News roundup: Romney's 'lemon-sucking endorsers' add up

Romney's tepid endorsers. Utah's homeless numbers at all-time high. Biker Becker slashes bike committee.

Happy Tuesday, and welcome to May. "It's the season of lemon-sucking endorsers for Mitt Romney," says the lead of a Politico story detailing the not-so-stellar endorsements that Romney has racked up recent months as it became clear he was going to be the Republican nominee. Some GOP heavy-weights have offered what appear to be tepid lines of support or somewhat backhanded gestures. [Politico]-> On that note, former candidates Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich plan to endorse Romney but want to make sure that he's going to cater to the conservative crowd. [AP]

Topping the news: SLC Mayor Ralph Becker, who has positioned himself as a bicycle advocate, is now cutting the Bicycle Advisory Committee in an attempt to streamline overall transportation. [Trib]

-> Utah's temporary homeless numbers are at an all-time high, though those considered chronically homeless declines. [Trib]

-> Fired UDOT employee Denice Graham received her first check of back pay from being wrongly terminated last year, but she insists legal issues haven't been resolved. [Trib]

Happy Birthday: To The Trib's politics boss, Dan Harrie, former Taylorsville Mayor Janice Auger Rasmussen and the @Jon2012Girls' Abby Huntsman Livingston.

Tweet of the Day: From @HotlineReid on Florida's distant hotel assignment for the Republican National Convention in Florida: "Tampa Bay Times columnist on FL's RNC hotel assignment: Like sitting at 'kiddie table with addled uncle from the attic.'" (Utah's assigned hotel is near the Tampa airport but only about 5 miles from the convention site.)

In other news: Utah's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is using a pretty darn old financial system that's being held together by "Band-aids." [ABC4]

-> A new book says Rep. Jason Chaffetz listened to Speaker John Boehner and decided not to run against Sen. Orrin Hatch. [Trib]

-> Sen. Mike Lee is holding two town halls this week in Utah and if you can't attend, you can still watch the livestream. [StGeorgeUtah]

-> Utah lawmakers didn't have much interest in overriding Gov. Gary Herbert's veto of the abstinence-only sex ed bill. [Trib]

-> Sen. Hatch is likely doing so well in his re-election bid because he set out to charm the right flank while Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana didn't. [NRO]

-> The Environmental Protection Agency had mixed reactions to Utah's plan to reduce pollution, wanting smooth park vistas but not approving of the role nitrogen oxides and particulate matter play in creating regional haze. [Trib]

-> The Utah Supreme Court refuses to block a judge's order requiring the Attorney General's Office pay more than $5.5 million in debts associated with running a polygamous sect property trust once controlled by Warren Jeffs. [Trib]

-> Members of the Patrick Henry Caucus are set to meet soon to map out a new year, but Rep. Stephen Sandstrom is calling it quits from the conservative group. [DNews]

-> A commission that seeks to create a new delta in Provo River is scaling back its time frame to leave more time for public comment on the initiative. [Trib]

-> Rep. Jason Chaffetz talks about the possibility of Attorney General Eric Holder to be held in contempt in the "Fast and Furious" scandal. [FoxNews]

2012 Watch: Although Romney's vice presidential pick is all speculation at this point, the former Massachusetts governor appeared with potential candidate Sen. Kelly Ayotte in New Hampshire. [Globe]

-> Ron Paul supporters say Romney still has competition brewing on the Republican side as their candidate vows to stay in the fight until votes are counted at the convention, hoping to spread his message to the largest audience. [DNews] [Bloomberg]

-> While Romney harps on President Barack Obama for his liberal education, Romney may have some troubles with lauding the late BYU Professor Cleon Skousen, who extolled some controversial points about slavery and other controversial subjects. [MotherJones]

-> Paul and his son, Sen. Rand Paul, will host a "major" tea party rally on Texas' Capitol Hill on May 6. [USAToday]

Where are they?

Gov. Gary Herbert makes a stop at Ferron Elementary School's patriotic assembly, tours Ferron Golf Course and Codale Electric Supply, and then conducts media interviews with Randy Johnson of "Heart of Utah," ETV and with "At Your Leisure."

AG Mark Shurtleff is in Israel.

SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon heads to the County Council meetings.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker meets with congressional members and federal agencies.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder attends a Road Home charity breakfast, meets with Salt Lake Board of Realtors, heads to lunch at the Elephant Club and hits a City Council meeting.

President Barack Obama meets with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta in the Oval Office.

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com.

— Thomas Burr and Laura SchmitzTwitter.com/thomaswburr