Countdown: 15 days until the final day of the 2013 legislative session, 251 days to the 2013 municipal elections, 615 days until the 2014 midterm elections and 1047 days until the 2016 Iowa Caucuses.

A performance audit raises the alarm about the viability of the state’s retirement system for public employees [Tribune, Deseret News].

Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee both vote against confirming Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense [Tribune].

Hatch votes yes to send Jacob Lew’s nomination as Treasury Secretary to the full Senate [Tribune].

Rep. Jim Matheson wants members of Congress to stay in Washington longer to work on the nation’s problems [Tribune].

Gov. Gary Herbert says he expects the federal sequestration budget cuts to happen in March, and he blames gridlock in Washington [Deseret News].

Officials with Utah’s national parks say they should be able to absorb looming federal budget cuts without much pain for visitors and tourists [Tribune].

The state is spending $60,000 on public service announcements about reducing pollution. Those announcements star Gov. Gary Herbert [Utah Policy].

A measure to give rural residents the right to carry concealed weapons without a permit is held without a vote in the House [Deseret News, Tribune].

The Senate approves restrictions on target shooting during wildfire season [Tribune].

A Senate committee approves a resolution opposing the use taxpayer money to build a convention hotel in Salt Lake City [Tribune].