Today's key developments and analysis for Utah policymakers

A service of
Utah Policy.com

Thursday Buzz

News Highlights: Terrific rains overnight, at least in southern Davis County. Check out a very good story by the Standard-Examiner (Matthew Evans) on the gubernatorial candidates status with education groups. Coverage of Guzzle-gate continues with a Deseret Morning News (Alan Edwards) story on the murky line between private and public vehicle use; a Salt Lake Tribune piece (Thomas Burr) on insiders buying county cars up for sale; and Holly Mullen calling those caught up in the scandal "chislers."

Candidate Debate: Size up gubernatorial candidates Jon Huntsman, Jr., and Nolan Karras this morning at an important debate co-sponsored by the Salt Lake Chamber, Utah Foundation and KCPW Radio; scheduled for 9 a.m. at the main Salt Lake City Library auditorium. If you can’t attend, the debate will be broadcast live on KCPW 88.3 and 105.3 FM.

Candidate and Issues Information: The Utah Foundation has an excellent Web site providing a wealth of information on public policy issues and the gubernatorial candidates. Go to www.UtahPriorities.net and click around to see all the information and the features. The organization has been running radio spots to promote the site.

Deseret Morning News Candidate Questionnaire Responses: Good reading on the candidates’ positions on key issues:
- Nolan Karras' responses
- Jon Huntsman Jr.'s responses

Republicans OK with Utah Direction
Utah Republicans are pretty optimistic about the state of the state. A Dan Jones & Associates survey commissioned by The Exoro Group shows 64 percent of Republicans likely to vote in the primary election believe Utah is headed in the "right direction," while 28 percent say the state is off on the "wrong track." That doesn't show a lot of unrest and dissatisfaction with the status quo. Candidates running on a platform of change and new directions may not be putting forth the strongest message.

Demographic groups most optimistic about Utah’s direction were moderate conservatives, females, young people 18-24, well-educated people, solid Republicans (as opposed to independent voters who tend to vote Republican), active LDS, and wealthy people. Interestingly, arch conservatives (those rating themselves 10 on a 1-10 ideological scale) were 12 points less optimistic than more moderate Republicans rating themselves 7-8 on the scale.

The survey of 900 likely Republican primary voters was concluded June 2.

—LaVarr Webb

Campaign Tip:
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) is an Effective Campaign Tool

Computerized pre-recorded voter contact is the latest campaign rage all across the country. Powerful new software and hardware allow campaigns to do some highly sophisticated communications at reasonably low prices. Calls can be interactive, with the respondent speaking and touching the key pad to provide responses for a variety of purposes. Thousands of calls can be made simultaneously and response data can be compiled instantaneously. The technology is scalable, applicable to both large and small campaigns.

IVR can do some really cool things in a variety of situations. However, it’s easy to expect too much of IVR. It’s not a silver bullet, is not appropriate in certain cases, and has to be used properly or it can even backfire. Messages have to be carefully crafted and the capabilities and limitations of the technology well understood. Before executing an IVR strategy, it is worth consulting with people who really know what they’re doing. Contact Steve Clark for more information.

Agenda Utah is a service of Utah Policy.com

Publisher: LaVarr Webb
Editor: Bart Barker
News: Golden Webb
Subscriptions: Paul Hollingshead

Please send your comments and suggestions to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com.

Thursday, June 10, 2004

Today's Headlines

Tooele Transcript-Bulletin
- Amendment may remove Tooele from mercury list

St. George Spectrum
- Bridgewater, Swallow to face off in debate

Daily Herald
- Task force hears Lehi's woes over State Road 73
- Payson councilman faces four charges of domestic violence
- Orem council OKs $87.5M city budget

Standard-Examiner
- Davis gets good rate for loan
- Opposing education groups opt not to endorse Karras
- Clinton to candidates: Follow city's sign rules
- Clearfield passes resolution to promote decency in city

Deseret Morning News
- Provo politician trying a reality TV 'candidacy'
- Why expand Salt Palace?
- Public, private car use murky
- Legislators take road trip to check out traffic
- New Mexico city may be a model for Provo
- Did ex-Leavitt aide help Kennecott on Daybreak's TRAX?
- County formally rejects state's offer to buy jail
- County's coffers are brimming
- Swallow, Bridgewater debate in Dixie
- Editorial: Refocusing on stem cells

Salt Lake Tribune
- SUVs -- at scandalous prices
- Mullen: One can't legislate ethics
- Rocky: SLC gave too much to expand Salt Palace
- UTOPIA would fail, says analyst
- Editorial: Another Reagan legacy

Political Calendar

Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- June 10: Gubernatorial debate, Huntsman vs. Karras, 9-10 a.m., SLC Library Auditorium. Sponsored by the Salt Lake Chamber, co-sponsored by the Utah Foundation and KCPW Radio. Broadcast live on KCPW 88.3 and 105.3 FM. Space is limited so arrive early.
- June 10: Kitchen Table Talk with Enid Greene, 8-9:30 pm, home of Brett Graham, 2227 Lauri Kay Dr, Holladay. (Correction)
- June 10: Fundraiser for Salt Lake County Council candidate Jenny Wilson, 7:30-9 a.m., Alta Club, 100 East South Temple. $100 individual, $250 business, $500 sponsorship. RSVP to 801-201-8442 or lashman@xmission.com. (Correction)
- June 10: Government Affairs Advisory Committee of the Salt Lake Chamber—11am, Eccles Board Room, Salt Lake Chamber.
- June 11: Davis County Republican family “Remember President Reagan” picnic, 6-8:30 pm, Farmington Main Park, 100 S. Main. $5 per person for picnic food. Speakers will share personal experiences with President Reagan. RSVP: 294-4811.
- June 12: Kitchen Table Talk with Nolan Karras, 2-4 pm, home of Nathan Alder, 1757 E. Mountain View Dr, SLC.
- June 12: Utah House Democrats Fundraiser, Barbeque & Stingers Baseball, 5:30-9:30pm, Franklin Covey Field, SLC. RSVP by June 2, 3620 South 6000 West, West Valley City, UT 84120. For info call 801-328-2208.
- June 12: Davis County Democrats No-Host Breakfast—8:30 am to 10:00 am, Joanie's Restaurant, 286 North 400 West, Kaysville. Contact: Richard Watson (801) 292-6772.
- June 13: Gubernatorial Debate: Take Two with Rod Decker—Live on KUTV Channel 2 at 5:30 pm, Contact Rod Decker, (801) 973-3000.
- June 14: Flag Day. The Salt Lake Chamber invites the public to join the families of military, government leaders, and business people to show collective support for the military. Gather at City Creek Park at 7:30 a.m. to walk up Capitol Hill to the steps of the Capitol. Planned events include a military flyover, military vehicles, Army Band, address by Gov. Walker, flag display and other activities. Register at www.saltlakechamber.org for event planning purposes.
- June 14: Lt. Governor Debate: KCSG and Bonneville Radio in St. George—Live at 7:00 pm, Contact: Dan Matheson, (435) 467-7452
- June 14: Meet Nolan Karras, 12-2 pm, Brigham City Community Center, 24 North 300 West, Brigham City.
- June 14: Meet Nolan Karras & Enid Greene, 4-5:30 pm, Pilkington Metal Finishing, 1225 S Legacy View Dr (5710 W), SLC, hosted by Nyla & Marlon Berrett.
- June 15: Gubernatorial Debate: KCSG and Bonneville Radio in St. George—Live at 7:00 pm, Contact: Dan Matheson, (435) 467-7452.
- June 16: Ogden Rotary Gubernatorial Debate, noon at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center.
- June 16: Greg Skordas for Attorney General Fundraiser, 5-7pm, Urban Bistro, 216 East 500 South, SLC. Suggested Donation $50/person.
- June 16: Ogden Brown Bag Lunch with Enid Greene, 12-1 pm, MarketStar Auditorium, 2475 Washington Blvd, Ogden.
- June 18: Meet Nolan Karras, 6-7pm, Lehi City Council Chambers, Lehi Administration Bldg., 153 N 100 E, Lehi.
- June 18: Kitchen Table Talk with Nolan Karras, 8-9:30 pm, home of Jeanette Hales Beckham, 1260 E. Oak Crest Circle, Provo.
- June 19: Utah County Meet the Candidates, 12-4 pm, Pioneer Park, 500 W Center St, Provo.
- June 21: Gubernatorial Debate: KUED Channel 7—Live at 9:00 pm.
- June 22: Utah Primary Election—7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
- June 22: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting—12:00 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East, just past 2100 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: 486-2558.
- June 24: Legislative Golf Tournament—Thanksgiving Point. 533-9777.
- June 26: Republican Central Committee Meeting.
- June 27: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting—12:00 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East, just past 2100 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: 486-2558.
- July 7: Utah Stonewall Democrats, 5:30 pm, GLBT Community Center Multi-purpose Room, 359 North 300 West, SLC.
- July 19-23: National Conference of State Legislatures— Salt Lake City.

See the entire calendar.