This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated.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 donors plan to anoint candidate ahead of the primaries. Herbert: Count My Vote constitutional. SLC to back anti-Citizens United resolution.

Happy Tuesday. The Republican Party's top donors are a tad worried about an elongated primary season that could only help Hillary Clinton and are discussing ways to "anoint" a GOP nominee early to avoid contests that would beat up their candidate before the general. [http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/09/us/politics/gop-donors-seek-to-narrow-field-of-presidential-candidates-to-one.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes]

Topping the news: Gov. Gary Herbert believes that the Count My Vote reforms are constitutional. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1924435-155/gov-reconsiders-says-count-my-vote" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Leaders in Tooele County aren't completely opposed to having the new state prison in their area, but are opposed to having it near Motorsports park. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1924159-155/tooele-open-to-prison-but-not" target="_blank">Trib]

-> A joint resolutions that will recognize opposition to the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision is scheduled to be signed by Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and the City Council. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1923880-155/salt-lake-city-to-recognize-opposition" target="_blank">Trib]

Tweet of the day: From ">@cboyack: "Choosing the prison's new location: public policy's equivalent of the cooties."

Happy Birthday: Happy belated birthday to Rep.-elect Mia Love, who celebrated Saturday, and today to state Reps. Edward Redd, Jon Stanard and John Westwood and to Utah Tea Party organizer David Kirkham.

Tune in: Utah Republican Party chair James Evans and Hinckley Institute of Politics director Kirk Jowers discuss the lawsuit over the Count My Vote compromise bill and what it means for Utah voters. Watch Trib Talk live at 12:15 p.m.Mountain Time on http://sltrib.com/" target="_blank">sltrib.com.

In other news: A new website has launched for residents to file ethics-related complaints. [http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4220-utah-government-launches-new-ethics-website" target="_blank">UtahPolicy]

-> Pieces of the Hoberman arch from the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics were stolen from the impound yard where it was being stored. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1923263-155/pieces-of-hoberman-arch-stolen-from" target="_blank">Trib]

-> Sen. Mike Lee has hired former Gov. Jon Huntsman's chief of staff, Neil Ashdown. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1923661-155/mike-lee-hires-huntsmans-ex-chief-of" target="_blank">Trib][http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865617265/Former-Huntsman-top-aide-named-chief-of-staff-to-Sen-Lee.html" target="_blank">DNews]

-> In a Senate floor speech, Sen. Orrin Hatch said President Barack Obama's immigration reforms show "shocking arrogance." [http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/226332-longest-serving-gop-senator-obamas-immigration-order-shows-shocking" target="_blank">TheHill]

-> The 70 mph speed limit signs have been installed on urban interstate freeways by Utah Department of Transportation crews. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1922845-155/70-mph-speed-limit-now-official" target="_blank">Trib][http://fox13now.com/2014/12/07/utahns-react-to-pending-shift-in-speed-limits/" target="_blank">Fox13]

-> A multibillion-dollar railroad to transport crude oil from the Uinta Basin has been sidetracked by Utah officials in order to find other alternatives. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/1922880-155/leaders-drop-wells-to-rails-plan-for-uinta" target="_blank">Trib]

Nationally: President Barack Obama and Republicans clash over whether to make a CIA torture report available to the public. [http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/09/us/politics/white-house-and-gop-clash-over-torture-report.html?_r=0" target="_blank">NYTimes][http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/obama-cia-torture-report-113404.html?hp=t2_r" target="_blank">Politico]

-> A massive spending bill of $1.1 trillion fell apart in Congress as the deadline draws near to fund the government. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress-on-verge-of-releasing-massive-spending-bill-before-leaving-for-the-year/2014/12/08/c8cf5b4e-7edb-11e4-8882-03cf08410beb_story.html" target="_blank">WaPost]

Where are they?

  • Rep. Chris https://twitter.com/RepChrisStewart" target="_blank">Stewart joins KSL's Grant and Amanda morning radio show, meets with Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., and records a holiday message for military troops. Later he meets with new Salt Lake Community College President Deneece Huftalin, members of the Utah Legislature and has dinner with the Finish ambassador.
  • Rep. Rob https://twitter.com/RepRobBishop" target="_blank">Bishop meets with Assistant Secretary of the Department of Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn and with Rep. Ken Ivory and Rep. Keven Stratton and attends a Western Caucus meeting.
  • Lt. Gov. Spencer https://twitter.com/SpencerJCox" target="_blank">Cox goes over Count My Vote litigation and holds a discussion on Utah's immigration laws.
  • SLC Mayor Ralph https://twitter.com/SLCMayorsOffice" target="_blank">Becker welcomes the American Association of Airport Executives, meets with his community liaisons, attends a City Council work session, and visits the Salt Lake Executive Committee.
  • President Barack https://twitter.com/BarackObama" target="_blank">Obama delivers remarks at an event for the Senior Executive Service.
  • Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com" target="_blank">cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [http://www.sltrib.com/pages/email" target="_blank">Trib]

    — Thomas Burr and Mallory Jesperson

    https://twitter.com/thomaswburr" target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr and https://twitter.com/JespersonM" target="_blank">Twitter.com/JespersonM