How to Sound Smart About Utah Politics – July 18, 2014

Herbert says the state will recognize same-sex marriages if the Supreme Court doesn’t intervene. Swallow and Shurtleff get their first court dates. Bishop takes a fundraising lead over McAleer.

 

Countdown:

  • 109 days until the 2014 midterm elections
  • 192 days to the opening day of the 2015 legislature
  • 473 days until the 2015 elections
  • 549 days to the 2016 Iowa Caucuses (tentative)
  • 844 days until the 2016 presidential election

Friday’s top news stories:

  • Gov. Gary Herbert says Utah will recognize same-sex marriages performed in the state if the Supreme Court fails to grant a stay [Deseret News].
  • The first court dates for John Swallow and Mark Shurtleff are set [Deseret News].
  • Gov. Gary Herbert wants the state to settle the issues surrounding Common Core once and for all [Utah Policy, Deseret News, Tribune].
  • Rep. Rob Bishop takes the fundraising lead over Democrat Donna McAleer [Utah Policy].
  • The Utah state school board postpones a decision on whether the state should renew it’s No Child Left Behind waiver [Tribune, Deseret News].
  • A new study says the number of Utahns who fall into the Medicaid coverage gap is greater than previously estimated [Tribune, Deseret News].
  • Rep. Jason Chaffetz introduces legislation to speed up the deportation process to deal with the crisis on the southern border [Utah Policy, Tribune].
  • Work is set to begin work on a $1.8 billion improvement to Salt Lake City International Airport [Tribune, Deseret News].

On this day in history:

  • 64 – A great fire began that ultimately destroyed most of Rome.
  • 1936 – The Democratic National Convention in Chicago nominated President Franklin D. Roosevelt for a third term in office.
  • 1969 – A car driven by Sen. Ted Kennedy plunged off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island. His passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, died.
  • 1976 – Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci earned the first perfect score at the Olympics and went on to win three gold medals.