News Highlights

Bob Bernick looks into circumstances surrounding the $1 million Industrial Assistance Fund grant awarded to Fred Lampropoulos’ Merit Medical (Deseret Morning News). More than 20 school districts, 13 cities, four counties and eight special-service districts are raising taxes this year (Salt Lake Tribune). No City Council prayer in Clearfield (Standard-Examiner). Is Corps of Engineers job transfer a demotion, or promotion? (Morning News).

Quote of the Day

" . . . any intelligent person who does take the advice of Mayor Rocky Anderson's new community book club and reads Mark Haddon's internationally best-selling novel will soon be disabused of the palpably false description of the book as some kind of litany of dirty words and blasphemous talk."

-- Salt Lake Tribune editorial encouraging the reading of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night- time.

70 Utah Delegates Head Soon to Big Apple

Utah delegates to the Republican National Convention are excitedly packing their bags and heading to New York City this weekend. Some 70 Utahns are going in official positions as delegates or alternates, plus a lot of family members and a contingent of party and congressional staff members.

The delegation is led by co-chairs Gov. Olene Walker and Sen. Bob Bennett, along with Joe Cannon, state chair, Winston Wilkinson, national committeeman, and Nancy Lord, national committeewoman. Each state delegation at the convention has its own web site on the official convention web site. Utah's site doesn't have much info yet. How often and well it will be updated remains to be seen. Some delegates are also invited to keep diaries. No Utahns are writing at this point. We'll list all the delegates in Friday's Agenda Utah and will receive regular reports from delegates next week as the convention gets underway.

2nd Congressional District: No Slam-Dunk for Republicans

When state legislators reapportioned Utah's three congressional districts in advance of the 2002 election, they made certain that each district contained a chunk of rural Utah, along with a chunk of Salt Lake County. Democrats were outraged, particularly because the political balance of the three districts was also made more even, with the 2nd District and its incumbent Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson picking up a lot of rural Republican voters.

However, if the Legislature's intent was to create three districts safe for Republicans, it has not turned out that way. Survey research data today indicate that the 2nd District, while clearly leaning Republican, has enough Democrats and independents that it will always be competitive and, as Matheson has shown, a solid Democrat can win there.

For example, in a recent Dan Jones & Associates survey of 920 registered voters conducted by the Exoro Group, 53% of respondents in the 1st Congressional District identified themselves as Republicans, as did 55% in the 3rd District. But only 39% of registered voters in the 2nd District are Republicans. That is a much smaller base to start from. In the 1st District, only 12% identified themselves as Democrats, and 14% in the 3rd District, compared to 21% in the 2nd District. Independents number 29% in the 1st District; 32% in the 2nd District, and 25% in the 3rd District.

The survey also shows that on a 1-10 ideological scale, the 2nd District is about one point less conservative than the 1st or 3rd districts. The bottom line is that while reapportionment may have improved Republican chances in the 2nd District, the district political makeup of 39% Republicans, 21% Democrats, and 32% independents is still winnable for Democrats.

Help Available for People Deep in Debt

By Paul Hollingshead

The nation is deeply in debt, and consumers are deeply in debt. Many Utah families are struggling. Utah leads the nation in the number of bankruptcies per capita and ranks in the top 10 states in home foreclosures. Needless to say, such numbers are nothing to be proud of. To help remedy the state's consumer debt epidemic, Zions Bank has teamed up with the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University to help individuals and families “End Needless Debt.”

Don Milne of Zions Bank hosted a lunch workshop Wednesday to inform local businesses that Zions will be offering free End Needless Debt (END) seminars to interested companies across the state. Zions representatives will go on-site to train employees how to eliminate their debt and build wealth. After the free seminar, employees will have the option to sign-up for the Financial Peace University's entire 13-week program.

Ramsay is a popular bestselling financial advice author and nationally syndicated radio host. He has founded a remarkably successful program that has helped more than 100,000 families eliminate debt while building savings. FPU graduates have experienced an average $8,000 turnaround in 91 days. Zions hopes the program will be a financial recovery vehicle for Utah families.

Utah is an amplified representation of the financial malpractice plaguing the United States as a whole. Consumer debt has tripled since 1980 to the point where the average American household today has $38,000 in consumer debt. A recent Wall Street Journal poll found that 70% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. America's personal financial trouble is leading to poor performance in the workplace as well. USA Today reports the #1 cause of stress in the workplace is personal financial problems. Zions' END program is designed to help begin the sorely needed financial healing for Utah's families. It is time to shed the dark cloud of needless debt and bankruptcy that hangs over our state.

(www.federalist.com)

"The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green." -Thomas Carlyle

"What is the use of being elected or re-elected unless you stand for something?" -Grover Cleveland

"The chief cause of problems is solutions." -Eric Sevareid (Ed. note: think of campaign finance reform, particularly McCain-Feingold)

"To insist on strength...is not war-mongering. It is peace-mongering." -Barry Goldwater

"Wisdom in government is not a one-way street that always runs downhill. More often, the higher up the ladder of government you go, the less common sense you find." -Ronald Reagan

"The Income Tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has." -Will Rogers

Sen. James Evans, District 1, August 26
Sen. Leonard M. Blackham, District 24, August 26
Rep. James A. Ferrin, District 58, August 27

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

Associated Press
- Gubernatorial candidates blast No Child Left Behind

Salt Lake Tribune
- New tax hikes bite Utah homeowners right in the wallet
- Centerville Board of Adjustment has Wal-Mart's appeal
- Board clashes over possible Jordan school closure
- Editorial: Read this book

Standard-Examiner
- Ceremony only has a prayer's chance of coming back
- Gay-marriage issue splits GOP hopefuls

Deseret Morning News
- Tie 'twixt Stephens and grant reviewed
- Security abounds as GOP gears up
- Amnesty plan for illegals costly?
- Wal-Mart gets warm welcome
- Salt Lake vows to get input on club's book choices
- Legacy Highway 'player' receives a job transfer

Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- Aug 26: Jon Huntsman speaks to Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly 6:15 pm, SLC Library, 200 E 400 S., Lower Level Conference Room B, all welcome. URHA meeting 5:30.
- 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. Visitors welcome.
- Aug 26: Salt Lake County Libertarian Party monthly meeting, 7 pm, Bohemian Brewery & Grill, 94 E 7200 S Midvale.
- Aug 26: Neighborhood Chat with Chris Cannon, 7 pm, 12397 S 2200 W, Riverton.
- Aug 27: Utah County Democratic event with Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, 11 am-1 pm, Riverside Country Club, 2701 N University Avenue, Provo. $30.
- Aug 27: Salt Lake County Democratic fundraiser, 4-6 pm, Port ‘O Call, 78 W 400 S, SLC.
- 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 28: Paul Van Dam for US Senate “Casino Night”, 5-8 pm at the Ashdown Penthouse, 780 E S Temple, SLC. $50, contact 801-879-3430.
- Aug 30: Peter Corroon for SL County Mayor fundraiser, Sun and Moon Café, 5195 Emigration Canyon, SLC. $30. RSVP 801-328-2208.
- Aug 30-Sept 2: Republican National Convention, New York City.
- Sep 1: Reception Fundraiser for Steve Harmsen, Guests Russell Skousen and Steve Poulton, 5:30 pm, Home of Scott and Linda Rice, call 801-688-4457 for address.
- Sep 1: Interviews with Attorney General candidates, KRCL 90.9 FM
- Sep 2: Washington County Republican Women “Party for the President”, 11:30 am, Bloomington Country Club, St. George, $10, RSVP 435-688-0777.
- 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 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: Eleanor Roosevelt Luncheon featuring Kerry Campaign Chair Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, 11:30-1 pm, Marriott Hotel 75 S W Temple, SLC, $50.
- 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 10: Weber County Democrats Sawbuck Reception, 7 pm, $100, contact Erica Anderson 801-479-8927.
- Sept 11: Davis County Democrats No-Host Breakfast, 8:30 am to 10 am, Joanie's Restaurant, 286 North 400 West, Kaysville. Contact: Richard Watson 801-292-6772.
- Sept 11: Diana Lee Hirschi for SL County Mayor meet the candidate fundraiser, 11- 2 pm, One World Café, Downtown SLC.
- 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 City Park, 5125 S State St, donations welcome. Come meet the candidates! Call 801-718-4882 for more info.
- Sept 18: SLC Greater Avenues Street Fair. Jon Huntsman will be there at 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.
- Sept 29: Salt Lake County Mayoral Candidate Debate, 7:30 pm, Westminster College, 1840 S 1300 E, SLC.
- Oct 1: Gubernatorial debate at Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce, 12 noon, Provo Marriott.
- Oct 2: Women's Democratic Club Luncheon, 12 pm to 2 pm, Sheraton City Center, VIP 2 Room, 150 West 500 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: Sheryl Ivey (801) 942-2312.
- Oct 2: Libertarian Party meet/greet/eat fundraiser, 11 am-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.
- Oct 5: Attorney General candidates debate, 7 pm, KRCL 90.9 FM
- Oct 5: Utah Log Cabin Republicans Monthly Meeting, 7:30 pm, Room N4010, Salt Lake County Building, 2001 South State Street, Salt Lake.
- Oct 7: Progressive Democratic Caucus Meeting, 6:30 pm to 8 pm, 455 South 300 East, Suite 102, Salt Lake City. Contact: Craig Axford (801) 918-6017.
- Oct 9: Davis County Democrats No-Host Breakfast, 8:30 am to 10 am, Joanie's Restaurant, 286 North 400 West, Kaysville. Contact: Richard Watson (801) 292-6772.
- Oct 14: Sutherland Institute seminar "Ethical Fitness--Being an Authentic Leader," 8:30-11:30 am, 6th Floor 150 E Social Hall Ave, SLC. Register: 801-355-1272.
- Oct 19: Gubernatorial Debate at Salt Lake Rotary Club, 12 noon, Marriott Hotel 75 S W Temple, SLC.
- Oct 25: KSL Gubernatorial Debate, 7 pm, Rose Wagner Theater, SLC.
- Oct 26: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting, 12 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 East, just past 2100 South, Salt Lake City. Contact: 486-2558.
- Nov 2: General Election, 7 am to 8 pm.

- See the entire calendar