News Highlights

Anti-immigrant legislation, especially the repeal of in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants, isn't sailing through the Legislature (Deseret Morning News).

In response to New York Rep. Maurice Hinchey's proposal to designate 9M acres of Utah BLM land as wilderness, Utah lawmakers draft a resolution urging Congress not to designate additional wilderness areas in Utah without the approval of the state's congressional delegation (Salt Lake Tribune and KCPW).

Daily Herald editorial suggests McCain/Romney would be a great GOP presidential ticket.

Quote of the Day

"This strips so much power and authority from property owners. The rights of the gun owner should not trump the rights of the property owner."

-- Sen. Pat Jones, debating SB67, which would prevent businesses from forbidding guns in their parking lots.

Legislation Affects Business

This week's Taking Care of Business newsletter from the Zions Bank Business Resource Center focuses its attention on bills being considered in the Utah Legislature that may affect small businesses. The newsletter also says the Utah Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business will hold its third annual Small-Business Day at the Capitol on Monday, Feb. 11, where small-business owners from across the state will gather to discuss and refine their legislative agenda for the current session.

Washington Watch

Cannon: No Funds for ‘Berzerkeley’
Rep. Chris Cannon co-sponsors the "Semper Fi Act," which "would rescind all of the funding contained in the Omnibus Appropriations Act for the City of Berkeley, CA, and [transfer] those funds to the US Marine Corps budget." Says Cannon: "The First Amendment guarantees the right of the people of 'Berzerkeley' to say foolish things. Contrary to what many in Berkeley seem to think, nothing in the Constitution requires the rest of America to pay for their ignorance. The latest lunacy from the left coast involves the city of Berkeley declaring military recruiters 'uninvited and unwelcome intruders.' Thankfully, hundreds of millions of innocents around the world know the US military as liberator, protector, and friend. This legislation will ensure that any monies appropriated to the city of Berkeley will be transferred to the US Marine Corps. If Berkeley can survive without the US military, they can survive without taxpayer dollars" (see press release).

Hatch: No to 'Partisan' Amendments
Sen. Orrin Hatch says he supports legislation that would modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act but "opposes the partisan amendments that have been tacked onto the FISA bill as approved 13-2 by the Intelligence Committee in October 2007" (see press release).

Media Feed Recession Talk 
Utah economist Jeff Thredgold’s Tea Leaf economic update this week focuses on a variety of economic data. Says Thredgold: “A plethora of economic data released during the past week paints a picture of a U.S. economy fighting to stay above water.  The cumulative impact of the data suggests that the odds of a recession in the good ol’ U.S. of A continue to climb.

“Recent cover stories of Newsweek and Business Week illustrate the incredibly negative nature of national media reports during the past two years or so.  The Newsweek issue dated February 4, 2008 features a cover story entitled “ROAD TO RECESSION.” The February 11, 2008 issue of Business Week is entitled “MELTDOWN…FOR HOUSING, THE WORST IS YET TO COME.” …with friends like these, who needs enemies? These cover stories, along with constant negative reporting by The New York Times, The Washington Post, and many other publications, clearly illustrates the adage that ‘bad news sells newspapers’ perhaps more than ever before…”

Chaffetz Wins Endorsement

The Utah State Fraternal Order of Police will endorse 3rd District congressional candidate Jason Chaffetz at a media event today at 11 a.m. at FOP headquarters, 5400 South 2195 West #201, Taylorsville. Chaffetz is in the race for the GOP nomination with incumbent Chris Cannon and a second challenger, David Leavitt.

Today in Political History

Feb. 7, 1817:  American abolitionist leader Fredrick Douglas is born a slave in Maryland. (Source:  NBC5) 

Feb. 7, 1795:  The 11th Amendment to the Constitution is ratified. (Source:  Perspicuity) 

Feb. 7, 1984: Space shuttle astronauts Bruce McCandless II and Robert L. Stewart go on the first untethered spacewalk.

Wise Words

 “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

-- Fredrick Douglas (Source:  Think Exist) 

National Politics

Best Stories From . . .

-- The Hill: "Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), said John McCain will be the Republican presidential nominee and he outlined, in a fundraising e-mail, how Democrats will approach beating the Arizona senator in the general election."

-- Washington Times: Columnist Tony Blankley: "Assuming John McCain gets the GOP nomination, it will show how whimsical history can be. It would be the first time in living memory that a Republican presidential nomination went to a candidate who was not merely opposed by a majority of the party but was actively despised by about half its rank-and-file voters across the country -- and by many, if not most, of its congressional officeholders."

-- The Politico: "The clarity Democrats so desperately sought escaped them on Super Tuesday, as both candidates found cause to claim victory even as [Hillary Clinton] cemented her front-runner status."

-- Associated Press: "Sen. Barack Obama predicted Wednesday that Republicans will have a dump truck full of dirt to unload on Hillary Rodham Clinton if the former first lady wins the Democratic presidential nomination, and said he offers the party its best hope of winning the White House this fall."

Lighter Side

Best of Late Night Humor

Jay Leno: How about those commercials during the Super Bowl? There was one called ‘My Talking Stain.’ Sounds like Bill Clinton’s worst nightmare. ... Action stars are endorsing candidates. Mike Huckabee has Chuck Norris; Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone came out for John McCain; and today, Clinton picked up Janet Reno. ... You know what’s amazing about Los Angeles? This city never fails to amaze me. Last week, Governor Schwarzenegger was in town. All the Republican candidates were here. All the Democratic candidates were here. All with secret service protection. And all put together, they still had less of a motorcade than Britney Spears going to the hospital. ... John Edwards said that even though he is out of the presidential race, he still cares for the little people, and to prove it, he had lunch with Dennis Kucinich. ... If [John McCain] wins, he would be the oldest president ever to take office. But the good news, at 71, he would be eligible for pre-boarding on Air Force One.

Elected Officials Birthday List

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Utah in the National News

Dr. Robert Jarvik, a former Utahn who developed an artificial heart more than a quarter-century ago at the University of Utah, is under fire for appearing in TV ads for the Pfizer cholesterol drug Lipitor. A Congressional committee, concerned that the ads could be misleading, wants to interview him (New York Times).

Romney Watch

New York Times: "Mitt Romney is committed to staying in the Republican presidential race despite his losses on Tuesday, and has an eye on the long-shot possibility of a brokered convention fight, his advisers said Wednesday. ... Tagg Romney said his father was still willing to plow his own money into his presidential bid, hoping that conservative alarm about the candidacy of Senator John McCain of Arizona would continue to grow, allowing the Romney campaign to 'fund-raise outside as well as from my dad and make this a real battle.'"

Local Headlines

Deseret Morning News

- Efforts to repeal immigrant-tuition law hit speed bump

- Romney isn't giving up race despite Super Tuesday losses

- Creation of 2 towns is unlikely

- Senate won't pick workers' extra holiday

- County entities studying transportation options

- Youths get to have an impact on American Fork

- Request for $3 million to size up a Utah Lake road falls flat

- Utah County gives itself a pat on the back for year's achievements

- Health spending prioritized

- Senator wants class reduction mandatory

- UTA board, salaries, subsidies flayed

- House panel keeps bill on boater safety afloat

- House Democrats want more funding for veterans

- Panel wants to keep eye on luring of firms

- Index slips as Utah employment edges up

- HB308 seeks credit-card rule change

- Editorial: Utah County's election gaffe

- Op-ed: Expand early literacy program in Utah

Standard-Examiner

- Wal-Mart site plan gets green light

- Editorial: Policing the liquor police

Logan Herald Journal

- Locals get behind Romney in a big way

KCPW

- Resolution Urges Congress to Leave Utah's Wilderness Alone

- Gang Bill Splits Senate

- Audit Shows High UTA Salaries...and Air Pollution

- Utah Democratic Superdelegates Endorse Candidates

- West Jordan Lawmaker Moves to Block SLC Domestic Partnership Registry

KUER

- Utah's Super Tuesday Primary

Daily Herald

- Big voter turnout in county backs Romney, Obama

- Cedar Hills commissioners urge mayor to rethink dismissal

- County reports growth, gives awards

- Bill takes issue with gang loitering

- Residents in north Utah County asked for opinion on future roads

- Utah Lake bridge has 'legitimate proposals'

- Felony trial bill OK'd, heads to House

- Decongestant-restricting bill tabled

- Editorial: Winning ticket for the GOP?

St. George Spectrum

- Toquop rally fires debate

- Op-ed: Rep. Clark's health care bill urges personal responsibility

City Weekly

- Hits & Misses: Delta, Teacher-Librarians & Those Voting Kids

- 5 Spot: Utah Jobs With Justice organizer Isaac Giron

- Ballot Lessons: An Ogden election fiasco prompts proposals to overhaul voting in Utah's Legislature

- Wiki Rules: House committee adopts an “open editing” technology to move bills along

Salt Lake Tribune

- Mitt is set to trudge on despite Super flop

- Teacher-student sexual relations: Permanent loss of teaching license sought

- As snow piles up, UDOT budget melts away

- Lawmakers oppose 9M acres of wilderness

- Feared major changes not in proposal

- Sugar factory retrofit proposed

- Ronald Reagan Day is declared

- Students would learn about finances

- Business owners: Gun bill unwise

- Kids could stay with relatives while background checks done

- Walsh: For once, Utah Democrats get the spotlight

- Tax break for vets' spouses goes to guv

- Post-turkey day break voted down

- Independents day for Obama

- Incorporation for Hideout is ruled out

- Editorial: Speak now ... Or forever hold Italy's nuclear waste

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Feb 7: Legislative meetings scheduled throughout day. See Legislative calendar for details.

- Feb 7: Governor Huntsman to visit University Brain Institute, 8:30 a.m., University of Utah.

- Feb 7: Midday Metro at 10 a.m. on NPR Utah, KCPW 88.3 FM: KCPW reporter Elizabeth Ziegler joins us live from Capitol Hill with an update on the morning's committee meetings. Call 801-355-TALK during the show to participate.

- Feb 7: Governor Huntsman to attend the Questar CNG Station Open House, 10:30 a.m., R&B Phillips 66, 700 West 527 South, Woods Cross.

- Feb 8-9: We the People Winter Conference, University of Utah. A conference focusing on: U.S. war/occupation of Iraq; National healthcare reform; Global climate change and environmental sustainability. Other issues may be taken up on the initiative and decision of participants at upcoming meetings.

- Feb 8: Salt Lake County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner Honoring Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., 6 p.m., Little America Hotel. For reservations or sponsorship contact Patti Florence 801-580-8824.
- Feb 9: Kansas, Washington and Louisiana Republican Primaries and Caucuses

- Feb 9: Louisiana, Nebraska, and Washington Democratic Primaries and Caucuses

- Feb 9: The Davis Democrats Monthly Breakfast, 8:30 a.m., Granny Annie's Family Restaurant, 286 N 400 W, Kaysville. The general public is invited.  Special guest speaker.

- Feb 9: Open House at the Fisher Mansion with Mayor Ralph Becker, 2 to 4 p.m., 1206 West 200 South, Salt Lake City. Residents of Salt Lake City are invited to tour the building and offer their input and suggestions on how to best reuse the property and create a public space that serves the community in a positive way

- Feb 9: Emery & Cache Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinners

- Feb 10: Maine Democratic Presidential Caucus

- Feb 12: District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia Republican Presidential Primaries and Caucuses.

- Feb 12: Maryland and Virginia Democratic Presidential Caucuses

- Feb 12: Planned Parenthood Action Council Annual Dinner, cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., Downtown Marriott Ballroom, 75 South West Temple. Keynote speaker is United State Attorney General, Janet Reno, the longest serving Attorney General since the Civil War and the first female Attorney General of the United States of America. For ticket and sponsorship info call 801-328-8939, email ppac@ppau.org, or visit www.ppacutah.org.

- Feb 13: Lt. Governor Herbert to attend the Sutherland Institute Blogger Briefing, 7:30 a.m., Sutherland Instititute, 307 West 200 South, Salt Lake City.
- Feb 14: Valentine's Day

- Feb 16: Lt. Governor Herbert to speak at the Emery County Lincoln Day Breakfast, 8 a.m., Museum of the San Rafael, Castledale.

- Feb 16: Washington & Davis Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinners
- Feb 18: Washington's Birthday

- Feb 18: Teen Lobby Day sponsored by Planned Parenthood Action Council, Equality Utah, and the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Utah State Capitol. Call Joey Richards at 801-328-8939 for more info.

- Feb 18: Planned Parenthood Action Council Citizen Lobby Day, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Utah State Capitol, East Building Cafeteria. Tell your legislators what is important to you this session. For more info call 801-328-8939 or email ppac@ppau.org.

- Feb 19: Wisconsin Republican Presidential Primary

- Feb 19: Hawaii and Wisconsin Democratic Presidential Primaries and Caucuses

- Feb 21: Utah Republican Party Executive Committee Meeting, 7:30 a.m., Party Headquarters.

- Feb 21: Lt. Governor Herbert to speak at the Gathering of Seagulls Conference, 12 p.m., Red Lioin Restaurant, Salt Lake City.

- See the entire calendar