Page 3: The Price of Two Movie Tickets (Initiative 1 Advocacy Essay)

News Highlights

Ellis Ivory ballot status could be determined today (Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret Morning News). Political columnist Bob Bernick opines that Ivory is better off with his name on the ballot (Morning News).

Senate candidates Bob Bennett and Paul Van Dam debate in St. George (The Spectrum).

Immigration is issue in Chris Cannon-Beau Babka debate (Tribune).

Quote of the Day

"We've been trying to run the campaign as honestly and aboveboard and reasonably as possible. We have plenty of ads."

- Scott McCoy, commenting on the discarding of two radio ads opposing Amendment 3 after complaints by a state legislator and KSL radio (Salt Lake Tribune)

Political Briefs

The National Republican Congressional Committee this week reported $9.4 million in independent expenditures to fund six-figure ad blitzes against eight Democratic House incumbents, including $238,000 against Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah.

Sen. John Valentine, appearing before the Salt Lake Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee on Thursday, said revenues are improving for state government, but transportation needs pose an enormous challenge. He hears more concerns from his Utah County constituents regarding gridlock on the highways than any other issue. Valentine also said he opposes Initiative 1, in part because he fears it will hurt the state’s bond rating.

The presidential debates are over, but Utah candidates will be holding debates and making many campaign appearances before Nov. 2. For all the action, see the Policy Daily calendar in the right column.

(The Exoro Group is advising the Initiative 1 effort on a client basis. The following essay is the author’s own opinion and is not paid for by the Initiative 1 campaign, but the author is a partner in the Exoro Group)

Since I have a new granddaughter, Ella, my perspective on the future has changed. I used to hope the world would hold together at least until my children have enjoyed full and productive lives. But now Ella has gotten me thinking far beyond that. Mortality rates being what they are, she will probably live to see the next century.

Somehow we need to preserve our culture, our values, and what makes Utah great for another 100 years and beyond. For me, that also means preserving some of the things I love: parks, trails, farmland and wildlife habitat.

And that’s why I am an enthusiastic supporter of Initiative 1. For the price of two movie tickets annually, I can support something that I am absolutely certain will be important and meaningful for my children and grandchildren.

When Utah’s population was only a fraction of what it is today, our leaders had enough vision to set aside urban parks and open space (consider Liberty Park in downtown Salt Lake City) for future generations. Today, we benefit from their foresight. Now our population has grown dramatically, with another million people projected by the time Ella graduates from high school. We need to add to our system of parks and trails and protected farmland, and also protect our wildlife habitat and watersheds for Ella’s generation.

Our state wildlife and parks divisions, and our local governments are doing the very best they can, but have very little money to put toward these efforts. Initiative 1 would provide considerable funding for their highest priorities, the state and community projects throughout Utah that would be most meaningful to citizens, including recreational facilities and other local priorities.

Initiative 1 is supported by an impressive group of business and civic leaders, but it is also opposed by a number of state legislators. While I absolutely disagree that Initiative 1 will do any harm to the state’s bond rating or otherwise hurt the state financially, I fully understand their concerns and I sympathize with their perspective.

Utah’s lawmakers and top state leaders are used to controlling the state’s purse strings. It’s their baby. They have had full control over the state’s budget and priorities, appropriating money to education, transportation, social services, and other crucial state functions. I applaud and appreciate their service and I believe that 99.9% of tax dollars, over many years, should be subject to their discretion and control.

But there is also a different approach. Every once in a while, probably only once a generation or so, it is perfectly appropriate for the people to say, “You know what, we have priorities as well, and there is a lawful, constitutional, alternative way to make a law or appropriate money, and this issue is important enough that we’re going to do it.”

The backers of Initiative 1 complied with every constitutional and statutory requirement, obtained 130,000 signatures, and overcame enormous obstacles to get their proposal on the ballot. Frequent ballot initiatives would be a terrible way to make law. But Utah has one of the most difficult initiative laws in the country. There is absolutely no danger of becoming another California. The Legislature itself set forth the very stringent requirements to get a measure on the ballot, and because of enormous popular support, this initiative has made it.

So the people have a chance to say, as I do, that I support our legislative process. I am willing to pay my fair share for transportation, education, and other state needs. But I am also willing to tax my family the value of two movie tickets ($14 a year) to help preserve the Utah I love for Ella’s generation.

Applications for use of the money will come from cities and counties with deserving projects, and also from the Department of Agriculture (to preserve farmland), the Division of Wildlife Resources (preserve trout streams and wildlife habitat), the Department of Environmental Quality (to preserve air and water quality). There will be careful review, prioritization and oversight by the 13-member Quality Growth Commission, which was created by the Legislature and appointed by the governor. Membership includes six elected officials.

Initiative 1 will save taxpayers multiple millions of dollars by making purchases possible today at a cost of 2-3% interest, while land prices are increasing 8 to 10 percent annually.

Initiative 1 co-chair Lewis Billings, mayor of Provo, describes what a tremendous asset the Provo River Parkway is today, stretching from Provo Canyon to Utah Lake with trails and fishing and wildlife habitat. “I shudder to think of the cost of purchasing that land today,” he said. “The price would be astronomical.” But wise leaders bought the land while it was affordable. Every community in the state has projects like that that which, if started today, will be far less expensive.

Initiative 1 is a modest proposal. It won’t solve all of our conservation needs, but it will be a start toward preserving some of what makes Utah great. For Ella’s generation. All for the price of two movie tickets. I hope you’ll vote YES on Initiative 1.

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

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Tooele Transcript Bulletin
- Tooele voters to decide on parks, arts, rec
- Incumbent faces tough House race; Anderson, Menlove court county voters
- Candidates outline visions for schools

Davis County Clipper
- Governor candidates spar ‘politely' in Davis
- Wal-Mart hooks limited victory in Centerville
- Locals work Huntsman campaign
- Bishop plan would boost school funding

Deseret Morning News
- Demos target District 1 race
- Many happy federal returns for Utah
- Tax watchdog decries Initiative 1
- Aquarium may opt to buy RDA land
- Swensen sitting on pins and needles
- Contracting is big in county races
- Board of Regents set to back Amendment 2
- Walker and PFS official spar over nuclear waste plans
- Bob Bernick Jr.: Does it matter if Ivory has name on ballot?

Daily Herald
- Utah County Republicans join to support amendment

Standard-Examiner
- Editorial: Informed school board decisions vital for voters

St. George Spectrum
- Bennett, Van Dam face off
- Supporters, opponents weigh in on Amendment 3
- Editorial: Amendment 1 provides check and balance

Salt Lake Tribune
- Babka takes on immigration
- Republicans tout efforts to increase GOP diversity
- Cottonwood Heights' first mayor has much to-do
- Ask the candidates
- Amendment 3 foes scrap radio ads
- S.L. County Council candidate questions payments to rival
- Clerks, candidates await decision on Ivory's ballot status
- Goshutes' waste plan hits a snag
- Summit County Commission race: Old vs. new
- Editorial: ZAP RAP
- A good start

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 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.
- Oct 26: Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors, 7:30 a.m., Chamber Board Room, featuring candidates Jon Huntsman, Nancy Workman, Mark Shurtleff.
- Oct 26: Hinckley Institute of Politics presents "Iraq" a talk by: Jim Mayfield, Professor Emeritus, Political Science Department, U of U, 9:10 am, KUER-FM 90.1.
- Oct 26: Radio West presents "Open Space", 11 am, KUER-FM 90.1
- Oct 26: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate events: Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce at 7:30 am, Mt. Olympus Senior Center at 11:30 am.
- 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 27: Mark Shurtleff attends Meet the Candidate events: Taylorsville Senior Center at 11 am, Weber County PTA at 7 pm.
- Oct 28: Radio West "Vote 2004: The Race for Utah State Senator", 11 am, KUER-FM 90.1, featuring Robert Bennett and Paul Van Dam.
- Oct 28: Hinckley Institute of Politics presents "Vote 2004: The Race for Salt Lake County Council", 1 pm, Steve Harmsen and Jenny Wilson featured.
- 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