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What You Need to Know About Utah Politics Today – January 22, 2014

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Utah gets an extension in their appeal of the Amendment 3 case. The ACLU sues Utah on behalf of same-sex couples. The LDS Church says don’t change Utah’s liquor laws.

 

Countdown:

  • 5 days until the start of the 2014 Legislature
  • 50 days until the final day of the 2014 Legislature
  • 153 days until Utah’s 2014 primary elections
  • 286 days to the 2014 midterm elections
  • 649 days to the 2015 elections
  • 714 days until the 2016 Iowa Caucuses
  • 1020 days to the 2016 presidential election

Today’s Utah news highlights:

  • The 10th Circuit court gives Utah a 7-day extension to prepare it’s appeal of a ruling that struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage [Deseret News].
  • The Utah ACLU launches a lawsuit against the state over the decision to put already performed same-sex marriages “on hold” pending appeal [Tribune].
  • The battle over Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage could set a precedent for similar court cases around the country [Tribune].
  • Another poll shows overwhelming support for a statewide anti-discrimination law based on sexual orientation [Deseret News].
  • The LDS Church says there’s no need to further alter Utah’s liquor laws during the 2014 session [Deseret News, Tribune].
  • Rep. Ryan Wilcox will sponsor legislation to get rid of the so-called “Zion Curtain” in restaurants [Standard-Examiner].
  • Rep. Chris Stewart officially launches his bid for another term in Congress [Tribune].
  • Sen. Todd Weiler says the 2014 legislative session will be just like the 2013 edition [Utah Policy]. He also faces the “lightning round” [Utah Policy].
  • Utah’s Democrats lay out their agenda for the upcoming legislative session [Deseret News, Tribune].
  • Enid Mickelsen will head up the committee that will select the site of the 2016 Republican National Convention [Utah Policy].
  • Gov. Herbert names State School Board member Tami Pyfer as his education advisor [Utah Policy].
  • The number of traffic fatalities on Utah roads last year rose slightly, mostly because drivers failed to wear seat belts [Tribune].

On this day in history:

  • England’s Queen Victoria died after being on the throne for 63 years in 1901.
  • During World War II, allied forces began landing at Anzio, Italy in 1944.
  • Former President Lyndon B. Johnson passed away at the age of 64 in 1973.
  • The Supreme Court legalized abortion in Roe v. Wade in 1973.
  • Madeline Albright was confirmed as the first female secretary of state in 1997.
  • Theodore Kaczynski pleaded guilty to being the Unabomber in 1998.