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Friday Buzz

News Highlights

Salt Lake Tribune reports Jim Matheson has more than $1 million on hand to do battle with John Swallow, who has $220,000. The Tribune also editorializes that Utah County should put some of its projected sales tax money into mass transit, not just highways. Deseret Morning News reports that a stronger economy helps state end the fiscal year with a $106 million surplus.

Kiss and Make Up

Jon Huntsman, Jr., and Nolan Karras will hold a Republican unity event this afternoon, 5 p.m., at the Ogden City Building, 2549 Washington Blvd. Karras will formally announce his support for Huntsman, endorsing his primary election opponent. Friends and supporters of both campaigns are invited to attend.

iProvo Progress

Congratulations to Provo Mayor Lewis Billings and the whole iProvo operation for continued progress in getting the state's first all-fiber network up and running. The Deseret Morning News has an interesting story today about the system's first service provider. Construction will commence within weeks.

Reconsidering E-Voting

Electronic voting continues to make news in Utah, as officials struggle with the issues of cost, timing and security. Last week we mentioned a column by David Pogue about electronic voting. It was the first of a two-part series. He published the second part yesterday. Both are worth reading.

Weekend Happenings

Pignanelli & Webb debate tuition tax credits in their Sunday Deseret Morning News column in the Opinion Section. Thousands of state legislators from across the country will hit town this weekend for the annual convention of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Marty Stephens will preside over the convention as NCSL president. More information at www.ncsl.org.

Political Links Galore

Check out Agenda Utah's home page and Utah's Political Portal at www.utahpolicy.com. Lots of great links. Make it your home page.

Project Vote Smart

ABC Channel 4, is partnering with Project Vote Smart and has some excellent political information on its Web site www.abc4.tv/vote2004. It's mostly national information, but still a good effort. As part of Project Vote Smart, Channel 4 will provide extra time for Utah candidates to discuss the issues.


Casual Friday

Keep e-mailing us your favorite political hangout restaurants at agendautah@utahpolicy.com. We're looking for an on-line survey system so you can easily vote your favorites.

Late Night Political Jokes

- The Democrats are having their convention up in Boston and they've announced their convention line up. Here's the big surprise, they're not going to allow Hillary Clinton to speak at the convention. When Bill Clinton heard this he said, 'How do you do that.'
- David Letterman

- Florida officials have announced that this November they will allow felons to vote. You thought Bush stole the election last time. Now he'll be working with pros!
- Jay Leno

- Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards drinks four diet cokes every morning. When asked why Edwards said 'You'd drink that much caffeine if you had to stand next to John Kerry all day.'
- Conan O'Brien

- A defiant George W. Bush intends to serve two terms in the White House ... Al Gore's and then his.
- Jay Leno

- Some polls show John Edwards with higher approval than Dick Cheney. That's pretty amazing, isn't it? For the first time ever, the lawyer is ahead of the guy in the ambulance!
- Jay Leno

Local Political Cartoons

Check out the archive of Cal Grondahl's political cartoons from the Standard-Examiner at www.standard.net/opinion.html. Pat Bagley's collection from The Salt Lake Tribune can be found at www.sltrib.com/opinion.


Agenda Utah is a service of
Utah Policy.com

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


 

Friday, July 16, 2004

Today's Headlines

Daily Herald
- Tax mistake forcing cities to adjust budgets
- Group looks to get canal covered

Salt Lake Tribune
- No Rest in the Restroom: Utah leaders take wheelchair test
- Review Panel says S.L. County report to take more time
- Group sues to halt Fishlake timber sale
- Parties pick auditor candidates
- Neo-radicals align at Total Liberation Tour
- Matheson, Bennett have big war chests
- Firm says Grand County punished it for spoof
- Utah delegation cautious on Hassoun
- Editorial: Stuck in traffic

St. George Spectrum
- Editorial: Shed light on reason for dismissal

Standard-Examiner
- Mayor wants Shaw's return
- Wal-Mart result a month away
- Clearfield officially approves budget
- Davis government group changes grant guidelines

Deseret Morning News
- Utah tallies $106 million surplus
- First provider is signed for iProvo
- U.S. judge approves mining in forest
- Suit seeks to stop Fishlake Forest logging
- Matheson to skip Demo conclave


Political Calendar


Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- July 19-23: National Conference of State Legislatures, Salt Lake City.
- July 26: Michael Peroutka, Presidential candidate of the Constitution Party will speak in Ogden at Ben Lomond High School in the Auditorium, 800 Jackson Ave. at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available in advance for a suggested donation of $5.00 per person and $12.00 per family.
- July 27:
Michael Peroutka, Presidential candidate of the Constitution Party will speak in Provo at Utah Valley State College in the McKay Ballroom at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available in advance for a suggested donation of $5.00 per person and $12.00 per family.
- July 21:
Scott Matheson fundraiser, noon, Alta Club. Honor Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. $100 suggested contribution, RSVP 485-6890 or scott@mathesonforgovernor.com.
- August 3: Utah Log Cabin Republicans Monthly Meeting, 7:30 pm, Room N4010, Salt Lake County Government Center, 2001 South State Street, SLC.
- August 5: Professional Republican Women (PRW) and Utah Federation of Republican Women half-day Campaign School. Keynote speaker Fred Lampropolous. Noon to 5 p.m. at Merit Medical, 1660 W. Merit Parkway (9800 S.), South Jordan. Cost $45, Contact PRW 801-270-0802.
- August 5:
Progressive Democratic Caucus Meeting, 6:30-8:00 pm, 455 South 300 East, Suite 102, SLC. Contact Craig Axford (801) 918-6017.
- August 14: Davis County Democrats No-Host Breakfast, 8:30-10:00 am, Joanie's Restaurant, 286 North 400 West, Kaysville. Contact Richard Watson (801) 292-6772.
- August 24: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting, 12:00 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East just past 2100 South, SLC. Contact 486-2558.


- See the entire calendar