Countdown: Â There are 33 days to the 2013 municipal elections, 117 days until the start of the 2014 Legislature, 392 days until the 2014 midterm elections and 829 days until the 2016 Iowa Caucuses.
- Gov. Gary Herbert blames President Obama’s “lack of leadership” for the government shutdown [Tribune].
- Herbert says the shutdown could cost the state $1 billon in tourism dollars [Standard-Examner].
- Rep. Jim Matheson joins a bi-partisan group of lawmakers pushing for an end to the shutdown through passing a six month budget [Tribune].
- Bob Bernick wonders if the shutdown will have any political consequenses for Utah’s members of Congress [Utah Policy].
- Despite the shutdown, Utah’s WIC clinics will re-open on Friday after getting some emergency funding from the USDA [Deseret News].
- The shutdown hasn’t stopped home loans in Utah from going through so far, but that may change [Tribune].
- Utah’s members of Congress are safe following the strange and tragic shootout in Washington, D.C. on Thursday afternoon [Tribune].
- Utah lawmakers and education officials are at odds over the state’s controversial school grading system [Tribune].
- Lt. Gov. Greg Bell says facts, not emotion, should be the driving force behind environmental policy proposals [Standard-Examiner].
- Daniel Burton argues ending the legislative investigation into John Swallow because it costs too much money would be the wrong move [Publius Online].
- Why does the Tea Party have so much influence, especially in Utah? [KSL]
- A University of Utah economist says the state cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the state’s changing demographics [Tribune].
- A new study says education is a key element of ending poverty in Utah [Tribune].
