Ten Things You Need to Know Today - Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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Wednesday, September 23, 2015 - 6:45am

Utah Policy

Good Wednesday morning from Salt Lake City. There are 99 days left in 2015.

Pope Francis arrives in America. Hillary Clinton comes out against Keystone XL. Utahns would prefer Jeb Bush over Donald Trump as the GOP nominee.

The clock:

41 days to the 2015 election - (11/3/2015)
117 days to the 2016 Iowa Caucus (tentative) - (1/18/2016)
124 days to the opening day of the 2016 Utah Legislature - (1/25/2016)
127 days to the 2016 New Hampshire Primary - (1/26/2016)
169 days to the final day of the 2016 Utah Legislature - (3/10/2016)
279 days to the 2016 Utah primary election - (6/28/2016)
412 days until the 2016 presidential election - (11/8/2016)

Wednesday's top-10 headlines:

Pope Francis arrives in Washington, D.C. for his first visit to America as Pontiff [The Hill].
Hillary Clinton sits down for a lengthy interview in which she says one of the biggest problems facing the country is wage stagnation [Des Moines Register].
Clinton says she opposes the Keystone XL pipeline [USA Today].
If the race for the GOP nomination comes down to Jeb Bush and Donald Trump, Utahns say they would prefer Bush win [Utah Policy].
Utah GOP Chairman James Evans says he's disappointed that Scott Walker dropped out of the presidential race, but he's still holding out hope Mitt Romney jumps into the fray [Utah Policy].
Former Lt. Gov. Greg Bell is tapped to try and negotiate a settlement between the Utah GOP and the state in the lawsuit over SB54 [Deseret News, Tribune].
Salt Lake County officials want to extend a tax hike to "reinvent" the criminal justice system [Deseret News, Tribune, KUER].
Utah Transit Authority officials are offering up specifics for expanded service if a proposed tax hike passes in November [Tribune].
The federal government rejects Utah's conservation plans for the greater sage grouse. The decision is drawing a sharp reaction from Utah leaders [Deseret News].
Mormon Apostle Richard G. Scott passes at the age of 86 [Tribune, Deseret News].

On this day in history:

1779 - American commander John Paul Jones is said to have declared "I have not yet begun to fight!" during a Revolutionary War naval battle.
1806 - Explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark returned to St. Louis on their historic journey from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast and back.
1950 - Congress adopted the Internal Security Act, which provided for the registration of communists. It was later ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
1952 - Sen. Richard Nixon salvaged his vice-presidential nomination by appearing live on television to refute allegations of improper campaign fundraising. The address became known as the "Checkers" speech because of Nixon's reference to the family dog named "Checkers."

Today At Utah Policy

Poll: Utahns Would Choose Bush Over Trump
By Bryan Schott
If the 2016 GOP race comes down to Jeb Bush and Donald Trump, a majority of Utahns would prefer the former Florida Governor win the nomination....

Could Walker's Exit from the GOP Field Open the Door for Romney?
By Bob Bernick
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s exit from the GOP presidential race has left one leading Utah Republican disappointed: GOP state chair James Evans....

Money and Politics: Are We at the Breaking Point?
By Bryan Schott
When we talk about the influence of money in politics, it's easy for our minds to turn immediately to the Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court that allowed unlimited expenditures on elections by corporations. While that may have been a pivot point, the problem b...

Weekly Survey: Who Will Be the Next GOP Presidential Candidate to Drop Out?
By Bryan Schott
Scott Walker and Rick Perry have already dropped out of the race for the 2016 GOP nomination. Who do you think will be the next to fall? Vote now in our weekly survey....

Policy News

Senator Mike Lee On the Passing of Elder Richard G. Scott, Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement after hearing that Richard G. Scott, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had passed away:...

Hatch Statement on the Passing of Elder Richard G. Scott
Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the senior Republican in the United States Senate, issued the following statement in reaction to the passing of Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints:...

Governor Herbert's Statement on Passing of Elder Scott
Gov. Gary R. Herbert issued this statement following the passing of Elder Richard G. Scott of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:...

Bishop: Interior Department Announcement Changes Nothing
The US Fish and Wildlife service announced that the Greater Sage Grouse does not warrant specific protection under the Endangered Species Act for only the next 5 years. Representative Rob Bishop offered the following statement:...

Gov. Gary Herbert's Statement in Response to Greater Sage-Grouse Decision
Gov. Gary R. Herbert issued the following statement regarding the greater sage-grouse decision announced today:...

Press Release: Lee Investigates Health Insurance Mergers
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) chaired a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights hearing today, examining the impact of recent health insurance company mergers on consumers....

Press Release: Lawmakers Urge Administration to Address Trade Concerns, Opportunities at U.S.-India Strategic & Commercial Dialogue Meeting
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Ranking Member Sandy Levin (D-Mich.) sent a letter asking the Obama Administration to use the upcoming U.S.-India St...

Press Release: Hatch Receives Briefing on F-35, Shares Positive Outlook for Hill Air Force Base
In a long-awaited development for Hill Air Force Base and the economy of the surrounding area, F-35s have arrived at Hill’s 388th and 419th Fighter Wings. ...