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News Highlights
Gov. Jon Huntsman sworn in, promises risk and change (Salt Lake Tribune, Standard-Examiner, Daily Herald, Deseret Morning News).
Editorials on Huntsman: Tribune, KSL, Morning News.
Links to inauguration video, text of speech, Huntsman list of priorities at new Governor's Home Page on State Web site.
Quote of the Day
"What was interesting to me was the enormous emotion. Obviously, Salt Lake County has been through a lot. . . . I didn't realize the terrible emotional trauma the county has been through."
-- Former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean, attending the swearing-in ceremony Monday of his cousin, new County Mayor Peter Corroon (Morning News).
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Tuesday Buzz
Compiled and
Written by LaVarr Webb |
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Olympics Chief is Baaaack!
Massachusetts Gov. and 2008 presidential hopeful Mitt Romney will be back in town next month to address the Salt Lake County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner. The date is Friday, February 25, at 7 p.m. at the Little America Hotel. For ticket information and event sponsorships go to www.lincolnclub.net. (Thanks to Jeremy Roberts for keeping us informed.)
Who Goes? Who stays?
Gov. Jon Huntsman (no more -elect) announces more of his cabinet appointments tomorrow (See Morning News story).
Will He Get Tennis Elbow?
Tonight, Gov. Huntsman stars at a Statehood Day celebration at the E Center (3200 South Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City) where he has vowed to shake every hand (and kiss every baby?) that is protruded in front of him, no matter how long it takes. But what if a lot of people shake his hand, and it’s such a thrill they get back in line over and over to do it again . . .? I could shake a lot of hands because I milked cows (by hand) when I was young . . . but I dunno about Gov. Huntsman.
Political Blogging in Utah
I’m interested in the blogging phenomenon (which continues to make lots of news) mostly because of the potential of the new medium in politics and communications. Because of the Internet and e-mail, we’re seeing a communications revolution occur before our eyes.
The Pew Internet and American Life Project reports that overall blog readership jumped 58 percent in 2004 (although 62 percent of Internet users still do not know what a blog is). The report, "The State of Blogging" (January 2, 2005), reveals trends in the use of blog, RSS and XML technologies. It is based on two surveys fielded in November by the Pew Research Center. Says the report:
”By the end of 2004 blogs had established themselves as a key part of online culture . . . 8 million American adults say they have created blogs; blog readership . . . now stands at 27% of Internet users; 5% of Internet users say they use RSS aggregators or XML readers to get the news and other information delivered from blogs and content-rich Web sites as it is posted online; and 12% of Internet users have posted comments or other material on blogs.”
So when will Utah bloggers ever become a political and media force? Will Utah politicians ever take to blogging? Will Utah news reporters some time in the near future have to worry not just about what their editors say about their writing, but also what the bloggers say? The answer to all of those questions is yes. It’s just a matter of time. We will see political blogs by Utah politicians, everyday citizens, and even by news reporters. In fact, KSL radio already has a blog written by some familiar names in the newsroom. Expect newspaper reporters to start blogs before long. We will have “truth squad” bloggers critiquing the newspapers and electronic media. We will have blogs that pop up on specific issues, supporting or opposing specific causes. We will have right wing bloggers and left wing bloggers. Some candidates have posted blogs. There are already quite a few bloggers in Utah. I’m going to put together a list of the ones that touch on politics and include the list in the Utah Political Portal.
Check Out These Blogs
Some interesting posts on Dave Fletcher’s Government and Technology Weblog, including photos of the Huntsman inauguration, the top 10 technology accomplishments in Utah state government in 2004, and a link to a short article in Government Technology Magazine highlighting the accomplishments of Western Governors University, which is located in Utah and was started by Gov. Mike Leavitt. Also check out Phil Windley’s Utah Politics blog for some political discussion. Interesting article about the potential of blogs in the commercial world in Tech News World. |
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Words to Live By
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"You know what Harry Truman said: 'If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.' Well, I have two." -- Karl Rove, in Newsweek Magazine interview , Dec. 6 edition.
"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in the world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them." --George Bernard Shaw (Source: The Federalist Patriot).
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Tuesday
January 4, 2005
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Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com
- Jan 4: Utah Statehood Day Celebration, 6 pm, E Center, 3200 S Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City. No charge for admittance, open house for all citizens of Utah.
- Jan 10: Leadership breakfast hosted by Senate Republicans. 7:30 am, Grand America's Imperial Ballroom B, 550 South Main Street, Salt Lake City. Cost is $125 per person or $1000 per table. RSVP to a member of Senate Republican Leadership or Ric Cantrell: 801-673-1603.
- Jan 10: Utah Taxpayers Association annual pre-legislative conference, 9 a.m.-noon, in room W135 State Capitol. Invited are legislators, legislative staff, governor’s staff, business groups, public policy groups, and the media. RSVP: 972-8814.
- Jan. 10: Education Excellence Utah sponsors conference, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Hilton Hotel, 255 South West Temple, Alpine East Room. Presentations on the impact of parental choice on public education and society. Keynote address by Wisconsin Assemblyman Scott Jensen, who played a crucial role in the creation, expansion and defense of Milwaukee's pioneering school choice program. Price, including lunch, is $15 per person. RSVP to Lisa, 801.532.1448 or lisal@xmission.com.
- Jan 12: 8th Annual Washington County Economic Summit with Governor-Elect Jon Huntsman as key-note speaker, 7 am to 2 pm, Dixie Center, St. George City. For information see www.whatsupdownsouth.com.
- Jan 12: House Republican Caucus Reception, 5:30-7 p.m., Rice-Eccles Stadium Tower Varsity Room, 6th floor, 451 South 1400 East, $1,500 event sponsorship; $1,000 group of four; $300 per person. RSVP: 580-4743.
- Jan 13: Republican Party Legislative Update Breakfast, with Pres. John Valentine and Speaker Greg Curtis, 7:30 a.m., Little America, Ballroom B&C, 500 South Main. $1,500 for table of eight or $200 per person. Corporate sponsorship, $5,000. RSVP: Liv Olafsson, 533-9777.
- Jan 15: Utah Democratic Party Legislative Ball 2005, 6 pm to 11 pm, Marriott Hotel Downtown, 75 S West Temple, Salt Lake City.
- Jan 17: 2005 legislative session begins.
- Jan 20: Presidential Inauguration.
- Jan 27: Last day to request bills (by noon).
- Jan 27: Last day to approve bills for numbering (by noon).
- Jan 29:Central Committee Meeting.
- Feb 5: Annual Green Party of Utah Convention, 10 am to 2 pm, Anderson-Foothill Library, 1135 E 2100 S, Salt Lake City.
- Feb 12: Morgan County Lincoln Day Dinner.
- Feb 12: Utah County Lincoln Day Dinner.
- Feb 18: Last day for legislators to prioritize bills and other programs with fiscal impact.
- Feb 23: Final meeting for the Executive Appropriations Committee on all budget matters.
- Feb 25: Salt Lake County Lincoln Day Dinner.
- Feb 25: Bonding bill available to legislators by noon and final action taken on it by calendared closing time.
- Feb 25: Last day to pass bills with fiscal note of $10,000 or more.
- Feb 26: Republican Women Federation Fundraiser.
- Feb 27: Last day to consider bills from own house.
- Feb 27: Last day for a motion to reconsider.
- Feb 28:General appropriations bill, supplemental appropriations bill, and school finance bill available to legislators by calendared floor time and final action taken on each bill by calendared closing time.
- Mar 2: Second supplemental appropriations bill available to legislators by calendared floor time and final action taken by noon.
- Mar 2: 2005 legislative session ends.
- Mar 22: Last day governor may sign or veto bills.
- May 1: Last day a veto-override session may begin.
- May 2: Normal effective date for bills.
- May 2: First day to file bills for the 2006 General Session. |
| - See the entire calendar
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