Agenda Utah Daily Newsletter

News Highlights

Lee Davidson in Deseret Morning News writes an interesting column on the fascinating public policy juxtaposition of people who marry more than one person of the opposite sex and people who marry someone of the same sex. From NCSL meetings: The Salt Lake Tribune reports on panel discussion on tuition tax credits and vouchers. State budgets looking brighter, according to Morning News and Tribune stories. Legislators discuss broadband and projects like iProvo and UTOPIA in Standard Examiner report. Davis County Clipper covers the latest in the controversy over the Aug. 3 $18 million bond vote to build a large recreation facility for south Davis County communities.

No New Faces in Top Leadership Races

A handful of Republican state legislators are angling for leadership positions. With House Speaker Marty Stephens and Senate President Al Mansell both leaving their posts, Utah will have new majority party leadership next year, along with a new governor.

In the House, the race for speaker still seems to be between Greg Curtis and David Ure . While rumblings have been heard about someone else stepping up as a third major contender, no one has really emerged. Curtis has been hammered with negative publicity in the Salt Lake County “guzzlegate” controversy, but doesn't believe his standing with his colleagues has been damaged. Jeff Alexander has been mentioned as a possible speaker candidate, but apparently will not run if Curtis stays in the race. Alexander is expected to run for majority leader, possibly opposed by Ron Bigelow. Others who have expressed interest or have been mentioned as jockeying for whip posts include Becky Lockhart, Wayne Harper, Mike Styler, Steve Urquhart, David Clark , Stuart Adams and Steve Mascaro.

In the Senate, a similar situation exists. John Valentine and Mike Waddoups are running for president. While there is gossip that some senators would like to see an alternative, no one is stepping up. Pete Knudson is angling for majority leader, and several senators, including Tom Hatch, Bill Hickman, Curtis Bramble, Dan Eastman and Carlene Walker are also interested in leadership posts.

It is still very early in the campaign season for leadership posts, and many lawmakers are focused on getting themselves elected or re-elected. Plenty of time exists for new prospects to emerge, but current leadership candidates are out working their colleagues, providing campaign assistance in some cases and paying attention to their issues and aspirations. Private elections for leadership will occur very quickly after the Nov. 2 general election. Agenda Utah will discuss Democratic leadership prospects in the near future.

Utah's Secret Economic Weapon: Children

Utah 's numerous children are expensive to educate, but could become a significant economic asset. Zions Bank Economic Consultant Jeff Thredgold, in his most recent quarterly newsletter, said a rapidly expanding labor force could be an attractive incentive for employers to do business in Utah or expand operations.

Utah will see the number of high school graduates increase by one-third by 2018 compared to 2001, three times the national growth rate. “Solid labor force growth will become increasingly important in coming years as U.S. labor markets return to the extremely tight conditions of 1998-2000,” Thredgold said. Utah will also be attractive because of its lower cost of doing business and lower cost of living, he added.

- LaVarr Webb