Local News Highlights: Daily Briefing

How to Sound Smart About Utah Politics - April 25, 2014

Herbert says a controversial Nevada rancher should not be the face of the fight over public lands. Derek Miller steps down as Herbert's chief of staff. Same-sex weddings could boost Utah's economy.

Countdown:

• The Utah State Republican and Democratic conventions are Saturday
• 61 days until Utah's 2014 primary elections
• 192 days to the 2014 midterm elections
  
• 276 days to the start of the 2015 Utah Legislature
• 556 days to the 2015 elections
• 621 days until the 2016 Iowa Caucuses
  
• 927 days to the 2016 presidential election

• Gov. Gary Herbert says controversial Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy should not be the "face" of the fight over control of public lands [Tribune, Deseret News].
• Herbert suggests Utah needs to take control of wild horse herds in the state in order to control their populations [Utah Policy].
• Rep. Rob Bishop denounces racist comments made by Cliven Bundy [Tribune].
• Derek Miller, Herbert's chief of staff, steps down to take the top job at the World Trade Center Utah [Tribune].
• Herbert says helping to grow the Mexican economy may help to halt the tide of illegal immigration from that country [Tribune].
• A study says same-sex weddings could boost Utah's economy by more than $15 million [Tribune].
• Justin Fawson is appointed to fill the legislative seat vacated by Rep. Ryan Wilcox [Tribune].
• An online petition aimed at helping the Salt Lake Tribune survive may be harvesting personal information for political purposes [Utah Policy].
• Republican leaders from around the Western U.S. are gathering in Salt Lake City [Utah Policy, Deseret News].
• Overstock.com chairman Jonathan Johnson is eyeing a run for governor in 2016 [Utah Policy].

• 1507 - "America" was first used as the name of a continent on a map.
• 1859 - Crews broke ground on the Suez canal.
• 1898 - The United States declared war on Spain.
• 1901 - New York became the first state to require automobile license plates.
• 1945 - Delegates from 50 countries met in San Francisco to organize the United Nations.
• 1990 - The Hubble Space Telescope was deployed from the Space Shuttle Discovery.
• 2003 - The Georgia legislature voted to remove the "Confederate flag" design from its state flag.
• 2007 - The Dow Jones industrial average topped 13,000 for the first time ever.

Today At Utah Policy

Jonathan Johnson: Idea Guy is Considering 2016 Run for Governor While it's still very early in the 2016 election cycle, Utah political observers should keep an eye on Jonathan Johnson, a Utah business leader and possible 2016 gubernatorial candidate.Johnson, the chairman of Overstock.com (a sponsor of Utah Policy Daily), continues to rai...

Republicans from Around the West Gather in Salt Lake City It almost seems a bit selfish for Utah GOP leaders to want even more Republican votes here one of the most Republican states in the nation....

Pro-Tribune Website May be Harvesting Personal Information from Users An online petition to "save the Salt Lake Tribune" is raising eyebrows because of who isspearheadingthe effort....

Bernick and Schott on Politics - Episode #186 Republicans and Democrats are set to hold their nominating conventions this weekend. Another damning report about former Attorney General Mark Shurtleff comes out. And, what nerd culture means for Utah's economy.Plus, what the heck is going on with Bob and Bryan's hair?Berni...

Herbert Says Utah Should Take Control of Wild Horse Herds While it may not be popular with some individuals and groups, Utah should take over the management of wild horses and burros on federal lands in the state, euthanize a number of animals to keep ranges open for cattle grazing, Gov. Gary Herbert told reporters after his monthl...

Featured Items

Gov. Herbert's Chief of Staff to Take Over World Trade Center Utah Governor Herbert's chief of staff, Derek Miller, has been named president and CEO of the World Trade Center Utah....

Weekly Survey: Will Utah Host the 2016 Democratic National Convention? It was announced this week that Salt Lake City is on the final list of cities invited to bid to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention. What do you think the chances are that Utah will land the event? Vote now in our weekly survey....

Wise Words

Simple Answers
"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."
Dr. Seuss Quotations Page

Lighter Side

Starting Early
"A super-PAC urging Hillary Clinton to run for president says it raised $1.7 million in the first three months of the year. Said President Obama, 'I'll kick in another million if she's willing to start early.'" Seth Meyers Political Humor