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Utah’s economy continues to hum right along,
which should be good news for state revenues. Jeri Cartwright,
who does public relations for Commerce CRG, sent along the firm’s
real estate report (which will be posted on the Commerce CRG Web
site) including these comments from President and CEO Mike
Lawson:
“The economic improvements we’ve been predicting
are now backed up by reality. The market continues to charge full
steam ahead. In the first quarter, we had a surge of new construction,
more declines in vacancy and a higher-than-expected influx of new
jobs. Take a look around. It’s been years since we’ve seen this
much speculative construction. Lenders are more confident, too.
They aren’t afraid to underwrite these projects.”
Tracy Van Wagoner, a candidate for
state Democratic chair, has created a Web site listing her qualifications
and vision. Check it out here.
Lots of Democratic Web sites are popping up.
Utah is getting a lot of national press on
No Child Left Behind, but other states are also leery about the
federal law. Ric Cantrell at the Utah Senate sent along this
link
to a New York Times story about Connecticut planning suing
the federal government over the costs of testing required under
the law.
Casual Friday
Time to Explore the Red Rock Country
April is the best month of the year to explore the canyons of
the Colorado Plateau. The days are warm but not scorching, the watermelon-scented
cactus rose is in bloom, the river bottom cottonwood groves are
leafing out in neon green, and the streambeds are swollen with cold
clear snowmelt.
In particular, the world-famous Grand Gulch
is ideal this time of year. This normally austere canyon system
-- a baking oven in the summer, an icy hell in the winter -- becomes
in the spring a gorgeous open-air museum with stunning scenic and
archeological surprises around every bend.
Here are links to some great stories about
exploring the Grand Gulch, from the website Red
Rock Adventure:
Best of Late Night Humor
David Letterman.... "Top Ways Airlines Are Cutting Back":
Pilots have to pay for their in-flight cocktails; Ticket agents
urging travelers to stay home; To maximize space, seats no longer
recline a luxurious inch-and-a-half; Oxygen mask compartments replaced
with video poker screens; Instead of complimentary pillows, wadded-up
clothing pulled out of checked luggage; Difference between first
class and coach? A bite-size 3 Musketeers bar; From now on, planes
will taxi from one destination to another on the Interstate; In
case of water landing, your only flotation device is the fat guy
in 16F. … It was chilly at opening day at Yankee Stadium. It was
so cold Jose Canseco was injecting players with hot cocoa.
Jay Leno.... President Bush's approval rating has dropped
to 45 percent -- the lowest ever for him. The White House blames
it on the fact that Bush hasn't invaded anyone in three years. To
give you an idea how low his approval rating is, only three of the
nine Supreme Court justices would vote for him. .... In fact it
is so low, today he was named an honorary Democrat. .... Gasoline
prices continue to rise here in California. Prices are the highest
in the nation, well over three dollars a gallon in some places.
Unbelievable. The gas station near my house, they have a slot for
your credit card and another one for your 401(k). .... You know
what I watched last night -- I hadn't seen it in about 20 years
-- "Mad Max, the Road Warrior," the Mel Gibson movie. It takes place
when gas is so precious, people are killing each other for a couple
of gallons. And it was set some time in the future -- I think it
was the summer of 2005. .... President Bush says this week he will
ask Congress to further loosen immigration laws. Apparently he found
out there were still some people left in Mexico … As you know, President
Bush and Laura Bush took Bill Clinton with them to Rome for the
papal services. It's a delegation of the faithful and unfaithful,
I guess… I tease – actually, Bill Clinton met with the pope four
times. Four times! Of course, it was for confession.
Conan . . . Right now, all the world leaders are headed
to Rome. President Bush flew to the Vatican today, and he told reporters,
this is nice, that he had tremendous respect for Pope John Paul
II. Here's the bad part. Bush added, 'I was also a big fan of his
dad, Pope John Paul I.' … This is interesting. Prince Charles has
postponed his wedding to Camila Parker-Bowles, because it was scheduled
for the same day as the pope's funeral. When asked about it, Charles
said, 'I don't want this enormous, tragic event to compete with
the pope's funeral.'
Miller . . . Online search engine leader Google has unveiled
a new feature that will enable its users to zoom in on homes and
businesses using satellite images. It's really the perfect service
for the stalker or terrorist on a budget.
Ferguson . . . It was a very somber moment, and a very awkward
moment, when Bush met a group of cardinals and congratulated them
on beating the Astros.
Kimmel . . . Today is the 75th anniversary of the Twinkie.
I can't help but think that, in a thousand years when they dig up
this civilization, all they're going to find are Twinkies and free
CDs from AOL.
The Truth Hurts
If You're not Part of the Solution,
There's Good Money to be Made Prolonging the Problem
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Utah
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