Twelve Things You Need to Know About Utah Politics – September 20, 2013

Countdown:  There are 47 days to the 2013 municipal elections, 131 days until the start of the 2014 Legislature, 406 days until the 2014 midterm elections and 843 days until the 2016 Iowa Caucuses.

  • Here’s a totally bizarre story. Tim Lawson, who is tied to former Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and current AG John Swallow would very much like to be named as the replacement for outgoing Lt. Gov. Greg Bell [City Weekly].
  • Some members of the Utah House are beginning to question the need for the legislative probe targeting Swallow [Tribune].
  • The FBI says, even though they will not prosecute Swallow, they are still assisting in another investigation into the embattled Attorney General [Deseret News].
  • Bob Bernick argues the “Count My Vote” initiative would fundamentally change Utah politics for the better [Utah Policy].
  • It’s not what it sounds like. Utah lawmakers discuss how to address LUST prevention, which actually stands for “leaking underground storage tanks” [Standard-Examiner].
  • Sen. Mike Lee says Republicans in Congress will get united in the effort to defund Obamacare [Tribune].
  • Rep. Rob Bishop wants the feds to stay out of the way and stop opposing the proposed West Davis Corridor freeway [Tribune].
  • What will Utah spend the $242 million budget surplus on? Maybe some new buildings on state college campuses [Tribune].
  • Eight presidents from Utah colleges and Universities are urging Congress to pass immigration reform [Tribune].
  • The gap between what men and women earn in Utah is the 4th-biggest in the nation with women earning 70-cents for every dollar a man brings in [Tribune].
  • Utah lags behind the rest of the nation in enrolling kids for the CHIP program [KSL].
  • New Census numbers show Utah is #1 for big families, most marriages and stay-at-home moms [Tribune].