Ten Things You Need to Know Today - Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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Wednesday, November 4, 2015 - 10:15am

Utah Policy

Good Wednesday morning from Salt Lake City. There are 57 days left in 2015.

Biskupski appears to have defeated Becker. Transportation tax hike in trouble in Salt Lake County. A judge strikes down part of SB54, but the signature path to the ballot is upheld.

The clock:

82 days to the opening day of the 2016 Utah Legislature - (1/25/2016)
89 days to the 2016 Iowa Caucus - (2/1/2016)
97 days to the 2016 New Hampshire Primary (tentative) - (2/9/2016)
128 days to the final day of the 2016 Utah Legislature - (3/10/2016)
139 days to the Utah Republican and Democratic caucus meetings (3/22/2016)
171 days to the Utah Republican and Democratic State Conventions (4/23/2016)
238 days to the 2016 Utah primary election - (6/28/2016)
370 days until the 2016 presidential election - (11/8/2016)

Wednesday's top-10 headlines:

Jackie Biskupski appears headed to victory in the Salt Lake City mayoral election, but Becker has not yet conceded [Utah Policy, Deseret News, Tribune, Fox 13].
Prop. 1, which would raise sales taxes for transportation, apparently is headed to defeat in Salt Lake County [Tribune, Deseret News].
It was a good night nationally for Republicans as Kentucky elects a GOP governor for the first time since 2003 [Roll Call, Politico].
A judge strikes down a provision in SB54 that requires parties to hold open primary elections, but rules the signature-gathering path to the primary ballot is constitutional [Utah Policy, Deseret News, Tribune].
Gov. Gary Herbert will not form a committee to vet potential state school board candidates, meaning anyone who files will be placed on the general election ballot next year. A judge ruled last year that the vetting process for candidates was unconstitutional [Tribune].
A lawsuit challenging Utah's adoption of Common Core standards is dismissed [Tribune, Deseret News].
Millcreek residents vote to incorporate as a city while five other communities in Salt Lake County choose the metro township path [Tribune].
Ohio voters reject a measure to legalize marijuana for recreational use [Associated Press].
Voters in Houston overturn that city's anti-discrimination ordinance that included protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity [New York Times].
A new poll out of New Hampshire shows Marco Rubio is surging after his performance in the latest GOP debate while Jeb Bush's campaign is cratering [WBUR].

On this day in history:

1922 - British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen.
1924 - Nellie Taylor Ross of Wyoming is elected the first female governor in the United States.
1979 - Iranian militants seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking about 90 people hostage, 63 of them Americans.
1980 - Ronald Reagan won the White House in a landslide over President Jimmy Carter.
1995 - Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish extremist following a peace rally in Tel Aviv.
2008 - Democrat Barak Obama was elected the first black president of the United States.

Today At Utah Policy

Biskupski Apparently Stops Becker's Bid for a Third Term
By Bryan Schott
Ralph Becker's bid for a third term in City Hall appears to have fallen short Tuesday night....

More Questions than Answers in Ruling on SB54 Lawsuit
By Bob Bernick
As expected, Federal Judge David Nuffer has ruled that part of the controversial state candidate nomination law – SB54 – is constitutional, and part of it is unconstitutional....

How Lee Beat Back a GOP Challenge in Utah
By Golden Webb
Some of Sen. Mike Lee's biggest critics within the Utah Republican Party are now members of his campaign commitee. National Journal takes an in-depth look at how Lee turned erstwhile foes into allies....

WSJ Defends Bishop
By Golden Webb
The Wall Street Journal editorial board says Rep. Rob Bishop is right to try and rein in the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is being used by the Obama administration and environmental groups to seize more and more private land....

Policy News

Hatch Defends Utahns Against Expansion of Federal Authority Over Land and Water
Lawmakers voted Tuesday on a measure that would halt the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) efforts to establish greater federal authority over land and water. The Federal Water Quality Protection Act, cosponsored by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch,...

Lee, Hartzler Introduce Resolution Recognizing 'National Pregnancy Center Week'
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) introduced similar resolutions in the Senate and House today that designate the week of November 8, as "National Pregnancy Center Week."...

Hatch Inducted into Utah Technology Council's Hall of Fame
For the first time in its history, the Utah Technology Council inducted a lawmaker—Utah’s own Sen. Orrin Hatch—into their Hall of Fame Monday night....

New CNG Filling Station Ready for Heavy Trucks
Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams and County Fleet Management Director Greg Nuzman unveiled the county’s new CNG (compressed natural gas) fueling station just in time for the start of the winter inversion season in the Salt Lake Valley....

Lee to Preview Paris Climate Change Conference at The Heritage Foundation
On Wednesday, November 4 at 2:30 p.m. EST, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) will deliver the keynote address at The Heritage Foundation for a panel event previewing the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris....

Real Women Run Fall Networking Social
Real Women Run will host a fall networking social at Market Street Grill Cottonwood, 2985 East Cottonwood Parkway, Salt Lake City on November 11th, 5:30-7:30 PM. All women are invited to meet and mingle with women who have run, worked on a campaign, or are thinking about get...