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Transportation Watch

Less Driving = Less Transportation Funding

The recent drop in vehicle miles traveled due largely to the price of gasoline and the weakening economy cuts both ways. There will certainly be less gasoline tax money available to do basic maintenance of our roads and add needed capacity and that is a problem that will have to be addressed. At the same time, however, there is a silver lining. Along the Wasatch Front, growth and the costs of meeting that growth have been challenging at best. We will still continue to grow. Nevertheless, the rate of growth will probably slow a bit allowing us as planners and transportation service providers to catch our breath and build some needed transportation infrastructure improvements. (Read full article below.)

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News Highlights Gov. Huntsman visits workers at the Utah Department of Commerce to solicit feedback on his four-day workweek schedule, which began Monday. Responses are mostly positive (Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News). Tribune argues in editorial that the state should return to direct election of state school board members, rather than have a committee make recommendations to the governor, who selects two candidates for the ballot. See also St. George Spectrum editorial. Despite economic slowdown, Gov. Huntsman is still upbeat about Utah’s economy (Davis County Clipper). Quote of the Day “All in all, it is evident the U.S. could eliminate the need for imported hydrocarbons by extracting its 2 trillion barrels of oil from oil shale deposits here at home. Brazil and Estonia have commercial plants operating; China is involved in oil shale operations. The U.S. is behind because Congress has gone backward. With oil prices at an all-time high, we must go forward.” -- Grace Wall Conlon, in a Daily Herald op-ed essay.

Wednesday Buzz *Written by LaVarr Webb & Associates*
Lessons from the ‘O8 Primary Columnist and political commentator Dick Morris says politics will never be the same again after the 2008 presidential election. Here are some of the ways he believes politics has changed, as outlined in a column in Politics magazine. -- Without winner-take-all, don’t count on a knockout. The proportional representation system used by Democrats in primary states means the days of a quick primary victory are over. Unless Democrats revert to the winner-take-all system used by the Republican Party, “deadlock and an inability to declare clear winners” will be the norm. -- The Internet is a better way to raise money than courting wealthy people or special interests. Internet fundraising also allows a candidate to stay in the game longer. “The old days – where the frontrunner would score a few primary victories and his opponents would surrender – are over. Now, a challenger’s money doesn’t necessarily dry up when his prospects for victory dim. Fat cats desert a sinking ship. Internet donors don’t. They send in more small donations.” -- There is no such thing as private anymore. Everyone has a cell phone camera. Your private comments and unguarded moments will soon be world famous. -- Field organizations matter. Television has met its match in the caucus system many states use. Only a good field organization can get activists to the caucuses. -- YouTube is the new network. More than ABC, NBC, CBS or the cable stations, the best way to get your message out nationally is through your website, e-mail, and YouTube. -- Cable news matters. Network TV is for prime-time entertainment, but the daily exposure on cable news and public television is so intensive that it replaces broadcast television. Economy Slow, But Utah Still Creating Jobs Sluggish U.S. economic growth continues to impact Utah small businesses, according to the latest measurement of the Zions Bank Small Business Index. The index was 84.3 in July, down from a revised 86.7 in June. The Index, compiled by Zions Bank economic consultant Jeff Thredgold, measures business conditions from the viewpoint of the Utah small business owner or manager. Utah's unemployment rate was estimated at 3.2% in the latest month, unchanged from the prior month's rate. Total Utah employment is up an estimated 11,500 jobs during the past 12 months. U.S. economic growth during 2008's second quarter was a less-than-expected 1.9% real annual rate. Growth for the two prior quarters was also revised downward. The U.S. economy lost an estimated 51,000 net jobs in July, fewer than expected. The U.S. unemployment rate rose to 5.7%, a four-year high. Utah's unemployment rate averaged 2.7% in 2007, 3.0% in 2006, 4.2% in 2005, and 4.9% during the 2000-2004 period. These rates compare to an average Utah unemployment rate of 3.5% between 1995 and 1999. The 0.9% rise in employment growth is the first time since 2003 that Utah employment growth has dipped below 1.0%. The August 2008 Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah will be released on September 9. Taxpayers Association Newsletter The Utah Taxpayers Association has posted its August newsletter. This month's edition compares the costs of congestion pricing with general sales tax increases and features a column by Association Pres. Howard Stephenson on amending Gov. Huntsman's four-day workweek "to serve the public better." SUWA: No to Land Use Plan The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance says the Moab land use plan released last Friday by the BLM "continues to cement into place the Bush Administration's legacy of opening Utah's iconic redrock canyon country to irresponsible energy development and 4-wheeler and jeep-based recreation." Says SUWA's Liz Thomas: "The Moab plan is out of touch with the public's values. Although less than seven percent of visitors to the Moab area report that their main activity is motorized recreation, the new plan ignored that information and is weighted heavily on the side of dirt bikes, 4-wheelers and jeeps. Under BLM's plan, 84% of all public lands near Moab will be within 5 city blocks of an off-road vehicle route, leaving few places where visitors can enjoy the quiet and beauty of the redrock canyons and mesas Moab is famous for, without the loud whine of dirt bikes and 4-wheelers" (see press release). Today in Political History Aug. 6, 1787: The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia begins to debate a draft of the U.S. Constitution. Aug. 6, 1965: Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act. (Source: NY Times) Wise Words “To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it.” -- Thomas Jefferson, on taxes. (Source: Patriot Post) Campaign Tip Fundraising Online is Effective Political fundraising online is hot! The online success of the 2004 and 2008 presidential races has spurred a revolution in Internet political fundraising. In 2004 alone, over $100 million was raised mostly through small donations on the Internet for presidential candidates in less than six months. Statistics show that online constituents are 4 times more likely to vote than the general public and contribute online 3 times higher: $111 versus $35. Online contributors to political campaigns are predominately male, highly educated and earn a high income. Online political fundraising is enjoying success and rapid growth. That’s why you need to be sure that your campaign takes advantage of this great tool. But, be sure that you do it right. (Source: Political Resources) National Politics Best Stories From . . . -- New York Times: Columnist Dan Schnur: "If the campaign consultants have their way, 90 days from now roughly half of the electorate will think that John McCain is an angry, nasty and bitter old man. The other half will think that Barack Obama is an egotistical, feckless and immature dilettante. ... [T]hose two caricatures that are on the verge of being imprinted in the public consciousness will frame the campaign conversation from this point forward." -- Roll Call: Columnist Mort Kondracke says Obama's supporters may not have fully digested the fact "that he means to be, like George Bush, another American wartime president. ... If the going gets rough in Afghanistan, will a party that wanted to pull out of the Iraq 'quagmire' at the first sign of trouble really back President Obama as he wages war, or will Democrats fracture as they did over the Vietnam War 40 years ago?" -- Politico: "California Democrat Nancy Pelosi may be trying to save the planet -- but the rank and file in her party increasingly are just trying to save their political hides when it comes to gas prices as Republicans apply more and more rhetorical muscle. But what looks like intraparty tension on the surface is part of an intentional strategy in which Pelosi takes the heat on energy policy, while behind the scenes she's encouraging vulnerable Democrats to express their independence if it helps them politically, according to Democratic aides on and off Capitol Hill." -- RealClearPolitics: Columnist Larry Kudlow: As McCain "and the GOP leadership nationalize the drill, drill, drill message, the Republican party might conceivably be riding a summer political rally. The question of offshore drilling, along with expanded domestic energy production, has suddenly become the biggest political and economic wedge issue of this election. Is there a Republican tsunami in the making?" Lighter Side “Never let fear of striking out get in your way. Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” -- Babe Ruth, who set records for both home runs and strikeouts.

Elected Officials Birthday List

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Wednesday
August 6, 2008

Local Headlines

Deseret News

- Council considers opening Oxbow to relieve overcrowded S.L. County jail

- Offices adjust hours as 4-day week begins

- Moab tailings project approved

- Utah roads rank middle of the road

- Funding for airport TRAX approved

- Editorial: Making everyone count

Daily Herald

- Another town for Utah County?

- Lehi seeks input on raises

- A.F. residents against tax increase

- Editorial: Cities can cut costs creatively

- Op-ed: Companies moving ahead on oil-shale development

Tooele Transcript Bulletin

- Editorial: Walkable communities a good concept to aim for

- Op-ed: If it’s not right, exercise citizen’s right to complain

Park Record

- Mayor Shauna Kerr: how does that sound?

KCPW

- Entrepreneurship in Utah

- County Council Approves Airport TRAX Funding Agreement

- County Council Tables Oxbow Jail Proposal

- Funding Source for Vision Benefit at Risk

- Survey Says: Townships Prefer to Remain Unincorporated

- Stephenson Critical of Four Day Workweek

Davis County Clipper

- Huntsman upbeat on jobs, budget

- Dems vow to defeat GOP...in softball

- Media give tapes to investigators

St. George Spectrum

- Editorial: School board votes

Salt Lake Tribune

- Guv seeks feedback on 4-day workweek

- S.L. County considers reopening Oxbow Jail to meet prisoner demand

- Taking closer look at school testing

- Rolly: Worker claims gifts to Buttars reimbursed

- City manager off to Florida

- Hogle Zoo bond debate is delayed for a week

- Tutoring option pushed

- Rail choice clears way for tailings cleanup

- Streets don't feel safe, but Glendale residents won't stay indoors

- Popular activist put causes first

- Utah gasoline official: Profit-taking going on

- Editorial: The people's choice: Make state school board election democratic

- Editorial: Clean and green: Task force eyes renewable energy resources

Political Calendar

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Aug 6: RadioWest on KUER FM 90: Crandall Canyon Remembered, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Richard Stickler, chief of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Salt Lake Tribune reporter Robert Gehrke, and others about the lessons learned one year after the tragedy.

- Aug 6: Lt. Governor Herbert to address the Six County AOG, 10 a.m., 250 North Main, Richfield.

- Aug 7: Lt. Governor Herbert to participate in the Utah Rural Summit, Great Hall, Haze Conference Center, Cedar City.

- Aug 7: Salt Lake City Municipal Taxation Information Session, 7 p.m., City & County Building, 451 South State Street, Council Office Work Room. Objective is to address municipal government and taxation issues proposed in the FY 2009 budget. Members of the City’s budget team will be on hand to present and answer questions on the topic.
- Aug 8: Higher Education and Applied Technology Governance Committee, 1 p.m., room C450.

- Aug 9: Davis County Republicans Picnic, 6 p.m., Ellison Park, 700 N. 2300 W., Layton. All Davis Republicans are invited to attend with no cost except a potluck item. RSVP to Ben Horsley. Attendees areinvited to stay for the softball game right after.

- Aug 9: Annual Democrats vs. Republican Softball Game, 7 p.m., Ellison Park, 700 N. 2300 West, Layton (Layton Hills exit, turn west to 2300 West ).
- Aug 15: GenX GOP networking group summer lunch, 12 p.m., Hires, 400 S 700 E, Salt Lake City. For more info email mike.winder@winderfarms.com.

- Aug 16: Peace Garden Festival, 12 to 5 p.m., The Peace Garden, Jordan River Park, 900 West 1000 South, Salt Lake City. Free to the public. Each nationality in the Garden will put on a 20 minute program.

- Aug 18: Candidate Forum sponsored by the Salt Lake Chamber and the Utah Foundation Utah Priorities Project, 12 to 1 p.m., Board Room, Salt Lake Chamber, 175 East University Blvd. (400 South), Suite 600, Salt Lake City. Forum includes Senate District 23 candidates Richard Watson vs. Dan Liljenquist or Ron Mortensen.

- Aug 19: Lt. Governor Herbert to visit Red Leaf's operations in the Uinta Basin.

- Aug 20: Legislative meetings scheduled throughout day. See Legislative calendar for details.
- Aug 21: Health System Reform Task Force Meeting, 8 a.m., room W020.

- Aug 21: Education Interim Committee Meeting, 9 a.m., room C445.

- Aug 25-27: Lt. Governor Herbert to participate in the Governor's Rural Trip visiting locations throughout rural Utah.
- Aug 25-28: Democratic National Convention, Denver

- Aug 27: Immigration Interim Committee Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Ecker Hill International Middle School Auditorium.

- Aug 28: ChamberWest Business Before Lunch networking event, 11 a.m., The E Center, 3200 S. Decker Lake Drive. For chamber members. Please call 801-977-8755 to reserve table space.

- Aug 28: ChamberWest General Membership Meeting, 11:45 a.m., The E Center Centennial Room, 3200 S. Decker Lake Drive. Presenter is Sen. Bob Bennett. Cost is $15, RSVP required by calling 801-977-8755. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will also be presenting Sen. Bennett the 'Spirit of Enterprise' award as part of this event.

- Aug 28: Libertarian Party Monthly Social, 6 to 9 p.m., Mo's Neighborhood Grill, 358 S. West Temple. Come and bring a friend, for food, drink, politics and good company.
- Sept 1-4: Republican National Convention, Minneapolis, MN

- Sept 1: Labor Day

- Sept 1: Mayor Peter Corroon’s Open Door Meeting, 4 to 5 p.m., Mayor’s Office, N-2100 (Second floor, North building), Salt Lake County Government Center, 2001 South State Street. Each meeting will run approximately 10 minutes. No appointment is needed. Residents are invited to bring concerns or issues to the Mayor’s attention.
- Sept 2: State office, legislative office, state school board and local school board candidate financial disclosure report due.

- Sept 3: Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, 1 p.m., room C445.

- Sept 8: 2nd Annual what's IN OUT back! Economic Summit and Golf Tournament, Zermatt and Homestead Resorts. Designed to showcase new and standing developments, issues and concerns that are happening in Wasatch County. Following the summit will be a classic 4-person scramble golf tournament. Attend the economic summit, the golf tournament, or both. For more info or to register click here.

- Sept 8: Salt Lake County Local of the Green Party of Utah Meeting, 7 p.m., The Coffee Club, 4879 S Redwood Rd, Taylorsville. Meetings are held the first Monday of each month. For more info contact Eileen at 801-201-0219 or leenaree@xmission.com
- Sept 15: Utah Senate Majority Golf Tournament, 8 a.m. registration with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m., Eaglewood Golf Course, Bountiful. For more info click here or contact Laura Barlow, 435-881-2588.

- Sept 15: Candidate Forum sponsored by the Salt Lake Chamber and the Utah Foundation Utah Priorities Project, 12 to 1 p.m., Board Room, Salt Lake Chamber, 175 East University Blvd. (400 South), Suite 600, Salt Lake City. Forum includes County Council 6 candidates Max Burdick vs. Roger Harding.

- Sept 17: Legislative meetings scheduled throughout day. See Legislative calendar for details.
- Sept 18: 5th Annual Shotgun Blast with Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, Browning Headquarters, Mountain Green.

- Sept 18: Health System Reform Task Force Meeting, 8 a.m., room W020.

- Sept 18: Education Interim Committee Meeting, 9 a.m., room C445.

- Sept 20: "You've got to fight for the right to party" McCullough for Attorney General fund raising event, 9 p.m., Paladium Club, Salt Lake City. Featuring the Voodoo Box band and the Voodoo Darlings dance troupe. Click here for more info. www.andrewmccullough.org/events

- Sept 23: United Nations Assoc. annual UNICEF Pot-Luck with speaker Robert Hopkins, 6 to 8 p.m., Sugarhouse Garden Center.
- Sept 29: Candidate Forum sponsored by the Salt Lake Chamber and the Utah Foundation Utah Priorities Project, 12 to 1 p.m., Board Room, Salt Lake Chamber, 175 East University Blvd. (400 South), Suite 600, Salt Lake City. Forum includes County Council 2 candidates Michael Jensen vs. Paul Pugmire.
- Oct 6: Mail-in Voter Registration (postmark) for General Election

- Oct 6: Candidate Forum sponsored by the Salt Lake Chamber and the Utah Foundation Utah Priorities Project, 12 to 1 p.m., Board Room, Salt Lake Chamber, 175 East University Blvd. (400 South), Suite 600, Salt Lake City. Forum includes Senate District 1 candidates Carlton Christensen vs. Luz Robles.

- Oct 6: Salt Lake County Local of the Green Party of Utah Meeting, 7 p.m., The Coffee Club, 4879 S Redwood Rd, Taylorsville. Meetings are held the first Monday of each month. For more info contact Eileen at 801-201-0219 or leenaree@xmission.com.

- Oct 8: Lobbyist financial disclosures for Quarter 3 due

- Oct 10: The Governor’s Gala fundraising event. Tables cost $5,000. Contact Mike Deaver, mikedeaver@gmail.com.
- Oct 13: Columbus Day

- Oct 13: Health Systems Reform Task Force meeting, 8 a.m., room C250.

- Oct 20: Last day for in-person voter registration
- Oct 20: Candidate Forum sponsored by the Salt Lake Chamber and the Utah Foundation Utah Priorities Project, 12 to 1 p.m., Board Room, Salt Lake Chamber, 175 East University Blvd. (400 South), Suite 600, Salt Lake City. Forum includes Salt Lake County Mayor candidates Peter Corroon vs. Michael Renckert.

- Oct 21: Early voting begins
- Oct 27: Candidate Forum sponsored by the Salt Lake Chamber and the Utah Foundation Utah Priorities Project, 12 to 1 p.m., Board Room, Salt Lake Chamber, 175 East University Blvd. (400 South), Suite 600, Salt Lake City. Forum includes candidates Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. vs. Bob Springmeyer.

- Oct 28: State office, legislative office, state school board and local school board candidate financial disclosure report due
- Oct 30: Candidate Forum sponsored by the Salt Lake Chamber and the Utah Foundation Utah Priorities Project, 12 to 1 p.m., Board Room, Salt Lake Chamber, 175 East University Blvd. (400 South), Suite 600, Salt Lake City. Forum includes President candidates (State Campaign Directors) John McCain vs. Barrack Obama or Hillary Clinton.

- See the entire calendar

Feature Story

Less Driving = Less Transportation Funding

By Sam Klemm, WFRC Public Information Officer

At the same time, however, there is a silver lining. Along the Wasatch Front, growth and the costs of meeting that growth have been challenging at best. We will still continue to grow. Nevertheless, the rate of growth will probably slow a bit allowing us as planners and transportation service providers to catch our breath and build some needed transportation infrastructure improvements. Due to financial constraints, we will probably always be playing catch-up to transportation demand. However, within the next several years, major transportation infrastructure improvements such as the Legacy Parkway, multiple arterial street widening projects, I-15 widening in Utah County, and the massive UTA TRAX and FrontRunner projects will be completed. These should make a noticeable difference in the level of congestion along the Wasatch Front.

The problem remains, how to pay for all this. Sales tax attributable to automobiles is and should remain dedicated to transportation. This is what is making the difference in the projects underway across the State. This portion of sales tax receipts will grow with the economy and is a mainstay of our transportation program.

Gasoline tax is the other financial pillar in our transportation program. In the short run, it remains a viable option although it does not grow with inflation. Most of us will continue to use gasoline-powered vehicles and will do so for the next ten years or so. After that, however, other more environmentally friendly options such as plug in hybrids, natural gas and hydrogen powered vehicles will hopefully be widely available. At that time, the Legislature and the Congress will have to make some difficult decisions regarding how to continue funding highway maintenance and expansion. There have been several options suggested such as a mileage tax or increased use of tolls and some have even been tried in other parts of the country. It remains to be seen which methods are best and it is likely that some time will pass before that is known.

One fact remains. The roads and transit facilities will still have to be maintained and new ones built. That costs money. The Wasatch Front Regional Council remains committed to the construction of the Regional Transportation Plan as absolutely necessary to our well being as a community and commits to work with the Congress, the Governor, the Legislature and other government entities to ensure that the financial underpinnings of our transportation network are solid.

On the Move

Links to the Week's Key Transportation News Stories

-- COG supports road projects bond (Logan Herald Journal).
-- Editorial: The allure of the bus (Daily Herald).
-- Editorial: Bumpy road: As drivers conserve gasoline, highway funds tank (Tribune).
-- (Cattle) driving down the highway (Standard-Examiner).
-- Scenic byways on Logan agenda (Logan Herald Journal).
-- New I-80 bridges are all in place (Deseret News).
-- UTA implementing another 25-cent surcharge due to rising fuel costs (Deseret News and Tribune).
-- Asphalt shortage surfaces (Standard-Examiner).
-- Future TRAX stations to get plain names (Tribune).
-- State pushes UTA to expand board (Tribune).
-- Roads get first dibs on funding, rail coming fast (Daily Herald).
-- Editorial: Utah running short of transportation funding (Standard-Examiner).

-- Council discusses airport standards (Spectrum).
-- UDOT provides design funding for Telegraph Street (Spectrum).

-- Parleys prepares to shut down for two weekends (Tribune).
-- Road closures spur hot deals to stay in Park City (Park Record).
-- UTA Adds Another Fuel Surcharge to Fares (KCPW).
-- Utah ranks 25th in road performance (Deseret News).
-- Op-ed: Salt Lake Chamber CEO Lane Beattie quoted in op-ed about bad traffic congestion in Atlanta (Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
-- Rolly: High price of oil delays road work (Tribune).
-- Bridges on I-80 monitored for stress, strain during move (Deseret News).
-- National report lauds Utah bridges, traffic fatality rate (Standard-Examiner).

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Utah Transportation Watch is a service of Utah Policy.com