News Highlights

Open space ballot initiative generates lots of coverage. Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret Morning News both support open space initiative and editorialize in favor of clarifying the signature-gathering process. Daily Herald story says Utah County clerk wants new way to verify signatures. AP story in Tribune says signature re-examination should be concluded within a week. Mitt Romney's book is excerpted in a five-part series on National Review Online.

Quote of the Day

“There wasn't much urban planning in Ralph Waldo Emerson's day. Nonetheless, he made an observation that fits perfectly our 21st century struggle to create livable communities: ‘We are always getting ready to live, but never living.'”

- Standard-Examiner editorial encouraging citizens to take part in long-range planning.

Lawmakers Gather This Week

The legislative offices and hearing rooms in the new west Capitol building will be abuzz with activity this week as numerous committees, commissions and task forces hold meetings. Many important issues will be discussed and debated. For meeting times, locations, notices, agendas, committee membership and other information, go to the legislative calendar page and click on the appropriate links. The Legislature has a very nice Web system that makes it easy to track the committees.

Today's meetings include the Executive Appropriations Committee, the Legislative Management Committee, the Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, and the Hazardous Waste Regulation and Tax Policy Task Force. Tomorrow (Wednesday) is Interim Committee Day, and 12 different committees meet. On Thursday, groups meeting include the Task Force Studying Water Issues, the Financial Institutions Task Force, the Utah Technology Commission, and the Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel.

Newspaper Wars

The Deseret Morning News is going after Utah County readers and further penetrating Daily Herald territory with a new weekly section, Utah Valley Life, that debuts Thursday. Editor John Hughes made the announcement Monday.

The Morning News has long felt that Utah County is a fertile market because of the large LDS population there and weak penetration by its main competitor, the Salt Lake Tribune. Utah County news coverage has been beefed up, and circulation has increased since the paper went morning, but a weakness has been lack of Utah County advertising. The new section will attempt to remedy that. It will focus on BYU and prep sports and family features, but will also include Utah County display and classified ads, and movie listings.

Meet Matheson

Voice for Moderation is sponsoring a meeting Wednesday evening featuring Scott Matheson, Democratic candidate for governor, and the two candidates for Salt Lake County Auditor, Sean Thomas and Peter Stevens. The 6 pm meeting will be held at the Anderson/Foothill Library, 1135 S. 2100 E. Jon Huntsman, Republican candidate for governor, will speak at the September Voice for Moderation meeting.

In any communications project, it is important to carefully select the delivery mechanisms, or channels, through which your message(s) will be delivered. What channels are selected will depend on your target audience(s), timing, resources (money and people), and other considerations. Often, a communications campaign uses multiple channels.

When considering delivery channels, many political communicators think automatically of the news media, but there are actually many more channels, some of which are very attractive because one's message isn't filtered or diluted by reporters and editors.

A news release, for example, may be ignored, delayed or rewritten. Even a blockbuster announcement will be filtered by news people, and there's no guarantee it will be framed as you wish.

Here are some inexpensive direct-to-consumer channels that you can completely control, target carefully, and avoid news media filtering: E-mail newsletter, printed newsletter, direct mail to homes/businesses, automated phone calls, Web site, Weblog, video or DVD, speeches, and neighborhood meetings.

“Earned media” channels that are more difficult to control and target include: press releases, press conferences, exclusive release to one reporter/outlet, rallies and other events designed to get coverage, desk-side briefings, letters-to-editors, op-ed essays, and radio talk shows.

“Paid media” channels that can be controlled, but that can be quite expensive and difficult to target, include: television ads, radio ads, newspaper ads and Internet ads.

Bottom line: Know the audiences you are trying to reach. Each communications channel has its place. Choose the delivery channels that are most cost-effective, best targeted to your audiences and, where possible, you can control.

Rep. LaVar Christensen, District 48, August 18
Rep. Michael T. Morley, District 66, August 21
Sen. James Evans, District 1, August 26
Sen. Leonard M. Blackham, District 24, August 26

Entire Birthday List

Agenda Utah is a service
of Utah Policy.com

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

National Review Online
- Yucca fear mongering
- Mitt Romney: A message of unity

Tech Central Station
- INDUCING bad law

Associated Press
- Petition recount nearing the end

Deseret Morning News
- Walker works on tax reform
- Van Dam says Bennett 'betrayed constituents'
- Ousted Ute leaders file federal suit
- Op-ed: Curriculum should be tool, not goal
- Editorial: The open-space time crunch

Daily Herald
- Clerk wants new way to verify names
- Only three Utah County candidates sign no-tax-hike pledge
- Editorial: Keep state contracts in Utah

KSL
- Another Viewpoint: Don't Split Alpine

Standard-Examiner
- Beer-sales issue coming to a head
- Appeal likely from Wal-Mart
- Editorial: Start shaping your transportation ideas

Salt Lake Tribune
- Conference center in Davis readies the welcome mat
- Nuke tests at issue in Senate race
- Tale of two cities' merger still to be told
- Walker delays unveiling of her tax reform plan
- Lawmaker picked
- Editorial: What's in a name

Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- 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, Salt Lake City Main Library (210 E 400S) in the lower level Conference Room B at 5:30 pm.
- 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.
- Sept. 15: Attorney General Mark Shurtleff's annual "Wasatch Challenge." Trap, skeet and target shooting, Western entertainment and down-home cooking. Call 801.746.3030 or email info@markshurtleff.com for more details.
- Sept 15: Jon Huntsman at National Assisted Living Week luncheon, noon, Legacy Retirement Residence, South Jordan.
- Sept 15-17: Utah League of Cities and Towns Annual Convention, register: www.ulct.org
- Sept 16: Jon Huntsman at the Salt Lake Women's Republican Club Meet and Mingle Night, 6:30 pm, Bicentennial Park, Sandy.
- Sept 17: Jon Huntsman at Salt Lake County Republican BBQ, 6 pm, Murray Park.
- Sept 17: Utah League of Cities and Towns gubernatorial debate, 9 am, Sheraton Hotel, 150 W 500 S, SLC.
- Sept 17: Jon Huntsman at Governor's Council for People with Disabilities, noon, 750 W Heritage Park Blvd, Layton.
- Sept 17: Salt Lake County Republican Party's Constitution Day Picnic, 6 pm, Murray Park. Come meet the candidates!
- Sept 18: Jon Huntsman at SLC Avenues Fair, 8 am.
- Sept 23: USACCC Annual Conference, Homestead Resort, Midway.
- Sept 25: Republican Central Committee Meeting.
- Sept 28: 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.

- See the entire calendar