Increased education funding actually went to retirement or healthcare costs. Plan to hike registration fees on alternative fuel vehicles runs into some opposition.
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Countdown:
- 31 days until the final day of the 2014 Legislature
- 134 days until Utah’s 2014 primary elections
- 267 days to the 2014 midterm elections
- 630 days to the 2015 elections
- 695 days until the 2016 Iowa Caucuses
- 1001 days to the 2016 presidential election
Today’s Utah political news highlights:
- Most of the money allocated by lawmakers to boost per-pupil spending last year actually went to the state retirement system or rising healthcare costs [Tribune].
- Utah schools look to boost technology use in the classroom [Tribune].
- Lawmakers consider making some changes to the state’s controversial school-grading law [Deseret News].
- Rep. Curt Oda wants to preserve gun rights for people convicted of some “white-collar” felonies [Tribune].
- A state study suggests Utah’s liquor laws may lead to more people drinking at home [Tribune].
- Natalie Gochnour argues in favor of hiking Utah’s gas tax [Deseret News].
- A bill by Sen. Wayne Harper would hike registration fees on alternative fuel vehicles, prompting some cries of outrage [Tribune]. Harper says his bill is not meant to discourage people from purchasing electric or natural gas powered cars [Utah Policy].
- Sen Brian Shiozawa introduces legislation to keep USTAR’s funding following a critical audit while increasing accountability and transparency [Utah Policy].
- A state audit says the Attorney General’s office could do a better job tracking it’s fleet of vehicles [Tribune].
- Rep. Chris Stewart’s rising profile in Congress means he’s expected to contribute funds to help other Republicans get elected [Tribune].
- Backers of of the “Count My Vote” initiative to change Utah’s nominating system are not happy with Sen. Curt Bramble’s bill which would essentially nullify their efforts [Daily Herald]. Bramble says his bill would be a compromise between caucus supporters and “Count My Vote” [Utah Policy].
- Salt Lake City has to return $1.2 million to developers due to conflicting language in an ordinance on road fees [Tribune].
On this day in history:
- The Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian War in 1763. France ceded Canada to England under terms of the treaty.
- Members of the LDS Church began their exodus west from Illinois in 1846.
- The Soviet Union exchanged captured spy plane pilot Francis Gary Powers for Soviet spy Rudolph Abel in 1962.
- The 25th Amendment, which deals with presidential succession, was ratified in 1967.
- North Korea announced it possessed nuclear weapons in 2005.
- Sen. Barack Obama kicked off his presidential campaign in Springfield, Illinois in 2007.
