Welcome to Thursday. The weekend is almost here. Sens. Mike Lee and Rand Paul are crusading against the National Security Agency and reauthorizing the Patriot Act, but they are out of touch with citizen opinion, according to a Rasmussen poll. Here are your other news highlights for Thursday:
-At GOP House caucus, leaders indicate desire to get past SB54 and prepare for 2016 elections (Utah Policy).
-Latest poll numbers show Att. Gen. Sean Reyes in good political shape (Utah Policy).
-Some legislators want TRAX rail service extended to Utah County (Utah Policy).
-Utah has the fourth-highest five-year population growth rate in the country, according to new census estimates (Deseret News).
-Utah energy officials say proposed federal rules to cut carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants could undermine the affordability and reliability of Utah electricity (Salt Lake Tribune).
-A legislative audit that found flaws in accounting methods used to measure Utah's water supply suggests the need to overhaul state law (Deseret News).
-Sen. Orrin Hatch disputes the assertions of a recent HBO special linking deaths in the military to dietary supplements (Salt Lake Tribune).
-At the first prison relocation open house, many wonder: why not just rebuild the prison in Draper? (Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret News).
–City Weekly takes in-depth look at the firing of Justin Miller by SL County Mayor Ben McAdams and Miller’s countercharges.
Countdown:
- Days to the 2015 Utah municipal primary elections – 82
- Days to the 2015 election – 166
- Days to the 2016 Iowa Caucus (tentative) – 243
- Days to the opening day of the 2016 Utah Legislature – 250
- Days to the 2016 New Hampshire Primary – 251
- Days to the 2016 Utah primary election – 405
- Days until the 2016 presidential election – 538
