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News Highlights

Utah’s incumbent congressmen still mostly rely on large donations for their election campaigns. But a new trend of larger numbers of small donations is emerging. 3rd District GOP candidate Jason Chaffetz has tapped into it (Salt Lake Tribune).

The Utah Republican Assembly has reorganized, but former legislator Mike Thompson says the group's new incarnation will be less radical and divisive than it was in the 90s (Deseret News).

Quote of the Day

"We're fooling ourselves if we say things aren't going to change. But if we do it right, we can preserve the important elements of this area for future generations."

-- Al Mickelsen, Wasatch County planning director, commenting on rapid development in Heber Valley (Tribune).

Monday Buzz
Written by LaVarr Webb & Associates

The Week Ahead

The Olympics, which run through next Sunday, will divert attention from a big political week. At the national level, Democrats will begin congregating in Denver by the weekend, preparing for the start of the Democratic National Convention on Monday. Speculation is rampant that Barack Obama will announce his VP running mate this week, in advance of the convention.  

In Utah, state lawmakers return to action in a big way after a slow summer. A full slate of interim committee meetings are scheduled for Wednesday. See the legislative calendar for schedules and agendas. Committees are rushing to get important legislation in shape for the January 2009 general session. Sen. Orrin Hatch and Congressman Rob Bishop are scheduled to make a rare appearance before a Utah legislative committee to talk about energy development. They will be featured at a Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment committee meeting on Wednesday (see agenda).  The Revenue and Taxation Committee will focus on highway congestion pricing with testimony from Mike Krusee, a state legislator from Texas, who has championed tolling and private investment in highways in Texas (see agenda). The Huntsman administration’s four-day work week will be discussed in the Government Ops Committee (see agenda). On Thursday, the Healthy System Reform Task Force focuses on key issues (see agenda) and the Education Interim Committee discusses teacher quality and performance-based pay for teachers. For all the week’s political events, see the UtahPolicy.com calendar.

Monday Musing

Late Summer in the High Country

Haying season is in full swing in the high meadows at the foothills of the north slope of the Uinta Mountains. Farmers swath down the thigh-high grass, creating neat rows. When the mowed grass has dried sufficiently, it is baled into large, round bales, each weighing hundreds of pounds. Thousands of the big bales dot the meadows along the Mirrror Lake Highway south of Evanston. They will be hauled to barns and haystacks, ready to feel cattle and horses through the cold winter months.

A touch of autumn was clearly felt in the high country last weekend. It was 32 degrees at 5 a.m. Saturday morning, under a full moon that lit up the landscape. Some of the maples on the higher slopes are starting to turn colors. We’ll yet have plenty of warm weather, but Mother Nature is putting us on notice: summer is coming to an end.

Today in Political History

Aug. 18, 1894:  Congress establishes the Bureau of Immigration.

Aug. 18, 1914:  President Woodrow Wilson issues his Proclamation of Neutrality, aimed at keeping the United States out of World War I.

Aug. 18, 1920:  The 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees the right of women to vote, is ratified when Tennessee becomes the 36th state to approve it.  (Source:  NY Times)

Wise Words

“How often we fail to realize our good fortune in living in a country where happiness is more than a lack of tragedy.”

-- Paul Sweeney  (Source:  Quote Garden) 

Leadership Tip

Courage is Calling

Most five year-olds are fearless.They will try practically anything. They do not stop to think about possible dangers.

We can learn a lesson from their bodaciousness.

As adults we often stop ourselves because of fear. We are afraid that we won't be good enough; we could make a mistake or look stupid. What if we were not fearful? What if we feared less? What if we acted with courage in the face of fear? When we act from our desire rather than our fear we can dream and accomplish whatever we want. What is courage calling you to do?   (Source:  Synergy) 

National Politics

Best Stories From . . .

-- New York Times: "As Senator Barack Obama prepares to accept the Democratic presidential nomination next week, party leaders in battleground states say the fight ahead against Senator John McCain looks tougher than they imagined, with Mr. Obama vulnerable on multiple fronts despite weeks of cross-country and overseas campaigning."

-- Wall Street Journal: Obama and McCain "met on stage together [Saturday night] for a few moments as the pair took back-to-back questions from one of the nation's most prominent evangelical leaders. The crowd at the Rev. Rick Warren's Saddleback Valley Community Church gave both men enthusiastic receptions as they discussed their personal faith, failings and their views on a range of issues."

-- Los Angeles Times: McCain "had the easier task [at the Saddleback forum]. He drew frequent applause with crisp answers intended to reinforce his conservative credentials. Obama offered more nuanced and analytical answers on some issues important to conservative voters: abortion, same-sex marriage and stem-cell research."

-- Associated Press: "Democrats' stance against offshore drilling has shifted more, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signaling on Saturday her willingness to consider opening up more coastal areas to oil and gas exploration."

Sierra Club Interviews Becker
Sierra Club Radio talks with Mayor Ralph Becker about Salt Lake City's new green initiatives.

Lighter Side

“I was having TV trouble. I was getting C-Span and the Home Shopping Network on the same station. I actually bought a congressman.”

-- Comedian Bruce Baum in Reader’s Digest)

 

Elected Officials Birthday List

Utah Policy Daily is a service
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Publisher: LaVarr Webb
Editor: Paul Hollingshead
News: Golden Webb
Calendar and Subscriptions: Luci Hollingshead

 

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Monday
August 18, 2008

Local Headlines

Deseret News

- Taxes unchanged? Keep eye on fees

- Conservative Utah group has returned

- Medicare to try Web access program

- Times are tough, but Utahns are still giving

- John Florez: Let the people - not politics - choose Board of Education

Standard-Examiner

- Officials use marketing, incentives to lure businesses

- Editorial: Self-deportation may take time

- Op-ed: We need what 'Big Oil' provides us

- Op-ed: A list of proposals to alleviate the current oil crisis

- Op-ed: Mineral harvesting at quality-assured

Logan Herald Journal

- School review: USU 1 of West's best

KCPW

- Inside Oxbow

- Utah Democrats Heading to Convention Soon

Salt Lake Tribune

- Parents must wait for school NCLB data

- Rolly: Unconstitutional? The state says don't sweat it

- Tax incentive to donate?

- China, U. students to cover election

- Still-rural area tries to avoid Park City 'pitfalls'

Political Calendar

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com


- Aug 18: RadioWest on KUER FM 90: NPR's Howard Berkes and Tom Goldman from the Olympics, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

- 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 18: Governor Huntsman to attend the Sephora Grand Opening, 2 p.m., Sephora Distribution Center, 6075 West 300 South.

- Aug 19: Governor Huntsman to attend the National Clean Energy Summit, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas.

- Aug 19: Executive Appropriations Committee, 1 p.m., room C445.

- Aug 20: Legislative meetings scheduled throughout day. See Legislative calendar for details.

- Aug 20: Governor Huntsman to attend the Water Symposium, 9 a.m., Albion Basin, Alfs, 9280 S. Albion Basin Road, Alta.

- Aug 20: Governor Huntsman to attend the CHIP News Conference, 11 a.m., Capitol Grounds, Courtyard, Salt Lake City.
- Aug 21: Health System Reform Task Force Meeting, 8 a.m., room W020.

- Aug 21: Capital Facilites and Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Meeting, 8 a.m., Site Visit.

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

- Aug 21: Governor Huntsman to attend the Presentation of Purple Heart to Mr. Clint Sagers, WWII Veteran, 10:30 a.m., Gold Room.

- Aug 21: A Community Response To Youth & Gang Violence Prevention Forum, 6 p.m., Pioneer Police Precinct, 1040 West 700 South, Salt Lake City. Sponsored by: The Romero Alternative. The Salt Lake City Police Department and the Metro Gang Unit will be the presenters. For more info contact Michael Clara, 801-521-3223.

- Aug 21: UTOPIA Citizens Advisory Network Interim Meeting, 7 p.m., Taylorsville Library, 4870 South 2700 West, Taylorsville. This is an interim meeting of U-CAN for residents of Salt Lake County.All others are welcome to attend.

- Aug 22: Capital Facilites and Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Meeting, 8 a.m., Site Visit.

- Aug 23: UTOPIA Citizens Advisory Network Meeting, 12 p.m., Davis County Library Central Branch, 155 N. Wasatch Dr., Layton. This is the regular monthly meeting of U-CAN. Anyone who would like to learn more about UTOPIA or contribute ideas on how to improve it is welcome to attend.

- Aug 23: UTOPIA Citizens Advisory Network Interim Meeting, 4 p.m., Lindon City Center, 100 N State St, Lindon. This is an interim meeting of U-CAN for residents of Utah County. All are welcome to attend.

- Aug 23: Fundraising Dinner for Montana A.G. Candidate Tim Fox, hosted by A.G. Mark Shurtleff, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Downtown Hilton Hotel, 255 S. West Temple. Single seat $250 or table for six $1000. Click here for seat reservations or email Jessica.

- 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 Meeting, 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 10: Commerce and Workforce Services Appropriations Subcommittee Meeting, 8 a.m., room C250.

- Sept 12: United Way of Salt Lake 2008 Financial Stability Summit. Focus the summit is to prioritize the objectives in the areas of income, education, health, and housing. Governor Huntsman to give the welcome address. For more information please contact Liz Cala or visit www.uw.org

- Sept 13: Neighborhood Open House hosted by Dr. Joe Jarvis, Republican candidate for House District 24, 10 a.m., Hatch Family Chocolates, 390 4th Avenue, Salt Lake City.
- Sept 15: Utah Senate Majority Golf Tournament, registration begins at 6:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 7:30 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 16: Executive Appropriations Committee Meeting, 1 p.m., room C445.

- Sept 17: Legislative meetings scheduled throughout day. See Legislative calendar for details.

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

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

- See the entire calendar