News roundup: Lee: 'Senate has enough people running for president'

Lee: 'Senate has enough people running for president.' Herbert calls House GOP plan 'illogical.' Herbert could veto anti-Count My Vote effort.

Happy Thursday. While all his fellow Senate buddies are doing it, Sen. Mike Lee says he's not jumping into a presidential run. Sens. Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are weighing White House bids but Lee is enjoying the freedom that comes from lack of scrutiny. "The Senate has enough people running for president," Lee told the Washington Examiner. [Examiner]

Topping the news: Gov. Gary Herbert called a House GOP plan to cover Utahns without medical insurance "illogical." [Trib] [DNews]

-> Herbert also said vetoing a bill to nullify the Count My Vote initiative is an option. [Trib] [DNews] [Herald] [KUER] Meanwhile, Sen. Scott Jenkins is considering the "nuclear option" of pushing a constitutional amendment to protect political parties' process for choosing their candidate. [UtahPolicy]

-> Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, wants to push back the start date of two laws that are part of the state's immigration reform. [Trib] [Herald]

-> A House committee passed legislation to allow child sex abuse prevention education in elementary school. Elizabeth and Ed Smart testified at the hearing. [Trib] [DNews] [APviaHerald] [Fox13] Bill sponsor Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City and Eagle Forum President Gayle Ruzicka discuss the bill. [Fox13]

Tweet of the day: From @pourmecoffee: "Russia has been eliminated from men's hockey. All athletes are instructed to leave Sochi immediately, you are no longer welcome here."

From @tribkurt: "Good thing Ted Ligety won his gold medal today, becasue Russian hockey loss mean Putin may cancel rest of Games immediately."

Happy Birthday: To state Reps. Earl Tanner, R-West Jordan, and Keven Stratton, R-Orem.

On the Hill: Today's legislative schedule for your reading pleasure. [Trib]

-> SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams announced the imminent filing of a bill to create a new government for the unicorporated areas of Salt Lake County. [Trib] [DNews] [KUER] [KUTV]

-> Herbert said House Speaker Becky Lockhart's $200 million education plan does not add up. [Trib]

-> A House panel approved a resolution to allow the relocation of Stericycle's medical incinerator to remote Tooele County. [Trib] [DNews] [KUER] [KUTV]

-> The bill changing the state tree to the quaking aspen passed the House and now awaits the governor's signature. [Trib] [DNews] [Herald]

-> A Senate panel passed legislation requiring more accountability and oversight of USTAR. [Trib]

-> New legislation would set out how the state of Utah would manage federal lands if the feds were to just hand them over. [UtahPolicy]

-> Rep. Becky Edwards, R-North Salt Lake, talks about her bill allowing Utah to have stricter air quality standards than the EPA on The Trib's "In Their Own Words" series. [Trib] *UPDATED*

-> The House passed legislation requiring 50 percent of the state fleet to be high-efficiency or alternative-fuel powered by 2018. [Trib]

-> Herbert talks air quality with ABC4. [ABC4]

-> A House committee passed a bill allowing businesses to sell power to charge electric cars. [Trib]

-> A bill to put regulations on e-cigarettes passed a House committee. [DNews] [UtahPolicy]

-> A new bill would launch a state study privatizing state owned golf courses. [Trib]

-> Sen. Mike Lee told lawmakers he voted against the farm bill in order to make PILT funding more secure. [Trib] [DNews]

-> Proposed legislation would make changes to Utah's system of grading schools. [DNews]

-> A bill that makes adjustment the definition of "teacher" in the law outlining criminal penalties for sexual contact with a student is on hold again. [DNews]

-> The Senate passed legislation to put carbon monoxide detectors in all Utah schools. [Trib]

-> The Senate also passed a bill to increase financial literacy education in high school. [DNews]

-> A Senate committee passed legislation allowing Juvenile Justice Services to get a court order to force feed and hydrate inmates between the ages of 18 and 21. [Trib]

-> The Senate is looking for public comment on judicial nominee Keith Barnes. [Trib]

-> The House lauded former Lt. Gov. Greg Bell. [DNews]

-> Hundreds will rally at the Capitol in favor of Medicaid expansion. [ABC4]

In other news: The Salt Lake City School District is considering hiring a PR firm to deal with the fallout of the Uintah Elementary school lunch scandal. It would cost $49,999, $1 less than the amount requiring school board approval. [Trib]

-> An attorney that represents the Salt Lake City Police Department has been arrested on suspicion of drug crimes. [Trib]

-> AG Sean Reyes talks about taking over after John Swallow, Amendment 3 and his goals. [ABC4]

-> For the next 30 days you may be able to register to vote as well as make deposits at your credit union. [Trib]

-> Pat Bagley gives his take on racy T-shirts in Utah County and hidden gay themes in "Frozen." [Trib]

Nationally: Emails released Wednesday show the Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker had sort of a secret email system and demanded conference calls with staff and campaign consultants. [JournalSentinel]

-> President Barack Obama may not have been not entirely focused on the "Three Amigos Summit" between the U.S., Mexico and Canada yesterday. [WaPost]

-> The Supreme Court will consider how far Obama can go with executive orders to address climate change. [NYTimes]

-> Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky, is pushing to restore voting rights to felons. [CNN]

Where are they?

Rep. Chris Stewart meets with constituents in Cedar City, and with Mayor Maile Wilson. Later he speaks at the Davis County Lincoln Dinner.

Gov. Gary Herbert travels to Washington for the National Governors' Association winter meeting.

Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox hits a legislative strategy meeting and greets the USU Republicans Executive Committee.

SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams attends the Wasatch Front Regional Council Legislative meeting and sits down with Deputy Mayor Nichole Dunn and County Public Works Director Russ Wall. He will also speak at the BYU Faculty Dinner and go to a town hall meeting with unincorporated SL Co. Residents.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker attends the U.S. Conference of Mayors Leadership meeting in Phoenix.

President Barack Obama speaks and answers questions at the Democratic Governors' Association dinner.

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