There are 12 days until the Utah Republican and Democratic state conventions, 78 days until the Utah Republican Presidential Caucuses, 211 days until the 2012 election and 294 days until the start of the 2013 legislative session.

A poll from a pro-Orrin Hatch super PAC shows he may fall short of the 60% he needs to win the GOP nomination outright at the convention [Tribune].

A number of Utah lawmakers like to tout the state's role in the lawsuit against federal healthcare reform, but legal scholars say Utah's part was a minor one [Tribune].

UtahPolicy.com's political insiders expect Mike Winder and Richard Snelgrove to go to a primary in the race for the Republican nomination for Salt Lake County Mayor. Most Democrats expect Ben McAdams to win the Democratic nomination outright [Utah Policy].

One popular way for candidates to court delegates is free meals [Deseret News].

Utah is not quite the political ATM for Mitt Romney's campaign this cycle as it was in 2008 [Tribune].

A study from the Utah Foundation looks at how the priorities of Utah's political candidates line up against those of the state's voters [Utah Policy].

Civil rights attorney Brian Barnard thinks Utah's cities need to rethink their anti-panhandling ordinance [Tribune].

Occupy Salt Lake City moves their tents to Library Square [Tribune].

Some of the highest-paid state employees are psychiatrists at the Utah State Hospital [Tribune].

Students at the University of Utah are studying ways to help governments be more open [Tribune].