A Plug For Transportation Funding
In a speech to the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials
last Friday, Sen. Bob Bennett put in a strong endorsement
for transportation funding, saying the transportation system is
the circulatory life blood of the state and country. With Utah growing
so rapidly, strangulation will occur without more capacity, he said.
Bennett, a strong mass transit supporter, noted that former opponents
of light rail now want it in their neighborhoods. To be bypassed
is to lose economically, he said. Dwight Eisenhower was considered
to be a passive president, Bennett said, but he actually did more
to transform America than most other presidents because he built
the U.S. interstate freeway system, the nation’s circulatory system,
which allowed the free flow of commerce.
On other topics, Bennett said Utah deserves a fourth congressional
seat and the District of Columbia should have a House seat. But
it won’t happen because congressional Democrats are convinced the
Utah Legislature would try to redistrict Rep. Jim Matheson
out of existence.
Bennett also said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, from
neighboring Nevada, is a “delight to work with” compared to Tom
Daschle, his predecessor, because even though Reid takes his
partisan shots, he wants to get things done in the Senate and isn’t
as obstructionist.
Political Wisdom
“Beware the standing ovation – that’s when they escape.”
-- Sen. Bob Bennett, quoting former
Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming
Washington Watch
Bennett Testing Dem Unity
Bloomberg.com
reported Monday that Sens. Bob Bennett and James DeMint
are planning Social Security reform proposals that would test
the unity of Democrats. The proposals are designed to entice Dems
to begin negotiating Social Security overhaul or force them to explain
why they won’t back measures that strengthen the program. The Bennett/DeMint
proposal would offer private accounts by financing them initially
through other means, while a separate Bennett plan would shore up
Social Security finances without private accounts.
Campaign Finance Reform
The American
Prospect Online is crying foul, saying Republicans are trying
to invoke McCain-Feingold to put progressive 527s out of business,
while a series of amendments by Bob Bennett are intended
to increase the resources that flow from businesses and big-money
donors to Republicans.
Hatch the Indomitable?
A story from the Times
Record News (Wichita Falls, TX—free registration required) last
Friday says Sen. Orrin Hatch is a “Goliath” in his re-election
bid next year and nearly unbeatable. What makes the story interesting,
though, are the quotes by state Rep. Steve Urquhart, who
suggests some discontent among state legislators and local officials
regarding Hatch’s performance. From the story: "I am hearing from
almost everyone who approaches me that there is concern about his
focus . . . There's concern whether he wants to be a senator or
something else, be it a musician or Supreme Court justice, and local
leaders, we really want two hard-working senators."
Are E-Mail Messages Public Records?
Government officials need to establish credible policies regarding
e-mail. Is e-mail a private communication like a phone call? Or
is it a public record? Could a group of elected officials e-mailing
back and forth be guilty of violating open meetings laws? Those
are all questions that elected officials need to consider. A legislative
task force began discussing the issue last week (See Morning
News story).
BYU journalism professor Joel Campbell, a former Morning
News editor and reporter, and one of Utah’s top experts on open
records and government information and data, suggested that public
officials read an excellent article in Governing
Magazine that provides an overview and outlines the issues
that need to be addressed.
Natural Gas Prices Too High
Huntsman Corp. officials say natural gas traders are to blame for
keeping natural gas prices artificially high. In a news
release, President and CEO Peter Huntsman blasted natural
gas traders on the New York Mercantile Exchange for continuing to
foster high and volatile natural gas prices at consumers’ expense.
Gas inventories are high, yet prices are going up in trading sessions,
costing the U.S. economy, along with businesses, farmers and consumers,
up to $15 billion in extra costs while hedge funds and paper traders
enrich themselves. Huntsman urged congressional support for HR1638,
which would “help restore sanity to the market and reduce the harm
being inflicted on the U.S. economy.”
GOP Fundraisers Scheduled
House Republicans are holding their 3rd Annual Bowler’s Ball on
July 19 at 6:30 p.m. at 1776 West 7800 South, West Jordan. Four-person
team sponsorships cost $1,000, and individual tickets are $300.
Call 580-4743, or katdayton@gmail.com.
Gov. Jon Huntsman is holding a fundraiser for his Special
Initiatives Office on Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the USANA Amphitheater.
James Taylor will perform after dinner. Call 521-8500, or e-mail:
tara@farbmanhopkins.com.
Utah Foundation Annual Report
The Utah Foundation’s 2004 Annual
Report highlights the year's findings and publications, including
the 2004 Utah Priorities Project. The Annual Report covers current
data analysis and policy research that will be published in 2005.
It includes letters from the President and Executive Director, selected
financial data and list of current officers and board members. Steve
Kroes, executive director, may be reached at (801) 355-1400, steve@utahfoundation.org.
For more information. visit: www.utahfoundation.org.
Staying Together for the Kids
The coverage in the newspapers Saturday about the annual party for
100-plus-year-olds, thrown by the governor, reminded me of a story
Mike Leavitt used to tell about one such party he attended a
few years ago. Leavitt says he was visiting with a crusty 102-year-old
fellow who had attended previous centenarian parties with his wife,
but was alone this time. Leavitt inquired about his wife’s health,
and the elderly gentleman replied, “She’s OK. But she’s not here
. . . we got a divorce.”
“A divorce?” Leavitt responded with surprise. “After so many years
of marriage? I’m so sorry to hear this.”
“Don’t worry about it,” said the old guy. “We actually wanted to
divorce several years ago, but we decided to wait until the kids
were dead.”
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