Countdown: There are 67 days until the start of the 2014 Legislature, 215 days until Utah’s 2014 primary elections, 348 days until the 2014 midterm elections and 775 days until the 2016 Iowa Caucuses.
- Anonymous sources say an investigation into Attorney General John Swallow by the Lt. Governor’s office will recommend criminal charges against him for concealing campaign finance information [Tribune].
- The House committee investigating Swallow has already burned through half of the budgeted $3 million for the probe, will begin public hearings next month [Utah Policy, Tribune].
- A group of Utahns rally at the Capitol to urge Gov. Herbert to expand Medicaid coverage [Tribune].
- A push to hike the gasoline tax slows down a bit [Tribune].
- Lawmakers are frustrated at the slow pace taken by the committee considering a possible relocation of the state prison [KSL].
- A measure raising Utah’s age limit for buying tobacco to 21 sails through a legislative committee [Tribune].
- Rep. Curt Bramble is working on legislation to reform Utah elections and counter the proposed “Count My Vote” citizen’s initiative [Daily Herald].
- A proposal to expand DNA sampling of suspects is rejected by an interim committee [Tribune].
- A legislative panel approves a bill to create suicide prevention programs in Utah schools [Tribune].
- Former Lt. Gov. Greg Bell accepts an appointment to the USTAR board [Standard-Examiner].
- Democrat Morgan Bowen, who challenged Rep. Rob Bishop in 2008 and 2010, endorses physician Peter Clemens in the 2014 contest against Bishop [Tribune].
- Utah’s Economic Development Task Force says poor air quality should be a pressing issue for the state [Deseret News].
- UDOT officials say carpool lanes are so popular, about 13% of users are doing so illegally [Tribune].
- The Jordan School District looks for a way to manage exploding growth after voters reject a proposed $495 million bond [Deseret News].
- Cottonwood Heights officials decide to contract with a private company for snow removal this winter [Fox 13].
- Provo names John King from Maryland as their new police chief [Daily Herald].
