News roundup: Taxpayer dollars subsidize schools teaching creationism

Taxpayer dollars paying for schools teaching creationism. Dabakis resigns as Dem chair. Eight Utah lawmakers win re-election — before the election.

Happy Tuesday. From Politico: "Taxpayers in 14 states will bankroll nearly $1 billion this year in tuition for private schools, including hundreds of religious schools that teach Earth is less than 10,000 years old, Adam and Eve strolled the garden with dinosaurs, and much of modern biology, geology and cosmology is a web of lies." An effort to expand voucher programs — including in Utah — has led to taxpayer dollars subsidizing some schools teaching creationism. [Politico]

Topping the news: Jim Dabakis resigned as chairman of the Utah Democratic Party, but will keep his state Senate seat. [Trib] [DNews] [KUER] [Fox13] [KUTV] [ABC4]

-> The Utah GOP is considering a lawsuit over the Count My Vote compromise, arguing that the government can't force a party to open its primary. [UtahPolicy]

-> Eight Utah lawmakers have emerged victorious in their re-election battles — because no one filed to run against them. [Trib]

Tweet of the day: From @BjaminWood: "With @JimDabakis resigning his chairmanship, a vacuum for news-ready quotes has opened in the Utah left."

In other news: The Salt Lake City Council will have a public hearing today on the proposed rezoning around the Sugar House S-Line streetcar. [Trib]

-> Some Sandy residents are appealing the planning commission's decision to allow a Boys and Girls Club in the historic district. [Trib]

-> The Utah Senate is looking for public comment on 2nd District Court candidate Joseph Bean. [Trib]

-> Pat Bagley gives his take on Rep. Rob Bishop's alleged lack of movement on bills to protect wilderness areas. [Trib]

Nationally: The White House is working on legislation to end bulk data collection on American's phone calls. [WaPost]

-> The Office of Congressional Ethics is investigating two Republican House members. [NYTimes]

-> Democrats in the House will launch a petition in hopes of forcing a vote on immigration reform. [CNN]

-> Georgia lawmakers passed legislation allowing guns in places like schools, restaurants and airports. [NYTimes]

Where are they?

Rep. Jason Chaffetz hits a morning fundraiser, meets with the American Legion, Howard Headlee of the Utah Bankers Association, the Six County Association of Governments, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and attends Sen. Orrin Hatch's birthday bash.

Gov. Gary Herbert has a call with Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead, reviews Education Excellence with Tami Pyfer, meets with Marty Carpenter and holds a ceremonial signing of HB 105.

SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams goes to the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governments meeting, the County Council meetings and speaks at a Habeas Corpus event.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker hits a department directors meeting, a Utah Performing Arts Center update meeting, City Council sessions and travels to Washington.

President Barack Obama meets with President Nursutlan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, attends plenary discussions at the Nuclear Security Summit and holds a press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He also has a bilateral meeting with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emerites, a trilateral meeting with President Park Geun-Hye of the Republic of Korea and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and meets and greets embassy personnel before flying to Brussels, Belgium.

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