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Reach the UPD Audience
I hear a lot of positive comments about Utah Policy Daily , but I'm enough of a capitalist to believe that an enterprise isn't really successful until it can support itself financially. Otherwise, its value is questionable. We are going to attempt to generate some revenue for UPD, first by offering advertising and sponsorship opportunities, and perhaps later by charging a membership fee for access to premium UPD information.
I'm please to announce that Mark Towner , a technology guru, entrepreneur and political activist, is joining UPD as Business Development Director. His initial responsibility is to develop revenue through advertising and sponsorships. We believe that UPD offers businesses, associations, and other entities involved in public policy a unique opportunity to reach a very attractive audience – some 5,000 Utah elected officials (including many legislators), opinion leaders, business leaders and political activists. Consider this: You can reach this terrific audience directly, at reasonable cost, without having your messages filtered by reporters or the news media. You can get the buzz going; build your visibility in the political community; advocate your cause with policymakers. Because advertising real estate is quite limited on UPD, we have offered exclusive arrangements so messages don't compete in the same policy area. Messaging can take the form of Web advertising, advocacy essay (like an op-ed piece), press release, or on-going sponsorship of a particular UPD feature. For more info, call or e-mail Mark at 801.502.9134, mark_towner@msn.com .
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News
Highlights
Utah GOP delegation makes pitch to save Deseret Chemical Depot from closure (Salt Lake Tribune).
Rep. Chris Cannon declines offer to debate immigration issues with Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colorado, during Tancredo's visit to Utah later this month (Tribune and
Deseret Morning News).
State Sen. Chris Buttars still considering law to require teaching of "intelligent design" in Utah schools (Morning News).
Airlines to seek tax breaks before Tax Reform Commission (Morning News).
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Quote of the Day
"It just appears, apparently, that Congressman Cannon feels that our borders, immigration, national security, is just a joke. I don't think the citizens of Utah consider this to be a joke."
-- Immigration reform activist Mike Sizer, responding to a Chris Cannon spokesman who said Cannon will be home working on his sprinkling system instead of debating immigration reform (Morning News and Tribune).
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Thursday Buzz
Written by LaVarr Webb & Associates |
Reader Response Question
Who’s Biggest Junkie?
OK, dear readers, time to have a little fun. We want your input: Who is Utah’s biggest political junkie? Send us a name or two or three and we’ll make a list and have you vote on them. Send us Republicans and/or Democrats. It’s OK if they’re living out-of-state. Who is obsessed? Who stays up all night to watch the election returns? Who stays until the very end of boring county conventions? Who is always talking politics? Who always knows the latest gossip? Who eats, drinks and sleeps this stuff? Send your nominations to daily@utahpolicy.com (and it’s OK to nominate yourself).
Where are they now?
The Nine Who Tried
Last year, nine serious candidates sought the Utah governorship. Only one, Jon Huntsman, survived. So what are the other eight doing and who among them is likely to seek elective office in the future? Here’s a quick report:
- Jim Hansen is as busy as ever as member of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. He also does some government consulting work.
- Parley Hellewell is serving in the State Senate and running his plumbing, heating and air service business.
- Gary Herbert is lieutenant governor and administration point man on transportation and other major issues.
- Nolan Karras is running his investment and financial advisor/consultant business and stays in the political world as chair of State Board of Regents.
- Fred Lampropoulos has all the titles (chairman, president and CEO) at Merit Medical. The firm is doing well and looking to expand.
- Marty Stephens is VP sales at Merit Medical. He and Lampropoulos hit it off so well on the campaign trail that now they work together.
- Olene Walker is serving an LDS mission with husband Myron in New York, working with U.N. diplomats.
- Scott Matheson, the lone Democrat, remains at the U. of U. law school. He steps down from dean to professor next year.
So who’s most likely to get back into politics? My guess is that only Hansen (although he will be bored when BRAC is finished), Karras, and Walker are definitely through chasing elective office. Hellewell may try to stay in the Senate. Huntsman will certainly seek another term and then, who knows? Herbert is very interested in staying viable for the governorship in 2112 or possibly something in Washington. Lampropoulos is clearly interested in maintaining visibility in politics and could re-emerge as a candidate if the right opportunity came alone. Stephens may have had enough of politics, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him re-surface some day. And Matheson is still viewed by many Democrats as an attractive candidate for major office.
Blog Watch
Jim Knowlton will be on KCPW's (1010AM) "Midday Metro" at 10:50 a.m. on Friday talking about his Beehive Donkey blog and Utah Democratic politics in general. . . .With more state revenue surplus, Steve Urquhart says it’s time for a tax cut in Utah.
UTA Orders Rail Cars
Canada.com reports that the Utah Transit Authority is buying 12 bi-level commuter rail transit vehicles for $29 million from Canada-based Bombardier Transportation, to be delivered between June and October 2006. The new cars will provide service between North Weber County and Salt Lake City in UTA’s first phase of commuter rail. UTA’s order was also reported by BusinessWire.com.
New Utah Copper Mine
The Denver Post reports that Lakewood, Colorado-based Constellation Copper Corp. will open a new copper mine in Utah—“the nation's first new copper mine in 10 years.” The $55 million open-pit mine is in Lisbon Valley, San Juan County. It will employ 145 workers and is expected to produce 54 million pounds of refined copper per year. Production is scheduled to begin in November.
Utah’s Cost of Government Day
Utah’s Cost of Government Day was June 30, according to Americans for Tax Reform (pg. 15). That’s the day Utah workers earned enough gross income to pay their share of government spending and regulatory burdens. ATR says workers must toil on average 185 days out of the year just to meet all the costs imposed by government. “In other words, the cost of government consumes 50.4 percent of national income.”
National Review says all told, “Americans now work 83.4 days to pay Uncle Sam's bills, and they spend 42.2 days laboring for state and local officials. Federal regulations, however, consume the fruit of another 36.2 days of work; state and local rules soak up 22.2 more.”
Washington Watch
Leavitt Predicts Ample Flu Vaccine
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt says enough vaccine will be available for the coming flu season to meet the country’s needs, says a report by AllHeadlineNews.com. Leavitt acknowledged the inability to produce enough vaccine for both the regular flu and a potential pandemic of bird flu.
Broadband Connectivity is Crucial
Thomas L. Friedman warns in a New York Times column that the U.S. has dropped to 16th in the world in broadband connectivity. “The world is moving to an Internet-based platform for commerce, education, innovation and entertainment. Wealth and productivity will go to those countries or companies that get more of their innovators, educators, students, workers and suppliers connected to this platform via computers, phones and P.D.A.s.”
He quotes a New York City politician Andrew Rasiej who says the telecom companies can’t be trusted connect everyone with broadband because new technologies, like free Internet telephony, threaten their business models.
“Message: In U.S. politics, the party that most quickly absorbs the latest technology often dominates. F.D.R. dominated radio and the fireside chat; J.F.K., televised debates; Republicans, direct mail and then talk radio, and now Karl Rove's networked voter databases.
“The technological model coming next -- which Howard Dean accidentally uncovered but never fully developed -- will revolve around the power of networks and blogging. The public official or candidate will no longer just be the one who talks to the many or tries to listen to the many. Rather, he or she will be a hub of connectivity for the many to work with the many -- creating networks of public advocates to identify and solve problems and get behind politicians who get it.
He quotes New York City politician Andrew Rasiej who says the telecom companies can’t be trusted to connect everyone with broadband because new technologies, like free Internet telephony, threaten their business models. |
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Thursday
August 4, 2005
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KCPW Radio 1010AM · 88.3FM · 105.3FM
Please submit calendar items to Daily@UtahPolicy.com
- Aug 4: Legislative Golf Tournament, 8 am, Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. Featuring a clinic by 2005 Senior PGA Champion Mike Reid. For more information or to RSVP contact Becky at 801-363-8920 or becky@farbmanhopkins.com.
- Aug 4: Professional Republican Women Club (PRW) lunch, 12 pm, Fresh Air Cafe, Wells Fargo Building, second floor, 299 South State Street, Salt Lake City. Guest speaker is Jacqueline Berger, lecturer and author on America's First Ladies. For more information call Melanie Rogers at 359-0202.
- Aug 4: Washington County Republican Women Luncheon, 12 pm, Bloomington Country Club.
- Aug 4: Utah Constitutional Revision Commission, 1 pm, room W125.
- Aug 4: Lt. Gov. Herbert visits with local officials in Manti to discuss issues relating to transportation and elections.
- Aug 5: Lt. Gov. Herbert visits with local officials in Davis, Weber, and Box Elder Counties to discuss issues relating to transportation and elections.
- Aug 5: Drawings for speaker/ballot order and booth rentals for Republican State Convention, 12 pm.
- Aug 5: Utah Hispanic Democratic Caucus Summer Fundraiser, 5:30 to 8 pm, Greenstreet at Trolley Square, 602 East 500 South, Salt Lake City. Suggested contribution is $20.00 and food will be provided. For more information contact Clayton A. Simms at 359-0404 or Clayton960@qwest.net.
- Aug 6: Utah County Libertarian Party meeting, 10 am, Golden Corral, 225 West University Parkway, Orem
- Aug 6: Democratic 3rd Quarter State Central Committee, 11:30 am.
- Aug 9: Elections for Kearns Community Council to be held today. Voting places are: Bacchus Elem. 5925 S 5975 W, Beehive Elem. 5655 S. 5220 W., Oquirrh Hills Elem. 5241 S. 4280 W., South Kearns Elem. 5570 S. 4430 W., Western Hills Elem. 5190 S. Heath Ave. (5030 W.).
- Aug 9: South Valley Democrats Meetup, 7 pm, Sandy.
- Aug 10-13: Washington County Fair
- Aug 10: Lt. Gov. Herbert to chair the Governor's Rural Partnership Board meeting in Cedar City.
- Aug 10: Utah Technology Commission, 2 pm, room W110.
- Aug 11: Lt. Gov. Herbert visits with local officials in Kane, Washington, Iron and Garfield counties to discuss issues relating to transportation and elections.
- Aug 11: 2005 Sutherland Transcend Series,"Contours of the Rule of Law - Understanding Legal Frameworks," Breakfast Keynote from 8:30 to 9:30 am, Morning Seminar from 9:40 to 11:30 am, Lunch from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, Afternoon Workshop from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. For more information contact Stan Rasmussen at 801-355-1272, email si@sutherlandinstitute.org, or view brochure here.
- Aug 11: Water Issues Task Force, 10 am, room W125.
- Aug 11: Golden Rule Festival, 5:30 to 8 pm, Sugarhouse Park, Lake Terrace. Celebrating Gov Huntsman's Declaration of Golden Rule Day in Utah. Activities and entertainment emphasizing our private and public duty to those in need. Contact: Bill Tibbits 801-364-7765.
- Aug 11: Davis County Libertarian Party meeting, 7 pm, 1617 North 350 East, Layton.
- Aug 12: Deadline for Republican County Parties to certify their state delegates to State Party Offices, 5 pm. Please send those lists to Bill Fagergren at bfagergren@utgop.org.
- Aug 13: Davis County Democrats Monthly Breakfast, 8:30 am, Grannie Annie's Restaurant, 286 N. 400 West, Kaysville. Held the 2nd Saturday every month. Bring an item of food (non-perishable) for the Davis County Food Bank.
- Aug 15: Deadline for candidates wishing to run for a municipal office this year to file a Declaration of Candidacy with their municipal clerk.
- Aug 15: Lt. Gov. Herbert visits with local officials in Wasatch, Summit, and Morgan counties to discuss issues relating to transportation and elections.
- Aug 16: Lt. Gov. Herbert to meet in Richfield with local government officials from Millard, Beaver, Sevier, Piute, Emery and Wayne counties to discuss issues relating to transportation and elections.
- Aug 16: Highway Jurisdictional Transfer Task Force, 9 am, room W125.
- Aug 16: Constitution Party of Utah Washington County, 7 to 9 pm, Washington County Administration Bldg corner of Tablernacle and 200 East, St. George.
- Aug 17-20: Davis County Fair
- Aug 17: Constitution Party Davis County Convention, 6 pm, Layton Library, 155 North Wasatch Drive, Layton.
- Aug 18: Davis Chamber Monthly Luncheon, 11:30 am. Congressman Rob Bishop will be the guest speaker. Cost is $15. Please RSVP at (801) 295-6944.
- Aug 18: Constitution Party Salt Lake County Convention, 6 pm.
- Aug 18: Weber County Libertarian Party meeting, 7 pm, Etched in Stone Design, 2031 Lincoln Avenue, Ogden.
- Aug 20: Special Initiatives Office fundraiser held by Gov. Jon Huntsman. 6:30 p.m. at the USANA Amphitheater. James Taylor will perform after dinner. Call 521-8500, or e-mail: tara@farbmanhopkins.com.
- Aug 20: Utah Democratic Party 3rd Quarter State Central Committee, 10 am. Location to be announced.
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