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 UPD
Storm Delayed
The wild storm knocked out power at my home just as I was putting
together Utah Policy Daily early this morning. I had to high-tail
it into my office, so we’re late. I drove into downtown just as
the sun was peeking through the clouds and hitting the Oquirrhs.
It was an amazing and beautiful sight to see snow down to the benches.
What crazy weather we’re having.
Toll Roads in our
Future?
The magnitude of the transportation crisis facing Utah is larger
than most people realize, according to Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert.
A long-term solution to the state’s transportation funding problem
has been postponed for too long and must now be addressed, Herbert
said Monday at a transportation forum sponsored by the Salt lake
Chamber.
Transportation is one of the top two or three
political issues in Utah, with Herbert and Gov. Jon Huntsman
planning a major transportation summit in September. Utah lawmakers,
led by Reps. Becky Lockhart, John Dougall, and Sens.
Carlene Walker and Sheldon Killpack, have already
made considerable progress in documenting the crisis and outlining
possible funding options to avoid gridlock and economic meltdown.
Local government leaders and the business
community, as evidenced by strong support from the Chamber, are
also committed to seeking long-term solutions to maintain mobility
for people, goods, and services.
Dougall, Lockhart and Killpack also spoke
at the forum, each outlining the seriousness of the challenge facing
Utah and the tough choices ahead. Vehicle miles traveled in Utah
are far outstripping highway capacity, said Killpack. Lockhart noted
that $350 million a year in additional highway funds would be required
for 10 years to catch up on needed projects.
Killpack said that gas tax would have to
be raised by 36 cents per gallon and then be indexed for inflation
and increased auto fuel efficiency to pay for transportation needs.
He also discussed his legislation to encourage the state to purchase
land for future highway corridors before prices skyrocket. The state
spent $50 million buying and removing homes for the Legacy Highway,
he said, money that could have been used building highways had there
been more foresight.
All the speakers mentioned that Utah needs
to look at innovative funding mechanism such as tolling and public
private partnerships. Linda Bohlinger, a consultant specializing
in transportation financing for HNTB, a national engineering firm,
outlined what is happening in other states. Many states are using
HOT lanes and tolling to leverage transportation tax dollars. In
some parts of the country, notably Texas, private investors are
even building and operating highways and recouping their investments
through tolls.
Rep. Pat Jones, who attended the forum,
wondered how the state can pay the high costs of transportation
improvements and also adequately fund education, Medicaid and other
crucial state needs. Rep. Lockhart said there are no simple solutions.
It’s a matter setting priorities.
Leavitt to Speak on
Health Care
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt will speak to a gathering of the
Utah-based Oquirrh Institute in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June
3. He will discuss the topic: Generating More Efficiency and Effectiveness
in U.S. Health Care. Leavitt was a founder of the Oquirrh Institute
when he was governor of Utah.
Love After 30 Years
of Marriage
My highly romantic wife thought this little poem published in the
Davis County Library staff newsletter was appropriate to our relationship:
I need you to light the stars and set
the sun afire.
I need you to dark the night and quench this wild desire.
I need you to hold my hand whenever I’m in doubt.
Bur right now, dear, I need you most
To take the garbage out.
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