How to Sound Smart About Utah Politics - February 14, 2014

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Friday, February 14, 2014 - 8:00am

How to Sound Smart About Utah Politics - February 14, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day! Lockhart starts sharing details of her massive education technology plan. A legislative committee recommends a moderate boost in school funding. Dunnigan wants to crack down on payday lenders.

Countdown:

27 days until the final day of the 2014 Legislature
28 days until the Utah candidate filing period opens
32 days until the Utah Democratic Party caucus meetings
34 days until the Utah candidate filing period closes
34 days until the Utah GOP caucus meetings
71 days until the Utah State Republican and Democratic conventions
130 days until Utah's 2014 primary elections
263 days to the 2014 midterm elections
626 days to the 2015 elections
691 days until the 2016 Iowa Caucuses
997 days to the 2016 presidential election

Today's Utah political news highlights:

House Speaker Becky Lockhart is starting to share some details of her massive education technology initiative [Utah Policy, Tribune, Daily Herald].
Sen. Mike Lee joins an effort by Sen. Ted Cruz to protect states like Utah that define marriage as between a man and a woman [Tribune].
A legislative committee recommends a 2.5% increase in per-pupil spending in Utah's schools [Tribune].
Rep. Jim Dunnigan unveils legislation to crack down on abuses by payday lenders in Utah [Tribune].
The Utah House approves a bill to modify the state's controversial school grading program [Tribune].
Rep. Greg Hughes is proposing a bill that would require bars to have a breathalyzer on-site for patrons to use [Utah Policy, Tribune,
Lawmakers could spend $2 million on lobbying against the federal government listing the greater sage grouse as a protected species [Tribune].
Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker joins with more than 350 other mayors in signing the "Freedom to Marry" petition[Deseret News].
A proposal would move oversight for Utah's strike force on immigrant crime from the Attorney General's office to the Department of Public Safety [Tribune].
A clean air bill to help Utahns replace polluting yard-care equipment clears a Utah House committee [Tribune].
Critics of the Stericycle medical waste incinerator in North Salt Lake rally outside the Governor's office demanding the state shut the facility down [Tribune].
A bill aims to make local school board members more responsive to the constituents who elected them [Deseret News].

On this day in history:

Oregon became the 33rd state in 1859.
The U.S. Department of Commerce and Labor was established in 1903.
Arizona became the 48th state in 1912.
The League of Women Voters was founded in 1920.
Members of Al Capone's gang killed rival gang members in what became known as the "St. Valentine's Day massacre" in 1929.

2014
Bizarre, Crazy, Silly, Unknown Holidays & Observances

*Ferris Wheel Day

*Frederick Douglass Day

*Pet Theft Awareness Day

*Library Lovers Day

*National Have A Heart Day

*(World) Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day

*League of Women Voters Day

*National Women's Heart Day

*National Call In Single Day

*Race Relations Day

*National Donor Day

*Quirky Alone Day

*Valentines Day

*World Marriage Day

Utah's Daily Business Resource | Brought to you by Utah Pulse

Friday, February 14, 2014

Today At Utah Pulse

Jive Communications' Message is Clear: Utah is the Place to do Business
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Environmental StoneWorks Continues to Build a Strong Foundation in Utah
Environmental StoneWorks, along with theGovernor's Office of Economic Development, announced plans today to build a manufacturing facility in Washington County that will create 124 new jobs and lead to $2 million in capital investment. ...

Get Involved this General Session with Chamber Vote
The engagement of Utah's business community is the single largest source of strength for our economy as well as our community's prosperity. As the voice of Utah business, we want to engage you, your business and your employees more directly in our ad...

Bank of Utah Taking Innovative Steps to Reduce Auto Emissions
Everybody's talking about how to clear the air in the state, and Bank of Utah is doing its part by reducing the auto emissions that may result from its day to day operations....

Why You Need a Business Plan
Many of my clients ask if a business plan is really essential to open a new business or expand their existing business. The more I work with business plans, the more I am convinced that these documents are critical to the success of a business....