Today's political briefing: Key developments
and analysis for Utah policymakers

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Tuesday through Friday of this week LaVarr Webb will be on vacation, so his Buzz commentary will not be included with Utah Policy Daily. We will send each day the usual headline links to political stories, news highlights and quote of the day. Webb's commentary will return on Monday, April 25.

News Highlights

Utah is looking at another $87.2 million in surplus funds, even after the Legislature spent a record $650 million in new and one-time money during the 2005 session (Deseret Morning News, Salt Lake Tribune).

Utah is ranked as the 5th fastest growing state in the nation, with a population expected to top 3.5 million by 2030 (Tribune, Morning News, Standard Examiner).

The Special Legislative Session produced no big surprises. The Standard Examiner ran an interesting summary.

Quote of the Day
"The latest surplus is about $20 million more than last month's figures, and on top of $235 million in surplus and $370 million in projected revenue growth built into the state budget in March."

- Salt Lake Tribune article detailing Utah's projected $87.2 million budget surplus.

Thursday Buzz
Compiled and Written by LaVarr Webb

No Buzz column today. See Message Center above.

 

  

Thursday
April 21, 2005

Standard Examiner
- Ayes, nays & long days 
- 3.4 million Utahns ...  
- Bush to use W. Point man's retirement as an example  
- Veterans home lands funding  
- State leaders hope letter signals NCLB flexibility  
- NEA files lawsuit over NCLB funding  
- House GOP offers to begin probe into DeLay  
- Weber loses fight for UDOT funds  

Deseret Morning News
- Utah growth rate soaring
- UEA joins lawsuit fighting No Child
- UDOT has HOT idea for toll lanes
- Lawmakers bite bullet on Salt Palace funding
- Surplus up by $87 million
- 4th House seat for Utah likely in '10
- Ute Tribe rejects vote challenge
- Scaled-down version of DORA approved
- Lawmakers OK Ogden vets home
- 'Softened' transportation bill OK'd
- Romney Institute honors Walker
- Cottonwood Heights wants surplus funds

Salt Lake Tribune
- If you think Utah has a surplus, you are on the money
- Utah No. 5 in growth
- Utah teacher union joins lawsuit over No Child funding
- Is there a big 'X' looming over the 'Y'?
- UTA salutes U. for encouraging use of transit by staff, students, faculty
- Details still sketchy on U-PASS school rating
- Feds hint U-PASS might pass muster
- Salt Palace funds on the way
- Utah lawmakers consider toll roads to fund highways in future
- FLDS added to list of hate groups

Daily Herald
- Census projects booming Utah growth
- Educators file suit over No Child law
- Transportation bill hot topic in House, Senate

The Spectrum
- Local officials review flooding with officials in nation's capital
- IHC donates land for new Children's Justice Center

KSL Editorial Board
- No Gambling in Utah

Tooele Transcript Bulletin
- Tooele County ranks 33rd fastest growing area in nation  
- By 2050, valley could resemble today's SLC  
- Envirocare's upgrade plans OK'd by county  

New York Times
- Utah May Be One of Fastest - Growing States
Political Calendar

Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com

- Apr 22:  The Wasatch County Democratic party Convention, 7 pm, Senior Citizen Center in the Wasatch County Library, Heber City .
- Apr 23: Weber County Democratic Convention, 9 am, Eccles Convention Center, Ogden.
- Apr 23: Green Party of Utah's Earth Day Party, 2 pm to 5 pm, Downtown Salt Lake Library, Meeting Room A.  For more information contact gpu@gput.org or 631-2998.

- Apr 23: Morgan County Republican Convention
- Apr 23: Emery County Republican Convention, 7 pm, Castle Dale Recreation Hall
- Apr 23: Morgan County Democratic Convention, 7 pm, Spring Chicken Inn, Morgan.
- Apr 24: Green Party of Utah Coordinating Council Meeting, 10 am to 12 pm, Salt Lake County Government Office Complex, South Atrium Conference Room.
- Apr 26: Utah Taxpayers Association Utah Taxes Now Annual Conference, Little America Hotel. See this pdf for more information.
- Apr 26: Green Party of Utah Roots Local Monthly Meeting, 12 pm, Sprague Library, 1100 E 2100 S.
- Apr 28: Constitution Party National Executive Meeting, Best Western Garden Inn, 154 West 600 South, Salt Lake City.  Open to the public for observation - seating very limited. 
- Apr 29: Davis County Lincoln Day Dinner.
- Apr 30: Libertarian Party of Utah Convention and Annual Memorial/Awards Dinner.
- Apr 30: Lincoln Club Convention Breakfast, South Town Exposition Center, $5 suggested donation (this event will take place before the Salt Lake County Republican Convention).

- Apr 30: Salt Lake County Republican Convention
- Apr 30: Davis County Republican Convention, Davis County Conference Center.
- Apr 30: Utah County Republican Party Organizing Convention, 7 pm, Canyon View Junior High, 950 N 700 E, Orem.
- 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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Publisher: LaVarr Webb
Editor: Paul Hollingshead
News: Golden Webb
Calendar and Subscriptions: Luci Webb