News Highlights

Three attorney general candidates challenged to debate by Richard Wilkins on gay marriage amendment (Deseret Morning News). Cook Political Report gives Jim Matheson edge over John Swallow (Salt LakeTribune). Jon Huntsman and Scott Matheson debate in St. George (The Spectrum).

Quote of the Day

"In short, partly under the guise of security, partly under the desire to be less available to the media and public, Utah's 104 part-time legislators are setting themselves more apart. This, clearly, is not a good thing."
  -- Bob Bernick in his Deseret Morning News column, commenting on legislative session arrangements in the new Capitol building.

Matheson and Huntsman on the Issues

If you want to compare the positions of the two gubernatorial candidates, Jon Huntsman, Jr., and Scott Matheson, Jr., the best place to do so is at www.utahpriorities.net. Matheson recently responded to a detailed questionnaire from the Utah Foundation and his answers are now posted on the web site. Answers from Huntsman were posted back in June of this year.

In a press release, the Utah Foundation noted that Matheson expresses his views on a wide variety of issues, including school choice, improving educational quality, developing an adequate water supply, improving health care, dealing with crime, tax issues, and improving Utah’s environment.

It was probably helpful for Matheson to have access to Huntsman’s responses for several weeks before drafting his own. He could more easily draw contrasts on sensitive issues and focus on specific points where he thinks Huntsman may be vulnerable.

The press release says: “Now voters have a resource to compare the positions of Scott Matheson and Jon Huntsman on the issues that the voters themselves said were most important this year. By reading both candidates’ statements, you can see their different approaches. For example, Mr. Huntsman states that his ‘economic plan will be a boon to education’ while Mr. Matheson says ‘education is the engine that drives our economy.’ Both express a desire for a strong education system and a strong economy, but one would build the economy by strengthening education, while the other would build the education system by strengthening the economy.

“Other differences are noteworthy: Mr. Huntsman favors a tuition tax credit proposal that would allow parents to spend some of their tax money on private school tuition, while Mr. Matheson favors school choice between public schools without using public money for private school tuition. On health care issues, Mr. Matheson proposes a number of state government actions, such as creating state sponsored purchasing pools for prescription drugs and expanding Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, while Mr. Huntsman focuses more on reducing government regulation and enhancing the private sector’s ability to improve health care.”

Research briefs on key political issues, as well as the candidates statements, are available at www.utahpriorities.net, and readers can subscribe at no cost to receive further research briefs or news summaries on these issues by email.

Van Dam Would Ban Testing
U.S. Senate candidate Paul Van Dam will hold a press conference on Monday, Aug. 16, in St. George to discuss his plans for preventing the resumption of Nuclear Weapons testing at the Nevada Test. The press conference will he held at Worthen Park, 400 East 300 South.

Van Dam said he favors an outright ban on any new nuclear weapons testing, and says that Sen. Bob Bennett's recently proposed legislation fails to provide Utahns with any real assurances that testing will not resume.

(Editor’s Note: On Friday we sometimes publish a non-political change-of-pace essay to help readers relax for the weekend.)

Nothing Like a Good Dirt Road
You know that life is out of kilter when you’re too busy to explore dirt roads. They beckon out there, those dirt roads. If you get off the freeway and travel any of Utah’s other highways, such as U.S. 89 through central and southern Utah, you’ll see many wooden signs with arrows that say, “Gooseberry Creek 13 Miles” or “Cedar Wash 9 Miles”.

I’m usually in such a hurry that I zip right by, but I vow that I’ll be back some day to do some exploring.

I sometimes drive a dirt road to get somewhere specific, but not often anymore just to explore, to see what’s beyond the next hill, around the next turn. It’s a great way to enjoy a little isolation, to get out of the city noise and heat. Entirely away from people.

Today we can explore dirt roads in air-conditioned comfort, in highly-reliable SUVs or trucks with 4-wheel drive, with cell phones and GPS devices.

In my teen years in the 60s, exploring dirt roads was much more of an adventure. My friends and I would each tell our parents we were sleeping over at someone’s house and then we’d head for the West Desert in an old Ford pickup to shoot rabbits. Some guys in the cab, some in the bed, no air conditioning, no seat belts, bald tires, an engine that would overheat going up most hills.

We’d drive most of the night. I remember once nearly running out of gas and happening upon a tiny town close to the Nevada border that had one of the old bubble gas pumps. Luckily, the proprietor was up about 5 a.m. and sold us some gas.

Our old vehicles in those days were much less reliable. Few people had a 4-wheel-drive and if you were lucky enough to have air conditioning you had to turn it off going up a hill or the engine would overheat.

My mother-in-law, Velma Brearton, a widow with three children, was an adventurer who liked to fish and hunt and explore dirt roads. She drove a Dodge Dart for many years and would head off cross country at every opportunity, just to see what was over the horizon. Somehow, my wife did not inherit that same love for dirt roads.

Utah has fewer dirt roads today, but no shortage by any means. Some of the best areas to explore are the North Slope of the Uintas, anywhere in the West Desert, northwest Box Elder County, and the Book Cliffs area.

Rep. Rosalind J. McGee, District 28, August 16
Rep. Brent H. Goodfellow, District 29, August 16
Rep. LaVar Christensen, District 48, August 18
Entire Birthday List

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

Associated Press
- Huntsman, Matheson square off
- Prayer proposal in Clearfield meetings tabled
- Amendment could affect domestic partner benefits across the state

Davis County Clipper
- Wal-Mart told to ‘roll on out'
- Bennett seeks third term in U.S. Senate
- Bold action needed, Van Dam contends

Deseret Morning News
- 3 Utahns called to debate
- Expansion of Salt Palace on fast track
- Outdoor Retailer trade show is for vendors' eyes only
- Utah leaders urged to 'reinvent' rural economy, methods
- Karras re-elected chief of Board of Regents
- Bob Bernick Jr.: Capitol watchers and workers in for change
- Editorial: Keeping a huge convention

Standard-Examiner
- Wal-Mart will continue to pursue Centerville site
- Fluoride costs brush officials wrong way

St. George Spectrum
- Governor hopefuls face off
- LaVerkin residents divided in tax increase support

Daily Herald
- City adopts policy for monuments
- Editorial: Bye-bye gas tax, hello other tax

Salt Lake Tribune
- Draper could change mind on fee waiver
- Centerville braces for Wal-Mart appeal
- Electronic voting has strong supporters, opponents
- D.C. pundit upgrades Matheson's election edge
- Retailers wooed, but now the real work has to begin

Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- Aug 13: Rep. Rob Bishop town meeting 7-8 pm, Morgan County Courthouse, 48 W Young St, Morgan.
- Aug 13-14: Atlas Economic Research Foundation, the Sutherland Institute, and International Freedom Educational Foundation host "Communicating the Ideal of Liberty," Little America Hotel, SLC. Register: 703-934-6969.
- Aug 14: 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.
- Aug 17: Jon Huntsman at Vernal Chamber of Commerce, noon, Vernal Golden Corral, $8.
- Aug 17: Jon Huntsman at Moab Chamber of Commerce dinner, 7 pm, Moab.
- Aug 17: Rep. Rob Bishop town meetings 6-7 pm, Bountiful City Council Chambers, 790 S 100 E; 8-9 pm Clearfield City Council Chambers, 55 S State.
- Aug 17-18: Constitution Party starts 12-week history of Constitution course taught by Jim Brown. Class A is Tuesday nights starting Aug 17. Class B is Wednesday nights starting Aug 18. 7-8:30 pm. 801-557-9225.
- Aug 18: Voice for Moderation Meet the Candidates night. Meet Democratic candidate for Governor Scott Matheson, and Salt Lake County Auditor candidates Sean Thomas and Peter Stevens at 6 pm at the Anderson/Foothill Library located at 1135 So. 2100 East in Salt Lake City.
- Aug 18: Rep. Rob Bishop town meeting 8-9 pm, Tooele County Courthouse, 47 S Main, Tooele.
- Aug 18-21: Davis County Democrats looking for volunteers for their Davis County Fair booth, call Pat Herrera 801-546-0283.
- Aug 19: Rep. Rob Bishop town meetings 6-7 pm, Weber County Commission Chambers, 2380 Washington Blvd, Ogden; 8-9 pm, West Haven City Offices 2440 S 2050 W.
- Aug 20: Matheson for Congress Fundraiser, Open House sponsored by Iron County Democrats, 7-9 pm. Call 435-865-7482 for location.
- Aug 20: Jon Huntsman at Box Elder Republican BBQ, 6 pm, Marble Park, Bothwell. 435-723-7410.
- Aug 24: Greg Skordas for Attorney General Fundraiser, 5:30 pm, Em’s Restaurant, 271 N Center St, SLC, $100 suggested contribution.
- Aug 24: Attorney General debate on KRCL radio, 90.9 FM, Noon - 1 pm, at 1971 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT.
- Aug 24: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting, 12 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East, just past 2100 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: 486-2558.
- Aug 26: Jon Huntsman at Park City Sunrise Rotary Club, 7:45 am.
- Aug 26: Jon Huntsman at Utah Mining Association, 11 am, Grand Summit Hotel, The Canyons Resort.
- Aug 26: Davis County Democrats Picnic, 6 pm, Barnes Park, West on 200 N in Kaysville.
- Aug 26: Jon Huntsman Jr. at Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly meeting, Utah Republican Party HQ, 117 E. South Temple
- Aug 26: Salt Lake County Libertarian Party monthly meeting, 7 pm, Bohemian Brewery & Grill, 94 E 7200 S Midvale.
- Aug: 27: Jon Huntsman Jr fundraiser at Delta Center, $100 for single ticket up to $5,000 for platinum table. Call 737-1811.
- Aug 27: Rep. Rob Bishop town meeting 7-8 pm, Brigham City Council Chambers, 20 N Main.
- Aug 28: Rep. Rob Bishop town meetings 11-noon, Salt Lake County Council Chambers, 2100 S State; 2-3 pm Oakley City Bldg, 960 W Center. 7-8 pm Rich County Courthouse, 20 S Main, Randolph.
- Aug 28: Disco Party for Mark Wheatley for Legislature, 7:30 pm, Former Bob Rice Mansion, 4421 Zarahemla Dr, Olympus Cove, SLC. Park at Olympus Hills Mall, shuttle service provided, suggested donation $15, More info call Josie Valdez 801-264-8844.
- Aug 30-Sept 2: Jon Huntsman attends Republican National Convention, New York City.
- Sept 2:Professional Republican Women monthly meeting, 11:45 am, Panini's restaurant, Wells Fargo Building, 299 S Main , SLC, $20 RSVP call 801-270-0802.
- Sept 2: Progressive Democratic Caucus Meeting, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, 455 South 300 East, Suite 102, Salt Lake City. Contact: Craig Axford (801) 918-6017.
- Sept 3: Huntsman campaign at Midway Swiss Days.
- Sept 4: Jon Huntsman at Hispanic Fiesta Days, 3 pm, Gallivan Center, SLC.
- Sept 4: Libertarian Party meet/greet/eat fundraiser, 11am-10 pm, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, 911 East Fort Union Blvd, Midvale. 15% of purchase donated to Libertarian Party if you identify yourself as a Libertarian.
- Sept 3-4: Huntsman campaign at Iron County Fair, Cedar City.
- Sept 7: Utah Log Cabin Republicans Monthly Meeting, 7:30 pm, Room N4010, Salt Lake County Building, 2001 South State Street, Salt Lake.
- Sept 9: Huntsman Campaign at United Way Day of Caring Breakfast, 7:30 am, Lavell Edwards Stadium, BYU; Logan Rotary Club, 12:30pm, Coppermill Restaurant, Logan; also at Vietnam Veterans meet the candidates night, 7 pm, Salt Lake City Library, 4th floor, 210 E 400 S.
- Sept 9: Sutherland Institute seminar "The Rules of the Game-Applications in Boundaries and Procedures," 8:30-11:30 am, 6th Floor 150 E Social Hall Ave, SLC. Register: 801-355-1272.
- Sept 11: 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.

- See the entire calendar