News Highlights

Nancy Workman is out! County mayoral race gets crazier than ever and questions about the ballot abound. See coverage in the Deseret Morning News and Salt Lake Tribune. John Swallow and NRCC hit Jim Matheson on similar issues (Tribune). State struggling with growth (Morning News). Republicans want federal money in lieu of land taxes (Standard-Examiner).

Quote of the Day

“My doctor has strongly advised that, in his opinion, with the extraordinary stress of the ongoing prosecution, I cannot continue a political campaign without unreasonably compromising my health. Recognizing the toll, I have decided to heed his advice.”

- Part of statement by Nancy Workman published by the Deseret Morning News

The Blogging Begins (As Soon as Someone Writes Something)

There are millions of bloggers out there, ranging from the famous to the obscure. Today (or at least sometime soon) there will be 29 more of them, Utah policymakers all. The Utah Policymaker Weblog has now been set up and is ready to go live. The 29 volunteer contributors have been issued instructions on how to get started. So at any time in the next day or so, we could be seeing postings at www.utahpolicy.com. We have a separate page where the blog also appears.

I have no idea if this group blogging experiment will work or not. I’m not sure it’s been tried before. It all depends on the volunteer contributors. If they write periodically about their interests, priorities and insights, it will work. If they don’t, it won’t. We welcome more policymakers to join the group. We’d particularly like to have more women and more Democrats. If interested, e-mail us at daily@utahpolicy.com.

Here are the volunteer contributors, an excellent group of rookie bloggers: Rep. Jeff Alexander, House Majority Whip, District 62; Rep. Sheryl Allen, House District 19; Sen. Curt Bramble, Senate District 16; Rep. Chad Bennion, House District 44; Joseph Cannon, Chairman, Utah Republican Party; Chesley Christensen, Mt. Pleasant Mayor; Rep. David Clark, House District 74; Paul Cutler, Centerville City Council; Rep. Margaret Dayton, House District 61; Rep. Brent Goodfellow, House Minority Leader, District 29; Rep. Kory Holdaway, House District 34; Rep. Fred Hunsaker, House District 4; Rep. Pat Jones, House Minority Caucus Mgr., District 40; Rep. Steve Mascaro, House District 47; Dan McConkie, Davis County Commissioner; Rep. Karen Morgan, House District 46; John Njord, Executive Director, Utah Department of Transportation; Rep. Mike Noel, House District 73; Val Oveson, State Chief Information Officer; Mike Petersen, Executive Director, Utah Education Network; Eric Richardson, Cedar Hills Planning Commission; Charlie Roberts, Tooele Mayor; Mark Shurtleff, Utah Attorney General; Wilf Sommerkorn, Davis County Economic Development Director; Rep. Marty Stephens, Speaker of the House, District 6; Rep. Michael Styler, House Asstistant Majority Whip, District 68; Doug Thompson, Logan Mayor; Rep. Stephen Urquhart, House District 75; Thad Van Ry, Woods Cross City Council.

Voter Information Galore

The Utah Voter Information Pamphlet is now out and available. Congratulations to Amy Naccarato and the Utah Elections Office for putting together an excellent source of election information. The pamphlet has been inserted in most newspapers in the state. If you don’t have a copy, you can see and print the entire document at www.voterlink.utah.gov. The pamphlet has a great deal of valuable information for voters, especially regarding the three proposed constitutional amendments, the one ballot initiative, and the judicial retention elections. The pamphlet is the best place to find information about judges standing for retention elections. The VoterLink website also has a great deal of valuable information about voting.

Sign Up For e-Newsletter

One of the best policy-oriented Utah Internet sites is the Utah Foundation site at www.utahfoundation.org, and its sister site, www.utahpriorities.net. The Foundation has been producing and disseminating regular issues briefs on the top public policy issues facing Utah political leaders, with a special focus on issues relating to the gubernatorial race. Now interested citizens can have Foundation’s e-mail newsletter, including the issues briefs, distributed to their e-mail boxes by signing up here.

Utah’s two community broadband projects are receiving attention nationally. Two UTOPIA executives last Thursday received the national Fiber-to-the-Home 2004 STAR Award. Meanwhile, Provo Mayor Lewis Billings delivered a keynote address Monday on the iProvo project at the American Public Power Association’s Community Broadband Conference in San Francisco.

UTOPIA Executive Director Paul Morris and General Counsel David Shaw received the STAR award on the opening day of the FTTH Conference and Expo in Orlando, Florida, “for their leadership in bringing the ultimate broadband solution – fiber to the home – to 14 Utah cities.” UTOPIA is recognized as the world’s largest project of its kind. The STAR award annually recognizes outstanding contributions to the development of fiber-based broadband solutions.

In his speech, Billings recounted the challenges, particularly the tough political battles, that were required to move iProvo ahead. He described many of the exciting applications that will be possible with fiber connecting Provo homes and businesses. He added that the real promise of iProvo is the innovation and creativity that it will spawn among many businesses, educators, hospitals and doctors, and even in government. The immense capacity of the system will enable exciting applications that are still in the brains of smart, innovative entrepreneurs.

(Disclosure: The Exoro Group does consulting work for UTOPIA and iProvo.)

When Everyone Else Slows Down – Speed Up

In a close race, the winner is usually the candidate – and campaign staff – that work the hardest. So when you are exhausted and don’t want to put out that last yard sign, knock on those last doors, or stay up all night writing a brochure or position paper, remember that you have to outwork your opponent.

I remember as a teenager viewing an auto racing movie, “Grand Prix” or something like that, starring Paul Newman. Newman is a tough-guy race car driver and he has a memorable line when just after a big crash that kills some drivers someone asks him if seeing a deadly accident scares him at all. With a steely gaze, he answers something like, “After an accident I figure everyone’s slowing down, so I speed up.” That is excellent campaign advice. When you think your opponent is slowing down, it’s time for you to speed up.

Rep Gregory Hughes, District 51, Oct 13
Sen Gregory S Bell, District 22, Oct 16
Rep Michael E Noel, District 73, Oct 17
Sen Curtis S Bramble, District 16, Oct 18
Rep Ann W Hardy, District 20, Oct 18
Rep Greg J Curtis, District 49, Oct 18

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
- Congressmen want to tax federal gov't

Salt Lake Tribune
- Matheson charts his own course in Congress
- Bishop engages new strategy in attempt to derail N-waste storage
- Mullen: Yard signs worth their measure
- NRCC strategies as election nears
- Voter registration up; deadline nears
- Court orders release of wilderness deal data
- Workman calling it a day
- Ivory plunges into mayoral campaign
- Hannity brings a 'balance' to Provo
- Candidates resurrect school funding plan

St. George Spectrum
- District pushes $99 million bond proposal
- Time running out to register to vote in election

Daily Herald
- Young people could decide this year's election results, but will they vote?
- Senate District 27 candidates run on variety of issues
- Editorial: Utahns should support Amendment 1

KSL
- Editorial: “Yes” on Amendment 1

Standard-Examiner
- Can federal lands equal Utah money?
- Ogden/Weber chamber selects CEO
- Editorial: Hatch's 'Arnold' amendment good idea

Deseret Morning News
- Workman's bowing out
- In her own words
- Workman statement
- Congress expands downwind funding
- Hannity flays Moore, Kerry
- Appearance draws few protesters
- Utahn salutes Afghan voters
- Amendment 3 may affect the polygamy fight
- Residents criticize stations for iProvo
- Keeping up with growth is a struggle for state
- Wilds advocates win a round
- Op-ed: Initiative 1 is investment in Utah

Please submit calendar items to AgendaUtah@UtahPolicy.com

- Oct 11-16: Steve Thompson for Congress Neighborhood Walk in Weber County. Call 435-753-3979 to schedule a visit.
- Oct 12: Jon Huntsman at the Business Expo, 9 am, South Towne Exposition Center; Murray Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, 12:30 pm, Desert Star Playhouse; Salt Lake Convention Visitor's Bureau Conference, 2:30 pm, Salt Palace; Ogden Chamber of Commerce Open Town Meeting, 6 pm, Eccles Conference Center, Ogden.
- Oct 12: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate event with Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 6 pm.
- Oct 12: Beau Babka and Mark Shurtleff attend Meet the Candidate Night with Cyprus HS PTA, 7 pm.
- Oct 12: Open Forum with the Gubernatorial Candidates, 7:30 pm, New Davis Conference Center in Layton, 801-510-1221.
- Oct 12: Elections reform training by he Utah State Elections Office, 1 pm, State Capitol East Building, Conference Room 2.
- Oct 13: Gubernatorial Debate, KSL Radio 1160 with Doug Wright, 10 am, KSL studios.
- Oct 13: Third presidential debate, 7 pm. Moderator: Bob Schieffer
- Oct 13: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate events: Magna Senior Center at 11 am, Bonneville JHS at 7 pm.
- Oct 13: Mark Shurtleff, Beau Babka, and Jon Huntsman attend UVSC Meet the Candidate event, noon, and Hunter Lions Club at 7 pm, Hunter Library, WVC.
- 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 14: Radio West "Vote 2004: The Race for Utah Governor", 11 am, KUER-FM 90.1, featuring Scott Matheson.
- Oct 14: Mark Shurtleff visits American Fork Chamber of Commerce, GOP Unity event, 12 noon; State Farm Meet the Candidate Night, 7 pm.
- Oct 14: Hinckley Institute of Politics "Vote 2004: The Race for House District 28", 1 pm, KUER-FM 90.1, featuring Roz McGee and Richard Snelgrove.
- Oct 14: Jon Huntsman attends Gov. Cal Rampton Gubernatorial Forum, 2:30 pm, Highland Care Center, SLC.
- Oct 14: Congregation KolAmi Meet the Candidate Night, 7 pm. Featuring Jon Huntsman, Scott Matheson, Chris Cannon, Paul Van Dam, Mark Shurtleff, Jim Matheson representative. Moderated by Ken Verdoia, 2425 E. Heritage Way. Contact: Bonnie Rokeach, 879-4025.
- Oct 15: Mark Shurtleff visits Temple Har Shalom, 7:30 pm.
- Oct 15: Public forum with former Congressman Bill Orton, 12:30 pm, University of Phoenix, 5373 S Green St, Murray.
- Oct 16: Peter Corroon will walk the precincts in Midvale and WVC. 801-328-2208.
- Oct 16: Jim Matheson at the U of U Football Rally.
- Oct 17: Civic Dialogue presents a moderated debate on the Open Space Initiative, 5:30 pm, KUED Channel 7.
- Oct 18: Mark Shurtleff attends Columbus Senior Center Meet the Candidate event, 11 am.
- 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 18: Daffodil Day of Remebrance with Gun Violence Prevention Center, SLC Mayor Anderson, YWCA, 9:30 am, Sorenson Multi-Cultural Center, 855 W California Ave, SLC. RSVP Marla Kennedy 801-487-5987.
- Oct 19: Hinkley Institute of Politics "The New Government Perspective on Homeless", 10 am, KUER-FM 90.1, a discussion with Mark Johnston, Deputy Director, HUD and Nan Roman, National Coalition for the Homeless.
- 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: Controversial filmmaker Michael Moore speaks at UVSC
- Oct 20: Jon Huntsman visits Ogden Rotary Club, Tooele Chamber of Commerce Meet the Candidate Luncheon, noon, Ivy Garden; Box Elder Meet the Candidates Night, 6:15 pm, Brigham City Community Center; and Weber PTA Meet the Candidate Night, 7:45 pm, Weber High.
- Oct 20: Salt Lake Chamber’s Business Friendly Legislators Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Little America
- 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 attends Kearns PTA Meet the Candidate Night, 6 pm.
- Oct 20: Public Interest Law Organization debate on same-sex marriage, moderated by Phil Riesen, 7 pm, Sutherland Moot Courtroom.
- Oct 21: Radio West "Vote 2004: The Race for Utah Governor", 11 am, KUER-FM 90.1, featuring Jon Huntsman.
- Oct 21: Hinckley Institute of Politics, "Vote 2004: The Race for House District 25", 1 pm, KUER-FM 90.1, featuring Ross Romero and Martine Smith.
- Oct 21: Mark Shurtleff attends Midvale Senior Center Meet the Candidate, 10:45 am; Chamber West Meet the Candidate, 11:45 am; PTA Legislative Forum, 1 pm.
- Oct 21: Jon Huntsman Interview on Radio West, 11 am, KUER FM 90. Oct 21: 3rd Congressional District featured on Bruce Lindsay's Conversation with the Candidates, 6:10 pm, KSL TV.
- Oct 21: Gubernatorial Debate, On the Record with ABC 4 News Reporter Chris Vanocur, 7 pm.
- Oct 22: Radio West "Vote 2004: The Race for Utah's 2nd Congressional District", 11 am, KUER-FM 90.1, with Jim Matheson and John Swallow.
- Oct 22: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate at South Jordan Senior Center, 11 am.
- Oct 23: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate in Lehi, 6 pm.
- Oct 23: Jim Matheson at the U of U Football Rally.
- 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: Attorney General Debate, 3 pm, KBYU.
- Oct 25: Gubernatorial Debate, KSL-TV, KSL Radio and the Deseret Morning News, Rose Wagner Theatre, 7 pm.
- Oct 25: Meet the State and National Candidates Night, 7-9 pm, Whittier Community Center, 290 N. 400 E, Logan. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the PTA.

- See the entire calendar