News Highlights

Attorney General candidate Greg Skordas thinks defending Mayor Nancy Workman might hurt him politically (Deseret Morning News). Special prosecutor Mike Martinez is “another character” in Workman saga (Salt Lake Tribune). Uproar in Utah County: Michael Moore to speak at UVSC (Tribune). Utah County Commission reverses course on ballot measure raising taxes for roads (Morning News).

Quote of the Day

"The Democrats on the council say no, while the Republicans say yes, which is just the kind of partisan bickering acting Mayor Alan Dayton contends will quash the best chance to implement policy reforms in the wake of a year full of scandals in county government."

- Tribune story on proposed SL County ethics reform

Democratic Rep. Pat Jones and Republican Rep. Steve Mascaro are nothing if not persistent. Against tough odds, they just keep plugging away at their proposal to enhance education funding by making the state income tax more progressive and eliminating some exemptions for families with higher incomes and more children. The net result of their proposed legislation would be an immediate $88 million revenue increase for public schools, increasing each year, which would be distributed to schools through the existing Student Success Block Grant with oversight by local school boards.

On average, an elementary school would annually receive about $125,000 and a high school about $300,000. While the proposal faces tough going in a Legislature wary of raising taxes (Jones and Mascaro say income taxes would drop for lower income people and go up for high-income people), it does seem to have solid support among citizens.

A 920-sample survey done by Dan Jones & Associates for the Exoro Group shows 68 percent of registered voters support the proposal while 22 percent oppose and 10 percent are undecided. Questions in the survey were written by the Exoro Group, not by Pat Jones, who is a principal in the polling firm. Respondents particularly liked the fact that the increased money would be locally controlled and end up in the classroom.

Web Site of the Day

Want to keep track of the activities of former Gov. Mike Leavitt , now administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency? Leavitt has his own page on the EPA web site that has links to his plans, biography, testimony before Congress, speeches, and so forth. It also has links to some things that ought to be familiar to Utahns, like his Enlibra principles.

Presidential Race Watch
State-by-State Electoral Vote Tally

National Journal' s Charlie Cook says Pres. George Bush is up five to seven points in the latest reputable polls. (To subscribe to Cook's weekly column, go here.)

The battleground states have generally moved from John Kerry running a few points ahead to Bush running a few points ahead. Here is Cook's latest vote count:

“For the sake of argument, let us assume that Bush starts off with a base of 16 states with 125 electoral votes: Alabama (9), Alaska (3), Georgia (15), Idaho (4), Indiana (11), Kansas (6), Mississippi (6), Montana (3), Nebraska (5), North Dakota (3), Oklahoma (7), South Carolina (8), South Dakota (3), Texas (34), Utah (5) and Wyoming (3).

“Then there are five states with 47 electoral votes that are in the Likely Bush column: Arkansas (6), Kentucky (8), Louisiana (9), Tennessee (11) and Virginia (13). Kerry has flirted with each, but none appear to be realistic today. The solid and likely Bush columns combined represent 172 of the 270 electoral votes needed to win.

“Finally, there are five other states with 50 electoral votes that are competitive but are for the moment in the Lean Bush category: Arizona (10), Colorado (9), Missouri (11), North Carolina (15) and West Virginia (5). Democrats still are actively contesting each of these. Some argue (I don't) that West Virginia ought to still be rated a toss up, but it would be an amazing turnaround for Kerry to carry any of these at this point. If he does, however, it means that he is going to win this election anyway and does not need them. Combined with the solid and likely Bush states, this means 26 states with 222 electoral votes, 48 shy of the magic 270.

“Coming from the other end of the spectrum, Kerry starts off with eight states and the District of Columbia, giving him 95 electoral votes. They are: Connecticut (7), D.C. (3), Hawaii (4), Illinois (21), Maryland (10), Massachusetts (12), New York (31), Rhode Island (4) and Vermont (3). Next comes four more states with 84 more electoral votes in the Likely Kerry column: California (55), Delaware (3), New Jersey (15) and Washington (11), bringing the cumulative total to 12 states and the District, for 179 electoral votes. There are three more states with 28 electoral votes in the Lean Kerry column: Maine (4), Michigan (17) and Oregon (7), bringing the lean, likely and solid Kerry totals to 207 electoral votes, 63 short of 270.

“The bottom line is that with 26 states and 222 electoral votes that are leaning, likely or solidly in the Bush camp, the president needs only 48 (44 percent) out of the 109 electoral votes in the toss up column, while Kerry needs 63 (58 percent) out of those up-for-grab votes.

“In these stark terms, it looks uphill for Kerry, but we are still talking about states whose margins are very, very close, with two, perhaps three, presidential debates to go (the vice presidential debates are unlikely to be terribly consequential). Beyond the debates, there are seven weeks' worth of news about Iraq, about the economy, and about who knows what else, that could tip things one way or the other. Bush obviously has the upper hand here, but this cake isn't baked yet.”

The Washington Times, meanwhile, did a state-by-state analysis and reached this conclusion: “President Bush leads John Kerry in enough states in the South, West and Midwest to put him within striking distance of the 270 electoral votes needed to win a second term.” (See story.)

(Note: We receive notes from readers, but don't always know if they are meant for publication. We're not using names on the following letters because writers didn't include permission. If you send us something, please note if intended for publication.)

The Only Way To Win

Just when I was singing your praises! Rather than suggesting that we vote Workman out and put Greg Curtis on that same boat, you come up with THE ONLY WAY TO WIN (the SL county mayor's race for Republicans). After all we wouldn't want "just folks" to begin to recognize that more of what they need is embodied in the Democratic Party.

Why not try this on? Peter Corroon is the "white knight". He "radiates stature, substance, and common sense", and is likeable. The only thing he isn't is a big $$$$ Republican who can buy the office for corporate SL county.

Oh yes, I almost forgot. You left out one other thing that a Republican could do to WIN. He could throw out buzzwords like "family values" at least 150 time a day and hint that, because of his party, he is closer to God.

Buying the Mayor's Race

It's very interesting to me that it appears to be so easy to just take over an election for SL County mayor. First, you assume every Republican will get behind the "white knight". Next, that Mayor Workman will and should step down. And lastly that if you (Lampropoulos) throws enough money at it, the election is his for the taking. It sounds pretty far Fetched to me! The other two candidates would not, I expect, stand in the background "fuming" (especially the "independent" Cook). I don't know what you've been smoking, but that scenario is a pipe dream!

Hummers and Masculinity

I own the largest preschool in the state and get the opportunity to view east side yuppie auto trends in an up-close and personal, in an in-your-face way daily.  Virtually all my customers drive big SUVs and we have at least 2 dozen Hummers this year and they are all driven by women. I have asked them why and they give me a variety of unconvincing practical reasons, but bottom line, I believe women think they are sexy.  My 17 year old daughter literally lusts after hummers. Personally, I drive a yellow Nissan mini-truck. You have to be very secure with your masculinity to do that.

Throw Grandma Off the Train -- Again?

What am I seeing? As a Democrat (who votes all over the ballot) I am in amazement in the similarity of tone from so called constituents who are encouraging Nancy Workman to resign so some other soul can run. I haven't decided on that race yet, so cannot commit my vote either way. If my memory serves me correctly, our cool Governor Olene Walker, walked into the Republican caucus with a huge approval poll results and she was knocked out of the running by someone else. Is this the good old boy's club doing their thing?

She is one of the Republicans that I would be proud to support.  As it sits now, I will be voting for Scott Matheson. Does it look like getting rid of older female citizens in office is ok just because a man paid the old club dues?  How does this get explained?  Political games?  It smells fishy from here.

Neocons & Stone Cold Silence

I am perplexed as to why the media in general and our local media refuse to editorialize about the so-called neoconservatives who currently determine US foreign policy. In particular I have tried about everything, cajoling, insulting, whatever to get the Deseret Morning News to offer an opinion of the neoconservative agenda on their editorial page. I get stone cold silence. Why the reluctance to editorialize about the most pertinent issue of all?

Sen. Ed P. Mayne, District 5, September 16
Rep. Michael R. Styler, District 68, September 16
U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett, September 18

Entire Birthday List

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of Utah Policy.com

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

Tooele Transcript Bulletin
- Ballot measure would aid parks, arts and more

Deseret Morning News
- Meeting is called improper
- Prosecutor named in Workman case
- Brakes slammed on road tax vote
- Removal of signs in Draper gets dander up
- 2 Greens drop out of races
- Skordas says defending Workman could hurt him
- Council squabbles
- Legislative attorneys to weigh in on U. gun ban
- Lawmakers balk at cost of securing artifacts site
- Editorial: Keep court records open

Standard-Examiner
- Prison upgrade on legislative table
- Fruit heights city attorney resigns to serve LDS mission
- Ogden development officials say old mall site progressing well

Daily Herald
- Road tax off ballot
- Group demands Uinta to reopen trails

St. George Spectrum
- New Al Snow book warns of 'Liberal-itis'

Salt Lake Tribune
- Debate over marriage initiative veers toward hate speech
- Rolly & Wells: Kindness 'for the kids' can be relative in S.L. County
- Council postpones vote on ethics reforms
- Martinez has experience in politically charged legal wranglings
- Demos pan ad made in Utah for Alaska race
- Matheson fails to talk House members out of pay raises
- ACLU files new arguments on Plaza
- ACLU sues Draper in effort to change campaign sign law
- 'Fahrenheit 9/11' director steaming up Utah County
- Utah County takes roads tax off ballot
- Confusion arises over Range Creek security
- Editorial: Local interests

Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- Sept 13-17: Steve Thompson for Congress Neighborhood Walk in Cache and Rich Counties. Call 435-753-3979 to schedule a visit.
- Sept 15: Interim Committee Day at the State Capitol: Judiciary Interim Committee, 8 am, Rm W130; Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee, 8 am, Rm W020; Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee, 8 am, Rm W135; Transportation Interim Committee, 8 am, Rm W010; Workforce Services and Community and Economic Development Interim Committee, 8 am, Rm W025; Business and Labor Interim Committee, 10:45 am, Rm W135; Education Interim Committee, 10:45 am, Rm W125; Government Operations Interim Committee, 10:45 am, Rm W020; Health and Human Services Interim Committee, 10:45 am, Rm W010; Political Subdivisions Interim Committee, 10:45 am, Rm W025; Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee, 10:45 am, Rm W130.
- Sept 15: Initiative 1 Volunteer Kick-off Meeting, 6:30 pm, Sweet Branch Library, 455 N F St, SLC. Call 801-531-7304 or email kferguson@utahlands2004.org.
- 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: Voice for Moderation meeting, Gubernatorial candidate Jon Huntsman Jr., County Mayor candidates Nancy Workman and Peter Corroon, 6 pm, Anderson/Foothill Library, 1135 S 2100 E, SLC.
- Sept 15: Meet the Candidate Night with Nancy Workman, Peter Corroon, and Jon Huntsman. 6 pm, Anderson/Foothill Library, 1135 S 1200 E, SLC.
- Sept 15-17: Utah League of Cities and Towns Annual Convention, register: www.ulct.org
- Sept 16: Mark Shurtleff addresses Women's Republican Club, 6:30 pm. 801-910-9463.
- 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, broadcast by KCPW, 88.3 FM, 105.3 FM and 1010 AM
- Sept 17: Mark Shurtleff speaks to the Taxpayer's Association, 11 am, SLC. 801-910-9463.
- 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 17: AFGE Union Event guest Congressional Candidate Beau Babka, 6:30 pm, Labor Building, 2261 S Redwood Rd.
- Sept 17: Jim Matheson and Paul Van Dam will attend Redfest at the University of Utah.
- Sept 17: Salt Lake County Mayoral Forum, 2 pm, Jubilee Center, 307 E 100 S, SLC.
- Sept 18: SLC Greater Avenues Street Fair. Jon Huntsman will be there at 8 am.
- Sept 18: Mark Shurleff at the Ogden Hispanic Festival. 801-910-9463.
- Sept 18: Jim Matheson at Voter Contact Rally in Salt Lake County. 801-359-5474.
- Sept 18: Peter Corroon will walk the precincts in Herriman and South Jordan. 801-328-2208.
- Sept 20: Steve Thompson at Tooele Valley Rotary Club luncheon, 12 pm, Best Western Inn Tooele.
- Sept 20-24: Legislators Back to School Week.
- Sept 20-25: Steve Thompson for Congress Neighborhood Walk in Davis County. Call 435-753-3979 to schedule a visit.
- Sept 21: Mark Shurtleff addresses the Cache County GOP Women, 12 pm, Coppermill Restaurant in Logan. 801-910-9463.
- Sept 22: Attorney General candidates debate, sponsored by Women's State Legislative Council, 12 pm, Salt Lake Library, 210 E 400 S, SLC.
- Sept 23: USACCC Annual Conference, Homestead Resort, Midway.
- Sept 23: Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel, 10 am, State Capitol, Rm W025.
- Sept 23: Hinckley Institute of Politics presents “Religion in Life and the World: A Personal and Geopolitical Perspective”. Address given by President Michael Young. 10:45 am, U of U Spencer Hall Rm 255. Free to Public. Also broadcast on KUER-FM 90.1.
- Sept 23: Matt Everett for Senate Campaign BBQ, 7 pm, Adams Park, Logan. Special Guest Donald Dunn. $20. 435-770-6567.
- Sept 25: Republican Central Committee Meeting.
- Sept 25: Peter Corroon walks precincts in SLC and Taylorsville. 801-328-2208.
- Sept 27: Utah Foundation & Hinckley Institute of Politics presents “Utah‘s Water Supply: Where Will it Come From?” Panel discussion. Noon, U of U Spencer Hall Rm 255. Free to Public. Also broadcast on KUER-FM 90.1.
- Sept 27-Oct 2: Steve Thompson for Congress Neighborhood Walk in Weber and Morgan Counties. Call 435-753-3979 to schedule a visit.
- Sept 28: Hinckley Institute of Politics presents “Every Student a Politician: The Importance of the 18 to 24 Vote”. Featuring Lt. Governor Gayle McKeachnie, Dan Jones, and Frank Pignanelli. 11 am, U of U Spencer Hall Rm 255. Free to Public. Also broadcast on KUER-FM 90.1.
- 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 28-Oct 1: Constitution Party's Presidential Candidate Michael Peroutka tours Utah. Tickets: www.cputah.org
- Sept 28: Presidential candidate Michael Peroutka, 7:30 pm, Western Regional Park, Vernal.
- Sept 29: Hinckley Institute of Politics presents “Middle East Watches the U.S. Presidential Election” Panel discussion. Noon, U of U Spencer Hall Rm 255. Free to Public. Also broadcast on KUER-FM 90.1.
- Sept 29: Salt Lake County Mayoral Candidate Debate, 7:30 pm, Westminster College, 1840 S 1300 E, SLC.
- Sept 29: Presidential candidate Michael Peroutka, Snow College, 150 E College Ave, Ephraim. Also at Canyon View HS, 7:30 pm, 166 W 1925 N, Cedar City.
- Sept 30: Presidential candidate Michael Peroutka, 7:30 pm, UVSC, Sorenson Student Center, Grand Ballroom, 800 W University Parkway, Orem.
- Oct 1: Gubernatorial debate at Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce, 12 noon, Provo Marriott.
- Oct 1: Presidential candidate Michael Peroutka, 7 pm, Ben Lomond HS, 800 Jackson Ave, Ogden.
- 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 2: Peter Corroon walk s precincts in Sandy and West Jordan. 801-328-2208.
- Oct 4: Mark Shurtleff at Orrin Hatch's Women's Conference, 10:30 am, Salt Palace. 801-910-9463.
- Oct 4-9: Steve Thompson for Congress Neighborhood Walk in Salt Lake County. Call 435-753-3979 to schedule a visit.
- Oct 5: Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee meets, 9 am, State Capitol, Rm W135.
- Oct 5: Utah Log Cabin Republicans Monthly Meeting, 7:30 pm, Room N4010, Salt Lake County Building, 2001 South State Street, Salt Lake.
- Oct 5: Eminent Domain Conference, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Red Lion downtown SLC, register 801-731-5399.
- Oct 6: Attorney General Candidates debate, 7 pm, Dixie State College, Dunford Auditorium, TV KCSG 4, Radio KDXU 890 AM.
- Oct 6: Utah Stonewall Democrats monthly meeting, 5:30 pm, GLBTCCU, 359 N 300 W.
- Oct 6: Utah Land Use Institute, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Red Lion downtown, SLC, register 801-731-5399.
- 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 9: Mark Shurtleff at Utah County GOP Women's Fundraiser, 5 pm, Provo Marriott. 801-910-9463.
- Oct 9: Peter Corroon walks precincts in the East Benches. 801-328-2208.
- Oct 11: Utah Foundation & Hinckley Institute of Politics lecture on Utah‘s Economy-The Challenges and Benefits of Growth, Noon, U of U Spencer Hall Rm 255. Free to Public. Also broadcast on KUER-FM 90.1.
- Oct 11-16: Steve Thompson for Congress Neighborhood Walk in Weber County. Call 435-753-3979 to schedule a visit.
- Oct 13: Gubernatorial Debate, KSL Radio 1160 with Doug Wright, 10 am, KSL studios.
- 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 14: Mark Shurtleff speaks at the Minority Community Event, 9 am, SLC. 801-910-9463.
- Oct 16: Peter Corroon will walk the precincts in Midvale and WVC. 801-328-2208.
- Oct 17: Civic Dialogue presents a moderated debate on the Open Space Initiative, 5:30 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 18: Jon Huntsman Jr. at Tooele Valley Rotary Club luncheon, 12 pm, Best Western Inn Tooele.
- Oct 18: Gubernatorial Debate, KUTV Take Two with Rod Decker, 6:30 pm, airs live outside KUTV studios on Main Street.
- Oct 19: Gubernatorial Debate at Salt Lake Rotary Club, 12 noon, Marriott Hotel 75 S W Temple, SLC.
- Oct 19: First District Candidates Rob Bishop and Steve Thompson debate, 7 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 20: Attorney General Candidates debate, 12:30 pm, Sutherland Moot Court Room, S.J. Quinney College of Law, Univ. of Utah.
- Oct 20: Mark Shurtleff holds Meet the Candidate Night, 6 pm, Brigham City. 801-910-9463.
- Oct 21: Gubernatorial Debate, On the Record with ABC 4 News Reporter Chris Vanocur, 7 pm.
- Oct 24: Civic Dialogue presents Salt Lake County Mayoral Race Debate, 5:30 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 24: Third District Candidates Chris Cannon and Beau Babka debate, 7 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 25: Utah Foundation & Hinckley Institute of Politics lecture on Education-The Debate Over School Choice and Tuition Tax Credits, Noon, U of U Spencer Hall Rm 255. Free to Public. Also broadcast on KUER-FM 90.1.
- Oct 25: Gubernatorial Debate, KSL-TV, KSL Radio and the Deseret Morning News, Rose Wagner Theatre, 7 pm.
- 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.
- Oct 26: Utah Attorney General Candidates debate, 7 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 28: Second District Candidates Jim Matheson and John Swallow debate, 7 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 28-29: UEA Convention.
- Oct 29: Gubernatorial Debate, KUED Studios, 7 pm, U of U, airs Nov. 1.
- Oct 31: Civic Dialogue presents a moderated debate on the Utah Constitutional Revision of Marriage, 5 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 31: US Senate Candidates Bob Bennett and Paul Van Dam scheduled to debate, 7 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Nov 1: Utah Candidates for Governor scheduled to debate, 7 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Nov 2: General Election, 7 am to 8 pm.

- See the entire calendar