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Guest Essay

Updated Patent Law: A Shelter From Economic Storms

By Sen. Orrin Hatch

With storm clouds on the economic horizon, we need bright ideas to shelter us from whatever the coming storm may bring.

Fortunately, Utah has never had a shortage of bright ideas. Our state is built on a bedrock of industry and innovation, with high-tech companies dotting the Wasatch Front. In Utah, there are more than 3,200 technology and 500 life science companies.

I am a staunch supporter of innovation and am dedicated to people who devote their time and talents to bringing about a better life for all of us through their ideas and inventive energy. That’s why I want to make sure the patent system keeps pace with today’s rapid technological advancements.

That’s why I’m fighting for Congress to pass the Patent Reform Act of 2007, the product of years of deliberation and study within Congress and by many esteemed agencies and institutions. This legislation represents the first significant reforms to our antiquated system in more than 50 years. The last time the patent system was significantly changed, the structure of DNA had not been discovered, gasoline was around 27 cents a gallon, and we had not yet sent a man to the moon.

The Senate is planning to debate and vote on the bill sometime in April or May – and Congress must pass this legislation if we are to maintain our position at the forefront of the global economy. We need an efficient and streamlined patent system that issues high-quality patents while limiting wheel-spinning and counterproductive litigation. For more information on the bill, visit my website.
 

News Highlights

Editorials: Standard-Examiner wonders if Mitt Romney is the right fit for John McCain’s VP; Daily Herald hails Democrats’ “serious run at the Republicans”; Deseret Morning News finds Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert’s proposal for rotating regional presidential primaries “intriguing.”

SL Co. Council members Mark Crockett and Michael Jensen file for re-election (Deseret Morning News and Morning News).

Quote of the Day

"Right now, 'Hillary' is just a spritz ahead of 'Barack.' That's appropriate for a race that is going nose-to-nose. Not many people are buying 'John.' I don't think it's time for 'John' right now.”

-- April Cline, a former Utahn who sells perfumes named after the presidential candidates. Her McCain perfume is a blend of “bergamot, water lily and lavender woven with cool greens and frosty musk." (Morning News).

Monday Buzz
Written by LaVarr Webb & Associates

The Week Ahead

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Wear green or be pinched. Have some corned beef and cabbage. For lots more information and interesting history about the national holiday of Ireland, see Wikipedia and the History Channel. 

Today ends the filing period for 2008 political offices, so we’ll know who all the candidates will be after 5 p.m. Check out the list of state office seekers here. 

It still feels like winter, but the first day of spring is Thursday. For all the week’s political events, see the UtahPolicy.com calendar.

Utah Priorities Project Luncheon

Each election year, we lament the influence of 30-second TV spots and staged campaign events. Much news media focus is on the “horse race” aspects of the campaigns, rather than on issues.

However, one prominent Utah non-profit, the Utah Foundation, is encouraging candidates, voters and the news media to focus on the key issues facing the state through its Utah Priorities Project, a year-long effort that gets underway at a March 26 luncheon featuring Gov. Jon Huntsman as keynote speaker.

Utah Foundation commissioned Dan Jones & Associates to do extensive survey research regarding issues that matter most to Utahns. During the coming year, Utah Foundation will release research briefs on the top issues, co-sponsor candidate forums and virtual “town hall” discussions, invite candidates to respond to questions on issues, and collaborate with news media partners to bring greater focus on the issues of most concern to Utah voters.   

The March 26 luncheon, held at the Hilton Hotel, 255 S. West Temple, will also serve as a fundraiser and Utah Foundation’s annual meeting. The results of the Dan Jones survey will be released and discussion will begin on the top issues facing the state. Utah leaders and citizens, and especially candidates for political office, are invited to the luncheon. For more information and to register, click here.  

Washington Watch

Bennett: No to Earmark Moratorium
Sen. Bob Bennett says of the Senate's overwhelming rejection of an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2009 Senate Budget Resolution that would have implemented a year-long moratorium on congressional spending: "Opposing earmarks is an attempt by some lawmakers to give the impression of fiscal responsibility when there is none. Eliminating earmarks will not reduce overall federal spending, and yet earmarks have become the scapegoat for the government's lack of fiscal discipline. I am proud of the funding I have secured for Utah. These earmarks have improved roads and highways throughout the state, provided resources for defense and homeland security projects, and funded research programs that have led to advancements in technology, science, and medicine" (see press release); Sens. Daniel Inouye and Bob Corker sign onto Bennett's Healthy Americans Act (press release).

Hatch: Support Pakistan, Afghanistan
Sen. Orrin Hatch introduces legislation that would "help expand economic opportunities for the border region of Pakistan and Afghanistan" by creating "Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) to connect the isolated region to the global economy and create greater employment opportunities" (see press release); Hatch votes against the Democrats' $3 trillion Senate Budget Resolution, saying it would "saddle Americans with the largest tax increase in U.S. history -- a whopping $683 billion over five years" (press release).

Today in Political History

Mar. 17, 1862:  The first two issues of paper money called Greenbacks, developed to prevent counterfeiting, were made legal tender on this date. St. Patrick's day seems appropriate.  (Source:  Perspicuity) 

 

Mar. 17, 1970:  The United States Army charges 14 officers with suppressing information related to the My Lai massacre in Vietnam.  (Source:  NBC5) 

 

Mar. 17, 1976:  U.S. performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site.  (Source:  NCBUY) 

Wise Words

“There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.”

-- Alexis de Tocqueville  (source:  Quote Garden) 

Leadership Tip

Becoming More Creative 

By John Baldoni 

1. Keep an active mind. (Sometimes creative thoughts come when you are at your busiest.)

2. Think sideways and upside down. (Assume different perspectives -- your competitor's, your employer's, your customer's.)

3. Brainstorm with colleagues.

4. Look to combine one, two or three ideas into one terrific idea.

5. Let thoughts ruminate in your brain overnight. (John Cleese, the gifted comedian, practices this technique.)

6. Trust your instincts. If the ideas do not come right away, walk away and begin doing something else (You never know where the next great idea will come from.)  (Source:  Management) 

National Politics

Best Stories From . . .

-- MSNBC: "Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., condemned racially charged sermons by his former pastor Friday and urged Americans not to reject his presidential campaign because of 'guilt by association.' Obama's campaign announced that the minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., had left its spiritual advisory committee after videotapes of his sermons again ignited fierce debate in news accounts and political blogs."
 
-- Chicago Tribune: Obama "is trying to air his dirty laundry ... as he prepares a full assault on Sen. Hillary Clinton over ethics and transparency. ... With a gap between campaign contests, Obama is trying to unload controversies. On Friday he held extended conversations with the Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times about his longtime relationship with indicted developer and fundraiser Antoin 'Tony' Rezko."

-- Associated Press: "Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican presidential nominee who has linked his political future to U.S. success in Iraq, was in Baghdad on Sunday for meetings with Iraqi and U.S. diplomatic and military officials, a U.S. government official said. Details of McCain's visit, which had been anticipated, were not being released for security reasons, the U.S. Embassy said. It was unclear who he met with; no media opportunities or news conferences were planned. ... Before leaving, McCain said the trip to the Middle East and Europe was a fact-finding venture, not a campaign photo opportunity."

-- Chicago Sun-Times: Columnist Robert Novak says Eliot Spitzer's fall in New York may grease the skids for a Michael Bloomberg gubernatorial bid in 2010.

Blog Watch

-- The Utah House (House Republicans) and The Democratic Caucus (House Democrats) post legislative wrap-ups.
 
-- Paul Rolly reports: "One of the highest ranking Army Reserve officers in the Intermountain West and a former director of the State Economic Development Office is running for a Salt Lake County Council seat as Democrats are hoping for a one-seat shift that would give them a majority on the council. Peter Cooke filed late Thursday afternoon to run for the seat currently held by Republican Mark Crockett. Currently, Republicans have a 5-4 advantage on the council. Cooke was economic development director under former Gov. Scott Matheson. He ran for Congress in 1978, losing in a photo finish to then-University of Utah law professor Ed Firmage in the Democratic primary. He is a major general in the Army Reserves and commander of the Reserve Regional Command, which oversees operations in six western states."

Lighter Side

History of bagpipes: The Irish invented bagpipes, gave them to the Scots as a joke, and the Scots haven’t quite gotten the joke yet.

An Englishman, a Scotsman and an Irishman each order a Guiness in a pub. Upon being served, each finds a fly in their beer. Repulsed, the Englishman sends his back. The Scotsman gently flicks the fly out of his mug and begins drinking. The Irishman, carefully lifts the fly up by its wings and screams, "Spit it out! Spit it out!" (Aha Jokes)

 

Elected Officials Birthday List

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Happy St. Patrick's Day

Monday
March 17, 2008

Utah in the National News               

New York Times: "A long-simmering dispute over the best use for millions of acres of federal land has erupted publicly with the request by some Utah legislators that [the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance] open its books after two of its directors were sentenced to prison in separate multimillion-dollar bank fraud cases."

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

- Moab activists call builder a threat to water

Standard-Examiner

- Editorial: Will Mitt fit as veep?

Daily Herald

- School funding compromise leaves less for all

- Editorial: Utah Dems make a run

KCPW

- Rotating Primaries Could Give West a Louder Voice

Deseret Morning News

- Ex-Utahn puts nose in politics

- CHIP enrollment van tour getting under way

- Crockett running for re-election on council

- Jensen seeks new term on County Council

- John Florez: Utah should streamline educational governance

- Editorial: Primary proposal intriguing
Political Calendar

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Mar 18: Governor Huntsman to attend the Flood Safety Awareness Media Event, 2:30 p.m., National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2242 West North Temple, Salt Lake City.
- Mar 18: Help organize an April 5 demonstration calling for: U.S. out of Iraq; No more war for oil; Carbon use reduction with justice; No nukes! Money for single-payer healthcare, not warfare; A healthy planet for healthy lives for all of us. Meet at 6:30 p.m., 2nd floor conference room, downtown SLC Library, every Tuesday evening in March.

- Mar 18: Town Meeting with Representative Karen Morgan, District 46, 7 p.m., Whitmore Library, 2197 East Fort Union Boulevard. She will report on the 2008 Legislative Session.

- Mar 19: Davis County Republican Women (DCRW) annual Legislator Appreciation Luncheon, 12 p.m., Centerville City Council Chamber, 250 North Main, Centerville. All Davis county and Utah State candidates running for election are invited to attend and will be introduced during the luncheon. $12 donation requested. Contact DCRW President Trudie Biggers with questions or comments at 801-546-6835 or trudimus@msn.com.

- Mar 19: Governor Huntsman to attend the Health System Reform Media Event, 3 p.m.
- Mar 19: Non-partisan public meeting on the Utah caucus process, 7 to 8:30 p.m., High School Little Theater, 162 W. 100 S., Logan. Hosted by Utahns for Public Schools.

- Mar 20: Governor Huntsman's Utah Economic Summit, Grand America Hotel. Cost $150 per seat. For schedule and more info click here.

- Mar 21-22: Cache Valley Peace Works events to mark the 5th Anniversary of the Iraq War, Logan. Events will include a display of boots representing fallen U.S. servicemembers from Utah as well as shoes representing Iraqi civilians, an award-winning movie about peace activism, a panel discussion and a peace march. To view all events click here.

- Mar 21: Lt. Governor Herbert to welcome the Danish Ambassador to Utah, 8:30 a.m., Lt. Governor's Office, Utah State Capitol

- Mar 21: Lt. Governor Herbert to address BYU Social Work Graduate Students, 11 a.m., Utah State Capitol
- Mar 21: Salt Lake Chapter of Drinking Liberally presents Christian Burridge, SL County Democratic Party Chair, to discuss Caucus/Mass Meeting (scheduled for Mar 25), 6:30 p.m., Piper Down & Old World , 1492 S State St, Salt Lake City. No cost. More details here.

- Mar 23: Easter Sunday

- Mar 24: Lt. Governor Herbert to welcome the French Ambassador to Utah, 8:30 a.m., Lt. Governor's Office, Utah State Capitol

- Mar 24: RadioWest on KUER FM 90: The Globalization of Labor in the 21st Century, 2 p.m., Hinckley Caucus Room, Orson Spencer Hall, room 255, University of Utah. Lant Pritchett, Professor of the Practice of Economic Development, Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

- Mar 25: Republican and Democratic neighborhood political party Precinct Caucus meetings. For Democratic party locations click here; Republican locations here.

- Mar 25: Hinckley Forum: U.S. – France Relations, 10:45 a.m., Hinckley Caucus Room, Orson Spencer Hall, room 255, University of Utah. His Excellency Pierre Vimont, Ambassador to the U.S. for France.

- Mar 25: Hinckley Forum: Smart Power: Leadership in Today’s World, 4:30 p.m., Hinckley Caucus Room, Orson Spencer Hall, room 255, University of Utah. Joseph Nye, University Distinguished Service Professor, Sultan of Oman Professor of International Relations and former Dean of the Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

- Mar 25: Help organize an April 5 demonstration calling for: U.S. out of Iraq; No more war for oil; Carbon use reduction with justice; No nukes! Money for single-payer healthcare, not warfare; A healthy planet for healthy lives for all of us. Meet at 6:30 p.m., 2nd floor conference room, downtown SLC Library, every Tuesday evening in March.

- Mar 26: 2008 Salt Lake City Downtown Economic Forum: “Big Projects, Big Plans, Big Ideas, Big Benefits,” 7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. program, 23rd Floor, Wells Fargo Center, 299 S. Main Street. Get the lowdown on Downtown by leading experts, planners, developers, and leaders. Continental breakfast served. Please RSVP to camille@downtownslc.org or 333-1106.

- Mar 26: Lt. Governor Herbert to attend the ground breaking for the Utah Association of Realtors Orem Building, 10 a.m., 1031 West Center Street, Orem

- Mar 26: Utah Foundation fundraising luncheon and annual meeting kicks off the 2008 Utah Priorities Project, 11:40 a.m. registration, Hilton Hotel, 255 S. West Temple. Gov. Huntsman delivers keynote address at noon, and survey data is released about Utahns’ top priorities. This is a year-long effort to focus political dialogue on the issues that matter most to Utahns. For more information and to register, click here.

- Mar 26: Lt. Governor Herbert to speak at the Utah Chief's of Police Conference, 6 p.m., Dixie Conference Center, St. George
- Mar 27: John McCain Salt Lake City Finance Lunch, 11:30 a.m., Grand America Hotel, 555 South Main Street. Tickets $1,000 per person. To RSVP contact Paige Marriott at 202-549-2558.

- Mar 27: Hinckley Forum: Guantanamo Bay: The Struggle for Human Rights and Justice, 2 p.m., Hinckley Caucus Room, Orson Spencer Hall, room 255, University of Utah. James Yee, former U.S. Army Chaplain at Guantanamo Bay.

- Mar 27: Lt. Governor Herbert to speak at the Payson Chamber of Commerce: Installation and Awards Dinner, 7 p.m., Mi Rancherito Restaurant, 85 East Utah Ave.
- Mar 27: Salt Lake County Libertarian Party Meeting, 7 p.m., Mo's Neighborhood Grill, 358 South West Temple, Salt Lake City. For more information, visit LPUtah.org.

- Mar 28: Hinckley Forum: U.S. – Paraguay Relations, 10:45 a.m., Hinckley Caucus Room, Orson Spencer Hall, room 255, University of Utah. His Excellency James Spalding, Ambassador to the U.S. for Paraguay.

- Mar 28: Lt. Governor Herbert to attend the UVSC Appreciation Banquet, 6 p.m., Sorenson Student Center Grande Ballroom, Orem

- Mar 29: Grand & San Juan Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinners

- Mar 29: Lt. Governor Herbert to attend the San Juan County Lincoln Day Dinner, 12 p.m., 639 West 100 South, Blanding

- Mar 29: Lt. Governor Herbert to attend the Grand County Lincoln Day Dinner, 4 p.m., 685 Mill Creek Dr., Moab

- Apr 1: University of Utah Executive Master of Public Administration Acceptance begins.

- Apr 1: Beaver County Republican Party Convention

- Apr 2: Millard & Juab County Republican Party Conventions

- Apr 3: District of Columbia Democratic Presidential Caucus

- Apr 3: Tooele County Republican Party Convention

- Apr 4: Wasatch & Summit County Republican Party Conventions

- Apr 5: Virgin Islands Republican Presidential Primary

- Apr 5: Peace March and Rally, 12 to 2 p.m., Washington Square, Salt Lake City. March will be around the two blocks east of Washington Square and will end up back at the Square.

- Apr 7: Desert Greens meeting, 7 p.m., Coffee Club, just south of 4800 S. Redwood Road (east side of the road). Desert Greens is Utah's national affiliate of the Green Party of the U.S. and meets on the first Monday of the month. For more info call Eileen at 801-201-0219.

- Apr 8: Rich County Republican Party Convention

- Apr 9: Morgan County Republican Party Convention

- Apr 10: Davis County Republican’s Meet the Candidate night for all newly elected county delegates, sponsored by the Davis County Republican Women.

- Apr 10: Box Elder County Republican Party Convention

- Apr 11: Cache County Republican Party Convention

- Apr 11: Women’s Republican Club of Salt Lake City Third Annual Military Honor Event, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Utah National Guard Air Base.

- Apr 12: Davis & Weber County Republican Party Conventions

- Apr 15: Piute County Republican Party Convention

- Apr 16: Wayne County Republican Party Convention

- Apr 17: Garfield County Republican Party Convention

- Apr 18: Kane County Republican Party Convention
- Apr 18: Jefferson/ Jackson Dinner sponsored by the Washington County Democrats, 6 p.m. dinner and 7 p.m. silent auction, Kenneth N. Gardner Ballroom, Dixie State College. Keynote speaker Vik Arnold, U.E.A. Director of Government Relation and Political Action.

The cost is $35 per person. Contact Cyril Noble at (435) 229-1281.

- Apr 19: Washington & Iron County Republican Party Conventions
- Apr 19: Washington County Democrat Party Annual Convention, 9 a.m. registration, convention at 10 a.m., Dixie Convention Center, 1835 Convention Center Drive, St. George. Free and open to the public. Contact Cyril Noble at 435- 229-1281.

- See the entire calendar