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Ten Things You Need to Know Today - Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Tuesday, October 13, 2015 - 7:15am
Utah Policy

Ten Things You Need to Know Today - Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Good Tuesday morning from Salt Lake City. There are 79 days left in 2015.

Becker and Biskupski are in a virtual tie. Democrats hold their first presidential debate. Lawmakers meet to discuss Medicaid expansion again.

The clock:

  • 21 days to the 2015 election - (11/3/2015)
  • 97 days to the 2016 Iowa Caucus (tentative) - (1/18/2016)
  • 104 days to the opening day of the 2016 Utah Legislature - (1/25/2016)
  • 105 days to the 2016 New Hampshire Primary - (1/26/2016)
  • 149 days to the final day of the 2016 Utah Legislature - (3/10/2016)
  • 259 days to the 2016 Utah primary election - (6/28/2016)
  • 392 days until the 2016 presidential election - (11/8/2016)

Monday's top-10 headlines:

  1. Our latest poll shows the race between Ralph Becker and Jackie Biskupski for Salt Lake City Mayor is a virtual tie [Utah Policy].
  2. Democrats hold their first presidential primary debate of the 2016 election Tuesday night [Washington Post, CNN].
  3. Utah Republican lawmakers meet again today to discuss the latest plan for Medicaid expansion. The plan faces an uncertain future in the House Republican caucus [Deseret News, Tribune].
  4. The medical industry has very strong ties to many Utah lawmakers [Tribune].
  5. Rep. Jason Chaffetz says if Wisconsin Republican Paul Ryan decides to run for Speaker, he will drop out of the race [Utah Policy, Tribune, Deseret News].
  6. Rep. Justin Miller pleads guilty to communication fraud and immediately resigns his seat in the Utah Legislature [Utah Policy, Deseret News, Tribune, Fox 13]. Three Democrats have already stepped up to replace Miller, including former Rep. Lynn Hemingway [Fox 13].
  7. After a barrage of TV ads from Ralph Becker, Jackie Biskupski makes a television buy of her own [Deseret News].
  8. Sen. Mike Lee hosts a summit on business innovation [Deseret News, Tribune, KUER].
  9. The state responds to claims by Planned Parenthood that the group's constitutional rights were violated when Gov. Gary Herbert decided to cut off federal funds to the group [Tribune, Deseret News].
  10. 45,000 Utahns could not pay off their payday loans in time last year [Tribune].

On this day in history:

  • 1775 - The Continental Congress ordered construction of America's first naval fleet.
  • 1792 - The cornerstone to the White House in Washington was laid.
  • 1845 - Texas ratified a state constitution.
  • 1960 - Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy participated in the third televised debate of the presidential campaign.

 

Today At Utah Policy

Poll: Race for Salt Lake City Mayor a Dead Heat
By Bob Bernick and Bryan Schott
Three weeks away from the final Salt Lake City mayoral election and the battle between Mayor Ralph Becker and challenger Jackie Biskupski couldn’t be any closer – in fact it is a statistical dead heat coming down the home stretch, a new UtahPolicy poll shows....

 

Rubio, Jeb, Rand Compete for Mormon Vote in Nevada
By Golden Webb
Many observers believe Mormons willnot only decide the Republican winner in Nevada, but "reshape the national race at a pivotal moment in next year's primaries," reports BuzzFeed....

Utah Policy/KSL Insider Survey: Will Chaffetz Win the Race for Speaker?
By Bryan Schott
Rep. Jason Chaffetz has launched an admittedly longshot bid to replace John Boehner as Speaker of the House. Our "Political Insiders" think Chaffetz has two chances to win - slim and none....

Chaffetz: Congress Needs a 'Fresh Start'
By Bryan Schott
Rep. Jason Chaffetz says he would bring a fresh perspective to Congress if he wins his long-shot bid for Speaker of the House....

Policy News

LEO After Hours: The Science of Fear
What happens inside your brain and body when you are afraid? What causes this feeling and reaction? When do normal fears become neuroses, and why do we seek out the things that scare us?The next installment of Leo After Hours, presented by The Leonardo and the Utah Science T...

 

Press Release: Senators Hatch, Coons Urge Passage of Trade Secrets Bill
Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, joined Senator Chris Coons, D-Del., on the Senate floor today to urge passage of their bipartisan, bicameral Defend Trade Secrets Act....

 

Rep. Bishop Announces 2015 High School Education Conference
Rep. Rob Bishop will welcome more than 180 students to the Utah State Capitol Building to participate in his 11th annual High School Education Conference. ...

 

Press Release: Senator Lee Responds to Suspension of Syrian Rebels Training Program
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement concerning the Pentagon's decision to end its Syrian rebel-training program:...

 

Press Release: Hatch Speaks on the Status and Substance of Religious Freedom
Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, took to the Senate Floor to deliver the third in a series of speeches on religious liberty....

 

State Releases Anonymous Online Behavioral Health Self-Assessment
Utahns who have a mental health or substance use disorder concern can now access an anonymous self-screening tool online through the Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.The new site launched today, Oct. 8, to recognize National Depression Screening Day. Any in...

Press Release: AFP Announces New Mail Flight On Obama's Medicaid Expansion
Americans for Prosperity Utah is announcing the latest in its project to educate Utahns on the risk’s of accepting Obama’s Medicaid Expansion in the Beehive State. ...

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

Op-ed: World Congress brings its message: 'Family: the promise begins with me'

Op-ed: Biskupski is best choice for LGBTQ and all Salt Lake City residents

Op-ed: Air pollution threatens Utah's national parks and economy

Op-ed: For real solutions, Salt Lakers should vote for my husband, Ralph Becker

Op-ed: Utah's Pay for Success is a model ready for federal funding

McAdams: Salt Lake County needs Prop. 1 to stay productive

Editorial: Lawmakers trick doctors into killing health care access

Editorial: Metro township the best option for most unincorporated areas

Utah's Chaffetz: If Ryan runs for House speaker, I'll drop out

Embattled Utah Democrat Justin Miller pleads guilty to fraud, gives up House seat

Convict named Utah's county commissioner of the year

Salt Lake County Cultural projects get panel's funding support

45,000 Utahns could not pay off payday loans last year

One-third of Utah lawmakers have connections to health care industry

Rolly: Cottonwood Heights and Holladay - like East and West Berlin?

Scary news coming to some Utahns in property tax notices

Sen. Mike Lee's summit focuses on government tweaks to help businesses

New Medicaid expansion plan Utah Access Plus seems doomed in House

Many Utah charter-school teachers aren't 'qualified' - or sticking around

Salt Lake City District 2 race: Van Turner vs. Andrew Johnston

Deseret News

John Florez: Lawmakers neglect their moral duty

Patricia Jones: Emphasizing the American suffrage movement

Op-ed: Salt Lake's protected bike lanes already seeing big increase in bike ridership

Ralph Hancock: 'Reason' is difficult to define in terms of marriage, progressive faith

Editorial: Cash incentives to conserve less water

Editorial: Criminal justice reform

Editorial: The breach between mass violence and gun control

Rep. Justin Miller pleads guilty to communications fraud charge

State School Board adopts strategy to implement statewide tech initiative

Ann Romney on likability, Hillary Clinton, MS and her husband

Federal prosecutors argue against new trial in Recapture Canyon illegal ATV ride case

Tourism brings more than $1 billion in tax revenues, drives economy

West Jordan councilwoman accuses mayor of sexual discrimination

Rep. Jason Chaffetz says he wouldn't run against Rep. Paul Ryan for House speaker

New education policy creating 'conundrum' for students, parents becomes official

State responds to Planned Parenthood claims

Utah's plan for Medicaid expansion is complicated, misunderstood on many levels

Women leaders in Utah forging their own paths to success

Senator makes good on wager from BYU-Nebraska football game

Government needs to stop stifling business innovation, Sen. Mike Lee says

Gov. Herbert: Medicaid expansion efforts won't end

Biskupski makes first TV ad buy, but are the airwaves her best option?

Students, teachers hope education will be a high priority for lawmakers next year

Sen. Mike Lee 'flattered' but not interested in House speakership

Other

Op-ed: A bad RAP for taxpayers (Daily Herald)

New Utah drug laws: Too soon to tell, but police fear the worst (Standard-Examiner)

Millions of birds face dire future as Great Salt Lake shrinks (Standard-Examiner)

As Great Salt Lake dries up, Utah air quality concerns blow in (Standard-Examiner)

We're losing the Great Salt Lake; Here's why you should care (Standard-Examiner)

Dim outlook for special session for Medicaid expansion (Logan Herald Journal)

Summit County Democrats await next week's presidential debate (Park Record)

National Headlines

Sheldon Adelson warms to Marco Rubio (Politico)

What top Clinton donors really think (Politico)

Biden's schedule does not include Dem debate (The Hill)

Bernie's big moment (The Hill)

Hillary Clinton urges Las Vegas workers to say no to Donald Trump (Los Angeles Times)

Democrats see a more substantive, if sleepy, debate than rowdy GOP show (Washington Post)

If Paul Ryan doesn't run, it could be a free-for-all (CNN)

Latest Unease on Right: Ryan Is Too Far Left (New York Times)

Jeb Bush's health care pitch puts Florida record to the test (Politico)

Candidates from both parties come together, and spar, at 'No Labels' event (Washington Post)

As U.S. insurers aim to get bigger, hospitals eye health plan entry (Reuters)