Government

SALT LAKE CITY -- A Senate bill repealing Utah's driving privilege cards used by thousands of illegal immigrants could be replaced by a measure to keep the cards but require background checks.

Republican Sen. Curt Bramble of Provo says the driving privilege cards protect Utah drivers because they allow a driver to get auto insurance.

He says most of the 40,000 people who use the cards are illegal immigrants.

Bramble says he plans to substitute a bill this week repealing the cards with one requiring background checks, photos and fingerprints for anyone getting the card.

Republican Sen. Steve Urquhart of St. George is the repeal sponsor. He says in a blog post he opposes the cards, even with stricter rules, because they attract illegal immigrants.

Urquhart says only four states offer the cards.

SALT LAKE CITY — A House bill to eliminate tenure for professors at Utah's public universities has higher education officials concerned because of its impact on their ability to recruit quality faculty.

WASHINGTON -- Despite calls on Capitol Hill for major defense budget cuts, the Pentagon this week will unveil the largest budget in its history -- driven by an expanding list of what defines national security.

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is poised to announce the results of a 10-month investigation into whether faulty electronics played a role in Toyota vehicles' sudden, unintentional acceleration and other safety problems.