News roundup: Feds shell out $80k a year for plane that doesn't fly

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Feds shell out nearly $80k for plane that can, but doesn't fly. Obama's congressional gamble. Life in Congress: Not Hollywood.

Happy Tuesday. The U.S. government pays some $6,600 a month to a Georgia contractor to hang on to a plane that can fly, but doesn't. It's all part of the Washington you love to hate: money tossed toward a plane meant to broadcast pro-American, anti-communist propaganda over Cuba but that experts say isn't helping much at all. While other government services take a hair cut, this one has its protectors. Your cost: $79,500 a year.

Topping the news: President Barack Obama will seek Congressional approval for any military action against Syria. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., warned of the consequences if Congress rejects the resolution.

-> Life as a Congressman isn't all it's cracked up to be as portrayed in Hollywood movies.

-> A planned women's shelter in Washington City, near St. George, could soon be neighbors with a gun range.

Tweet of the day: From @daveweigel: "NYC mayoral primary in seven short days, which means our Long National Weiner Nightmare will soon conclude."

Happy birthday: To the chief clerk of the Utah House, Sandy Tenney.

Opinion Section: Rep. Chris Stewart discusses why he wants more transparency with the EPA's rule-making.

-> Pat Bagley gives his take on President Barack Obama's task of asking permission on any Syria intervention.

-> A U. columnist says Sen. Mike Lee is showing a childish attitude towards the impending vote on a continuing resolution in October.

-> A Grand County Councilman says there is need to overhaul the State Institutional Trust Lands Administration after its decision to lease land at Book Cliffs.

-> UAC's Mark Ward says land auctioned off by the Bureau of Land Management for drilling purposes will not destroy anything.

-> Paul Rolly criticizes Sen. Mike Lee's efforts to raise re-election funds and his attempts to silence critics of his defund Obamacare plan.

-> LaVarr Webb and Frank Pignanelli joke about the headlines you'll never see from Utah's politicians.

-> Former Sen. Bob Bennett says there's no question Congress should be consulted about heading into any Syrian conflict.

In other news: From the headline pile that makes Rep. Jason Chaffetz smile: "Chaffetz working to keep agents on the border," referring to some legislation he's planning on the U.S. Border Patrol pay scale.

-> State wildlife officials won't try to stop the feds introduction of Rocky Mountain goats despite the fact they have never roamed Utah before.

-> Utah immigration lawyers don't see much help out of a White House directive to stop deportation of immigrants caring for young children.

-> Utah Democrats criticize state GOP lawmakers for scapegoating teachers and minority students.

-> The Draper TRAX extension exceeded expectations for its opening week for expected ridership. And, the Utah-Utah State game boosted TRAX riders by 27 percent.

-> Lindon residents will vote on whether to increase taxes to fund recreational facilities.

Nationally: Not sure you know all there is to know about Syria? These are the nine questions you're too embarrassed to ask.

-> Should the United States bomb Syria, it could run low on Tomahaks missiles, despite a warning from Armed Services' member Rep. Rob Bishop, who has been saying we should stock up.

-> The CIA has approval to give weapons to the Syrian rebels, but still hasn't.

-> The new owner of The Washington Post, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, says he doesn't have all the answers for the ailing newspaper industry, but he'd like to try some experiments to see what works.

Where are they?

Gov. Gary Herbert visits Westmore Elementary School in Orem and later talks about suicide prevention efforts.

SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams meets with county Education liaison Roderic Land and attends Millcreek and Mt. Olympus town councils.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker sits down with Diversity and Human Rights coordinator Yolanda Francisco-Nez, and attends meetings for the Performing Arts Center and the Sugar House streetcar and later hits the City Council meeting.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder conducts the City Council meeting and attends the Bird & Water dance performance at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center.

President Barack Obama meets with Vice President Joe Biden and members of Congress before leaving for Sweden.

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­— Thomas Burr and Jordan Bailey

Twitter.com/thomaswburr Twitter.com/thejordanbailey