This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
GOP goes after unruly candidates. Prosecutors: federal scrutiny of Reid, Lee warranted. Legislature run-down.
Happy Friday. Republicans are usually an orderly bunch when it comes to elections. Heir apparents get the nod, as do high-profile ones and those who can raise the dough. But increasingly, the GOP is turning on their own, going at candidates who may cause trouble:
-> "National Republicans increasingly feel the need to adopt a get-tough approach. Nearly six years removed from the presidency and often under assault from outside-the-Beltway conservatives, establishment GOP figures are searching out new ways to exert influence over unruly candidates. Cross them, and there's a good chance the candidate won't like what results." [Politico]
Topping the news: Prosecutors investigating former AG John Swallow say they have evidence that merits federal scrutiny of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Mike Lee. [Trib]
-> Some of the hottest issues of the year didn't make it through the Legislature. [Trib] [Herald] (See below for a full wrap-up)
-> Gov. Gary Herbert came out on top this session. [Trib] [DNews] [ABC4]
Tweet of the day: From @billyhesterman: "And the House Dems have gotten Lockhart an action figure. It is a Wonder Woman doll with Lockhart's face on it."
From @TwitJas: "2 days-3 hours-19 min & 42 seconds: Time spent saying 'I move that under suspension of the rules' during the 2014 session."
Happy Birthday: To Julie Chaffetz, wife of Rep. Jason Chaffetz, and on Sunday to state Reps. Kraig Powell, R-Heber City, and Ronda Menlove, R-Garland, former state Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, and friend of Cornflakes Charlie Luke.
On the Hill: It's over, there is no schedule today. Take a break, read a book, go for a walk.
-> Lawmakers did not reach a deal on Medicaid expansion. [Trib] [KUER]
-> Higher education had a good year on the Hill. [Trib] [DNews] [KUER]
-> This session saw changes to the Utah election system. [Trib]
-> More than a quarter of the Democratic caucus in the Legislature has announced plans to retire. [Trib] [ABC4]
-> The John Swallow scandal helped push ethics reform bills through the Legislature. [Trib]
-> Lawmakers raised the speed limit, but decided not to make you wear a seat belt. [Trib]
-> The Legislature approved $1 million to hire new staff during the non-session times. [UtahPolicy]
-> The Senate approved a study on whether to stick with ye old Daylight Savings Time. [Trib]
-> Lawmakers heard many air quality bills some of which came down to the wire. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Education, the state prison in Gunnison and other programs received increased funding. [Trib]
-> The Legislature passed many bills aimed at helping children and other vulnerable people. [DNews]
-> Lawmakers sent the governor legislation allowing the use of nonintoxicating cannabis oil for the treatment of epilepsy. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Pat Shea may challenge longtime Sen. Gene Davis for his seat. [UtahPolicy]
-> A proposal requiring insurers to cover autism treatments passed both chambers. [Trib]
-> A fight between Utah power producers and a company building a power line across the state ended in a compromise. [Trib]
-> The House killed a bill to ban "dark consulting" during mid-term elections to replace legislators who resigned. [Trib]
-> A bill to increase transparency of contributions from lobbyists and require lobbyists to wear name tags passed the Senate. [Trib] [DNews]
-> A proposal to make voter registration records more private passed both chambers. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Legislation to create a pilot Election Day voter registration program is headed to the governor. [Trib]
-> Legislation to toughen penalties for cockfighting died on the Hill. [Trib] [DNews]
> A proposal to ban revenge porn is on its way to the governor's desk. [Trib] [DNews] [Herald]
-> Lawmakers voted to move the state prison. [Trib] [Fox13]
-> The House passed a proposal limiting what people can do on their cellphones while driving. [DNews]
-> A measure making it easier for bars to have Breathalyzers is on its way to the governor's office. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Legislation allowing law enforcement to collect DNA from suspects booked into jail on felony charges heads to the governor. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Lawmakers passed restrictions on how law enforcement can use drones in the state. [Trib]
-> Legislation allowing judges to consider intentional exposure to pornography as a factor in child custody cases passed the House. [DNews]
-> A proposal broadening the definition of school employees that can be charged with a felony for sexual contact with a student passed the Senate. [DNews]
-> Utah voters will decide if the Utah State Tax Commission should be partisan. [Trib]
-> A bill to temporarily freeze the boundaries in Salt Lake County and study how to best provide services in the unincorporated moves to the governor's desk. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Lawmakers passed a plan to help fund a new convention center hotel in downtown Salt Lake City. [Trib]
-> A bill outlining the right of parents who have kids in school passed both chambers. [Trib]
-> The House passed a bill to help those in need pay for AP tests. [Trib] [DNews]
-> The Senate passed a proposal giving $20 million to STEM education. [DNews]
-> A proposal to change how schools are graded passed the House. [DNews]
-> Lawmakers also extended the Education Task Force for another year. [DNews]
-> A bill creating an anonymous school safety tip line in on its way to the governor. [DNews]
-> The Senate passed a bill giving a tax credit to employers who hire a person that is homeless. [Trib]
-> Lawmakers passed a proposal stopping local governments from outlawing specific species of dogs. [DNews]
-> Legislation to study ending Daylight Saving Time passed the Senate. [Trib] [Herald]
-> A resolution asking the EPA, as it considers new standards, to allow coal-fired power plants to operate. [Trib]
-> A proposal allowing police to impound the cars of people driving without insurance passed both chambers. [KUTV]
-> Lawmakers passed a proposal to create a commission to study the needs of women in Utah's economy. [Trib]
-> Paul Rolly discusses some Abe Lincoln confusion on the Hill and other topics. [Trib]
In other news: The Hale Center Theater is negotiating to stay in West Valley City after announcing last year it would move to Sandy. [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley gives his take on the state of the country post 9/11. [Trib]
Nationally: Senate negotiators have made a bipartisan agreement to renew federal unemployment benefits for five months. [WaPost]
-> AG Eric Holder supports a proposal to reduce sentences for convicted drug dealers. He also supports eliminating mandatory minimums for nonviolent drug offenders. [NYTimes]
-> Lawmakers are working on a proposal to end the NSA's bulk collection of Americans' telephone data. [Politico]
-> Marijuana industry lobbyists are working on the Hill to make a more friendly environment for legal marijuana businesses. [WaPost]
Where are they?
Rep. Jason Chaffetz votes, holds staff meetings and returns to Utah.
Rep. Chris Stewart hits a members-only meeting on tax reform, votes and flies back to Utah.
Gov. Gary Herbert takes a personal day.
Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox attends a Cabinet meeting.
President Barack Obama holds a St. Patrick's Day lunch with Irish Prime Minister Edna Kenny. Later he hosts a St. Patrick's Day reception.
Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [Trib]
— Thomas Burr and Topher Webb Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/topherjwebb