City's west side speak out about a bill to create a new entity to oversee development in the city's northwest quadrant [Deseret News].
Sen. Orrin Hatch apologizes for calling supporters of Obamacare "dumbasses" [Deseret News].
A group of low-income advocates says lawmakers should use part of a budget windfall to help poorer Utahns with an earned income credit [Deseret News].
Rep. Gage Froerer pulls his bill to abolish the death penalty in Utah [Deseret News].
Sen. Dan Hemmert's bill to overhaul Medicaid gets a second chance after a committee voted to send it back to the Rules Committee last week [Deseret News].
A Senate committee unanimously advances Sen. Jim Dabakis's constitutional amendment to eliminate the state school board in favor of a single state superintendent [Deseret News].
Utah lawmakers filed a record 1,359 bills during this session [Tribune].
Former Provo police Chief John King has been accused of sexual assault or harassment by at least five women, which raises questions why the city hired him [Deseret News].
Gov. Gary Herbert asks Utah faith leaders to pray for snow to help alleviate the state's drought [Fox 13].

National headlines

Congress will not take action on immigration or gun control measures anytime soon [The Hill].
Members of Congress are preparing to deal with "erratic" behavior from President Donald Trump as they try to negotiate on a number of issues. "It's something like a pinball machine," said New York Republican Peter King [Washington Post].
The Senate is pushing to roll back banking regulations implemented in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. More than a dozen red state Democrats are on board with the plan [Washington Post].
Vulnerable members of Congress are staying on the sidelines of the gun debate following the Florida school shooting [Associated Press].
Special Counsel Robert Mueller is seeking documents and records of communications related to President Donald Trump and other campaign associates according to grand jury subpoenas obtained by multiple media organizations [NBC News].
Danger Will Robinson! GOP-related groups have poured more than $9 million into a Pennsylvania special congressional election this year, but it looks like Democrats are poised to flip control of the seat [Wall Street Journal].
The 2018 midterms get underway on Tuesday as Texas holds primary elections. Democrats are testing out their strategy that they hope will help them grab control of the House in November [Politico].
Republicans are worried voters will punish them at the ballot box this November because of President Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum. However, they are planning to focus on the economy during the midterm elections [Politico].
The State Department has $120 million to prevent Russian interference in the 2018 midterms. So far, the agency hasn't spent a single dime of that money. Alarmingly, none of the 23 analysts in the agency tasked with countering online disinformation from Russia speaks Russian [New York Times].

On this day in history

1496 - King Henry VII of England issues letters patent to John Cabot and his sons, authorizing them to explore unknown lands.
1770 - Boston Massacre. Five Americans, including Crispus Attucks, are fatally shot by British troops in an event that would contribute to the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.
1836 - Samuel Colt patents the first production-model revolver, the .34 caliber.
1933 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares a "bank holiday," closing all U.S. banks and freezing all financial transactions.
1946 - Winston Churchill coins the phrase "Iron Curtain" in his speech at Westminster College, Missouri.
1953 - Joseph Stalin dies in Moscow after suffering a stroke.
1970 - The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons goes into effect after ratification by 43 nations.

Today At Utah Policy

Ouch! Utah voters overwhelmingly oppose 'Keep My Voice' ballot initiative By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor Even if the Keep My Voice citizen initiative petition gets on the November ballot, it's is unlikely to pass, a new UtahPolicy.com poll shows....

'Political Insiders' say GOP should not kick signature-gathering candidates out of the party By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor A move by a small group of Republican Party hardliners to kick out candidates who use the signature gathering route is roiling the Utah GOP....

Lawmakers and Our Schools Now negotiating possible school funding deal By Bryan Schott and Bob Bernick Utah lawmakers and Our Schools Now are working on a possible deal to head off the ballot initiative to hike income and sales taxes as a way to boost funding for public schools....

Nasty emails flooding Rep. Mike Noel's inbox By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab, says he's getting all kinds of crazy emails....

Utah will ignore controversial Utah GOP bylaw change under proposed bill; Lawmakers brace for flood of lawsuits By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor Sometimes the best course of action is no action.That's what GOP lawmakers will do with an "illegal" bylaw change made last Saturday by the Utah Republican Party's Central Committee....

HB483 establishes legal path to take guns away from an 'extremely dangerous' person By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor As he promised, Rep. Steve Handy has introduced a bill that would allow the police to get a court order to take away the guns of an "extremely dangerous" person....

Policy News

WTC Utah and the Salt Lake Chamber statements on President Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs World Trade Center Utah President and CEO Derek B. Miller and Salt Lake Chamber President and CEO Lane Beattie released the following statements about President Trump's announcement that he will impose stiff tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum:...

2nd annual Diplomatic Conference on International Trade Relations Utah Valley University is hosting its 2nd Annual Diplomatic Conference on International Trade Relations, which takes place March 12 at the Utah Valley University Sorensen Center....

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

Op-ed: Utah Republicans are just protecting their First Amendment rights

Op-ed: Lawmakers should not forget rural Utah

Op-ed: Porn is not a public health crisis

Editorial: State should keep its hands off Salt Lake City's territory

Outspoken Democratic Sen. Jim Dabakis seeks to abolish state school board - and a Utah Senate committee agreed with him unanimously

Concealed carry gun class - organized after Florida's high school massacre - may be the largest ever taught in Utah

While the principal made thousands marketing this Utah school, students' grades were mediocre and state funds were used to buy treats and video games

Utah lawmaker calls for giving state park status to the full 140-mile Hole in the Rock trail

Fred Hayes remembered as a humble visionary who revitalized Utah's state parks

Here's what you need to know about Utah's proposed Down syndrome abortion ban

Utah Legislature passes a bill aimed at hostile workplaces, but 271,794 workers can still be sexually harassed and discriminated against with no legal recourse

Rolly: Retiring Utah cop hopes to become an 'armed' high school teacher, but he doesn't want all educators packing guns

Senate joins in House fight vs. governor, advances proposal to allow lawmakers to call themselves into special session

Proposed trade hub in northwest Salt Lake City gets few tweaks, but city leaders seek more changes as it heads to Senate

Gambling in Utah? Senate says don't bet on it and moves to close loophole.

Utah's Sen. Orrin Hatch apologizes for 'poorly worded joke' calling Obamacare supporters 'the stupidest, dumbass people I've ever met'

Hoping to attract workers - particularly women - to the workplace, House votes to give employers a tax credit if they offer paid leave

Legislation proposes to solve ballot havoc caused by GOP by forcing party to act like it never changed its rules

More than 1,400 Utahns ages 18 to 20 carry concealed firearms. Here's why.

Utah lawmakers filed a record 1,359 bills this year - one of them to shame lawmakers who create too many

Lawmakers are working with Our Schools Now on a possible school-funding compromise in the final days of the legislative session

Environmental activists, community members join city officials in protest of bill that aims to convert northwest Salt Lake City into an international trade hub

Deseret News

Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: Utah Republicans offer comedic relief from boring legislative discussions

Op-ed: Utah film subsidies make an immeasurable impact on the state

Chris Stewart and Raymond Ward: Confronting the 'opi-demic'

Op-ed: Take lessons from Maine - Utah should stay cautious on Medicaid expansion

Editorial: Is the time right for small-party governing?

Lobbyist harassment training bill advances

Bills to increase minimum wages fail in House committee

Resolution allowing lawmakers to call special sessions advances

Second homeless tax bill would pay for police and fire

Utah House rejects proposal for doctor to train in suicide prevention

Utah jobless rate down to 3.1 percent

Sen. Hatch apologizes for 'off-color' comments about Obamacare supporters

Lawmaker pulls bill to repeal death penalty in Utah

Former Salt Lake councilman gets prison in $2.5 million fraud case

Hatch: 'Greedy energy tycoons' not behind Bears Ears reduction

Low-income Utahns should share in tax windfall, advocates say

Bill to waive fees for birth certificates for homeless clears House committee

Bonding for affordable housing programs gets nod from Utah House panel

Senate committee unanimously backs eliminating State School Board

Medicaid work requirement bill revived after failing in committee

'Extreme risk' court order would allow police to remove guns, ammo from violent, unstable individuals

About Utah: The women of Better Days 2020 see a bright future in Utah's past

West side residents, environment groups sound alarm over inland port bill

National Headlines

YouTube Sponsoring 9/11 Truther As Part Of Multimillion Dollar Diversity Program (Daily Caller)

Maxine Waters promises reparations in 'stump speech for 2020' (American Mirror)

Chilling: Play titled 'Kill Climate Deniers' launches theatrical run (Washington Times)

Left faces off with Dem establishment in primary fights (The Hill)

George P Bush's struggle in Texas may signal end of 70-year political dynasty (Guardian)

In Texas GOP primary, it's who can love Trump the most (Associated Press)

Netanyahu to talk with Trump about attending embassy opening (AFP)

Trump trade adviser says no exceptions for allies on new aluminum and steel tariffs (Washington Post)

At Gridiron Dinner, Trump Trades Jabs With His 'Opposition Party' (NPR)

Ben & Jerry's co-founder arrested for disorderly conduct (Washington Times)

South Carolina Gun Store Corrects Dick's on the Term 'Assault Rifle' (Townhall)

Wise Words

Perspective

"The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money." James Madison

Lighter Side

Cloned Dog

"In an interview this week, Barbra Streisand revealed that she cloned her favorite dog, twice. Barbra said, "I couldn't help myself, he was delicious." Conan O'Brien

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